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There are a few options on how to get to Bursa from Istanbul. One is by bus and another is by ferry, and both have their advantages and disadvantages.
BursaKart
Some options require you to take a city bus and/or the metro into town. The key is the BursaKart, which allows you to ride the public transportation system into the city center. A refillable BursaKart will save you money if you plan on using public transport often during your stay. See my entry “Bursa Basics” for more info on the BursaKart.
Bus
First, let’s talk about the bus. It’s not the fastest or most comfortable option because it can take a good four hours or more from Istanbul depending on traffic, but it’s more direct and only requires one transportation change. There are several buses leaving throughout the day for Bursa.
Take your pick of bus companies in Istanbul. Most of them will travel to Bursa. If you can avoid going all the way to Esenler, the main bus terminal in Istanbul, it’s better. You’ll end up backtracking and wasting time.
Once you arrive at the bus terminal in Bursa, you’ll need to take a bus or taxi into the city center. That could take another 30 to 45 minutes. City buses line up just outside the terminal. You have to buy a BursaKart from the ticket booth before boarding the bus. To get to the historic city center, take bus 38. It will stop right in front of the Grand Mosque.
If you’re traveling from a city other than Istanbul, Bursa is well-connected with most of the country. You can easily find buses from Ankara, Eskişehir, Konya, Izmir, and many others.
Ferry
The second, faster option is by a combination of ferry, bus, and metro. The ferry takes you from Istanbul across the Marmara Sea in under two hours, then you board a bus or minibus to the Emek metro station and ride into the city center. The bus and metro take about an hour.
Two companies run ferries between Istanbul and Bursa, İDO and BUDO. It’s better to buy tickets online because you can get them cheaper if purchased well in advance. If it’s a spur of the moment trip, get to the ferry terminal about an hour early to buy tickets.
İDO Ferry
İDO ferries go from Yenikapı, Kabataş, or Kadıköy to Güzelyalı (as of November 2023). To get to the Emek metro station, you can take the 1/GY bus, which leaves frequently throughout the day. You’ll need a BursaKart to board. You can also jump on one of the minibuses that fill up quickly, and you can pay the driver in cash.
Once at Emek, the metro will take you the rest of the way into Bursa. You’ll most likely get off at the Şehreküstü or Demirtaşpaşa stops nearest the historic city center.
BUDO Ferry
BUDO ferries go from Eminönü in Istanbul to Mudanya (as of November 2023). Once in Mudanya, take the 1/M bus and get off at the Emek metro station. Again, either Şehreküstü or Demirtaşpaşa will probably be your stop in the city center.
Airport Bus
If you’re heading to Bursa after flying into either Istanbul airport, you can take the BBBUS run by Burulaş, the city’s public transportation company. These direct buses run roughly every hour and drop you off at the bus terminal in Bursa. From Istanbul Airport, tickets are 280₺ (as of November 2023) and it takes 2 ½ hours. From Sabiha Gökçen it’s 210₺ (as of November 2023) and it takes 90 minutes.
