Highlights
- No-shopping Chios Port to Ephesus ferry tour: Cross through Cesme and continue by road toward Selcuk for a focused full-day route.
- Ephesus Ancient City: Walk the Roman city route, marble streets and main archaeological landmarks with group guiding.
- St. John Basilica: Visit Ayasoluk Hill for early Christian heritage tied closely to ancient Ephesus.
- Chios Port return flow: Link ferry crossings, Cesme arrival, Selcuk sightseeing, lunch stop and final return to Chios Port.
Why You Will Love This Tour
- You can start and finish at Chios Port while reaching the Ephesus and St. John highlights through the Cesme ferry connection.
- The no-shopping format keeps the Turkey-side route focused on Ephesus Ancient City and St. John Basilica.
- The group plan connects port meeting, ferry travel, road transfer, local guiding and the island return in one clear full-day route.
- It suits Chios travelers who want a direct Ephesus day tour without adding unrelated shopping stops to the visit.
Overview
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Meet at Chios Ferry Port and complete port formalities before boarding the ferry connection to Cesme.
TicketsFerry ticket (Chios Port to Cesme Port) Included -
Meet the Turkey-side team at Cesme Ferry Port and continue by road toward the Ephesus and Selcuk route.
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Walk through the marble streets, public buildings and monumental spaces of Ephesus Ancient City with your guide. Terrace Houses are not part of the standard route, but guests who want to visit them may enter optionally by paying the separate entrance fee on site.
Entrance FeesEphesus Ancient City , €40 IncludedTerrace Houses of Ephesus , €15 Excluded OptionalEphesus Ancient City is the main historical visit of this same-day ferry route from Chios after arrival through Cesme and transfer toward Selcuk. The guided walk moves through Curetes Street, marble streets, agora areas, theatre remains, fountains and the Library of Celsus, helping visitors understand Ephesus as a complete Roman city rather than a collection of separate ruins.
Reading the site as a connected urban layout makes the visit much richer. Street lines, civic spaces and architectural remains still show how people moved, traded, gathered and lived inside one of the most important ancient cities of western Anatolia. Terrace Houses are not part of the standard route, but guests who want to visit them may enter optionally by paying the separate entrance fee on site.
Questions
Why is Ephesus the main sightseeing stop on this Chios day ferry route?
Ephesus is the central archaeological destination of the day, with Roman streets, public spaces, theatre remains and the Library of Celsus forming the main guided visit.What should visitors notice inside Ephesus?
Curetes Street, marble streets, agora areas, fountains, facade remains and the theatre help explain how the ancient city functioned as an urban center.How is Ephesus best understood during the visit?
It is best read as a connected Roman city where public movement, trade, ceremony and daily life can still be traced through the surviving layout.Are Terrace Houses included in the standard Ephesus route?
No. Terrace Houses are not part of the standard route in this tour, but guests who want to visit them may enter optionally by paying the separate entrance fee on site.Is Ephesus mostly an outdoor walking site?
Yes. Ephesus is an open-air archaeological site with uneven ancient surfaces, so supportive shoes, water and sun protection are useful.
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Continue to St. John Basilica and connect the Ephesus region with the early Christian heritage of Selcuk.
Entrance FeesSt. John Basilica , €6 IncludedSt. John Basilica adds the Christian and Byzantine layer of Selcuk after the Roman setting of Ephesus. Located on Ayasuluk Hill and traditionally associated with St. John the Apostle, the basilica helps explain why the region remained spiritually important long after the classical city period.
The surviving church outline, arches, columns, baptistery area and traditional tomb area help visitors imagine the former sacred complex. This stop gives the day a quieter historical dimension before lunch in Selcuk and the return transfer toward Cesme for the ferry back to Chios.
Questions
Why is St. John Basilica included after Ephesus?
It adds the Christian and Byzantine layer of Selcuk and helps connect the Roman story of Ephesus with later sacred history on Ayasuluk Hill.What can visitors see at St. John Basilica?
The site includes the church outline, arches, columns, baptistery area and traditional tomb area linked with the former basilica complex.What makes St. John Basilica historically important?
The basilica is traditionally associated with St. John the Apostle and remains one of the key Christian heritage sites of the region.
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Pause for lunch in the Selcuk area before returning to Cesme Port for the ferry back to Chios.
MealsLunch meal IncludedLunch Stop in Selcuk creates a practical local pause between the main historical visits and the later return toward the ferry connection. Around Selcuk, food culture often reflects the Aegean setting, with olive oil dishes, seasonal vegetables, soups, salads, grilled plates, pide or similar regional meals appearing depending on the day's operation.
This text does not promise a fixed restaurant or exact menu. It is there to explain the meal stop as local context near Ephesus and St. John Basilica while keeping expectations aligned with flexible tour-day restaurant planning.
Questions
Why is lunch planned in Selcuk on this route?
Selcuk keeps the meal stop close to Ephesus and St. John Basilica, making the sightseeing day more efficient and comfortable before the return ferry connection to Chios.What type of food is common around Selcuk?
Aegean-style options may include olive oil dishes, seasonal vegetables, soups, salads, grilled plates, pide or similar regional meals depending on operation.Is the Selcuk lunch menu fixed?
No. The restaurant and menu can vary, so the destination note gives local food context rather than a fixed menu promise. -
Lunch & Sponsored Shopping/Workshop Stop
Includes a sponsored shopping/workshop stop.
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Sponsored
Pause for lunch in the Selcuk area before returning to Cesme Port for the ferry back to Chios.
MealsLunch meal Included -
Complete port formalities and board the ferry connection from Cesme to Chios.
