Abstract In this paper a cable-stayed bridge and a suspension bridge with closer main span lengths are considered and the bridge responses obtained from the near-fault and far-fault ground motion cases are compared for both bridge models to underline the relative importance of earthquake ground motions on the bridge responses. As expected, near-fault ground motions have resulted much larger response values for both bridge models if compared with far-fault ground motions. The results of the study also underline that, pulse type near-fault ground motion effect on the suspension bridge model is severe than those of the cable-stayed bridge model.