Where is Ephesus Ancient City, How to Get There? History and Entrance Fee of Ephesus
The ancient city of Ephesus welcomes thousands of local and foreign tourists every year. Located in a very important position in terms of world history, the ancient city of Ephesus is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. If you happen to be in Izmir, you should definitely visit Ephesus, and even plan your trip around it!
So, before you set out on your trip to Ephesus, how about exploring this region more closely?
Where is the Ancient City of Ephesus, how do you get there, and how much is the entrance fee?
Here are all the details you need to know about the Ancient City of Ephesus 👇
Brief Information About the History of the Ancient City of Ephesus
The Ancient City of Ephesus is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Originally a settlement, Ephesus was one of the largest and most magnificent cities in Anatolia during ancient times. Ephesus was a major centre for trade, culture, and religion. Structures such as the Temple of Artemis, the Library of Celsus, and the Great Theatre were home to thousands of people at that time. The city, which was the capital of Asia and its largest port city, had a population of 200,000. Today, the ancient city of Ephesus, which is visited by thousands of local and foreign tourists every year, dates back to 6,000 BC!
Which civilisation does the ancient city of Ephesus belong to?
The ancient city of Ephesus is an important Greek city. During the Classical Greek period, there were twelve cities in Ionia, one of which was Ephesus. Recent excavations and research have revealed settlements from the Bronze Age and the Hittites in the mounds around Ephesus and on Ayasuluk Hill.
During the Hittite period, the city was called Apasas. Around 1050 BC, immigrants from Greece began to settle in the port city of Ephesus. By 560 BC, the city had moved to the area around the Temple of Artemis. The Ephesus that can be visited today was founded by Lysimachus, one of Alexander the Great's generals, around 300 BC.
When was the Ancient City of Ephesus built?
The Ancient City of Ephesus was built around 6000 BC. Although the first settlements date back to prehistoric times, the city's rise began during the Ionian period. Ephesus, which experienced its heyday during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, gradually lost its importance during the Byzantine period. This ancient city, which bears the traces of different civilisations over the centuries, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Where is the Ancient City of Ephesus?
The Ancient City of Ephesus is located in Izmir. It is within the borders of the Selçuk district of Izmir. The Ancient City of Ephesus is 83 kilometres from the centre of Izmir and 3.5 kilometres from the centre of Selçuk.
Ephesus, located within the borders of the Selçuk district, is also close to Kuşadası and Aydın. The distance between Kuşadası and the Ancient City of Ephesus is 19 kilometres.
Ephesus Ancient City is 552 km from Istanbul and 628 km from Ankara.
How to Get to Ephesus Ancient City?
You can reach Ephesus Ancient City by private vehicle. There is a parking lot in the vicinity. However, especially in the summer months, you may have difficulty parking your car due to the increase in tour buses. When you visit Ephesus during the summer months, you will see that many people prefer to leave their cars on the side of the road and walk.
Transportation to the Ephesus Ancient City from outside the city and from Izmir is quite easy. The closest airport to Ephesus is Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport. The closest train station is in Selçuk.
How to Get to the Ephesus Ancient City by Public Transportation?
There are different options for getting to Ephesus by public transportation. First, you can take the Selçuk minibus from the Izmir Intercity Bus Terminal (İZOTAŞ) and then take the Ephesus minibus when you arrive at the Selçuk Bus Terminal.
You can take the IZBAN, which provides inter-district service in Izmir, from any stop in the direction of Selçuk. To reach Selçuk, you must first go to the Tepeköy İZBAN Station and then take the Selçuk train. You do not need to validate your card for this transfer. After reaching Selçuk, you must walk a short distance to the Selçuk Bus Terminal and take the minibuses to Ephesus.
You can reach Ephesus from Izmir in 1 hour by minibus or in approximately 1.5 hours by IZBAN.
Ephesus Ancient City Directions
Those who wish to go to Ephesus Ancient City by private vehicle can follow the Izmir-Aydın Highway. After exiting at the Selçuk junction, you can reach Selçuk and then Ephesus. Those who do not want to use the highway should follow the old road between Izmir and Aydın, pass through Torbalı, and then follow the Selçuk road.
Ephesus Ancient City Entrance Fee 2025
The entrance fee for Ephesus Ancient City is 10 euros. However, Turkish citizens are not required to pay this fee. This fee is only for foreign tourists.
Is the Museum Card Valid at Ephesus Ancient City?
The Museum Card is valid in Ephesus. You can visit Ephesus with your own valid Museum Card. If you do not have a Museum Card, you can obtain one at Ephesus. The mobile Museum Card costs 100 TL and is valid for one year. Turkish citizens aged 18 and under and 65 and over can enter by obtaining a free ticket from the ticket office.
Ephesus Ancient City Opening and Closing Hours
Opening Hours: 08.00
Closing Hours: 18.15
Box Office Closing Hours: 18.15
Important Note: Ephesus Archaeological Site can also be visited between 19.00-23.00 on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays as of June 4, 2025, as part of night museology.
The closing hour of the Ephesus box office as part of night museology is 22.00. Museum cardholders can purchase a Night Museology ticket for 100 TL and visit the museum after 19.00
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