Highlights
- No-shopping Chios ferry route: Travel from Chios to Cesme and keep the Turkey-side day focused on Ephesus and St. John heritage sites.
- Ephesus Ancient City: Walk marble streets, public buildings and monumental spaces with your guide.
- St. John Basilica: Visit Ayasoluk Hill for the early Christian heritage layer of the Ephesus region.
- Chios return flow: Coordinate island pickup, ferry routing, Cesme transfer, guided visits and return to the Chios area in one plan.
Why You Will Love This Tour
- You can use a Chios ferry day to visit Ephesus Ancient City and St. John Basilica without adding shopping stops.
- The group format keeps the Turkey-side route clear after Cesme Port arrival, with focused Selcuk sightseeing and return ferry planning.
- The experience combines the monumental Roman setting of Ephesus with the quieter early Christian heritage of St. John Basilica.
- It suits Chios travelers who want a no-shopping Ephesus day focused on the core Ephesus and St. John route rather than a crowded list of stops.
Overview
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Olympi / Olympoi Pick-up Shared pickup from Olympi / Olympoi before the Chios Port ferry connection.
Meet in Olympi / Olympoi and transfer to Chios Port for the ferry connection to Cesme. This is a longer Chios island transfer, so pickup timing should be confirmed carefully.
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Complete port formalities at Chios Port and board 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 archaeological destination after the ferry crossing from Chios to Cesme and the road journey toward Selcuk. The guided route follows Curetes Street, marble streets, agora spaces, fountains, gates, theatre remains and the Library of Celsus.
The visit turns the island-to-mainland day into a clear historical experience. Ephesus is best understood as a connected Roman city, where public spaces, street lines and restored facades show movement, trade, ceremony and daily life. Terrace Houses are not part of the standard route, but guests may visit them optionally by paying the separate entrance fee on site.
Questions
Why is Ephesus the main stop on this Chios ferry tour?
Ephesus is the central archaeological site of the route, with Roman streets, public buildings, gates, theatre remains and the Library of Celsus forming the main guided visit after arrival in Turkey.What should visitors notice inside Ephesus?
Curetes Street, marble streets, agora areas, fountains, restored facades and the theatre help explain how Roman Ephesus functioned as a city.Are the Terrace Houses included in the standard route?
No. Terrace Houses are optional and require a separate entrance fee if guests choose to visit them on site.Is Ephesus mostly outdoors?
Yes. Ephesus is an open-air archaeological site with ancient paving and uneven surfaces, so comfortable shoes 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 to the Chios ferry route after Ephesus Ancient City. Located on Ayasuluk Hill, the basilica is traditionally associated with St. John the Apostle and is one of the meaningful sacred landmarks near ancient Ephesus.
The remaining church outline, arches, columns, baptistery area and traditional tomb area help explain the former hilltop complex. This stop gives the route a quieter sense of belief, pilgrimage and later Selcuk history.
Questions
What is the importance of St. John Basilica?
St. John Basilica is traditionally associated with St. John the Apostle and represents an important Christian and Byzantine layer near Ephesus.What can be seen at St. John Basilica?
Visitors can see the church outline, arches, columns, baptistery area and traditional tomb area on Ayasuluk Hill.Why is St. John Basilica included after Ephesus?
It connects the Roman city story of Ephesus with the later Christian heritage of Selcuk and Ayasuluk Hill.
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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 gives the ferry day route a practical regional pause before returning to Cesme Port. Around Selcuk, Aegean-style meals may include olive oil dishes, seasonal vegetables, soups, salads, grilled plates or simple local options depending on the restaurant and operation.
The exact venue and menu can vary, so this destination text gives local food context rather than a fixed dining promise. The stop helps balance the sightseeing route before the road and ferry return to Chios.
Questions
Why is lunch planned in Selcuk?
Selcuk is close to Ephesus and St. John Basilica, so lunch can be taken near the main sightseeing area before returning toward Cesme Port.What type of food is common around Selcuk?
Aegean-style options may include olive oil dishes, seasonal vegetables, soups, salads, grilled plates or similar local meals depending on operation.Is the Selcuk lunch menu fixed?
No. The restaurant and menu can vary by operation, so the lunch note gives regional food context rather than a fixed menu promise. -
Lunch & Sponsored Shopping/Workshop Stop
Includes a sponsored shopping/workshop stop.
