Izmir – Ephesus (2022)

By far the best option is to take the train from the Izmir airport or Izmir city to Selcuk for Ephesus, and then to Denizli for Pamukkale.

The Izmir airport is officially known as “Izmir Adnan Menderes Havalimani”, which you will see displayed on the signs. “Havalimani” is the “airport” in Turkish and will be a useful word.

Table of contents:

• One convenient TCDD train
• (1) Izmir city center – Izmir airport train
• (2) Izmir airport – Selcuk (for Ephesus) train
• (3) Selcuk – Denizli (for Pamukkale) train
• (4) Selcuk – Ephesus minibus
• (5) How to buy the train ticket?

One convenient TCDD train

The planners and architects of the Izmir airport (“Izmir Adnan Menderes Havalimani”) have done an excellent job. The airport is a great hub to travel north to the Izmir city center or south to Selcuk for Ephesus.

The Izmir airport is well designed and has an excellent transportation system to the Izmir city center, Selcuk (for Ephesus) and Denizli (for Pamukkale).

The main railway station in Izmir center is Basmane, which is located in the city center walking distance to the tourist hotels, the main bazaar and the sea.

Same train: Izmir city – Izmir airport – Selcuk – Denizli

There is a TCDD train in the Izmir area, which will be very convenient for your travels.

It starts at the Basmane station in Izmir city center and 30 minutes later you arrive at the airport. Another 60 minutes later you arrive at Selcuk (for Ephesus). Finally, another 3.5 hours later you arrive in Denizli (for Pamukkale).

The train will have its final stop in Denizli, which will be displayed on the carriages (NOT Selcuk). Modern train, clean, air-conditioning working well, punctual, no wifi, snacks (simit and ayran at $0.30 offered)

In addition, if going to Ephesus, you do NOT have to travel to Izmir (as truly yours did), but can go from the airport directly to Selcuk (the closest town and the hub for Ephesus). In other words, you might save a day by visiting Ephesus directly and without making a detour to Izmir (an interesting but a detour nevertheless).

(1) Izmir city center – Izmir airport train

The train from the Izmir city center to the airport takes 30 minutes, $1.30 one way.

It departs from the Basmane station in the Basmane area (yes, the same official name) in the Izmir city center. It is next to the bazaar and the mid-range hotels, and a 15 minute walk to Alsancak.

Departures (as of November 2022): 07:10, 10:45, 12:30, 14:30, 16:45, 18:00, 23:05

(2) Izmir airport – Selcuk (for Ephesus) train

• When exiting the arrivals terminal, follow the signs to the TCDD trains.
• The station is located at the airport within the walking distance (5 mins) with escalators and lifts, convenient for luggage. You will NOT take an airport train (as at JFK or London Heathrow or Gatwick) to get to the station.

• TCDD (Turkish Railways) train. The Izmir airport – Selcuk (for Ephesus) train takes 60 minutes, $1.50 one way
• Departures (as of November 2022) : 07:32, 11:08, 12:56, 14:56, 17:09, 18:23, 23:34

(3) Selcuk – Denizli (for Pamukkale) train

It will take approximately 3.5 hours from Selcuk to Denizli.

Departure times (as of November 2022): 00:38, 08:34, 12:08, 13:55, 16:03, 18:15, 19:22

(4) Selcuk – Ephesus minibus

It takes approximately 10 minutes from the Selcuk center to the Ephesus lower entrance gate. You can either take a taxi or a minibus (dolmus) from the Selcuk bus station (otogar) located in the center, 10 minutes walking distance from the train station. If taking the dolmus, $0.60 one way.

The minibus is departing from the first bay on the left-hand side in front of the bus station building. First bus at 07:00am, leaving on time (and not waiting for other passengers to fill up). Depending on the season, departures every 20-30 minutes. If in doubt, please ask any driver from another bus and they will point you in the right direction.

You will get off at the parking lot in front of the lower entrance gate. It is the preferred gate to beat the tour bus groups. 3-5 minutes walking distance to the Celsius library and the amphitheater.

On the way back to Selcuk, the dolmus will stop exactly at the same spot.

(5) How to buy the train ticket?

There are two main options: (a) purchase in person at the station or (b) buy it online or on the app.

(a) At the station

Basmane station in Izmir

The starting station for the train is the Basmane station. It is in the Basmane area (yes, the official name), where the bazaar and the midrange hotels are located. Enter the station through the main entrance and go through to the round ticket office. There are usually two lines to two windows, it does not matter which one you choose as they are selling tickets to all destinations. The staff is usually speaking (some) English so no need for an online translator.

“Ticket for tomorrow, buy tomorrow”

Now, at Basmane we had an interesting experience. As obedient foreign tourists with no real Turkish language, we went to buy the tickets in the evening the day before. No crowds, no line, life was good. We asked for the tickets for a train to Selcuk the following morning. The ticket office gentleman responded politely “Ticket for today, buy today.” Straightforward, makes perfect sense. And then he added “Ticket for tomorrow, buy tomorrow.“

So we showed up the following morning. Please come at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time, as there will A LOT of people. Train to Selcuk and Denizli has many stops in small towns and villages. Contrary to us, all those passengers already knew that it is impossible to buy the ticket the day before, so all showed up pretty much at the same time 10-15 minutes before the departure.

You definitely want to be there before. Once you bought your ticket, you can go straight to your train, which will be already waiting.

Unallocated seat

When buying a ticket on the day in the station ticket office, you will receive an unallocated seat. There are carriages for the allocated and unallocated seats. Go to the unallocated one, as you do not want to be asked to vacate your seat in the allocated carriage.

Denizli and Selcuk stations

Our experience in the Denizli (for Pamukkale) and Selcuk (for Ephesus) stations was totally different. We repeated our obedient tourist routine the day before, and were able to purchase the tickets for the following day. In addition, we did get the allocated seats. The staff spoke excellent English. Moreover, there was no time pressure being watched by 50 local passengers anxious to catch their train.

(b) TCDD app

Later we also downloaded the TCDD (Turkish Railways) app. It has a blue train logo with the “TCDD TASIMACILIK AS” text. The app is excellent. It has an English option, is intuitive and accepted our credit card. Most importantly, it allows the advance purchase with a clearly laid out calendar.

Where to go next?

Beyond this guide to how to get from Izmir to Ephesus, for the overall Ephesus visiting tips (aka “How to be first at the Celsius library?”): Ephesus Visit – Top Tips

If continuing to Pamukkale: Izmir – Pamukkale (2022).

If you are going to the Antalya airport, this Antalya airport – Antalya city center guide will help (Antalya Airport – City Center).