Celebrity Xcel summer Tuesdays: Ephesus from Kusadasi by private car

Published 4 October 2026

Celebrity Xcel keeps a steady summer rhythm in Kusadasi. The published schedule (checked in October 2026) shows it on Tuesday 29 June, Tuesday 27 July and Tuesday 24 August 2027, exactly four weeks apart, and then once more on Monday 20 September. Three of the four calls fall in the hottest part of the year, which matters more for your Ephesus day than the weekday does.

The Tuesday pattern, and one September Monday

On all three Tuesdays, Celestyal Discovery is listed in port too. How busy the day gets beyond that varies:

• 29 June: Celebrity Infinity is also listed, so three ships.
• 27 July and 24 August: just the two ships, Celebrity Xcel and Celestyal Discovery. The calmest days of the four.
• Monday 20 September: MSC Divina and Emerald Raiya are listed, three ships, and usually milder weather.

Times have not been announced yet for any of these calls. Once published they can still move, so take the all-aboard time from the ship’s daily programme, not from an old printout.

Planning by hours in port

Treat the following as the frame for your day, and in every case be back at the port at least 60 minutes before departure:

• If the ship stays under 6 hours: Ephesus, and possibly a brief stop at the Temple of Artemis.
• If it stays 6 to 7 hours: Ephesus plus either Mary’s House or Artemis.
• If it stays 7 to 8.5 hours: Ephesus, Mary’s House and Artemis. Sirince will not fit without rushing.
• If it stays 9 hours or more: all four; with 12 hours or more you can take them at an easy pace.

How an early start pays off in July and August

Here is a hypothetical call of 07:00 to 17:00, ten hours, used only to show the structure. It front-loads the open-air ruins and saves the shaded and indoor parts for the hot hours.

• 07:30 Meet the driver at the cruise port exit.
• 08:00 to 11:00 Ephesus from the upper gate, including the Terrace Houses. Check the opening time for the season before you go.
• 11:20 to 12:05 House of the Virgin Mary, cooler under the trees.
• 12:25 to 12:45 Temple of Artemis.
• 13:05 to 14:30 Sirince, for lunch and a slow walk.
• About 15:10 Back at the port. In this example the latest sensible return would be 16:00.

If the real call is shorter, drop Sirince first, then Artemis. Ephesus and, ideally, Mary’s House are the core.

Stop by stop, with summer in mind

Ephesus. Harbour Street, also called the Arcadian Way, is as exposed to the sun as the rest of the site, so walk it early. The Terrace Houses are covered, which makes them a good mid-morning choice on a hot Tuesday.

House of the Virgin Mary. A modest stone house high on Nightingale Mountain, believed by many to be where Mary spent her final years. Water taps outside are welcome in August. Inside, silence and modest clothing are expected.

Temple of Artemis. The site of one of the Seven Wonders, marked by one tall column in a field that is often marshy. It takes a few minutes, but the story is worth telling at the spot.

Sirince. Old houses of stone and timber climb the hillside above Selcuk. Taste the fruit wine if you like, but check your ship’s rules before taking a bottle aboard.

Heat, crowds and walking on these dates

• 27 July and 24 August bring fewer ships but more heat: midday is often well above 30 °C, and Ephesus has very little shade. Bring a hat, sun cream and more water than you think.
• 29 June and 20 September have three ships listed, so many groups may set off for Ephesus at the same time. Asking for Mary’s House first is an easy way to avoid the peak.
• The main walk through Ephesus is roughly 1.5 to 2 km on uneven stone; Sirince is steep. Shoes with grip help in both places.

Booking your car

Reserve the Kusadasi to Ephesus private transfer for your group, up to 8 passengers in one vehicle. Your driver meets you at the cruise port exit, waits during each visit and drives you back to the ship.

Tell us the extra stops you want when you book; we confirm the plan with you before the day, including drop-off at one Ephesus gate and pick-up at the other if you like. Entrance tickets are not included, so buy Ephesus and Terrace Houses tickets in advance on our museum tickets page. Payment is by cash or card. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before. For more ideas on timing a port day, see our cruise day planner.

Planning the visit? See our Ephesus walking guide and when to visit Ephesus.