Best Day Trips from Istanbul 2026 — Bursa, the Princes Islands and Troy Near Istanbul

Best Day Trips from Istanbul 2026

Istanbul straddles two continents and is ringed by the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus, and the Black Sea, making its day trip options unusually diverse. The car-free Princes Islands are an hour by ferry, the first Ottoman capital of Bursa is reachable by fast ferry and bus in under 2 hours, and the ancient ruins of Troy are a 3.5-hour bus journey to the southwest. Istanbul's IDO and Budo fast ferry network makes several destinations dramatically faster than road routes. This guide covers the best day trips from Istanbul in 2026.

Top Day Trip Destinations from Istanbul

• Büyükada (Princes' Islands, 25km southeast, 1h15m by ferry from Kabatas or Eminönü): the largest of the nine car-free Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara with Victorian wooden mansions, horse-drawn carriages (phaeton), and beaches; IDO ferry tickets TRY 200-400 (AUD 8-16); Bursa (100km south by sea, 1.5-2 hours by ferry to Mudanya then bus): the first Ottoman capital with the Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami), the Green Mosque and Tomb of Mehmet I, the historic bazaar district, Bursa's famous Iskender kebab, and the Uludag ski resort above the city; ferry from Yenikapı to Mudanya then minibus to Bursa; Yalova (75km south, 1 hour by fast ferry): thermal spa resort across the Sea of Marmara; Yalova Thermal Baths (Termal) 15km from the ferry terminal; popular weekend escape for Istanbullus; Edirne (230km northwest, 2.5 hours by bus from Esenler): the western Ottoman capital with the extraordinary Selimiye Mosque (Mimar Sinan's masterpiece, UNESCO World Heritage) and the Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival (June/July); Troy (330km southwest, 4 hours by bus from Esenler): UNESCO World Heritage ancient city with 9 settlement layers spanning 3000 years; the reconstructed wooden horse and on-site museum; Troy Museum TRY 500 (AUD 20)

Day Trip Logistics from Istanbul

• IDO (Istanbul Sea Buses) and Budo fast ferry services connect Istanbul to the Princes Islands, Yalova, and Mudanya (for Bursa) from piers at Kabatas, Eminönü, and Yenikapı; Istanbul's main bus terminal at Esenler serves Edirne and Troy/Canakkale; the Metrobus (BRT line) connects central Istanbul to Esenler Bus Terminal efficiently

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