National Geographic Orion calls at Kuşadası in May and September 2027, times not announced. Two-stop yellow taxi plans that fit a half day ashore.
National Geographic Orion is listed in Kuşadası three times in the port schedule we follow: twice in May and once in September 2027. The times are not announced. You may already have plans for part of your port day, or prefer a shorter outing, so this page focuses on half-day combinations: two stops, done well, in about four to five hours.
Four half-day combinations
Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary
The classic pair, about 4.5 to 5 hours port to port. Start at the house in the hills, then drive about 15 minutes down to the Ephesus upper gate and walk down to the lower gate, where the driver waits. Little backtracking and a downhill walk.
Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis
About 4 to 4.5 hours. The temple is a single re-erected column in a field at the edge of Selçuk, a 10 to 20 minute stop after the lower gate. Good if you want the ancient world and nothing else.
Ephesus and the Ephesus Museum
The museum in Selçuk holds finds from the ancient city, including statues of Artemis. Seeing the site and then the objects that came out of it makes a coherent half day of roughly 4.5 to 5 hours. Check current opening hours for the museum.
Şirince and the Temple of Artemis
For a day without long walks on ancient stone: the hillside village of Şirince for a slow coffee or lunch, with the temple column on the way. Around 3.5 to 4 hours.
Turning it into a full day
If your stay is long enough, all four classic stops take about 7.5 to 8.5 hours port to port. Remember to allow 15 to 30 minutes to get off the ship and to be back at the port at least 60 minutes before departure, or by the all-aboard time printed on board if earlier.
National Geographic Orion in Kuşadası
- Fri, May 7 · times not announced
- Mon, May 31 · times not announced
- Wed, Sep 15 · times not announced
Payment and booking
You pay the driver in cash; there is no card in the taxi. Entrance fees, food and drinks are not included. The basic ride is the port to Ephesus and back; the House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis, the museum stop and Şirince are added at an extra charge. Tell us which combination you choose. Our cruise transfer page explains the pickup at the port exit.