Oosterdam in Kusadasi: two ways to plan Ephesus by private car

Published 4 October 2026

Oosterdam’s two October calls in Kusadasi look alike on paper and are very different in practice. The published schedule (checked in October 2026) gives Friday 9 October 2026 a window of 08:00 to 17:00, and Tuesday 20 October 2026 a window of 07:00 to 19:00. That is nine hours against twelve, and it changes how you should spend the day.

The Oosterdam calendar at a glance

Nine calls in total, from October 2026 to September 2027:

• October 2026: Friday 9 and Tuesday 20, both with published times.
• 2027: Monday 3 May, Wednesday 5 May, Friday 11 June, Friday 2 July, Friday 23 July, Friday 3 September and Tuesday 28 September. Arrival and departure times for these have not been announced yet.

Fridays are the most common day, with five calls. Two of the 2027 dates, 3 May and 11 June, show no other ship in port. Three dates have three or more ships, among them 5 May and 3 September 2027. Before you go, check the ship’s daily programme for the all-aboard time; it is usually earlier than the departure time.

Day one: nine hours on 9 October

Nine hours is the point where all four classic sights become realistic: Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis and Sirince, roughly 7 to 7.5 hours door to door, plus our rule of being back at the port at least 60 minutes before departure.

It is a brisk day. A possible route, with approximate times:

1. About 08:30 — meet your driver at the cruise port exit.
2. About 09:00 to 11:15 — Ephesus, walking downhill from the upper gate.
3. About 11:35 to 12:20 — House of the Virgin Mary.
4. About 12:45 to 13:05 — Temple of Artemis.
5. About 13:25 to 14:40 — Sirince.
6. About 15:20 — back at the port, before the 16:00 latest return.

If you would rather not rush, drop Sirince and add the Terrace Houses at Ephesus instead.

Day two: twelve hours on 20 October

With twelve hours, all four sights fit at an easy pace, and you can choose your starting time. One relaxed version:

• Leave the port around 08:00 and see Ephesus with the Terrace Houses, about three hours on site.
• Drive up to the House of the Virgin Mary.
• Stop at the Temple of Artemis on the way down into Selcuk.
• Spend a long lunch and an unhurried afternoon in Sirince.
• Be back at the port by 18:00 at the latest; in practice you will be there much earlier.

Another ship is in port that day as well, so an early start at Ephesus helps you stay ahead of the groups.

The 2027 calls: plan with ranges

Until times appear, these rules of thumb apply:

• 9 hours or more: all four sights.
• 7 to 8.5 hours: Ephesus, Mary’s House and Artemis; skip Sirince.
• 6 to 7 hours: Ephesus and one more stop.
• Under 6 hours: Ephesus, and at most a short Artemis stop.

Three of the 2027 calls fall in June and July, when midday at Ephesus is hot and shadeless; May and September are usually milder.

Short notes on what you will see

Ephesus. On the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2015. Look for the Temple of Hadrian and the latrines on your way down Curetes Street, before the Library of Celsus opens up in front of you.

House of the Virgin Mary. A modest stone house in the forest on Nightingale Mountain. Many Christians believe Mary spent her last years here, and Muslim visitors come too.

Temple of Artemis. Little remains: a single re-erected column, often standing in marshy ground. It is the place and its legend you are visiting.

Sirince. Until the 1920s a Greek village, now known for fruit wines, olive oil and handmade soaps. The lanes are steep; wear comfortable shoes.

Arranging your car

Book the Kusadasi–Ephesus private transfer for your call date. It is a private car with driver for your group alone, with room for up to 8 passengers per vehicle. You meet the driver at the cruise port exit, and the driver waits at each stop and brings you back.

Tell us which stops you want when you book; we confirm the plan with you before the day. Entrance tickets are not included. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before, and you can pay in cash or by card.

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.