Most travelers drive past Ephesus without ever hearing that 33 steam locomotives sit a few kilometers away in an open-air museum. The Çamlık Railway Museum, tucked in a pine-covered village outside Selçuk, holds one of the largest steam locomotive collections in Europe — and it rarely makes it onto a tour itinerary.
The Story Behind the Tracks
The line the museum sits on opened in 1866 under the Ottoman Railway Company, making it part of one of Turkey's earliest railways. When the İzmir–Aydın line was realigned in 1991, the old Çamlık station fell out of use. Instead of being torn down, it was converted into a museum step by step between 1991 and 1997. The station building, the rails, and the turntable still standing today date from that period, with half the locomotives arranged around the turntable.
Atatürk's Saloon Car
Among the exhibits sits the saloon car once used by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. On the same tracks stands locomotive 45501, which was involved in the 1957 Yarımburgaz train disaster on the Orient Express line — one of the most photographed pieces in the collection for rail history buffs.
What's in the Collection
The 33 outdoor steam locomotives were built between 1891 and 1951, manufactured in Britain, France, the United States, Sweden and Czechoslovakia. Nine passenger cars, seven freight cars, water towers and cranes round out the display.
Good to Know Before You Go
The site is entirely outdoors, so midday sun makes walking between locomotives tiring — mornings are cooler and quieter. Plan at least half an hour; the locomotives sit close together but each carries a different build year and story, so it's not a stop to rush. The ground is gravel and scattered metal parts, so closed shoes matter, and a hat and water are worth packing in summer. Since the museum sits only a few kilometers from Ephesus, it fits into the same day without adding an extra night.
Who It's For
Families with train-obsessed kids, travelers interested in railway history, and photographers drawn to industrial architecture will get the most out of this stop. It's not the right pick for visitors chasing only classic "ruins and statues" sightseeing, or those on a tight schedule — but it's a good choice for anyone wanting a quieter break after the crowds of Ephesus.
Getting to Selçuk and the Museum
A private transfer from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to Selçuk takes about an hour, and the Çamlık museum sits just off that same route with a short detour from the main road. Travelers arriving with a Selçuk VIP airport transfer can simply ask the driver for a brief stop at the museum.
Building the Rest of Your Day
Pairing Çamlık with Ephesus works well: clear Ephesus's crowds in the morning, then shift to the museum's quiet in the afternoon. With extra time, start the day at Ayasuluk Castle and continue on the Selçuk–Şirince route — all three stops sit close enough together that the day doesn't turn into a chain of exhausting transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is the Çamlık Railway Museum from Ephesus?
The museum is only a few kilometers from Ephesus, so it fits into the same day's itinerary without needing an extra day.
How much time should I set aside to visit the museum?
Plan at least half an hour; the locomotives sit close together, but each one carries a different build year and story, so it's not a stop to rush.
What time of day is best to visit the museum?
Mornings are best; the site is entirely outdoors, so midday sun makes walking tiring, while mornings are cooler and quieter.
What should I pay attention to while visiting the museum?
The ground is covered in gravel and scattered metal parts, so closed shoes are a must, and a hat and water are worth packing in summer.
Who is Çamlık a good stop for?
It's a great fit for families with train-obsessed kids, travelers interested in railway history, and photographers drawn to industrial architecture; it's not a priority stop for visitors chasing only classic ruins-and-statues sightseeing or those on a very tight schedule.
How long does the transfer from Izmir Airport to Selçuk take?
A private transfer from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to Selçuk takes about an hour, and the Çamlık museum sits right along that same route.