Uludağ Day Trip: Snow and Bursa in One Day from Istanbul

You can go from Istanbul to Uludağ and back in a day: on TatiliYakala's day trip programme you set off early in the morning, and after breakfast in Cumalıkızık and a short history tour in Bursa, the afternoon is for skiing and free time on Uludağ. In the evening you eat iskender in Bursa and return to Istanbul at night. It's a long but full day, and a practical option for groups short on time.

The programme hour by hour

The day trip programme in the catalogue runs as follows:

• 05:00 Depart Istanbul for Bursa
• 09:00 Village breakfast spread and free time in Cumalıkızık
• 11:00 Bursa: Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami), Covered Bazaar, Green Mosque and Tomb, Tophane, tombs of Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi, viewing terrace
• 12:30 Drive up to Uludağ (about 1 hour; depends on road and snow conditions); ski pass, ski clothing and equipment from the ski rental shop
• 13:30 Sucuk sandwich break; skiing and free time
• 17:00 Get ready to leave
• 18:00 Iskender in Bursa
• 21:00 Arrive in Istanbul

Times are as given in the catalogue; traffic, weather and road conditions may affect the schedule.

Morning: breakfast in Cumalıkızık

The first stop of the day is the village of Cumalıkızık on the slopes of Uludağ. With its narrow cobbled streets and colourful houses with bay windows, this village dating from the founding years of the Ottoman Empire makes a lovely stop for a village breakfast spread. After breakfast there is free time for a short stroll through the streets. If you'd like to get to know the village better, see our Cumalıkızık guide.

Late morning: a short history tour in Bursa

Bursa was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. The programme includes the Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami), the Covered Bazaar, the Green Mosque and Green Tomb, and the tombs of Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi at Tophane. Looking out over the city and Uludağ from the viewing terrace is a good moment to see from afar the mountain you'll soon be climbing. This part is kept short; the aim is to see the city's main sights without eating into your time in the snow.

Afternoon: snow time on Uludağ

The drive from Bursa up to Uludağ takes about an hour, but this depends on road and snow conditions. When you reach the mountain, equipment and clothing are sorted out at the ski rental shop, followed by a sucuk sandwich break. From then on, the rest of the day is yours:

• Those who can ski head for the pistes.
• First-timers learn the basic moves on gentle slopes; instructor support can be planned at the quote stage.
• Those who don't want to ski walk in the snow, take photos, go sledging or have something hot to drink.

Preparations for the return start around 17:00. Returning equipment and gathering everyone takes a little time, so sticking to the meeting time gets the whole group home sooner.

Evening: iskender in Bursa

After coming down from the mountain, you eat iskender in Bursa. After a day in the cold, iskender with melted butter becomes one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the day. For more on Bursa's cuisine, have a look at our article on Bursa's local dishes.

Who is the day trip suitable for?

The day trip programme suits groups short on time. It's particularly popular for:

• Weekday school trips, corporate events and one-day leave
• Groups who want to try skiing for the first time and see the snow
• Those who also want to see Bursa's historic sites on the same day

For first-time skiers or younger groups, the 1-night, 2-day programme offers a more relaxed pace: there's more time to ski and the travel fatigue is split. For a comparison, read our article on the 2-day Uludağ tour.

Tips for preparing for a long day

• Go to bed early the night before; departure is early in the morning.
• Pack your clothes in layers. We've listed what to bring in our article What to wear on Uludağ.
• Keep spare socks and base layers with you in a small bag.
• Bring a power bank to charge your phone.
• Don't leave valuables on the coach; carry them with you.

If snow or road conditions aren't suitable

Access to Uludağ depends on road and snow conditions. Conditions are monitored as the date approaches; if necessary, a date change or an alternative programme is planned together with the group. For tour details and a quote, see the Uludağ tour page, and you'll find our other winter programmes on our ski holidays page.

A small note on photos

On the day trip, the best moments for photos are Cumalıkızık's colourful houses in the morning light, the city view from the viewing terrace in Bursa and the afternoon hours among the snowy pines on Uludağ. Your phone battery drains fast in the cold, so it helps to keep your phone in an inside pocket.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Uludağ day trip take?

In the catalogue programme, departure is planned for 05:00 and arrival in Istanbul for 21:00. Traffic and road conditions may affect these times.

How much time do you spend on Uludağ on the day trip?

You arrive on Uludağ around midday, and preparations for the return start around 17:00. This time is for skiing, sledging or free time.

Are meals included on the day trip?

The programme includes a village breakfast spread in Cumalıkızık, a sucuk sandwich break on Uludağ and iskender in Bursa. The package contents are confirmed in the quote.

Are the ski pass and equipment included in the price?

Ski passes, ski clothing and equipment can be provided by the ski rental shop. Whether they are included in the package is confirmed in the quote, depending on the date and number of participants.