National Geographic Orion in Kusadasi: a spring and autumn Ephesus day

Published 4 October 2026

National Geographic Orion skips the hot months in Kusadasi altogether. The published schedule (checked in October 2026) shows three calls: Friday 7 May, Monday 31 May and Wednesday 15 September 2027. That is two spring days and one in late summer, and none in June, July or August.

The other pattern is just as clear: on every one of those three days, at least two other ships are listed in port as well. Mild weather, then, but company at the gates of Ephesus.

The three calls at a glance

• Friday 7 May 2027: Celebrity Infinity and Celebrity Equinox are also listed.
• Monday 31 May 2027: Rhapsody of the Seas and Emerald Azzurra are also listed.
• Wednesday 15 September 2027: Odyssey of the Seas, AIDAblu, Star Flyer and SeaDream II are also listed, so five ships in all. This is the fullest of the three.

Arrival and departure times for National Geographic Orion have not been announced yet. Times are often added later and can still change, so treat any plan as a draft until you see the ship’s daily programme and its all-aboard time.

What fits, depending on how long you stay

Because the hours are open, here are three planning brackets. In each case, the car should have you back at the port at least 60 minutes before the published departure.

• If your ship stays about 5 to 6 hours: Ephesus on its own, with the Temple of Artemis as a short photo stop if the clock allows. Leave the House of the Virgin Mary and Sirince for another trip.
• If your ship stays about 7 to 8 hours: Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis. Sirince is the one to drop.
• If your ship stays 9 hours or more: all four places become realistic, Sirince included.

Door to door, plan roughly 3.5 hours for Ephesus alone and about 7 to 7.5 hours for all four. Those are planning values, not promises; traffic and queues move them.

A crowd-aware sample day

This example uses a hypothetical call of 08:00 to 18:00, chosen only to show the order. Swap in the real times once they are published.

1. 08:40 Leave the port exit with your driver. On a three- or five-ship day, allow extra time to get off the ship.
2. 09:25 House of the Virgin Mary first, while the big groups are heading for the ruins. About 45 minutes.
3. 10:30 Ephesus from the upper gate, walking downhill to the lower gate where the car waits. About 2 to 2.5 hours, or longer with the Terrace Houses.
4. 13:15 Temple of Artemis, a quick stop of about 15 to 20 minutes.
5. 13:55 Sirince for a late lunch and a walk, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
6. About 16:00 Back at the port, inside the 17:00 limit that an 18:00 departure would set.

Spring and September: what changes on the ground

Ephesus. In May the marble of Curetes Street is usually pleasant to walk; in mid-September the sun can still be strong by late morning, and there is very little shade on the site. Starting at the upper gate keeps most of the walk downhill, which helps once the day warms up.

House of the Virgin Mary. The small stone house sits among trees on Nightingale Mountain. Popes Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI all came here. Inside, people keep their voices low; modest clothing is appreciated.

Temple of Artemis. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, now a single re-erected column in a low field. In spring the ground can be wet. Look up the slope for Ayasuluk Hill and the Basilica of St John.

Sirince. A former Greek village above Selcuk, with the restored Church of St John the Baptist and shops selling fruit wine and olive oil. If you buy a bottle, check your ship’s rules on bringing alcohol aboard.

Tips for these particular dates

• 7 May and 31 May: three ships each. Starting with Mary’s House usually puts you at Ephesus after the first wave.
• 15 September: five ships. Agree the reversed order with us in advance, and keep your plan simple if the call turns out to be short.
• The main route through Ephesus is roughly 1.5 to 2 km on uneven stone. Wear shoes with grip; polished marble can be slippery.
• Bring water and a hat even in May. Shade is scarce inside the site.

Booking the car

Reserve a private car with driver from Kusadasi to Ephesus. Your driver meets you at the cruise port exit, waits while you visit, and brings you back. The vehicle is only for your group, with room for up to 8 passengers.

When you book, tell us which extra stops you want (Mary’s House, Artemis, Sirince) and whether you would like drop-off at one gate and pick-up at the other. We confirm the plan with you before the day. Entrance tickets are not included in the transfer, but you can buy Ephesus and Terrace Houses tickets in advance on our museum tickets page. Payment is by cash or card, and you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before.

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