How to get to the Dolomites
Last updated on March 8th, 2026.
The Dolomites, Italy is a dream destination for many.
A region that doesn't just attract outdoorsy types and nature lovers, it’s a place that appeals to everyone. But, how do you get to this striking mountain range in northern Italy?
In this Dolomites travel guide, I’ll be detailing the different ways on how to get to the Dolomites.
Whether you're starting from Venice, Milan, the UK or even New York, this guide will help you navigate your journey.
What are the Dolomites?
The Dolomites are a mountain range known for its jagged peaks. It's surrounded by a series of charming small towns, villages and alpine lakes.
Many visitors typically come to the Dolomites to partake in outdoor activities. These include skiing and snowboarding in the winter and hiking and mountain biking in the summer.
However, this isn’t to say that non-outdoorsy travelers wouldn’t enjoy a trip to the Dolomites. I’ve visited many times with my husband, and now baby, and haven’t once put on a set of skis.
Where are the Dolomites?
The Dolomites stretches across 3 regions in northern Italy (Trentino Alto-Adige/Südtirol/Veneto and Friuli-Venezia-Giulia). Popular towns in the Dolomites include Ortisei, Cortina d’Ampezzo (see the travel guide), Corvara in Badia and Canazei.
These towns not only make ideal bases for enjoying outdoor sports but they also make perfect day trips.
One of the best places in Italy to visit use this post to plan your Italy trip.
How to get to the Dolomites
Given the grand scale of the Dolomites, the first step is to know exactly where you want to visit. I make the same point in my Dolomites travel tips and the same goes for this guide.
I'll be covering the most popular routes that international visitors will likely be taking. Some routes will be more detailed given accessibility to transport while others may be less so.
How to get to the Dolomites from Venice
Venice is an ideal starting point for visiting the Dolomites.
While the international airport, Venice Marco Polo (VCE), is around 2 hours by car from Cortina d’Ampezzo, Venice has its advantages.
It’s also one of the nearest airports when searching ‘where to fly to get to the Dolomites’.
By car
The most convenient, and easiest, way to get from Venice to the Dolomites is by car. The advantage of renting a car in the Dolomites is that it allows the freedom to make stops whenever you want.
Hire a car at Venice Airport and drive north. The scenic journey ranges from 2.5 to 4 hours depending on your destination in the Dolomites. Popular routes include:
- Venice to Cortina d’Ampezzo – follow the A27 highway and take the SS51 road
- Venice to Ortisei – take the A27 and A22 highways, then the exit toward Val Gardena
- Venice to Bolzano – follow the E70 and A22 highways until you reach Bolzano
By train and bus
Using public transport to get around the Dolomites requires more planning and a lot of patience.
However, it’s a cheaper and stress-free way to travel especially if you’re not comfortable driving in the mountains.
There are public transport options available should you plan to travel from Venice to the Dolomites without a car.
Trains run from Venice to the Dolomites but this depends on the destination. Some routes may also require changing to a regional train. Below are 3 different ways on how to get to the Dolomites from Venice by train.
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Take a train from Venice Santa Lucia station to Ponte Nelle Alpi Polpet (direction, Belluno). Take two more buses (009 & 030) until you arrive at Cortina d’Ampezzo. The average travel time for this route will take approximately 4 hours.
To reduce the journey time, buy tickets for the Cortina Express bus. The direct service from Venice to Cortina d’Ampezzo is much quicker and takes around 2.5hrs.
Ortisei
One of the ‘shorter’ journeys from Venice to the Dolomites involves taking 3 trains and 1 bus.
Take a train from Venice Santa Lucia to Verona Porta Nuova. Change trains at Verona for the train heading towards Brennero and get off at Pointe Gardena – Laion.
The last leg of this route is to take the no.350 bus towards Val Gardena. Get off at the stop, Ortisei, Sarteur and walk approximately 4 minutes to Ortisei town center. This route will take around 4hrs 15mins.
Bolzano
Take a train from Venice Santa Lucia to Verona Porta Nuova. Change trains at Verona for the train heading towards Bolzano and get off at the last stop.
By tour
Joining a Dolomites tour from Venice is another alternative of how to get to the Dolomites. A stress-free way to visit, some tours can also work out much cheaper than hiring a car.
Some Dolomites tours from Venice that you may want to consider booking include:
- Dolomites, Lake Misurina and Cortina day trip (10 hours)
- Dolomites and Lake Braies day trip by minivan (9 hours)
- Dolomites day trip (9 hours)
- Tour of Dolomites lakes (8 hours)
- Dolomites and prosecco hills day trip with wine (10 hours)
Map of the Dolomites, Italy
How to get to the Dolomites from Verona
Verona is my preferred choice as a base for visiting the Dolomites.
For one, the journey times are much shorter to many Dolomite destinations. On top of this, Verona Valerio Catullo Airport (VRN) is the closest international airport to get to the Dolomites.
By car
Cortina d’Ampezzo is around a 4hr drive while Ortisei is about a 2.5hr drive from Verona. These timings don’t include traffic, roadworks or stops so bear this in mind when planning your trip.
