Explorer of the Seas in Kusadasi: Ephesus by car on crowded days

Published 4 October 2026

Here is the short version for Explorer of the Seas passengers: every one of the ship’s Kusadasi calls in 2027 is a busy day. The published schedule (checked in October 2026) lists six calls between 5 June and 2 October, and on all six at least two other cruise ships are listed in port. Arrival and departure times have not been announced yet.

None of this is a reason to skip Ephesus. It is a reason to plan the day yourself rather than drift with the crowd.

Who else is in port

• Saturdays (four calls): 5 June, 10 July, 28 August and 2 October. Celestyal Discovery is listed on all four. On 28 August Wind Surf is there too, and on 2 October both Wind Surf and Carnival Miracle.
• Wednesdays (two calls): 9 June, with Odyssey of the Seas and MSC Explora 2, and 1 September, with Star Legend and Odyssey of the Seas.

Four of the six calls fall in June, July or August. The September Wednesday and the October Saturday close the series, and those are the two where the weather is most likely to be gentle.

Time in port and what it buys

Each line assumes you are back at the port at least 60 minutes before the published departure. All-aboard is usually earlier than that; the ship’s app will show it.

If the call turns out to be about 5.5 hours, do Ephesus well and add the Temple of Artemis only as a short photo stop. That is all.

If it is around 8 hours, the strongest combination is Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis. Sirince would push you too close to departure, so leave it.

If it stretches to 11 or 12 hours, all four places fit, and you can even take a slow break in the middle of the day.

Sample: the early-start day (hypothetical times: 07:00 to 15:00)

A made-up 8-hour window, written for a day with several ships. The aim is to reach the Ephesus gate before the main stream of groups.

• 07:20 Off the ship and out of the port exit. On a busy morning, allow some extra time for this step.
• 07:50 to 10:05 Ephesus, starting at the upper gate. Make sure the site is open by then on your date.
• 10:25 to 11:10 House of the Virgin Mary, back up the mountain road.
• 11:35 to 11:55 Temple of Artemis.
• 12:30 Back at the port, with two and a half hours left before a 15:00 departure. That spare time is deliberate on a day when getting back through the port can be slow.

If you prefer to start later, reverse the middle: Mary’s House first, Ephesus second.

Worth knowing about each site

Ephesus. The best-known view is the facade of the Library of Celsus. Just as striking, further down the route, is the Great Theatre, one of the largest theatres of the ancient world. The Terrace Houses add about an hour.

House of the Virgin Mary. A modest stone house in the trees on Mount Koressos. Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI all came here. Outside, there are water taps and a wishing wall.

Temple of Artemis. The site of one of the Seven Wonders, now marked by a lone column. The view across to Ayasuluk Hill, with the Basilica of St John, is half the reason to stop.

Sirince. A village of stone houses in the hills above Selcuk, Greek until the 1920s. Fits only the longest calls.

Coping with heat and crowds on these dates

Since every call is a multi-ship day, assume queues at the Ephesus ticket gates and a slow walk past the Library of Celsus. Starting early or reversing the order are your two levers. In June, July and August, midday heat in the valley often passes 30 °C, and the ruins offer almost no shade; carry water and a hat even for a morning visit. Autumn is milder, so the 1 September and 2 October calls usually make for easier walking, though sun cream still earns its place in the bag.

How to book

Reserve your car on the Kusadasi–Ephesus private transfer page. The driver meets you at the cruise port exit, waits during the visits and drives you back to the ship. One vehicle carries up to 8 passengers. Tell us which extra stops you want when you book, and we confirm the plan with you before your call. Tickets for Ephesus, the Terrace Houses and Mary’s House are not included. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Tickets are not included; buy Ephesus and Terrace Houses tickets in advance on our museum tickets page. Planning the visit? See our Ephesus walking guide and when to visit Ephesus.