There are a number of different ways to get from Istanbul to Ephesus when you are visiting Turkey. Your choice comes down to time and cost, so you can go with whichever option offers the one you value more.
While there are no trains that run between the two cities, there are regular flights and buses on this route. Information about each one is listed below.
Buses from Istanbul to Ephesus
Taking a bus is a good choice if you are traveling in Turkey on a budget. The bus journey takes 10 hours, and services run either during the day or overnight. All buses travel between Istanbul and Selcuk. From Selcuk it is just a short walk to get to the ruins of Ephesus.
Flights from Istanbul to Ephesus
If you don’t want to sit on a bus for 10 hours, flying to Ephesus is a good alternative. A number of airlines operate flights from Istanbul to Izmir, which is a short train or bus ride from the ruins.