Highlights
- SAW flight day trip: Reach the full Ephesus heritage route through same-day air connections and a focused heritage day in the Selcuk region.
- House of the Virgin Mary: Visit one of the region's best-known Christian pilgrimage sites before the main Ephesus visit.
- Ephesus Ancient City: Walk marble streets, public monuments and major Roman remains in one of Turkiye's leading archaeological sites.
- Terrace Houses: Add preserved mosaics, frescoes and upper-class Roman domestic life to the core Ephesus route.
- Basilica of St. John: Continue the heritage day with early Christian history on Ayasoluk Hill above Selcuk.
- Temple of Artemis: Complete the route with the symbolic remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Why You Will Love This Tour
- The flight-based structure makes it possible to cover the broader Ephesus heritage circuit from Sabiha Gokcen Airport without turning the trip into an overnight package.
- Combining House of Virgin Mary, Ephesus, Terrace Houses, St. John Basilica and Artemis gives the day stronger archaeological and religious depth than a shorter classic visit.
- Flying into the Izmir region helps keep the sightseeing focused on the main Selcuk highlights instead of spending the full day on a long overland transfer.
- It is a strong fit for travelers looking for a SAW Ephesus flight day trip with fuller route coverage and efficient same-day access.
Overview
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Sabiha Gokcen Airport Meeting Point
Start from Sabiha Gokcen Airport for the outbound flight to Izmir.
Meet at Sabiha Gokcen Airport and board the domestic flight to Izmir according to the coordinated schedule.
TicketsFlight ticket (Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) to Izmir Airport (ADB)) Included -
Izmir Airport
Arrival at Izmir Airport and transfer toward the Selcuk region.
Land at Izmir Airport, meet the local team, and continue by shared transfer toward the Selcuk region.
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House of Virgin Mary
Visit the pilgrimage site on Bulbul Mountain near Ephesus.
Start the sightseeing route at the House of Virgin Mary, one of the region's most important Christian heritage sites.
Entrance FeesHouse of Virgin Mary , €13.5 IncludedHouse of Virgin Mary changes the tone of the route with its peaceful setting above Ephesus. The small stone structure and surrounding trees create an intimate mood after the larger archaeological spaces. Its meaning comes from tradition, pilgrimage and respect. The visit can feel brief but deeply reflective.Ask your guide how the sanctuary relates to Ephesus and early Christian memory in the region. That context helps connect the stop to the larger route. The visit then feels less isolated and more layered. It becomes part of the area's spiritual landscape. A careful pace makes this stop more rewarding.
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Ephesus Ancient City
Guided highlights walk through the main archaeological areas.
Continue to Ephesus Ancient City and explore the most important monuments and marble streets with your licensed guide.
Entrance FeesEphesus Ancient City , €40 IncludedEphesus Ancient City brings the region's ancient identity into focus. The marble street, Library of Celsus, theatre and civic spaces reveal a city shaped by power, trade and public life. The route works best when each monument is understood as part of the same urban system. That is when Ephesus begins to feel complete.This is a good place to ask about ordinary life as well as emperors and monuments. Markets, processions, performances and daily errands once filled these streets with motion. Imagine that movement as you walk. Ephesus becomes more vivid when it feels inhabited. A careful pace makes this stop more rewarding.
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Terrace Houses
Visit the Terrace Houses section of Ephesus to see Roman residences, mosaics, and wall paintings.
Continue inside the Ephesus archaeological zone to the Terrace Houses and see the preserved Roman residences, mosaics, and wall paintings. This section involves stairs and uneven surfaces.
Entrance FeesTerrace Houses of Ephesus , €15 IncludedTerrace Houses add a human and domestic layer to the Ephesus visit. While the theatre and library show public ambition, these homes show decoration, privacy and refined urban living. The details are smaller, but they speak very clearly. This is where ancient life can feel surprisingly personal.Notice how the houses sit on the hillside and how rooms relate to one another. The architecture shows planning, privacy and a desire for beauty. These are not anonymous ruins; they are traces of real households. That makes the stop especially engaging. A careful pace makes this stop more rewarding.
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Lunch Stop (Selcuk)
Lunch break near Selcuk before the final heritage stops.
L
Take a planned lunch stop near Selcuk before continuing to the final heritage stops of the day.
MealsLunch meal IncludedLunch in the Selcuk area connects the sightseeing day with the living flavors of the region. After ancient streets, sacred sites and hillside heritage, local food gives the experience a grounded feeling. Look for fresh salads, soups, olive-oil vegetables, pide, gozleme or grilled plates depending on the place and season. A relaxed meal suits this route well.For a regional touch, consider olive-oil dishes, herbs, yogurt sides, fresh bread, lentil soup, pide or a grilled plate if available. Options can change by restaurant and season, so flexibility helps. Ask for what is fresh. That is often the most satisfying choice. A relaxed meal keeps the day balanced. -
St. John Basilica
Visit the landmark basilica in Selcuk.
Continue to the Basilica of St. John in Selcuk and learn about its significance and the surrounding historical setting.
Entrance FeesSt. John Basilica , €6 IncludedSt. John Basilica brings the route into the world of pilgrimage, memory and Byzantine architecture. The site is quieter than Ephesus, but its meaning is wide. Walking through the remains, you can sense how sacred geography shaped Selcuk after the ancient city declined. It is an important bridge between eras.Use this stop to connect biblical tradition with local history. Pilgrimage, Byzantine patronage and the development of Ayasuluk Hill all belong to the explanation. Those layers make the basilica more than a scenic ruin. It becomes part of the region's long continuity. A careful pace makes this stop more rewarding.
