2-Day Pamukkale & Ephesus Tour from Cappadocia (With Overnight Local Bus)

2 Days
  • Cappadocia
  • Kuşadası
  • Group
  • English

Detailed Itinerary

  • Day
    1

    Overnight Journey from Cappadocia to Pamukkale

    You will be picked up from your hotel in Cappadocia around 7:00 pm and transferred to the Göreme Bus Terminal. You will travel overnight to Pamukkale in a non-smoking, fully air-conditioned local bus departing at approximately 9:00 pm. The journey will take around 10 hours, with three scheduled breaks for your personal needs. Arrival in Denizli is expected in the early morning.

    Note: During the bus journey, you will be unaccompanied. Touring services begin once you meet your local guide upon arrival.

  • Day
    2

    Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour, Transfer to Kuşadası

    Upon arrival at the Pamukkale / Denizli Main Bus Station between 05:30 – 06:00 am, you will be taken to a 2-star hotel in Pamukkale to freshen up and have breakfast before the start of your full-day tour (no overnight stay in the room). At around 09:30 am, your licensed professional guide will pick you up to begin the journey.

    Your first visit will be to Karahayit to see the famous Red Spring Waters, known for their healing properties. We then proceed to the ancient Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis, founded in the 2nd century BC and famed for its sacred hot springs. Highlights of Hierapolis include the Necropolis, Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Latrina, Frontinus Street, Agora, Temple of Apollo, Plutonium, and the Hierapolis Theatre.

    Around 12:30 pm, we will break for lunch at a local restaurant, where you can enjoy a selection of Turkish dishes.

    After lunch, you will visit the Pamukkale Travertines, also called the Cotton Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site where mineral-rich thermal waters cascade down dazzling white terraces. You can walk barefoot along the warm calcium pools, enjoying both the view and the soothing water.

    As part of your visit, you will also have the option to swim in the Cleopatra Antique Pools, where ancient marble columns lie beneath the crystal-clear thermal waters. Please note that this experience is optional, and the entrance fee is paid directly on-site (not included in the tour price). We recommend bringing your own swimsuit and towel if you wish to swim.

    The tour will conclude around 4:00 pm, after which you will begin the scenic 3-hour transfer to Kuşadası. Arrival will be at approximately 7:00 pm, followed by check-in at your hotel.

  • Day
    3

    Ephesus Tour

    After breakfast, check out of your hotel at around 8:30 am. You will be picked up and meet your tour guide to begin a full-day exploration of Ephesus, the ancient Greek city that became one of the most important cultural and commercial centers of its time. Highlights include the Temple of Hadrian, the Great Theater, and the Trajan Fountain.

    After lunch, continue to the House of the Virgin Mary, where it is believed she spent her final years. You will also pass by the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, though only a few ruins remain today.

    End the day with a visit to the Isabey Mosque, a beautiful example of Seljuk architecture.

    The tour concludes around 4:00 pm, with two options:

    1. End the tour in Kuşadası – end of services.
    2. Transfer to Izmir Airport or Izmir Bus Station for onward travel to destinations such as Bodrum, Marmaris, Antalya, Fethiye, or Istanbul (domestic flight or bus tickets not included but can be arranged at an additional cost).

Included in the Tour Price

  • All transfers mentioned in the itinerary
  • Overnight intercity coach ticket (Cappadocia to Pamukkale)
  • 1 night in Kuşadası at a boutique or 4-star hotel including breakfast
  • English-speaking licensed guide during the tours
  • Meals as specified in the itinerary: (B) breakfast, (L) lunch
  • Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary
  • Local taxes and service charges

Not Included

  • End of the tour in Ephesus on Day 3 – bus and/or flight tickets for onward travel are not included
  • Tips to staff and items of a personal nature
  • Travel insurance (recommended)

Important notes

  • This is a regular group tour; private tours can be arranged at an additional cost.
  • Regular group tours include shopping stops.
  • Vegetarian lunch option is available upon request.
  • Buses do not have onboard bathroom facilities.
  • On Day 3, the tour ends at approximately 4:00 pm. You may be dropped off in Izmir Airport, Izmir Bus Station, or the Kuşadası / Selçuk area – this will be the end of our services.
  • Swimming in the Cleopatra Antique Pools in Pamukkale is optional. The entrance fee is not included and must be paid directly on-site. Please bring your own towel and swimsuit if you plan to swim.