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Фотогалерея ‒ Uludag, Turkey

Guide to Uludag

Virtual Tour of Uludağ

Turkey's largest ski resort, Uludağ, is located 188 km from Istanbul and 35 km from the city of Bursa, within the Uludağ National Park. The ski complex is situated on the slopes of Uludağ Mountain, whose name translates from Turkish as "Big Mountain."

Modern-day Uludağ is a legendary historical site. In antiquity, this area was known as Little Olympus. The first hotel here was built in 1933, and in 1961, the area was declared the Uludağ National Park.

Today Uludağ is a developed resort with dozens of slopes of different difficulty levels, modern infrastructure and picturesque scenery. The skiing season here lasts from December to March, and thanks to its convenient location, the resort can be reached from both Istanbul and Bursa in just a couple of hours.

Tips for tourists

Time zone
UTC+3
Language
Turkish
Currency
Turkish Lira (TRY)

Tours to Uludag

Uludağ reminds us that vacations in Turkey are possible not only in the summer but also in the winter. It is a decent resort whose fame and popularity exclude very cheap tours. Nevertheless, the cost of a tour can be low if you know how to save money.

What is there to do here? Primarily, this ski resort is suitable for leisurely and not too demanding family vacations. The gentle slopes are perfect for beginners. Vacation prices are higher in December and lower in March or mid-November.

Strolling through the nature park, sightseeing in the nearby city of Bursa, and rejuvenating in the thermal springs of Yalova — that’s what a vacation in Uludağ offers.

On the other hand, if you love Turkey and are used to vacationing here, you know that the cost of a trip depends on many factors. However, the unpretentious and quite high-quality resort of Uludağ offers the perfect combination of these factors.

The best months to visit its mountain slopes are December and January. There is plenty of snow in November, while March can be wet and damp. So, it's better to prepare in advance for a specific period with ideal weather for your vacation goals. And affordable last-minute tours will make the trip economical.

Each tour can be customized individually, including several interesting excursions, nature hikes, and visits to Ottoman mosques and museums.


Travel budget

Flight ticket prices

The easiest way to reach Uludağ is via Istanbul, the nearest major city with an international airport. Flight prices to Istanbul from European cities vary depending on departure point. From Warsaw and Budapest, airlines like Turkish Airlines, Wizz Air, and LOT offer tickets starting from €45–70 one way. From London, Rome, and Prague, flights are available with Pegasus Airlines, Ryanair, and British Airways from €65 to €110.

From Paris and Chișinău, prices range from €70 to €120, with Turkish Airlines, Air Moldova, and AnadoluJet operating flights. The most convenient option is to fly into Istanbul and then take a transfer or rented car to the ski resort of Uludağ. Travel time to Bursa is approximately 2.5–3 hours.

The best hotels in Uludag

The Uludağ resort has two hotel zones. In the first, older zone, there are 16 Uludağ hotels. The second zone is the actual tourist center, which was established in 1986. Here, 11 Uludağ hotels are located in the center of the resort. The private sector includes 15 of the best Uludağ hotels, while the public sector includes 12.

Each hotel has its own lift, sometimes more than one, which is included in the cost of accommodation. All hotels traditionally offer an all-inclusive meal plan. The resort has a five-star hotel, Club Kartanesi.

If you are interested in simple or intermediate slopes, we recommend staying at the four-star Uludağ hotels Kervansaray, Agaoglu My Resort, and Grand Yazici. The lifts of these hotels lead to slopes laid out in wooded areas. Beyond the forest, there are slopes for experienced skiers. The lifts of the hotels in the second, more expensive zone lead to these slopes. Alkoclar Zone, Monte Baya, and Kartanesi are the newest hotels at the resort and receive positive reviews.

If you are interested in three-star Uludağ hotels, you can consider Alkoclar or Akfen. In addition to the hotels in the center of the resort, you can also use the services of various chalets.

The cost of vacation

A holiday in Uludağ can be both comfortable and quite expensive — it all depends on the level of accommodation and the season. The average price for a stay in 3–4-star hotels ranges from €90 to €185 per night with breakfast included. More luxurious all-inclusive hotels with direct access to the ski lifts can cost from €200 to €350 per night.

Ski equipment rental averages between €20 and €40 per day, while a ski pass costs from €25 to €40. Additional expenses may include transfers from Istanbul, meals outside the hotel, and excursions.

The budget for a trip to Uludag
Accommodation From 185 EUR per day Ski Pass 20 EUR per day
Meals From 100 EUR per day Flight 120 EUR
Total: from 2380 EUR per week

Uludag: tips for tourists

Visa to Uludag

Citizens of most countries do not need a visa to travel to Turkey - you can enter with a domestic passport or a passport, depending on the country. The maximum visa-free stay is usually up to 90 days within 180 days.

Citizens of the EU, UK, USA, Canada and other countries can also enter without a visa or apply for an e-visa online. Before traveling, it is recommended to check the current entry regulations on the website of the Turkish Embassy in your country.

Airport near Uludağ

Near the Uludağ resort is Yenişehir Airport, which belongs to the city of Bursa. There is another airport in Bursa simply called "Bursa." However, the most convenient option is to fly to Istanbul and then travel to Bursa and further to Uludağ from there.

Transfer from Istanbul

You can fly or take a bus from Istanbul to Bursa. From Bursa, there is a regular shuttle bus that will take you to your destination for 6 USD. The distance is not far — no more than 35 km.

You can also use the funicular from Bursa to Uludağ. In this case, the travel time promises to be short — only 40 minutes. However, it should be noted that the Turkish funicular is a cable car, on which it is prohibited to carry ski equipment.

Car Rental

There is no particular reason to drive a car within the resort itself. However, hotels often offer car rental services. Prices are set individually by each hotel. You can rent a car in Bursa at the airport or in the city center. The rental price will be approximately 274-425 USD per week.

Transport

Transportation in Uludağ is mainly provided by taxis. You can also use rental cars, but driving in winter without chains is prohibited.

If you want to visit nearby Bursa or another city, you can use regular or shuttle buses. There are also several funiculars that pass through Uludağ. However, please note that ski equipment cannot be transported on cable cars.

Safety

During walks and trips, tourists are advised to avoid crowded areas and keep an eye on their pockets and wallets. It is not advisable to display large bills and sums of money in public places. Valuables are best left in hotel safes.

On the slopes, there is staff dedicated to ensuring the safety of visitors.

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