Bursa & Uludag Tour from Istanbul: Ferry, Cable Car & Lunch
Overview
Bursa & Uludag Tour from Istanbul: Ferry, Cable Car & Lunch
Bursa, the first Ottoman capital, pairs a deep history with green mountain scenery, and this tour gives you a full day there. From Istanbul you take a ferry over the Sea of Marmara, then ride the cable car up towards Uludag Mountain for wide views of forests and summits.
Green Mosque and Local Shops
In the city you see the Green Mosque and the Green Tomb, browse traditional shops for honey, jam, Turkish delight and handmade local products, and eat lunch at a local restaurant. Free time lets you explore the centre yourself.
Included in the Bursa Trip
The price covers transfers from and back to your hotel, transport there and back, ferry and cable car tickets, a professional guide and lunch.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Marmara Ferry, Uludag Cable Car and Green Mosque
- Hotel pick-up: pick-up from central Istanbul hotels, then the road to Bursa.
- Marmara ferry crossing: an easy crossing with views of the sea.
- Cable car: ride up towards Uludag Mountain, with wide views over forest and peaks.
- Uludag Mountain
- Lunch: traditional Turkish dishes at a local restaurant.
- Green Mosque and Green Tomb: two of the most famous Ottoman monuments in Bursa, the first capital of the empire.
- Turkish delight and local shopping: traditional shops with honey, jam, Turkish delight and handmade goods from the region.
- Free time in Bursa: stroll the centre, take pictures and visit local sights at your own speed.
- Return to Istanbul: a comfortable drive back to Istanbul, with an evening transfer to your hotel if it is centrally located.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Transport from Istanbul and Back
- ✓Ferry Fares
- ✓Ride on the Cable Car
- ✓Professional Guide
- ✓Lunch in a Local Restaurant
- ✓Pick-Up and Return to Your Hotel
- ✓City Tour of Bursa with a Guide
- ✕Personal Expenses
- ✕ATV and Ski Activities
- ✕Tips and Gratuities
- ✕Travel Insurance
- ✕Optional Activities
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at no charge until 7 days before your tour and you receive a full refund. If you cancel within the final 7 days before the tour, no refund is given. All times shown are local.
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Travel guides
Bursa from Istanbul in one day: the essentials
Starting at $90 per person, this full-day outing goes from your hotel in Istanbul to Bursa, the city that served as the first Ottoman capital. The things travellers tend to ask about first are already in the price: a ferry over the Sea of Marmara, a cable car ride up towards Uludag Mountain, lunch in a local restaurant, a professional guide, and pick-up and drop-off at your hotel.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Duration | Roughly 8 hours of sightseeing; a full day door to door |
| Price | from $90 per person |
| Type | Shared group tour led by a professional guide |
| Transport | Return trip from Istanbul with a ferry over the Marmara |
| Included | Cable car ticket, lunch, guided tour of Bursa city, hotel pick-up and drop-off |
| Not included | ATV and skiing, personal spending, tips, travel insurance |
Should you do a day trip to Bursa from Istanbul?
Yes, if your Istanbul stay is three days or longer. Bursa gives you another view of Turkey. It is a green city below a mountain. Its early Ottoman buildings came before the large mosques of Istanbul. Locals head up the mountain for snow in winter and for cool air in summer. In one day you get a boat ride, mountain scenery and a historic city, a mix that no tour within Istanbul can offer.
Does the price include the cable car, and how far does it go?
It does; your cable car ticket is part of the price. Some Bursa trips sold on other sites exclude it or sell it as an extra, so check this when you compare. The cars rise from the city up towards Uludag Mountain, giving wide views across forest and summits. ATV rides, skiing and other activities on the mountain are extra, and you can pay for them there if you are interested.
What are the stops in Bursa?
| Stop | Why it is worth it |
|---|---|
| Marmara ferry | An easy sea crossing with views as you leave Istanbul |
| Uludag cable car | Wide views over the mountain and the city beneath |
| Green Mosque | A famous early Ottoman landmark, known for its tiles |
| Green Tomb | The tomb with turquoise tiles across from the Green Mosque |
| Local shops | Turkish delight, honey, jam and handmade products of the region |
| Free time | Lunch in a local restaurant and time to walk around the centre |
How does this trip stack up against other day trips from Istanbul?
| Day trip | How it differs | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| This tour | Group tour with ferry, cable car and lunch in the price | $90 |
| Bursa tour, private, full day | Only your group, roughly 12 hours | $100 |
| Day trip to Sapanca and Masukiye | Lake, waterfall and forest, with ATV and zipline as options | $70 |
| Princes' Islands day with ferry and lunch | Islands without cars in the Sea of Marmara | $90 |
| Black Sea beach day in Sile | Beach and pool on the Black Sea shore | $60 |
| Troy day trip including ferry and lunch | Ancient Troy | $175 |
Sapanca is the gentler pick for nature lovers who care less about history. For mountain scenery, Ottoman heritage and good food in one day, go with Bursa.
When should you go to Bursa and Uludag?
Any season is fine, though the mountain looks very different through the year. Between December and March Uludag tends to be snow-covered, and the cable car trip feels like a ski break; expect real cold at the summit and dress for it. In spring and autumn the forests are fresh and green and the city is mild. Summer on the mountain is clearly cooler than in Istanbul, so it is a nice break from the heat. Mountain weather can turn fast, which means the stop order may change on the day.
What to pack?
Pack a warm layer outside winter too, as the mountain is colder than the city. From December to March take proper winter clothing, gloves and shoes that do not slip. Also bring comfortable shoes for walking in the centre, a headscarf for women visiting the Green Mosque, cash for shopping and snacks, and sunglasses for the views and the snow.
Which foods is Bursa famous for?
Iskender kebab comes from Bursa: thin doner slices laid on bread with tomato sauce and melted butter. The city is also known for candied chestnuts. Shops along the way sell Turkish delight, local honey and jams, so this is a good day to buy food souvenirs.
How do you make a booking?
Pick a date on this page and submit the form, or send us a WhatsApp message with the name of your hotel. We collect guests from hotels in central Istanbul and confirm the pick-up time in writing. Payment comes only after our confirmation. Looking for more? Browse our day trips and Istanbul tours and our Turkey tour packages.
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