6 steps to plan a budget trip to the Dolomites

A destination in northern Italy where every season comes to life, the Dolomites is the quintessential Italian alpine getaway. 

Dramatic peaks, crystal-clear lakes and postcard-perfect villages characterize the mountain range region. 

But though the destination is one that many long to visit, traveling through the Dolomites can be quite expensive. 

In this Dolomites travel guide I’ll be sharing 6 steps on how to plan a budget trip to the Dolomites.  

It’ll cover topics such as cheap places to stay in the Dolomites and how to get around on a budget.  

A helpful planning resource, look forward to enjoying the Dolomites to the fullest without stressing your wallet.  

Prepare to pack your bags for a memorable (and affordable) trip to one of Italy’s most beautiful places. 

How to plan a budget trip to the Dolomites 

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1. Why do you want to visit? 

Step no. 1 in planning a budget trip to the Dolomites is understanding the reason/s why you want to visit. 

Are you an outdoors/adventure traveler? Do you enjoy winter sports or outdoor activities or do you simply want to visit the towns and the lakes? 

Understanding your reasons why will help you decide the best time to visit the Dolomites. It’ll also give you a clearer answer to step no.2. 

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2. When do you want to visit? 

Step no. 2 in planning a budget trip to the Dolomites is deciding on when you want to go. 

Like many popular destinations the Dolomites also has peak and off-peak times for visiting.  

The winter season (December to early March) costs more for several reasons. First, there’s Christmas to consider, which immediately adds an extra cost. Also tied into this are the Italian (and non-Italian) school holidays.  

Prices for flights and accommodation are at its highest during the peak times in winter and summer in the Dolomites. 

Visiting the Dolomites in summer 

While winter in the Dolomites is considered peak season the same also goes for visiting the Dolomites in the summer. 

The peak summer period runs from July until the end of August.  

While many Italians visit the Dolomites in winter to enjoy winter sports, reasons for traveling in summer can be simpler. 

Visiting the mountains in July and August is the perfect getaway for escaping higher temperatures in the south. While many visit in summer to enjoy outdoor activities, for others, the cool mountain air is a good enough reason. 

Because of this, summer in the Dolomites brings with it higher prices and limited choices when looking for accommodation.  

When is the best time to visit the Dolomites for budget travelers? 

When planning a budget trip to the Dolomites, April to June and September to November are optimal periods (see 'Italy in September' and 'October'). 

Needless to say, these periods aren’t ideal if you’re planning on partaking in any winter sports. Should the peak winter period be the only viable option, these are some tips to help cut down on costs. 

Bring your own equipment and gear 

Bring your own skiing/snowboarding gear when traveling to the Dolomites in winter. While it might be more inconvenient, you’ll be saving money by not having to hire gear on your trip. 

Moreover, make sure to pack appropriate clothing, and in bulk, to avoid having to buy anything extra on your trip. 

Do research on different resorts 

Find a few different resorts for your preferred winter sport near to/or in your desired location. Shop around for prices for day passes. Does the resort offer a week-long pass? This will help with planning a budget trip to the Dolomites. 

Rent a house/apartment with friends  

Should you plan to stay for a week (or more) in the Dolomites consider booking a house/apartment. Divide the cost by renting with family or friends. 

Stock up at a local supermarket 

Like at home, cooking and eating in can drastically reduce the cost when visiting the Dolomites. Stock up on basic groceries and add little luxuries, like wine, to make it feel more like a vacation. 

Eat at a local malga  

A malga is a type of building found in the Dolomites.  

They serve several purposes such as storing animal feed, wood, housing animals during summertime and storing milk and cheese.  

Not all malga serve food but if you’re lucky you’ll find one during your Dolomites vacation. They’re a unique way of dining and can also be cheaper than dining out at restaurants. 

Other things to know when planning a budget trip to the Dolomites 

Settimana bianca 

Settimana bianca (white week), also known as ski week, is an Italian holiday tradition. Many head to the mountainous region during the winter season and typically spend the week there.  