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Temple of Artemis
Short stop at the Temple of Artemis area for photos and context.
See the Temple of Artemis heritage zone and hear why it is remembered as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Temple of Artemis adds the Seven Wonders tradition to the route. The site may look simple at first, but it once represented sacred prestige, wealth and regional identity. Your guide's explanation is essential because the missing scale must be rebuilt in words. With context, the quiet ground becomes powerful.Use this stop to think about how ancient fame survives even when architecture does not. Modern visitors meet a quiet site, while ancient travelers knew a magnificent sanctuary. That contrast gives the visit a reflective quality. The name still carries the weight of a vanished wonder. A careful pace makes this stop more rewarding.
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Izmir Airport
Return flight departure from Izmir to Istanbul.
After completing the route, return to Izmir Airport for the scheduled domestic flight back.
TicketsFlight ticket (Izmir Airport (ADB) to Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)) Included -
Sabiha Gokcen Airport Drop-off
Finish at Sabiha Gokcen Airport after the return flight.
Different tour end?
Different tour end?
End of the flight-based shared group day tour; drop-off is provided at Sabiha Gokcen Airport after the return flight.
Got a question about this tour?
Reach out to our travel experts.
What's Included
- Lunch meal.
- House of Virgin Mary.
- Ephesus Ancient City.
- Terrace Houses of Ephesus.
- St. John Basilica.
- Flight ticket (Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) to Izmir Airport (ADB)).
- Flight ticket (Izmir Airport (ADB) to Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)).
- Licensed professional tour guide.
- Air-conditioned tour vehicle.
- Transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
- Parking fees.
- Pick-up from your hotel or meeting point.
- Drop-off at your hotel or meeting point.
- Local taxes.
What's Not Included
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.
- Please bring your passport or ID card.
- 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.
- Entrance fees may be paid by credit card or Turkish Lira.
- Flight times are confirmed after booking and may affect the final pickup or meeting time.
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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Is this a full-day Ephesus trip by flight from Sabiha Gokcen Airport?
Yes. This shared day trip starts from Sabiha Gokcen Airport, uses an outbound flight to Izmir, follows the Ephesus-region sightseeing route and returns to Sabiha Gokcen Airport after the return flight. -
Is this the group day trip by flight from Sabiha Gokcen Airport?
Yes. This version runs in shared group format, so the airport-to-airport day-trip structure and the Ephesus sightseeing route are organized as a group flight program. -
Does this day trip use flights between Sabiha Gokcen Airport and Izmir?
Yes. The current route starts from Sabiha Gokcen Airport, flies to Izmir for the sightseeing day and returns by flight after the Ephesus program. -
Which places are included in the sightseeing route?
The route includes House of Virgin Mary, Ephesus Ancient City, Terrace Houses, a lunch stop in Selcuk, St. John Basilica and the Temple of Artemis before the return flight from Izmir. -
How does the transport work on this tour?
The tour begins at Sabiha Gokcen Airport, continues by flight to Izmir, transfers to the Selcuk and Ephesus region for sightseeing, then returns to Izmir Airport for the flight back. -
How long does this Sabiha Gokcen Airport day trip usually take?
This is a full-day flight-linked route and the current duration setting is about 22 hours across airport start, the outbound flight, the Ephesus sightseeing route and the return flight. -
Are entrance fees included in the base shared day trip?
Yes. In the current shared tour structure, the linked entrance fees for the included historical sites are covered in the base day-trip setup. -
Is this route suitable for travelers starting at Sabiha Gokcen Airport?
Yes. The route is designed for Sabiha Gokcen Airport starts and works as an airport-to-airport Ephesus day trip rather than a city-center departure product. -
What is the entrance fee for House of Virgin Mary on this tour?
The current entrance fee is shown with the latest linked fee data. On this shared day trip, that entrance fee is included in the base tour structure. House of Virgin Mary entry fee is €13.5. -
What is the entrance fee for Ephesus Ancient City on this tour?
The current entrance fee is shown with the latest linked fee data. On this shared day trip, that entrance fee is included in the base tour structure. Ephesus Ancient City entry fee is €40. -
What is the entrance fee for Terrace Houses of Ephesus on this tour?
The current entrance fee is shown with the latest linked fee data. On this shared day trip, that entrance fee is included in the base tour structure. Terrace Houses of Ephesus entry fee is €15. -
What is the entrance fee for St. John Basilica on this tour?
The current entrance fee is shown with the latest linked fee data. On this shared day trip, that entrance fee is included in the base tour structure. St. John Basilica entry fee is €6.
Good to Know
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Airport-to-airport flight-day structure
This day trip starts at Sabiha Gokcen Airport, continues by flight to Izmir, follows the Ephesus-region sightseeing route and returns to Sabiha Gokcen Airport after the final flight segment. -
Walking conditions at the sites
Ephesus, Terrace Houses and St. John Basilica include stone paths, slopes and uneven archaeological surfaces, so supportive walking shoes are strongly recommended. -
Flight-day planning
Because the route depends on outbound and return flight timing, guests should keep airport-ready identification, confirmed flight-day details and light travel planning in order. -
Compact travel preparation
Because the route combines airport movement, transfers and sightseeing in one long day, comfortable clothing, water and easy-to-carry essentials are useful throughout the program.
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