Ephesus: about two million people visit every year, and it is famous for being one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world, housing significant historical ruins. It is also very close to holy places like Seven Sleepers and the House of the Virgin Mary. Especially, the House of The Virgin Mary. Let’s learn how to get to the Ancient City of Ephesus from Selcuk.
How far is Selcuk to Ephesus Ancient City?
The ancient city is 3.5 kilometers from Selcuk and it takes 7 minutes by car. The closest airport is Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport. The nearest train station is in Selcuk.
How to get Ephesus from Selcuk?
There are 3 ways to get to the Ancient City of Ephesus from Selcuk: public transportation using a minibus, private transportation using a yellow taxi, or a tour. A Minibus is a convenient and cost-effective way to get around the region.
Public Transportation to Ephesus from Selcuk: Ephesus Dolmus
You can reach Ephesus by minibusses (Dolmus in Turkish) from Selcuk Bus Terminal or Bus Stop in Selcuk town center. (Please see locations below.). Ephesus Ancient City is 3.5 km from Selcuk town center and can be reached in 7 minutes by minibus.
When you arrive at the bus station, you will use one of the green or white minibusses with Selcuk – Pamucak written on it, pay the participant 90 Turkish Lira (2026), and wait for your bus to arrive/fill up. The bus ride takes less than 7 minutes. You will know you have a stop as the bus driver has to shout “EFES”. Otherwise, look for the first stop in a large parking lot full of tourists.
Selcuk – Ephesus Dolmus Schedule
| Season | First Minibus | Last Minibus | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 01 April – 31 September | 07.30 | 21.30 | Every 20minutes |
| Winter 1 October – 31 March | 08.00 | 18.00 | Every 30minutes |
We recommend arriving at the Selcuk Bus Terminal at least 15 minutes before the times listed in the table above. (Selcuk Bus Terminal Location: Google Maps Link)
The minibusses depart from the Selcuk Bus Terminal 15 minutes before their listed departure times and pick up passengers in front of the old terminal in Selcuk town center, next to Selcuk Municipality Building, at the specified departure times. (Location of Municipality Building: Google Maps Link)
Important Notice & Return to Selcuk
After reaching Ephesus by minibus, you can enter The Ancient City of Ephesus from the lower gate tolls. After visiting The Ancient City of Ephesus, the exit is from the upper gate, but there is no public transportation to Selcuk from the upper gates. Therefore, you must walk to the lower gate again in Ephesus, not exiting the upper gate toll booths. (If you exit the gate, you must pay a fee to enter Ephesus again.) Alternatively, you can take a taxi from the taxi stop at the top gate to the minibus stop at the lower gate tolls or directly back to Selcuk.
To ensure you don’t miss the last minibus, we recommend confirming the final return time with the driver when boarding. You can ask the driver for the last minibus time in English by saying: “Last Departure from Ephesus,” or in Turkish: “Son Minibus Saat?” With this straightforward question, the driver will likely understand you, even if their English is limited. Otherwise, as there is no public transportation available at that time, you may need to return by taxi.
As a result, starting the tour from the upper gate means less walking and getting tired. Below you will find a detailed explanation of taxi usage.
The taxi fare from the upper gate to the lower gate in Ephesus costs approximately 1500 Turkish Liras (2026). You can find information about direct taxi transportation from Ephesus to Selcuk in the private transportation section of our article.
Private Transportation to Ephesus from Selcuk: Yellow Taxi
You can also reach Ephesus by taxi from Selcuk Town Center Cabstand located in Selcuk Old Bus Terminal (Location of Old Bus Terminal: Google Maps Link). Ephesus Ancient City is 3.5 km from Selcuk town center and can be reached in 5 minutes by taxi. When you arrive at the terminal cab stand, you can talk to the driver and agree on the cost of transportation. (The cost is approximately 40-50€ in 2026)
Important Notice & Return to Selcuk
A taxi can take you to Ephesus’s lower gate or upper gate. At this point, our advice is to go to the upper gate tolls of Ephesus. Because when you enter Ephesus from the upper gate, your trip to Ephesus towards the lower gate will be inclined downwards, and you will be less tired. As a result of starting the tour from the upper gate and leaving the lower gate, you can use the minibusses or retake a taxi from the lower gate of Ephesus and return to Selçuk. The taxi fare from the upper gate to Selcuk is approximately 30€ (2026)
After your visit to Ephesus, don’t forget to visit the House of Mary. Check our guide to visit House of Mary.
Visiting Ephesus Ancient City with a Tour
Visiting the Ephesus Ancient City with an Ephesus Tour is a much better option than visiting on your own. If you’re weighing your options, our detailed private vs group Ephesus tour comparison breaks down the real differences in cost, pacing, and experience. Not only are these tours more cost-effective than taking a one-way taxi, but they also provide a more comprehensive and convenient experience. On a tour, you’ll have the opportunity to see not just the Ephesus Ancient City but also the House of Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis (Diana) in one comprehensive eight-hour tour. This saves you the time and effort of visiting each site separately, which can be especially useful if you’re short on time. In addition, tours include the services of a knowledgeable guide who can provide insights and information about the sites you’re visiting and offer pick-up and drop-off at your hotel for added convenience. Finally, don’t forget that the cost of entrance fees to these sites is often included in the price of the tour, saving you even more money. Overall, taking a tour of the Ephesus Ancient City is the best way to make the most of your visit and ensure that you have an enjoyable and memorable experience.
What is the cost of entry to Ephesus Ancient City?
The entrance fee for Ephesus is 40 Euros in 2026. And it is included in the “Museum Pass Turkey” or “Museum Pass Aegean.”
Final Conclusions
Trying to navigate the best way to get from Selcuk to Ephesus? Our travel specialists have got you covered. With years of experience planning trips to Ephesus, they have carefully weighed the benefits and drawbacks of each mode of transportation. Whether you want the most convenient route, the most budget-friendly option, or the fastest journey, we have a recommendation for you. Let us help you make an informed decision and take the stress out of planning your transportation.
What is the easiest way to get Ephesus from Selcuk?
The easiest way to get from Selcuk to Ephesus is by taking a yellow taxi, available at Selcuk Bus Terminal or hailed from the street. Safe, reliable, and the journey takes about 20 minutes. Negotiating the price with the driver before starting the journey is recommended.
What is the cheapest way to get Ephesus from Selcuk?
The cheapest way to get from Selcuk to Ephesus is by taking a minibus/dolmus found at Selcuk Bus Terminal, the fare is 25 Turkish Lira, and the journey takes less than 10 minutes.
Is it possible to walk Ephesus from Selcuk?
Walking the ancient city along a well-marked trail route that starts at the hospital junction in the middle of Selcuk is possible. It takes about 45 minutes to reach. However, it is important to bring enough water and wear comfortable shoes as there is no market along the trail.
Don’t forget to read A Comprehensive Guide to Ephesus Tour: Everything You Need to Know before planning your visit to Ephesus!
Are you coming to Ephesus from Kusadasi? Check our guide: Ephesus Ancient City: How to get from Kusadasi? – Transportation Guide