Ephesus and Sirince .... DIY?

We are making our second trip to Kusadasi. We took a wonderful tour to Ephesus and loved it. We did not get to see the Terrace Houses. So we would like to go back. We would also like to go to Sirince and then spend a little time in Kusadasi.

We are docked from 7am-5pm.

Would this itinerary be possible to do on our own? Is public transportation available? We have also thought about renting a car. Has anyone done this?

Opinions appreciated!

Sirence is only one idea.... we're open to suggestions.

We will be in port on a Thursday....so the market in Tire is out.

We are mainly interested in scenery and seeing howhat locals live.

You can easily get out to the Terrace Houses on your own. I am not sure about Silence.

Keith

DW and I have visited Kusadasi 5 times and have been on our own for 4 of those visits. Public transit (in the form of the small buses) is somewhat limited and not always convenient for access to places like Sirence. But renting a car (in Kusadasi) is a good option and one day rentals can be even cheaper then trying to use taxis. With the help of a GPS, and the many English alphabet signs, it is not very difficult driving in the region. Turkey actually has some excellent roads and we have driven more then 100 miles from the port (during an overnight port stop) without any issues.

Another option is to simply negotiate a deal to hire a taxi for several hours (or the entire day). Since Sirence and Ephesus are relatively close to each other one can easily combine visits to both places. It is only when you start moving away from Kusadasi (to places like Didyma, Miletus and Priene) that planning and logistics become more of an issue.

Hank

DW and I have visited Kusadasi 5 times and have been on our own for 4 of those visits. Public transit (in the form of the small buses) is somewhat limited and not always convenient for access to places like Sirence. But renting a car (in Kusadasi) is a good option and one day rentals can be even cheaper then trying to use taxis. With the help of a GPS, and the many English alphabet signs, it is not very difficult driving in the region. Turkey actually has some excellent roads and we have driven more then 100 miles from the port (during an overnight port stop) without any issues.

 

Another option is to simply negotiate a deal to hire a taxi for several hours (or the entire day). Since Sirence and Ephesus are relatively close to each other one can easily combine visits to both places. It is only when you start moving away from Kusadasi (to places like Didyma, Miletus and Priene) that planning and logistics become more of an issue.

 

Hank

Thanks so much, Hank! I checked with Lion Car Rental and we can get a car for 18€. If we spend say 3 hours in Ephesus, that leaves us 5 hours for lunch and other visits. We h

Want to plan on being back at the ship for 4pm...an hour before departure.

Since you've been there 4 times, could you share your favorite locations? Would it be possible to hit Didyma or Miletus or Priene? Or would Sirince be a better option? It's all new to us...so it will be an adventure wherever we go!

Thanks so much, Hank! I checked with Lion Car Rental and we can get a car for 18€. If we spend say 3 hours in Ephesus, that leaves us 5 hours for lunch and other visits. We h

Want to plan on being back at the ship for 4pm...an hour before departure.

 

Since you've been there 4 times, could you share your favorite locations? Would it be possible to hit Didyma or Miletus or Priene? Or would Sirince be a better option? It's all new to us...so it will be an adventure wherever we go!

The Terrace Houses are an experience. The workers, archaeologists and many students are working as your tour the area.

Miletus, Didyma, and Priene can be completed in one excursion day.

We visited Ephesus twice, and each time we saw things we had not seen before. Our third visit to the area, we toured the three places list above. That was another experience of a life time.

Now we are booked on the Carnival Vista for May 1. I hope the situation in Turkey allows all of us the opportunity.

The Terrace Houses are an experience. The workers, archaeologists and many students are working as your tour the area.

Miletus, Didyma, and Priene can be completed in one excursion day.

We visited Ephesus twice, and each time we saw things we had not seen before. Our third visit to the area, we toured the three places list above. That was another experience of a life time.

Now we are booked on the Carnival Vista for May 1. I hope the situation in Turkey allows all of us the opportunity.

So it sounds like Miletus, Didyma & Priene would be a full day to itself. We'll have to save that for another trip. So if you were to spend the morning in Ephesus and the Terrace Houses, what would you do if you had a rental car for the afternoon?

So it sounds like Miletus, Didyma & Priene would be a full day to itself. We'll have to save that for another trip. So if you were to spend the morning in Ephesus and the Terrace Houses, what would you do if you had a rental car for the afternoon?

As per Hank's post, Ephesus is on the way to Sirince so the Terraced Houses plus Sirince would make a pleasant day. Adding Mary M 's house (dubious provenance) would tie in too and cost no more than an extra 30 to 40 mins total.

Usual advice for cruisers is furthest place (Sirince) first.

JB :)

So it sounds like Miletus, Didyma & Priene would be a full day to itself. We'll have to save that for another trip. So if you were to spend the morning in Ephesus and the Terrace Houses, what would you do if you had a rental car for the afternoon?

Yes, Priene, Miletus and Didyma make for a full day (or at least 3/4 of a day) on their own. From Kusadasi they are in a different direction than Ephesus, which is why it makes sense to group them together. However, you could probably do one of them in additon to Ephesus (I'd suggest Priene, very picturesque).

I am not a big fan of Sirince; it is very touristy.

If you are more interested in how locals live, there is a town near Ephesus called Selcuk that might be worth a wander. It also has the museum with artefacts from Ephesus. it has been recently redone, so it should be nice -- I saw the "old" version. It's not too large. There is also a nice old mosque.

Yes, Priene, Miletus and Didyma make for a full day (or at least 3/4 of a day) on their own. From Kusadasi they are in a different direction than Ephesus, which is why it makes sense to group them together. However, you could probably do one of them in additon to Ephesus (I'd suggest Priene, very picturesque).

 

I am not a big fan of Sirince; it is very touristy.

 

If you are more interested in how locals live, there is a town near Ephesus called Selcuk that might be worth a wander. It also has the museum with artefacts from Ephesus. it has been recently redone, so it should be nice -- I saw the "old" version. It's not too large. There is also a nice old mosque.

........ And the road to Sirince takes you thro' Selcuk :)

JB :)

We did enjoy getting away from Kusadasi and the drive out to Didyma, Priene and Milatus was a lot of fun. But we would not normally recommend this on a port day unless one plans on leaving early in the morning and driving directly to these places. You are talking about a lot of driving and going some distance from Kusadasi....so you want to do these places early and be back in the Kusadasi area long before your required boarding time. Driving to places like Ephesus, Sirence, Virgin Mary House, and other places in the Kusadasi area is not a problem on a full port day.

As to the Terrace Houses, just keep in mind it is a side-attraction within the ruins of Ephesus. Anyone can visit the Terrace Houses (unless you are on a cruise ship tour that does not include this as part of your tour) by simply paying the separate admission fee once you are inside Ephesus. We do strongly recommend visiting the Terrace Houses and avoiding any tour that does not include this option. Once caveat is that the Terrace Houses do involve climbing some steps (they are steel and have good handrails).

Also a few cautions about rental cars. Most cars have standard (stick shift) transmissions so if you must have an automatic make sure you reserve in advance and specify that type of car. Another issue is that many of the rental car dealers in Kusadasi have a habit of giving you a car with no gas and just telling you to return it on empty! This is not a big deal...but just remember to put some gas in the car. Running out of gas is not a good way to get back to the port :).

Hank

Ok! Sounds like a plan...Rent a car......Ephesus (especially the Terrace Houses) then hit Sirence, Virgin Mary's House & Kusadasi.

Thanks so much for all your help in planning our day and the car tips...especially the gas tip!