There's no fixed period for ‘white week’ but it’s something to take note of. You might find that availability for accommodation may be limited and prices may be higher if booking in winter. 

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Map of the Dolomites

3. Where do you want to visit? 

Step no. 3 in planning a budget trip to the Dolomites is deciding on where you want to visit. 

Although the Dolomites isn’t itself a region in Italy, the mountain range is large enough to be considered as one. 

Spanning 3 regions in northern Italy (Trentino Alto-Adige/Südtirol, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia), it can be overwhelming knowing where to visit. 

People coming to the Dolomites for winter/outdoor activities likely have a clearer idea of where to visit. 

The area’s a huge draw to people that partake in winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing. 

Some popular resorts/area for winter sports include: 

• Cortina d'Ampezzo 
• Val Gardena/Seiser Alm 
• Alta Badia 
• Kronplatz – plan de Corones 
• Val de Fassa/Carezza 
• 3 Zinnen 
• Arraba/Marmolada 
• Civetta 
• San Martino di Castrozza/Passo Rolle 

Some of these areas also double as areas for outdoor activities in summer such as biking and hiking. 

Non-outdoorsy activities to do in the Dolomites 

Should you prefer your vacation without a set of skis or hiking boots the Dolomites has plenty to offer. 
The region is peppered with pretty alpine towns and lakes that make for ideal day trips. Choose between two or three towns (depending on their size) and explore at a leisurely pace.  

My husband and I, both not into outdoor sports, did just that by creating our own Dolomites road trip itinerary. Some of the places we visited included: 

• Bolzano (see ‘things to do in Bolzano in 1 day’) 
• Bressanone and Vipiteno 
• Ortisei 
• Lake Carezza (Lago di Carezza) (one of the most beautiful places in South Tyrol) 

Visiting to tour the towns and lakes as opposed to engaging in outdoor activities can greatly lower your costs. 

Which part of the Dolomites? 

As already mentioned, the Dolomites covers a large mass of land. Because of this, it’s important to know which part of the region you most want to see. 

For example, the popular town of Cortina d’Ampezzo sits in the province of Belluno in the region of Veneto. Should this be your preferred location, it’s an ideal base for exploring towns and lakes like Lake Misurina (Lago di Misurina).  

I cover the town, and traveling the Italian Eastern Alps, in more detail in my Cortina d’Ampezzo travel guide.  

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4. How much do you need for visiting the Dolomites? 

Step no. 4 in planning a budget trip to the Dolomites is to set a daily budget. 

There's no ‘one number fits all’ when talking about how much money you need to visit the Dolomites. 

Situations will vary depending on individual circumstances as well as other contributing factors, i.e. length of stay.  

A budget for a family of four staying for 1 week in the Dolomites will differ to that of a couple. Add to this the cost of activities, car rental (if required) and eating out. 

In ‘how to plan a trip to Italy’, I write that the average cost of a 1-week Italy trip can start from around €60 ($64/£53) per person each day. This is a rough estimate based on a family of four.  

Going by this estimate, I advise raising the daily average to €90 ($97/£75) per person per day. 
Compared to other parts of Italy, the Dolomites is generally more expensive. One of my essential Dolomites travel tips to know, the higher prices can make it challenging for budget travelers. 

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5. Where do you want to stay? 

Step no. 5 in planning a budget trip to the Dolomites is deciding on where to stay. 

Accommodation makes up one of the most expensive parts of a vacation, more so when staying in the Dolomites. 

Budget travelers looking for hostels (ostello) around the Dolomites might be limited in their searches. Though they do exist, hostels are more likely to be located further away from popular towns. 

More affordable hotels in the Dolomites (1- 2-star hotels) can sometimes cost more than you might expect. 

Take the town of Corvara in Badia. Popular for its ski slopes come winter the town is never shy of visitors. Because of this, hotels are more sought after in Corvara especially the ‘cheaper’ places. But cheaper doesn’t necessarily translate to more affordable. 

