Getting around The Dolomites

The region has no airport, so you reach the bases by bus: Cortina Express bus (Venice–Cortina); SAD line 350 bus (Bolzano–Ortisei). Inside it, you drive to the passes and trailheads and take cable cars to the summits.

The Cortina Express bus runs from Marco Polo Airport direct to Cortina, several times a day; the ride takes about 2 h 10 to Cortina.

GuideVenice, the city where you often land before the Dolomites:Venice →

For Val Gardena you enter through Bolzano. From there the SAD bus 350 runs from the Bolzano bus station to Ortisei, hourly.

Where to stayWhat decides between Cortina and Ortisei as your end point:Where to stay in The Dolomites →

3. A car for the passes and trailheads

The passes and trailheads are crossed by car; an economy-class rental in Bolzano runs €50–70 a day, depending on the season and the length of the rental.

5 daysFive days with every drive, in order:The Dolomites in 5 days →

4. The seasonal road and the cable cars

The Tre Cime are reached by a seasonal toll road with mandatory booking: €40 car (toll + parking up to 12 h). The Seceda is climbed by cable car from Ortisei (€74 return, €49 one-way), the Alpe di Siusi by cable car from Siusi (€30 return cable car from Siusi, €21 one-way), and the Marmolada by cable car from Malga Ciapela (€38 return (Malga Ciapela–Punta Rocca)).

When to goWhich months have all these lines open:The best time to visit The Dolomites →

5. In winter

The roads to the Tre Cime and the Giau Pass close for snow, so in winter you cannot count on them by car. Tre Cime: winter, road closed for snow (usually Nov–May). Giau Pass: winter, road closed for snow/avalanches (part of the year).

Day tripsBolzano and Merano, which public transport reaches:Day trips from The Dolomites →

Hidden gemsThree places reached without a cable car:The Dolomites off the main plan: Sorapis, Cinque Torri and Santa Maddalena →