You can visit Bursa on a long day-trip (10 to 14.5 hours) from Istanbul. There’s a lot to see in Bursa, and you’ll see more if you stay overnight, but if you can’t, it’s still possible to see the top sights in Bursa without moving from your Istanbul hotel.
If you leave your Istanbul hotel at 08:00 am, you may return to your hotel between 18:00 (6 pm) and 22:30 (10:30 pm), depending on several factors:
Your Hotel to the Ferry Dock
Ask your hotel staff how long it may take to reach the Yenikapı or Kabataş ferry dock (depending on which ferry you plan to take). You should be at the dock a minimum 15 to 30 minutes before departure time to buy or print your ticket. (Elapsed time: 01:00)
Istanbul—>Bursa Ferryboat Voyage
The voyage takes between 1.5 and 2 hours, depending on which ferryboat you use. (Elapsed time: 02:30 to 03:00)
Ferry Dock to Bursa City Center
Allow 1 to 1.5 hours to take a city bus from the ferry dock to the Emek Bursaray (Metro) station, board a Metro train, and reach the city center Şehreküstü station. (Elapsed time: 03:30 to 04:00)
Sightseeing in Bursa
You’ll need at least 4 hours to get a look at most of the top sights in Bursa. 6 hours is better. (Elapsed time: 06:30 to 10:00)
Bursa City Center to Ferry Dock
It may be possible to go from the city center to the Emek Bursaray station, then by bus to your ferry dock, in 1.5 hours, but it’s safer to allow 2 hours so you don’t miss your boat. (Elapsed time: 08:00 to 12:00)
Bursa—>Istanbul Ferryboat Voyage
Another 1.5 to 2-hour ferry voyage to your dock in Istanbul. (Elapsed time: 09:30 to 14:00)
Ferry Dock to Your Hotel
The last stage of your journey, allowing 30 minutes. (Elapsed time: 10:00 to 14:30)
These times are estimates only, and are not guaranteed. Numerous factors may cause delays, or good connections may allow you to travel faster.
If you can stay at least one night in Bursa, consider visiting İznik (Nicaea) along the way to Bursa. More…
—by Tom Brosnahan
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