- Verona to Cortina d’Ampezzo – follow the A22/E45 highway till you reach the Bressanone-Val Pusteria exit. Follow the SS249 road, then the SS51 at Dobbiaco till you reach Cortina d’Ampezzo.
- Verona to Ortisei – drive north along the A22/E45 highway until you reach the exit for the SS242 road. Continue driving until you reach Ortisei.
- Verona to Bolzano – drive north along the A22 until you reach Bolzano. The journey is around 1hr 50mins.
By train and bus
Many of the public transport routes from Verona to the Dolomites follow the same as from Venice. The biggest difference is that the journey times from Verona are much shorter.
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Take a train from Verona Porta Nuova station to Venezia Santa Lucia. From here, take the Cortina Express bus.
Though this isn’t a public transport bus, it’s the quickest route from Verona to Cortina d’Ampezzo without a car.
Ortisei
Take the train heading towards Brennero at Verona Porta Nuova and get off at Pointe Gardena – Laion.
From here take the no.350 bus towards Val Gardena. Get off at the stop, Ortisei, Sarteur and walk approximately 4 minutes to Ortisei town center. This route takes around 2.5hrs.
Bolzano
Take the train from Verona Porta Nuova to Bolzano station. The journey will take around 1.5hrs.
By tour
Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride by joining one of the Verona to the Dolomites tours:
- Dolomites full-day private excursion (10 hours)
- Private day trip to the Dolomites (max. 8 people) (7 hours)
How to get to the Dolomites from Milan
By car
Driving from Milan to the Dolomites can range from around 4 to 5 hours depending on your destination.
The A4 highway leads you east toward Verona, where you’ll merge onto the A22 northbound.
- Milan to Cortina d’Ampezzo - the drive between Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo can range between 4 to 6.5hrs. It involves taking a series of roads and highways including the E64, A4, E70, A27 and SS51.
- Milan to Ortisei – like Cortina, the journey time from Milan to Ortisei can range from 3hrs 40mins to 5hrs. The drive includes main highways like the A4, E70, A22 and roads, SS12 and SS242.
- Milan to Bolzano – the drive from Milan takes approximately 3hrs 40mins. Follow the E64 road from Milan, then the A4, E70 and A22 highways till you reach Bolzano.
By public transport
Milano Centrale station is the best starting point if visiting the Dolomites by public transport.
Cortina d’Ampezzo
The quickest way by public transport from Milan to Cortina d’Ampezzo is similar to the Verona route.
Take a train from Milano Centrale to Venezia Mestre station. Prices for train tickets from Milan to Venice Mestre will vary depending on the day and time of travel. Frecciarossa trains (high-speed trains) will also likely cost more (see ‘Taking trains in Italy’).
From here, take the Cortina Express directly to Cortina d’Ampezzo. Take note, as this journey will set you back around 6hrs 25mins.
Ortisei
Take the train from Milano Centrale station to Verona Porta Nuova.
Change to the train heading to Bolzano (direction Brennero) and get off at Ponte Gardena – Laion. Walk to the bus stop, Ponte Gardena, and take the 360 bus to Ortisei, Sarteur. The total average journey will take around 4hrs 20mins.
Bolzano
Take a train from Milano Centrale to Verona Porta Nuova. Change here for the train to Bolzano. The total journey time is approximately 3 hours.
By tour
Book one of these Milan to the Dolomites tour and enjoy a stress-free trip:
You might also like:
- Bernina train guided tour to St. Moritz (from Milan to Switzerland)
How to get to the Dolomites from abroad
Now that I’ve covered the main Italian bases, this section will outline how to get to the Dolomites from abroad.
Needless to say, I won’t be covering the entire globe. Instead, I’ll be covering cities from two of the most popular visitor countries: the USA and the UK.
How to get to the Dolomites from the UK
Getting to the Dolomites from the UK is straightforward for British visitors.
The quickest way is to fly, of which many UK international airports offer direct flights to Venice or Verona. Journey times are short with an average flight time of around 2 hours.
How to get to the Dolomites from London
There are many ways to reach the Dolomites from the UK’s capital. The 3 best options are:
By plane
Book a direct flight from any of the London airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted) to Venice, Verona, or Milan.
As mentioned above, I recommend flying to Verona Valerio Catullo Airport over the other two. It’s much closer to many places in the Dolomites.
By train
This is an ideal route to consider if you’ve the time and/or if you want to reduce your carbon footprint.
Taking the train from London to the Dolomites involves taking a whole host of different transport modes.
There are also several routes available, most of which have journey times ranging from 17 to 18 hours.
One of these routes (to the town of Ortisei) is as follows:
Take the Eurostar from London Kings Cross St. Pancras station to Paris Gare du Nord. From here walk to Paris Est train station and take the train to München Hauptbahnhof (Germany).
The Flixbus (bus company) from Munich heading towards Venice Marco Polo will take you to Bolzano South. Get off here and take the 110 (local) bus to Bolzano train station.
The last leg of the journey is to take the train to Ponte Gardena – Laion followed by the 360 bus. Get off at Ortisei, Sarteur and walk to Ortisei’s town center.