L
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 -
Arrive back at Chios Port and continue with the return transfer toward the Chios hotel or meeting area.
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Olympi / Olympoi Drop-off Shared return transfer to Olympi / Olympoi after the ferry back to Chios. Different tour end? Different tour end?
After returning by ferry to Chios Port, continue with the shared transfer back to Olympi / Olympoi.
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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 parent operation uses Chios Port as the standard ferry connection and should be reconfirmed against same-day ferry schedules.
- 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 in the Chios hotel or central meeting area.
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 this no-shopping Ephesus and St. John Basilica group tour from Chios cover?
This no-shopping group day tour starts from the Chios hotel or island meeting area, continues to Chios Port for the ferry to Cesme, and then follows a Turkey-side road route to Ephesus and Selcuk. The guided sightseeing covers Ephesus Ancient City, St. John Basilica and a Selcuk lunch stop before the ferry connection back to Chios.
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Is this Chios to Ephesus tour a shared group tour?
Yes. This is the shared group version from Chios by ferry. Guests follow coordinated island transfer, Chios-Cesme ferry crossing, Turkey-side shared transfer, guided Ephesus Ancient City and St. John Basilica visits, and the return route back to the Chios hotel or meeting area.
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How long does the Chios to Ephesus ferry tour usually take?
The group route is planned as a full-day tour of approximately 13 hours. Timing can vary with Chios pickup flow, port formalities, ferry schedule, Cesme transfer timing, sightseeing pace, lunch stop and return ferry procedures.
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Is this Chios ferry tour no-shopping?
Yes. This tour is marked as no-shopping, so the focus stays on the ferry connection, Ephesus Ancient City, St. John Basilica and the Selcuk lunch stop rather than shopping stops.
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Which Chios pickup areas can be used for this tour?
The Chios route can be shown with pickup versions such as Karfas, Kambos, Agia Ermioni, Megas Limnionas, Agia Fotini or Agia Fotia, Vrontados, Mesta, Pyrgi, Olympi or Olympoi, Emporios or Emborios and Volissos. The sightseeing route stays the same, while the island pickup and drop-off wording changes according to the selected area.
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What documents are needed for the Chios to Turkey ferry route?
Because the route crosses from Greece to Turkey and back, guests should carry the passport and any visa or entry document required for their nationality. Port formalities and reporting details should be checked before travel.
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Does this Chios route include House of Virgin Mary or Temple of Artemis?
No. This Ephesus and St. John route from Chios focuses on Ephesus Ancient City and St. John Basilica. House of Virgin Mary, Temple of Artemis, Isa Bey Mosque, Ephesus Museum and Sirince are not part of this specific tour route.
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Can I book this Chios group tour online?
Yes. This group tour can be booked online, and online credit card payment is available through the website. The confirmed reservation should show the selected date, Chios pickup details, ferry-related status, document readiness and shared group arrangement.
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Is the Ephesus Ancient City entrance fee included in this group tour?
Yes. The required Ephesus Ancient City entrance fee is included in this Chios group tour. The linked fee information is shown separately so travelers can also understand the attraction cost. Ephesus Ancient City entry fee is €40.
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Is the St. John Basilica entrance fee included in this group tour?
Yes. St. John Basilica is part of the main sightseeing route, and its required entrance fee is included in the group tour structure for this Chios departure. St. John Basilica entry fee is €6.
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Is the Terrace Houses entrance fee included on this route?
No. Terrace Houses are not part of the standard route. They remain optional under the Ephesus visit when timing allows, and the separate Terrace Houses entrance fee is not included. Terrace Houses of Ephesus entry fee is €15.
Good to Know
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This is a no-shopping ferry day route
The tour is marked no-shopping and is built around the Chios-Cesme ferry crossing, Ephesus Ancient City, St. John Basilica and Selcuk lunch stop.
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Passport and entry documents matter
The route crosses from Greece to Turkey and back, so passport, visa or entry-document requirements should be checked before the travel date.
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Ferry schedule shapes the day
Port reporting, ferry timing, document checks and Cesme-side transfer coordination shape the overall route, so follow the confirmed meeting details carefully.
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Prepare for Ephesus walking
Ephesus is an open-air archaeological site with marble streets, uneven sections and limited shade. Comfortable shoes, water and sun protection are recommended.
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