Bursa Day Trip from Istanbul: Cable Car & Lunch Included
Overview
Bursa Day Trip from Istanbul: Cable Car & Lunch Included
Spend a day in Bursa, the first Ottoman capital, known for its history and green mountain scenery. You travel from Istanbul across the Sea of Marmara by ferry and ride the cable car towards Uludag Mountain for panoramic views over forests and peaks.
Green Mosque and Local Shops
In the city you visit the Green Mosque and the Green Tomb, stop at traditional shops selling Turkish delight, honey, jam and handmade regional products, and have lunch at a local restaurant with free time to explore the centre.
Included in the Bursa Trip
Hotel pick-up and drop-off, round-trip transportation, ferry and cable car tickets, a professional guide and lunch are included.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Bursa Full-Day Tour from Istanbul
- Hotel pick-up: pick-up from hotels in central Istanbul and departure for Bursa.
- Ferry across the Sea of Marmara: a relaxing crossing with sea views.
- Cable car: a ride towards Uludag Mountain with panoramic views of the forests and mountains.
- Uludag Mountain
- Lunch: lunch at a local restaurant with traditional Turkish dishes.
- Green Mosque and Green Tomb: two of the best-known Ottoman landmarks of Bursa, the first Ottoman capital.
- Turkish delight and local shopping: traditional shops known for Turkish delight, honey, jam and handmade regional products.
- Free time in Bursa: explore the city centre, take photos and see local sights at your own pace.
- Return to Istanbul: comfortable transport back to Istanbul and, for centrally located hotels, transfer to your hotel in the evening.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Round-Trip Transportation from Istanbul
- ✓Ferry Tickets
- ✓Cable Car Ride
- ✓Professional Tour Guide
- ✓Lunch at a Local Restaurant
- ✓Hotel Pick-Up and Drop-Off
- ✓Guided Bursa City Tour
- ✕Personal Expenses
- ✕ATV and Ski Activities
- ✕Tips and Gratuities
- ✕Travel Insurance
- ✕Optional Activities
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel free of charge up to 7 days before the tour for a full refund. Cancellations within 7 days of the tour are not refundable. All times are local time.
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Travel guides
Bursa day trip from Istanbul: what you need to know
This full-day trip takes you from your Istanbul hotel to Bursa, the first Ottoman capital, from $90 per person. The price already covers the parts that people usually ask about first: the ferry across the Sea of Marmara, the cable car towards Uludag Mountain, lunch at a local restaurant, a professional guide and hotel pick-up and drop-off.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Duration | About 8 hours of touring, full day from hotel to hotel |
| Price | from $90 per person |
| Type | Shared group tour with a professional guide |
| Transport | Round-trip from Istanbul, Marmara ferry crossing |
| Included | Cable car ticket, lunch, guided Bursa city tour, hotel pick-up and drop-off |
| Not included | ATV and ski activities, personal expenses, tips, travel insurance |
Is a Bursa day trip from Istanbul worth it?
If you have three or more days in Istanbul, yes. Bursa shows a different side of Turkey: a green city at the foot of a mountain, the early Ottoman architecture that came before Istanbul's grand mosques, and a mountain where locals go for snow in winter and cool air in summer. The day combines a sea crossing, a mountain view and a historic city, which no single tour inside Istanbul can do.
Is the cable car included, and where does it go?
Yes, the cable car ticket is included. Some Bursa tours sold elsewhere leave it out or make it optional, so it is worth checking when you compare. The cable car climbs from the city towards Uludag Mountain, with panoramic views over forests and peaks. Activities on the mountain such as ATV rides or skiing are not included and can be paid locally if you want them.
What will you see in Bursa?
| Stop | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Marmara ferry | A relaxing crossing with sea views on the way out of Istanbul |
| Uludag cable car | Panoramic views of the mountain and the city below |
| Green Mosque | One of the best-known early Ottoman landmarks, famous for its tile work |
| Green Tomb | The turquoise-tiled tomb that faces the Green Mosque |
| Local shops | Turkish delight, honey, jam and handmade regional products |
| Free time | Lunch at a local restaurant and time to explore the centre |
How does it compare with other day trips from Istanbul?
| Day trip | What is different | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| This tour | Group tour, ferry, cable car and lunch included | $90 |
| Private full-day Bursa tour | Your own group, about 12 hours | $100 |
| Sapanca and Masukiye day trip | Lake, waterfall and forest, optional ATV and zipline | $70 |
| Princes' Islands with ferry and lunch | Car-free islands in the Sea of Marmara | $90 |
| Sile Black Sea beach day | Beach and pool on the Black Sea coast | $60 |
| Troy day trip with ferry and lunch | The ancient city of Troy | $175 |
If you prefer nature to history, Sapanca is the softer choice. If you want a mix of mountain, Ottoman history and food, Bursa is the one.
When is the best time to visit Bursa and Uludag?
Every season works, but the mountain changes completely. From December to March Uludag is usually under snow and the cable car ride feels like a winter holiday; dress for real cold at the top. Spring and autumn bring fresh green forests and comfortable temperatures in the city. In summer the mountain is noticeably cooler than Istanbul, which makes it a pleasant escape from the heat. Weather on the mountain can change quickly, so the order of the stops may be adjusted on the day.
What should you bring?
A warm layer even outside winter, because it is cooler up the mountain than in the city, and proper warm clothes, gloves and non-slip shoes from December to March. Bring comfortable walking shoes for the city centre, a scarf for women for the Green Mosque, cash for shopping and snacks, and sunglasses for the views and the snow.
What food is Bursa known for?
Bursa is the home of Iskender kebab, thin slices of doner over bread with tomato sauce and melted butter, and is known for candied chestnuts. The shops on the route sell Turkish delight, local honey and jams, so it is a good day for edible souvenirs.
How do you book?
Choose your date on this page and send the form, or message us on WhatsApp with your hotel name. Pick-up is from hotels in central Istanbul; we confirm your pick-up time in writing, and you pay only after we confirm. For more ideas see our day trips and Istanbul tours and our Turkey tour packages.
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