Travelling Terms

PASSENGER TRANSPORT CONTRACT

1. GENERAL DEFINITIONS
LINE: Routes determined between transportation points in accordance with legal permissions.
OPERATOR CONTROLLED AREA: All areas starting from the open and closed sections of passenger terminals, including the sea transportation vehicle, under the control of BUDO personnel.
PASSENGER TRANSPORT CONTRACT: A contract made for the transportation of the passenger and luggage by sea, on behalf of and for the account of the carrier.
VOYAGE: A sea journey carried out at a specific date and time on the sea lines allocated to BURULAŞ A.Ş.
TRANSACTION DATE: The calendar day on which the Passenger Transport Contract for any voyage announced on www.burulas.com.tr is accepted and the ticket purchase is completed.
VOYAGE DATE AND TIME: The departure date and time of the voyage purchased on the transaction date.
VOYAGE CANCELLATION: Cancellation of sea bus voyages from Istanbul (Kabataş) and Bursa (Mudanya) due to force majeure.
PASSENGER TICKET: A valid document granting the right to travel.
TRAVEL FARE: The fee paid for a one-way journey.
CANCELLATION-PENALTY FEE: The penalty amount charged in case of cancellation within a specific time before the voyage, as announced by the operator.
CHANGE FEE: The extra fee paid for modifying a purchased ticket in accordance with the travel rules. If a wrong ticket type is selected and converted to a full ticket, the price difference is charged.
LUGGAGE: Items and cargo accompanying the passenger and carried under the Passenger Transport Contract.
DAMAGE: Damages arising from the transportation service or other related services, including delays, injuries, losses, or deaths.

2. CARRIER'S OBLIGATIONS
2.1 To provide transportation services for the passenger and accompanying luggage.
2.2 To ensure all necessary safety and comfort during the trip.
2.3 To apply the cancellation procedure in case of voyage disruption due to force majeure. If disrupted for other reasons, to ensure resumption as soon as possible.
2.4 To carry passengers and luggage within announced travel durations. Not liable for delays due to external reasons (weather, police checks, etc.).
2.5 Reserves the right to change the transportation vehicle or cancel the voyage for technical or safety reasons.
2.6 Reserves the right to change the route or stop transportation in certain situations, such as:

  • Natural disasters or official orders regarding national security

  • Terrorist threats, external attacks, unrest, adverse weather conditions

  • Security-related reports requiring offloading passengers or luggage
    2.7 Other legal rights granted by Maritime Transport Laws remain valid.
    2.8 Has the right to deny boarding if:

  • Passenger violates contract terms

  • Passenger is visibly intoxicated

  • Child safety cannot be ensured

  • Passenger disobeys staff instructions

  • Passenger poses safety or comfort risks

  • Immoral or violent behavior

  • Carrying weapons or dangerous substances

  • Cannot present mandatory documents

  • Carrying contagious diseases
    2.9 The vehicle personnel may deny transportation with a valid explanation.

3. PASSENGERS’ OBLIGATIONS
3.1 General Rules

  • Passengers must present their BUDO ticket with QR code for boarding.

  • Luggage other than hand baggage must be placed in designated areas.

  • Passengers must remain seated during docking.

  • Do not disembark without crew permission.

  • Follow all rules and instructions.

  • Be at the terminal at least 15 minutes before departure.

  • Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are prohibited on board.

  • Follow all emergency and safety announcements.

  • Travel insurance excludes natural disasters unless due to carrier's gross fault.

  • Battery-powered vehicles like scooters are prohibited.

3.2 Children

  • Under 10s cannot travel without a guardian.

  • Over 6 years must have a separate seat.

  • One child aged 0–6 may travel for free on lap; others must have a ticket.

3.3 Passengers with Disabilities

  • Must be accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket.

  • Special needs must be notified to terminal staff in advance.

4. LUGGAGE TRANSPORTATION
4.1 Luggage Size and Limits

  • One cabin bag (max 8 kg) and one suitcase (max 25 kg) per passenger.

  • Extra items require payment of one full passenger fare per piece beyond two.

  • Luggage cannot be placed in aisles or on seats.
    4.2 General Rules

  • BUDO may refuse any luggage not meeting criteria.

  • Wheelchairs and assistive equipment carried free of charge.

  • Valuable items should be insured by the passenger; BUDO is not liable.

  • BUDO reserves the right to inspect all luggage.
    4.3 Prohibited Items

  • Illegal, hazardous, disturbing, or forbidden items by other transport authorities.
    4.4 Lost Luggage

  • Unclaimed luggage is delivered to Lost & Found.

  • Items unclaimed within one year are disposed.

  • Legal provisions apply for claims.

5. DISCOUNT TICKETS AND FARES
Discounts are granted per Ministry of Family and Social Policies regulations.
Valid documentation must be shown; otherwise, fare difference must be paid.
 

6. TICKETS, CHANGES, AND CANCELLATIONS

  • Tickets are non-transferable.

  • Cancellation with more than 12 hrs notice: 20% fee.

  • Cancellation with 12–1 hr notice: 32% fee.

  • No cancellation/change allowed within 1 hr.

  • Change fee is 90 TL.

  • Ticket valid only for the specific voyage/date/time.

  • Ticket also serves as VAT invoice.

  • Passenger responsible for ticket info accuracy.

  • ID may be required to verify ticket ownership.

  • No reservation without payment.

  • Seat assignment must be followed unless changed by BUDO for operational reasons.

  • Passengers must provide full info (PNR, date, payment details) for changes.

  • All tickets can be changed or canceled via all sales channels.

  • Full refund for online tickets canceled due to force majeure; physical tickets refundable within 1 month upon application.

  • Round-trip tickets: cancellation of outbound leg doesn’t cancel return.

  • Cancellations announced online and via SMS if number provided; SMS delivery is not guaranteed.

  • Delays do not entitle passengers to compensation.

  • BURULAŞ A.Ş. may change these rules without notice.

7. FORCE MAJEURE

  • Natural disasters or official mandates

  • Terrorist attacks, weather, safety threats

  • Security-based passenger/luggage offloading
    Are considered force majeure.

8. VOYAGE TIMES
Announced for informational purposes on the website.

9. FARES
Announced for informational purposes on the website.

10. PETS

  • Pets not fitting in cages (dogs, cats, rabbits) must be muzzled or caged and placed in designated areas.

  • Birds allowed if caged.

  • BUDO staff may refuse animals if sick or unsafe.

  • All pets must have valid health and transport certificates.

  • BUDO not liable for pet health issues.

  • From Jan 1, 2023, all pets must be registered in PETVET and hold a PET PASSPORT.

  • Exceptions only allowed with official EXCEPTION CERTIFICATE.

  • Dangerous breeds prohibited per Turkish law and 2021 regulation:

    • American Pitbull Terrier

    • Dogo Argentino

    • Fila Brasileiro

    • Japanese Tosa

    • American Staffordshire Terrier

    • American Bully

11. OTHER PROVISIONS

  • Complaints unresolved by BUDO may be brought to Bursa courts.

  • Invalidity of one clause doesn’t affect others.

12. FEEDBACK AND COMPLAINTS
Feedback can be submitted via:

  • www.burulas.com.tr (Complaint-Suggestion Form)

  • Call Center

  • Forms available at terminals and on vessels.