Marella Discovery's two October calls: Ephesus by private car

Published 4 October 2026

Marella Discovery has only two Kusadasi days in the coming year, and both are this October. The published schedule (checked in October 2026) lists Sunday 11 October 2026, from 09:00 to 18:00, and Saturday 17 October 2026, from 08:00 to 18:00. If you are aboard for one of them, you have a long autumn day ashore, and you will be sharing the port.

Two dates, two busy ports

• Sunday 11 October 2026, 09:00 to 18:00. Two other ships are in Kusadasi the same day.
• Saturday 17 October 2026, 08:00 to 18:00. Three other ships are in port, making it one of the fuller days of the month.

No further calls appear in the schedule for the next twelve months. As always, times can change: check the ship’s daily programme for the all-aboard time, which usually comes before the departure time.

Nine or ten hours: what you can see

Both windows are long enough for all four of the classic sights near Selcuk: Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis and the hill village of Sirince. Door to door, that loop takes roughly 7 to 7.5 hours. Our rule is to be back at the port at least 60 minutes before departure, which on both days means 17:00 at the latest.

The Saturday call starts an hour earlier, so it gives you more room. On the Sunday, with a 09:00 arrival, the full loop works but leaves less slack; if you want the Terrace Houses inside Ephesus as well, consider skipping Sirince.

Busy mornings: change the order

On both dates, several ships’ passengers will be heading inland at the same time, and most of them start at Ephesus. A private car lets you avoid that queue by reversing the day. Here is a sample for Saturday 17 October (approximate times):

That leaves a good margin before the 17:00 latest return. For Sunday 11 October, start an hour later and expect to be back around 16:30. Opening hours change with the season, so we check them when we confirm your plan; if a site opens later than expected, we simply adjust the order.

The four stops in mid-October

House of the Virgin Mary. A small stone house among the trees above Ephesus. Popes Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI all came here. It is usually calm and a little cooler than the valley; inside, quiet and modest dress are expected.

Ephesus. Mid-October is a good month for the ruins: milder than summer, though there is still little shade, so bring water and a hat. The polished marble of Curetes Street is slippery, especially after rain.

Temple of Artemis. A single re-erected column marks one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In autumn the low field can be wet underfoot. From here, look up to Ayasuluk Hill and the Isa Bey Mosque.

Sirince. Stone and timber houses, the restored Church of St John the Baptist, and wine-tasting shops selling fruit wines. It tends to get busy around midday. If you buy wine, check what your ship allows you to bring aboard.

Walking and comfort

Expect around 1.5 to 2 km on foot in Ephesus over uneven stone, and steep cobbled lanes in Sirince. If anyone in your group has limited mobility, tell us when booking; the House of the Virgin Mary is reached by a short path from the car park, and starting at the upper gate of Ephesus keeps most of the walk downhill.

Booking for 11 or 17 October

Reserve the Kusadasi–Ephesus private transfer: a private car with driver for your group only, up to 8 passengers per vehicle. The driver meets you at the cruise port exit, waits while you visit and drives you back to the ship.

Tell us your date and stops when you book, or on WhatsApp, and we confirm the plan with you before the day. Entrance tickets are not included. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before; payment by cash or card. With only two calls this year, booking early for your date is sensible.

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.