TicketsFerry ticket (Cesme Port to Chios Port) Included -
Chios Ferry Port Drop-off End the ferry day trip at Chios Port. Different tour end? Different tour end?
Finish the group ferry day trip with drop-off at Chios Ferry Port.
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What's Included
- Lunch meal.
- Ephesus Ancient City.
- St. John Basilica.
- Ferry ticket (Chios Port to Cesme Port).
- Ferry ticket (Cesme Port to Chios Port).
- Licensed professional tour guide.
- Air-conditioned tour vehicle.
- Transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
- Pick-up from your hotel or meeting point.
- Drop-off at your hotel or meeting point.
- Parking fees.
- Local taxes.
What's Not Included
- Drinks.
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Personal expenses.
- Terrace Houses of Ephesus, €15.Optional
- Gratuities to guides and drivers.
- Travel insurance.
- Visa fees if required.
Informations
- Please wear comfortable walking shoes and casual clothing.
- Please dress according to the season and weather conditions.
- Hat, sunscreen and sunglasses are recommended in sunny weather.
- Bring water, especially on hot days.
- Cameras are welcome, but tripods may not be permitted in some museums and archaeological sites.
- Guests should watch their step at all times to avoid injuries.
- Please check the weather forecast before your tour.
- Respectful clothing is recommended for visits to mosques and churches.
- For international ferry routes, please bring your passport and any required travel documents.
- Chios Port operation does not include island-side hotel pickup; guests meet directly at Chios Ferry Port.
- This tour involves walking on uneven and cobblestone surfaces.
- The exact pick-up time will be confirmed after booking.
- The tour route may be adjusted due to weather, traffic, or site conditions.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Please be ready at your confirmed pick-up or meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time.
- Ferry schedules may change due to sea conditions, weather, or port authority regulations.
- This is a same-day ferry product and finishes back at Chios Port.
Your Peace of Mind Options
Cancellation Policy
A transparent overview of applicable fees.
Tour Reminder!
You can create a reminder for yourself for this tour. We will send you a reminder e-mail/sms about this tour on the date you specify.
FAQs
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What does the Chios Port to Ephesus group ferry day tour include?
This shared no-shopping day route starts at Chios Ferry Port, crosses to Cesme Ferry Port, continues to Ephesus Ancient City and St. John Basilica, includes a Selcuk lunch stop, and returns by ferry from Cesme to Chios Port. It is designed as a same-day Ephesus route for travelers starting from Chios.
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Does this tour return to Chios Port?
Yes. This route begins at Chios Ferry Port and ends back at Chios Ferry Port after the return ferry from Cesme. The Turkey-side sightseeing route is completed between the outbound and return ferry sections.
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Is this a no-shopping Ephesus tour from Chios Port?
Yes. This tour is marked as a no-shopping route, so the day is focused on ferry travel, Ephesus Ancient City, St. John Basilica, the Selcuk lunch stop and the return to Chios Port.
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Which ferry ports are used on this route?
The outbound ferry travels from Chios Ferry Port to Cesme Ferry Port. After the Ephesus and St. John Basilica visits, the return ferry travels from Cesme Ferry Port back to Chios Port.
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How long is this Chios Port Ephesus day tour?
The tour is planned as a full-day ferry route with an average duration of about 19 hours, including ferry crossings, Turkey-side transfers, sightseeing, lunch and final Chios Port drop-off. Ferry and port procedures can affect the exact daily flow.
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What are the main sightseeing stops in Turkey?
The main visits are Ephesus Ancient City and St. John Basilica. The route also includes a practical lunch stop in Selcuk before continuing back toward Cesme Ferry Port.
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Is this route only for Ephesus and St. John Basilica?
Yes. Ephesus and St. John is centered on Ephesus Ancient City and St. John Basilica rather than a wider Ephesus-area route. If you want additional sites in the region, compare the route details with other Ephesus tour options before booking.
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Can I book this group tour online by credit card?
Yes. You can reserve the group tour online by credit card, and the booking details show the selected date, no-shopping route type and Chios Port return structure before confirmation.
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What is the Ephesus Ancient City entrance fee for this group tour?
Ephesus Ancient City has its own entrance fee. For this group route, the mapped Ephesus Ancient City visit cost is handled as an included route cost in the tour setup. Ephesus Ancient City entry fee is €40.
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Is the Terrace Houses entrance fee included in this route?
Terrace Houses are an optional section inside Ephesus Ancient City and have a separate entrance fee. In this group route, Terrace Houses are optional and are not part of the standard included visit cost. Terrace Houses of Ephesus entry fee is €15.
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What is the St. John Basilica entrance fee for this group route?
St. John Basilica has its own entrance fee. For this group route, the mapped St. John Basilica visit cost is handled as an included route cost in the tour setup. St. John Basilica entry fee is €6.
Good to Know
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Plan for a full ferry day from Chios
This route combines Chios to Cesme ferry travel, Turkey-side transfers, Ephesus and St. John Basilica sightseeing, lunch in Selcuk and the ferry back to Chios Port. It is a long day, so keep the full route rhythm in mind.
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Use the no-shopping structure for a focused visit
Because the tour is marked no-shopping, the day is built around the ferry connection and the main Ephesus and St. John sightseeing route. The focus stays on Ephesus Ancient City, St. John Basilica and the practical Selcuk lunch stop.
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Keep ferry documents close
Bring the documents required for the Chios and Cesme ferry connection and keep them easy to reach during port procedures. A small day bag is useful for water, medication and personal items.
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Dress for open-air archaeological walking
Ephesus Ancient City includes stone streets, open archaeological spaces and uneven surfaces. Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection and light clothing are recommended for the sightseeing part of the day.
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