Viking Sea on busy May Wednesdays: Ephesus by private car

Published 4 October 2026

If you sail into Kusadasi on Viking Sea, you will not be the only ship there. The published schedule (checked in October 2026) shows two calls, on Wednesday 12 May and Wednesday 19 May 2027, and both are days with three or more ships in port. That makes the order of your day more important than the list of places.

Who else is in port

• 12 May 2027: Odyssey of the Seas and Star Flyer are listed too, three ships in all.
• 19 May 2027: Odyssey of the Seas again, plus AIDAblu and Scarlet Lady, four ships in all.

Arrival and departure times for Viking Sea have not been announced yet. Watch the schedule as May approaches, and on board rely on the daily programme for the all-aboard time, which is usually earlier than departure.

The crowd problem, and the simple fix

When several ships arrive together, many groups set off for Ephesus at about the same time in the morning. Getting out of the port also takes longer on such days, so allow some slack before you meet your driver.

A private car’s real advantage here is freedom of order. Instead of joining the morning wave at the Ephesus gates, start somewhere else and reach the ruins later. The simplest version: drive up to Mary’s House first, then come down to Ephesus once the first rush has spread out across the site. You can still enter at the upper gate and walk mostly downhill; ask for drop-off there and pick-up at the lower gate when you book.

How much fits

Plan in scenarios until the times are out, and be back at the port at least 60 minutes before departure.

• Around 6 hours: Ephesus with one short extra; on a busy day the Temple of Artemis is the easier choice.
• Around 8 hours: Ephesus, Mary’s House and Artemis. Sirince stays out.
• 9 hours or more: all four, with Sirince last.

A reversed day (hypothetical times)

For illustration only, imagine Viking Sea docks at 08:00 and leaves at 17:00. Real times may differ.

1. 08:30 — meet the driver at the cruise port exit.
2. 09:10–09:55 — House of the Virgin Mary, while many groups are heading for the Ephesus gates.
3. 10:15–12:30 — Ephesus from the upper gate, down to the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre.
4. 12:50–13:10 — Temple of Artemis.
5. 13:30–14:50 — Sirince for a late lunch and a walk.
6. About 15:30 — back at the port, with well over an hour before the example departure.

Mid-May at the four sites

Ephesus. Mid-May is milder than summer, but by late morning the open marble streets feel warm and there is little shade. Water, hat and sun cream belong in your bag.

House of the Virgin Mary. Woodland keeps it cooler than the valley. Many Christians venerate it as the place where Mary spent her last years, and Muslim visitors come too, so keep voices low inside.

Temple of Artemis. Once a Wonder of the Ancient World, today one column in an often marshy field. Plan about 15–20 minutes; the view across to Ayasuluk Hill is part of the visit.

Sirince. Wine-tasting shops, olive oil and handmade soap along steep lanes. Around midday it can get busy too, so on a four-ship day consider arriving after lunch.

On 19 May especially

With four ships listed, 19 May is the busier of the two dates. If you only do one thing differently, change the start: Mary’s House first, Ephesus second. If you have limited mobility, mention it when booking so we plan short walks and the right gates.

Arranging the car

The Kusadasi–Ephesus private transfer starts and ends at the cruise port exit, the driver waits for you at each stop, and one vehicle takes up to 8 passengers. Tell us the order and the extra stops you want when you book, and we confirm the plan with you before the day. Tickets for the sites are not included. Free cancellation applies 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.