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.

Tips for tourists

Uludağ has numerous bazaars and shops offering a wide variety of goods at relatively low prices, as well as specialized stores with equipment for skiers. You can also go shopping in the town of Bursa, which is famous for its silk and sweets.
Uludağ has a well-developed entertainment infrastructure: numerous bars, cafes, and restaurants invite you to taste Turkish cuisine and listen to pleasant music.
You can reach Uludağ National Park by bus, car, or ferry. The resort is a 40-minute drive from Bursa and 2 hours from Istanbul. Mini-buses also run between Bursa and Mount Uludağ every hour. The ferry connects the cities of Istanbul, Bandırma, and Yalova, as well as cities on the Aegean coast. Small sea buses (deniz otobusu) operate for passengers, and larger ferries (hızlı feribot) cater to both passengers and cars.
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.

A last-minute tour to Uludağ will cost around 200-400 EUR. 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

To get to Uludağ, you first need to reach Istanbul, which is regularly served by flights from many cities around the world. From Istanbul, you need to travel to Bursa, which can be done in several ways. The most convenient, but rather expensive option is to fly with Turkish Airlines.

The most affordable way to get to Bursa from Istanbul is by bus. The minimum ticket price is around 25 lira, and the travel time is about 4 hours.

From Bursa, you can reach the resort by minibus or funicular. The bus trip takes no more than 40 minutes. The funicular line is divided into two sections. The lifts in the first section (Kadıyayla-Sarıalan) can accommodate up to 30 people, while those in the second section (Sarıalan-Çobankaya) hold only 2. From the final station, shared taxis (dolmuş) depart, taking guests to the hotels. The cost of the ascent in one direction is 10 lira.

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

For example, a stay at the four-star Alkoclar Hotel will cost 810 USD per person. It is located 10 meters from the lift. The cost of accommodation is slightly higher at Alkoclar Zone Hotel in Uludağ, whose lift is located 20 meters away. This is the second skiing zone, and the price for accommodation starts at 908 USD. The Karinna Hotel, which is of the same level, offers accommodation for 974 USD, but this price includes three meals a day. The lift is also 10 meters away, and there is a ski storage room nearby.

The budget for a trip to Uludag
Hotel From 220 EUR per day Ski Pass 20 EUR per day
Meals From 100 EUR per day
Total: from 2380 EUR per week

Uludag: tips for tourists

Visa to Uludag

Ukrainians do not need a visa to travel to Turkey. According to the visa-free regime rules, Ukrainian citizens can stay in Turkey for 90 days within a 180-day period. According to the rules of the Migration Service of the Republic of Turkey, the passport must be valid for an additional 60 days after the end of the visa-free trip, which means 150 days of validity for Ukrainian citizens at the time of entry. The validity of documents can be extended at any Embassy or Consulate of Ukraine for up to 5 years free of charge.

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.

How to Get There 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, which takes about two hours.

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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