By car
Turn your Dolomites trip into a European road trip by choosing this route. Take the Channel Tunnel at Dover to arrive in Calais, France. From here, the journey will travel through France, Germany and Austria before arriving in northern Italy.
Like the train travel option, traveling by car is long and can range from 14 to 19 hours. This doesn’t factor in traffic, the time of year or additional stops.
But while it’s a longer option, it’s undoubtedly a scenic journey for road trip enthusiasts.
How to get to the Dolomites from the US
While it’s possible to consider different routes when traveling from the UK, the same can’t be said for the US.
Given that traveling to the Dolomites from New York involves an intercontinental journey, flying is the only option.
How to get to the Dolomites from New York
As with the UK, I’ll be using a major US city — in this case, New York — as an example.
Book a flight to one of the below international airports in Italy.
It’s worth noting that direct flights aren’t always available from the US to Venice Marco Polo Airport. I discuss this, and other US destinations, in more detail in 'How to travel to Italy from the US.'
Other major northern Italian airports include:
- Verona Valero Catullo
- Milan Malpensa (MXP)
In most cases, flights from the US to Italy typically entail a stopover in another European city. Depending on the airline, this could transit via London, Paris or Frankfurt.
Once arriving in Italy at your chosen base, choose to rent a car, use public transport or join a tour.
Follow the same instructions as above for your desired transport mode and destination.
Takeaway tips on how to get to the Dolomites
- If using public transport, allow sufficient time for your journey. Check schedules in advance, especially for local buses and regional trains.
- A car, or motor vehicle, provides the most flexibility, something that’s essential when wanting to explore remote areas.
- Inquire whether your travel Insurance covers car rentals if planning to choose this mode.
- Circumstances may change according to the season in the Dolomites. Cars will require winter tires while public transport services may be ceased/limited during heavy snowfall.
What are your thoughts on this guide to how to get around the Dolomites? Did it answer the questions you were looking for? Let me know in the comments below.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.
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This is such a helpful guide for planning a trip to the Dolomites! I appreciate how you broke down the different transportation options, especially the tips about flying into Venice or Verona and the convenience of Bolzano as a base. The detailed information about trains and buses is perfect for those not planning to rent a car—it makes the trip seem so manageable. I’ve always been drawn to the idea of exploring the stunning mountain landscapes and charming alpine villages, and now I feel much more confident about planning a visit. Definitely bookmarking this for my next Italy adventure!
Thank you Agnes! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I wanted to break down as many possibilities from different starting points. I hope you can visit one day
We have visited many areas in Italy but sadly have missed visiting the Dolomites area. Good to know this is a good spot for outdoor activities at any time of year. We would want to plan a longer stay and not just visit as a tour. Great to know that there are good routes to get there from so many places. Definitely still on our travel wish list.
It is a wonderful region and one I hope you get to visit one day 🙂
Looks like such an incredible place and what a fantastic break down for anyone that is visiting
Thank you so much, it really is a beautiful region here
The Dolomites sound incredible, and this guide is so helpful for planning a trip! I’ve always wondered the best way to get there, especially if coming from places like Venice or even further abroad.
It is an incredible region and one you can reach in many ways 🙂
Thanks for breaking down all the options for getting to the Dolomites. While public transport does seem a bit longer/ more complicated I think I'd prefer it than driving as I don't think I'd feel confident x
I can understand that. And depending on where you go public transport can work really well
That does look like a dream destination. Look at all those views! I would love to go and explore the area someday.
The Dolomites is so pretty, I hope you go one day 🙂
The Dolomites are somewhere I am hoping to go see at some stage when the kids are a bit older. We would be coming from the UK so it's great to hear a flight is only 2 hours. Can't wait to see the beautiful surroundings and also do a trek if we're up to it.
It is a short flight and a must see region here. There is so much to do also for families 🙂
The Dolomites look idyllic. I love the alpine trees and lakes so much. Great to know that it is an easy journey from the UK - it is certainly somewhere that I would love to go!
Yes it is super easy and there are many many options from the UK 🙂
I have not even heard about this part of italy! It sounds like the tour would be the best way to visit.
A tour is so good and an economic way to visit the Dolomites
Omg! I didn't know this place existed, but reading about it makes me want to go there. Thank you for sharing this with us.
You are welcome, it really is a beautiful region here
I'm happy to explore a bit of Dolomites recently and would love to discover more.
It's absolutely magical, but definitely would need a car though you can go with buses also.
Great captures off the beaten path.
It is so wonderful and I agree, having a car is much easier to explore the region
This is an excellent guide. I've always wanted to visit the Dolomites. Knowing how to best navigate to and around them is a great help.
Thank you so much, it is my favourite region in Italy 🙂
The Dolomites are one of the best spots in all of Italy! I've never seen anything like them before.
They are and a real must see!
I've never been but reading your amazing review made me want to pack a backpack and head there...Stunning stunning stunning...A must visit for sure.
It is the perfect destination to go hiking or to take a pause in nature 🙂
What a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing ☺️
You are welcome!
What a beautiful part of Italy a definite must see if looking at travelling around Itay the views look amazing
It is probably my favourite region here 🙂