Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, is one of the best day trips from Istanbul. From Taksim to central Bursa it is about 150 km, around 2–2.5 hours via the Osmangazi Bridge depending on traffic. Expect about 4–5 hours on the road in total, with the rest of the day for the city.
This trip is booked as hourly chauffeur hire; it is not a guided tour. Your driver picks you up at your hotel, waits wherever you stop and takes you back in the evening. For Bursa, the booking is at least 10 and at most 12 hours: 10 hours include 250 km and 12 hours include 300 km.
A sample day
A 12-hour example: 07:30 leave your hotel. 10:00 breakfast and Ottoman houses in Cumalıkızık village. 11:30 the Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami) and Koza Han. 13:30 İskender kebab for lunch. 15:00 the Green Tomb and Green Mosque. 17:00 head back. 19:30 Istanbul.
Leaving early helps you avoid Istanbul traffic and queues at the bridge. Cumalıkızık and Uludağ get busier at weekends.
How the price works
Taksim to Bursa and back is about 300 km, so a 10-hour booking will go over the included kilometres, and driving around the city or up Uludağ can do the same on a 12-hour booking. Extra kilometres are charged at the end of the trip at the rate shown.
The Bursa route has an additional charge for the motorway and the Osmangazi Bridge. It is not included in the hourly price and covers the round trip; it comes pre-selected with its amount in the extras step of the booking form. Museum, cable car and meal costs are also yours to pay.
Can I also see Uludağ?
Yes, but it is hard to fit everything into one day. To add Uludağ you can take the cable car from Teferrüç or use the mountain road; the cable car may stop in strong winds. Allow extra time for snowy roads in winter and for weekend crowds.
What to see
- CumalıkızıkUNESCO-listed Ottoman village, known for its village breakfast.
- Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami)Bursa's landmark, dating from the late 14th century.
- Koza HanThe silk bazaar in a historic courtyard.
- Green Tomb and Green MosqueOttoman buildings famous for their tiles.
- UludağCable car, and a ski resort in winter.
Hourly rates
| Vehicle | Per hour | Minimum 10 hours | Extra km |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Minivan · 1-4 pax | ₺1.000 | ₺10.000 | ₺50/km |
| Minivan · 1-6 pax | ₺1.100 | ₺11.000 | ₺55/km |
| Business Minivan (VIP) · 1-4 pax | ₺1.250 | ₺12.500 | ₺60/km |
| Minibus · 10 pax | ₺1.400 | ₺14.000 | ₺70/km |
| Minibus · 13 pax | ₺1.650 | ₺16.500 | ₺80/km |
25 km per hour are included; extra kilometres are charged at the end of the trip at the rate shown. Motorway, bridge and tunnel tolls are not included. If the drop-off is more than 50 km from the pickup, a distance fee is added.
What is included
- Private door-to-door vehicle with a professional driver (never shared)
- Fuel and driver
- 60 min free waiting after landing at airports, 15 min at hotel and address pickups
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the trip
- Driver name, licence plate and phone number sent to you on WhatsApp before the trip
- The Bursa route has an additional charge for the motorway and the Osmangazi Bridge. It covers the round trip and is not included in the hourly price; it comes pre-selected with its amount in the extras step of the form.
- Online bookings must be made at least 6 hours before the trip; for sooner pickups, contact us on WhatsApp or by phone.
How to book
- Enter pickup and drop-off, date, time and number of passengers in the form.
- Choose your vehicle — the price is fixed right away.
- Pay securely online by card (3D Secure). Or message us on WhatsApp and we will send you a payment link.
- Your driver details arrive on WhatsApp before the trip.
Vehicle options
- Economy Minivan · 1-4 pax
- Minivan · 1-6 pax
- Business Minivan (VIP) · 1-4 pax
- Minibus · 10 pax
- Minibus · 13 pax