SeaDream II on crowded port days: Ephesus by private car

Published 4 October 2026

SeaDream II picks two of the fullest days on the Kusadasi calendar. The published schedule (checked in October 2026) shows Wednesday 30 June and Wednesday 15 September 2027, and on both dates three or four other ships are listed alongside it. Planning for this ship is mostly about timing and order, not about which sites to see.

How busy these Wednesdays are

• 30 June 2027: Odyssey of the Seas, Enchanted Princess and MSC Explora 2 are also listed. Four ships in port.
• 15 September 2027: Odyssey of the Seas, AIDAblu, National Geographic Orion and Star Flyer are also listed. Five ships in port.

Arrival and departure times for SeaDream II have not been announced yet. They may be added later and can change, so check the ship’s daily programme for the all-aboard time.

On days like these, getting off the ship and out of the port can take longer than usual, and many groups set off for Ephesus at similar times in the morning. A private car with driver does not make the crowds disappear, but it lets you choose when you meet them.

Three ways to dodge the rush

1. Flip the morning. Start at the House of the Virgin Mary, then the Temple of Artemis, and reach Ephesus late in the morning.
2. Go deep instead of wide. Add the Terrace Houses inside Ephesus. They are a covered excavation of Roman houses with wall paintings and mosaics, on their own ticket, and the roof gives you a break from the sun.
3. End in Sirince. On a long call, finish in the village in the afternoon rather than at midday, when it is busiest.

Which stops your call allows

Until times appear, use these rough brackets. In each case be at the port at least 60 minutes before departure.

• Under 6 hours: Ephesus, perhaps the Temple of Artemis. Nothing else.
• 6 to 7 hours: Ephesus and one more stop.
• 7 to 8.5 hours: Ephesus, Mary’s House and Artemis.
• 9 hours or more: all four, and on a five-ship day it is worth putting Sirince last.

A sample plan for a long day

A hypothetical example only, not the ship’s times: arrival 08:30, departure 18:30.

1. 09:00 — meet your driver at the cruise port exit.
2. 09:40–10:25 — House of the Virgin Mary.
3. 10:45–13:45 — Ephesus with the Terrace Houses, from the upper gate downhill.
4. 14:10–14:30 — Temple of Artemis.
5. 14:50–16:10 — Sirince.
6. About 16:45 — back at the port, well ahead of the 60-minute margin.

On a shorter call, remove Sirince first, then the Terrace Houses.

June heat and September light

Ephesus. On 30 June the sun is strong for most of the day, and there is hardly any shade between the Odeon and the Library of Celsus. Mid-September is usually gentler, but water and a hat are still sensible. The marble can be slippery in places.

House of the Virgin Mary. Up in the woods above Ephesus and often cooler. A quiet, respectful visit; shoulders covered is a good idea.

Temple of Artemis. One column, a marshy meadow and a big story. A 15–20 minute stop is plenty.

Sirince. A village of stone and timber houses on a hill above Selcuk, with fruit-wine tasting and handmade soaps. Steep cobbles: wear proper shoes.

Making the booking

Reserve the Kusadasi–Ephesus private transfer and tell us the order you prefer. We meet you at the cruise port exit, the driver waits through each visit, and the vehicle is only for your group, up to 8 passengers. List your extra stops when you book and we confirm the plan with you before the day. Entrance tickets are not included, and you can cancel free of charge 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.