How much does it cost to travel to Ephesus?
You should plan to spend around $143 (TRY4,640) per day on your vacation in Ephesus. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $33 (TRY1,083) on meals
- $51 (TRY1,657) on local transportation
- $139 (TRY4,510) on hotels
A one week trip to Ephesus for two people costs, on average, $2,007 (TRY64,960). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Ephesus has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Ephesus expensive to visit?
Prices in Ephesus are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Ephesus is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Siena or Faro.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Ephesus Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Ephesus?
The average Ephesus trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Ephesus travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
TRY4,510
($139)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
TRY1,657
($51)
|
|
Food 2
|
TRY1,083
($33)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
TRY1,893
($59)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
TRY240 -
721
($7 - 22)
|
Accommodation Budget in Ephesus
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Ephesus is $70 (TRY2,255). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Ephesus is $139 (TRY4,510). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Ephesus? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Ephesus
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Ephesus is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $51 (TRY1,657) per person, per day, on local transportation in Ephesus.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$51
TRY1,657
How much does it cost to go to Ephesus? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Ephesus will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Ephesus
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Ephesus can vary, the average cost of food in Ephesus is $33 (TRY1,083) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Ephesus should cost around $13 (TRY433) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Ephesus is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$33
TRY1,083
Typical prices for Food in Ephesus are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Ephesus, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Sandwiches
TRY5.00
-
Dessert
TRY5.50
-
Lunch at Beach (for 2)
TRY19
-
Snacks
TRY8.00
Entertainment Budget in Ephesus
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Ephesus typically cost an average of $59 (TRY1,893) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$59
TRY1,893
Alcohol Budget in Ephesus
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $15 (TRY481) on alcoholic beverages in Ephesus per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$15
TRY481
Typical prices for Alcohol in Ephesus are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Ephesus, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Ephesus On a Budget
Ephesus
The ancient city of Ephesus was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 401 AD and rebuilt by Emperor Constantine I along with new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes).
Selcuk is one of the closest towns to Ephesus and is where many visitors base themselves during their time in the area. It has a decent number of restaurants, bars and hotels, so it's a relatively convenient place to stay. It also has a handful of historical sights in its town center.
If you're traveling by cruise to Ephesus, then you'll likely be dropped off at Kusadasi. This is a coastal town in the Aydin Province of Aegean Turkey and the port where most cruises stop to visit Ephesus. The trip to Ephesus is about half an hour and there is public transportation, but most visitors are on cruise ships and have booked private tours. The town itself has some good restaurants that cater specifically to tourists. There are also plenty of shops where you can try your hand at bartering over any number of trinkets, but Persian rugs are a favorite, although expensive, item. Don't expect to get the best deals here, as most shop keepers are used to dealing with cruise ship passengers, for which there is a substantial markup.
Sights
Ephesus is filled with ancient ruins that will impress even the most jaded traveler. Important sights on the grounds include the East Gymnasium, the Basilica, the Prytaneion, the State Agora, the Square to Domitian, the Trajan Fountain, the Temple of Hadrian, the Scolasticia Baths, the Terrace Houses, the Celsus Library and the Temple to Serapis, among many other things.
If you're hoping to avoid the large tourist crowds, particularly those that come from cruise ships, then it's best to come very early in the morning. The weather is likely to be better at this time as well.
Neighborhoods
Selcuk is located to the east of Ephesus. If you're traveling to the area overland, then this is likely the town where you will stay the night. It has a decent number of reasonably prices hotels, as well as some restaurants and bars to entertain the tired traveler. To the southwest of Ephesus is the coastal town of Kusadasi. This is the port that most cruise ships use to visit the area. It has shops and restaurants that are often overpriced and convenient for cruise ship passengers to grab a meal or souvenir.
Ephesus has two entry or exit points that are located about three kilometers apart. Near each of these access points you'll find restrooms. The best entry point for the grounds is the upper Magnesia gate. You can then walk downhill to the exit at the lower harbour gate. You can explore the grounds in about two hours.
Activities
Touring Ephesus is the main reason for visiting this area. While you can experience and learn a lot with just a guidebook, guided tours do go more in depth into the historical importance of the area. Tour guides are variable in quality so some may be better than others.
Outside of Ephesus is a series of stalls selling tourist souvenirs. The prices are generally marked up and the quality of the items is poor, so it is best to avoid making purchases here. Also, come prepared with your own bottled water because once you're on the grounds you can expect to pay dearly for food and water.
Food and Dining
You can grab a bite to eat at one of the many fast food Turkish restaurants near the exit gates to Ephesus. If you're looking for something more interesting to eat, then there are some decent restaurants on the route back to either Selcuk or Kusadasi. In the towns there are also some good restaurants that serve typical Turkish dishes.
Transportation
If you're staying in Selcuk, then there are mini-buses that travel to and from Ephesus. You can also rent motorbikes or scooters if you want to explore the surrounding area. Many hotels offer free shuttles to Ephesus, but if you decide to take this option then realize that you are likely to stop at a carpet shop at some point during the trip.
You can take a bus from Kusadasi to Ephesus, but most visitors to this city are on cruises and transportation is arranged through their private tours. The trip takes about half an hour.
Once you arrive in Ephesus then it is possible to walk around the entire grounds on foot. There are stone pathways most places.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.