Kusadasi - Just get taxi (not a tour) at dock possible?

[Tikibird]

We have a stop in Kusadasi and would like to visit Ephesus and Mary's House but don't want a "tour" and certainly no carpet shops. Can we just get a taxi to take us to Ephesus and drop us, then get another taxi to bring us back?

 

Is there a taxi rank at Ephesus at the car park where you come out?

 

I just don't want to use a tour operator as opposed to a taxi as they all seem to want to railroad you into carpet shops. If our stop was longer we would use the dolmus to Selcuk but we only have from 7-2 in port.

[LondonTowner]

Yes, you can get a taxi. Get him to drop you at the top entrance as it is easier walking down at Ephesus, rather than up. He can then pick you up at the bottom. I would agree a price beforehand.

 

Remember to take water and a hat too.

[maryann ns]

But without a guide (at least a good book) you will not know what you are seeing.

 

I would recommend a private tour. If you insist there will be no carpet co-op tour although we found it very interesting and there was no pressure to buy.

[John Bull]

There's no taxi rank at Ephesus.

So, as the Londoner mentions, agree a round-trip price with a taxi at the port.

Best to first continue past Ephesus up into the hills to visit VM's house. There's little to see there, effectively one room, you won't be there more than 15 mins.

Then to Ephesus main entrance. Here you can hire a guide, or buy a book from the many stalls - do one or the other cos, as maryann's post the place will mean nothing without background. Your driver will collect you at the opposite end of the site at an agreed time.

Allow yourselves 60 to 150 mins at Ephesus, depending on your level of interest.

 

JB :)

[sunsetbeachgal]

We have been to Kusadisi two times in the past three years in cruise stops...we did private tours with Ephesus Deluxe and both times we instructed the guide at the start of the tour that we did not wish to visit the rug factory...no problem!! We had excellent luck with this company and both guides were outstanding.

Edited May 11, 2014 by sunsetbeachgal

[CintiPam]

If you specify no shopping on a tour, there will be no shopping. You are the person in charge of your own private tour. Just make sure that you review the day's itinerary as soon as you meet your guide so you are on the same page all day.

 

You need a guided tour to enjoy Ephesus fully. And do not miss the wonderful Terrace Houses there.

 

Tour prices are so reasonable in Turkey that you should take advantage of the opportunity.

Edited May 11, 2014 by CintiPam