However, all isn’t lost when looking for cheap places to stay in the Dolomites. Use my following tips to find affordable accommodation when planning your budget trip to the Dolomites. 

Look for accommodation in neighboring towns 

While places like Cortina d’Ampezzo, Corvara in Badia and Ortisei may have pricier accommodation, neighboring towns should be more reasonable. 

We booked a few nights at the Lino Deluxe Suite in the small town of Borca di Cadore. Just 15 minutes by car to Cortina d’Ampezzo, the mountain-style apartment was perfect for our small family. 

Book an apartment/holiday home 

This can work out cheaper if planning on staying for a longer period in the Dolomites. Splitting the costs with friends/family will further reduce costs along with having a kitchen to cook in. 

Consider other accommodation types 

Alongside traditional hotels and apartments, the Dolomites also has other types of accommodation that might cost less.  

Garnì 

A garnì hotel is a guesthouse that provides room and breakfast. Where it differs from a B&B is that a garnì typically has more rooms and guest services. These may include bike/equipment rentals and a spa. 

Some garnì hotels also tend to be cheaper (depending on the town) than staying at standard hotels in the Dolomites. Because of this, they are worth researching when planning a budget trip to the Dolomites. 

Some notable garnì hotels to consider booking include: 

• Garnì La Tranquillitè, Strada Burjé, 12, Corvara in Badia 
• Garni Raetia, Strada Col Alt, 87, Corvara in Badia 
• Garni August, Oltretorrente Castelrotto BZ IT, Streda Furdenan, 3, Ortisei 
• Garni Sonneck, 53A, Laion, San Pietro 

Rifugio 

A rifugio is a mountain hut-style accommodation situated along, or close to, a hiking trail.  

They also usually have a restaurant in which they serve regional hot and cold dishes as well as drinks. 

Located at a high elevation, some rifugios can take a bit of work to reach. But, depending on where they are, rifugios can be more affordable when looking for where to stay in the Dolomites.  

Several things to note about rifugios are: 

• they’re not open all year round 
• they have a small number of rooms 
• room sizes are small 
• some rooms have shared bathrooms

Some examples of rifugios include: 

• Rifugio Camillo Giussani, Località Col, 8, Cortina d'Ampezzo 
• Rifugio Sasso Piatto, St. Vigil, 18, Siusi 
• Rifugio Passo Principe, Località Rifugio di Vaiolet, Pozza di Fassa 
• Rifugio Des Alpes, Piaz Veie, 14, Campitello di Fassa 

6. How to get around the Dolomites 

Step no. 6 in planning a budget trip to the Dolomites is organizing how to get around the Dolomites. 

Most visitors arriving from Verona/Venice airport for winter sports/activities will usually hire a car for their trip. 

It’s a more convenient, and comfortable, way of getting around the region but it’s not necessarily the cheapest. 

Other transport alternatives 

Coach services like Cortina Express and Dolomitibus take passengers to and from certain towns around the region.  

They can be helpful, and affordable, if planning to stay in one place like Cortina d’Ampezzo. On the other hand, they can be equally limiting if you want to explore other places. 

The same can be said for public transport in the Dolomites. Cities like Bolzano are well connected by train and bus. But while using public transport is more affordable than renting a car, it can be limiting and more time consuming. 

Joining a tour 

Booking a tour may not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning a budget trip to the Dolomites. 

However, the cost of a tour can (sometimes) be much less than having to hire a car. There's no need to think about driving, getting gas or getting insurance; everything is included in the price. 

On top of this, tours are ideal if you’re planning on visiting the Dolomites without a car. 

Some Dolomites tours worth taking a closer look include: 

• Dolomites day tour from Venice or Treviso (12 hours) 
• The best of the Dolomites in a day (from Bolzano) (10 hours) 
• Full-day Dolomites tour from Lake Garda
• 4-day Dolomites tour from Milan
• Dolomites and Lake Braies day trip from Venice  
• Cortina & Dolomites small group full day tour from Venice  

What are your thoughts on this guide on planning a budget trip to the Dolomites? Would you like to visit the region one day? 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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