What is the easiest way to get to the Dolomites?
How do we get to the Dolomites?
Where are the Dolomites in Italy? The Dolomites are located in the north-eastern part of the Italian Alps and can be reached by car or motorcycle, by train or by plane and then by bus, taxi or rental car.
The most ideal travel itineraries, train or bus stops and airports depend on the vacation destination.
Traffic congestion can occur, which sometimes causes delays of several hours. It is recommended to calculate the travel times generously and verify the traffic. Useful websites: Autobrennero, Traffico Provincia di Bolzano (South Tyrol Italy), VAI Viabilità Anas Integrata, Asfinag (Austria), ÖAMTC (Austria), Google maps.
How do I get to the Dolomites by train?
To get to the Dolomites Italy from Switzerland, Munich (Germany), Netherland and Northern Europe, take the train through Innsbruck (Austria). To reach the Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Seiser Alm and Val di Fassa in the Dolomites from Milan, Rome, Florence or Venice, you have to take the train via Verona towards Trento - Bolzano - Bressanone.
The nearest train stations to Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Seiser Alm are in Bolzano, Ponte Gardena, Chiusa, Bressanone, Brunico.
The closest train stations to the Val di Fassa are in Trento, Bolzano and Ora. In Calalzo di Cadore is the train station nearest to Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The accommodation you have chosen for your holiday can tell you which is the most suitable station. The onward journey is usually by bus or taxi.
Railway websites:
Italian railways timetable and routes: https://www.trenitalia.com
ÖBB - Austrian railways: https://www.oebb.at/en/
DB - German railways: https://int.bahn.de/en
Swiss SBB online portal: https://www.sbb.ch/en
Bus services in South Tyrol bus timetable: https://sad.it
Arrival by car
The holiday region Val Gardena can be reached via the Brenner motorway A22, leaving at the exit Klausen (Chiusa) and taking the SS242d national road after 22km we reach the first village of Ortisei (Urtijëi); after still 5 km you arrive in Santa Cristina and then after 3 km Selva di Val Gardena.
The holiday region Alta Badia can be reached by taking the A22 Brennero motorway, exiting at Bressanone - Val Pusteria and taking the E66 road, after approx. 23 km, just before San Lorenzo you have to take the SS244, towards Val Badia, until you reach, after another 28 km, La Villa. From here to Corvara there are still about 4.5 km and to Colfosco 6.5 km.
The holiday region Seiser Alm can be reached via the Brenner motorway A22, taking the exit Bolzano Nord from the south and driving the SS12 to Blumau and then the LS24. After 13 km you reach Fiè allo Sciliar, after another 7 km Siusi, after another 3 km Castelrotto. Coming from the north on the A22 motorway you exit at Chiusa and take the SS12 to Ponte Gardena, from here you reach after 17 km Castelrotto.
Where do you fly into for Dolomites?
Many airports are located around the Dolomites. Which airport is suitable for which holiday area depends on the destination.
For an arrival by plane to Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Alpe di Siusi are the nearest airports:
....attached as an example you will also find the average travel times (Attention, all times are average travel times with low traffic) by car from the airport to Val Gardena
- Airport Bolzano / Bozen (BZO) ca. 40 km to Ortisei in Val Gardena
This winter there are flights to/from the following airports: Antwerp (ANR), Berlin (BER), Billund (BLL), Copenhagen (CPH), Düsseldorf (DUS), Göteborg (GOT) , Hamburg (HAM), London Gatwick (LGW) - Airport Innsbruck (INN - Austria) via the A22 motorway (exit Chiusa/Klausen) ca. 115 km to Ortisei in Val Gardena
- Airport Verona Villa Franca (VRN) - via the A22 motorway (exit Bolzano Nord) ca. 190 km to Ortisei in Val Gardena
- Airport Venice Marco Polo (VCE) - via the A4 motorway to Verona and the A22 motorway (exit Bolzano Nord) ca. 310 km to Ortisei in Val Gardena
- Airport Bergamo (BGY) - via the A4 motorway to Verona and the A22 motorway (exit Bolzano Nord) ca. 290 km to Ortisei in Val Gardena
- Airport Milan Linate (LIN) - via the A35 motorway to Brescia, the A4 motorway to Verona and the A22 motorway (exit Bolzano Nord) ca. 325 km to Ortisei in Val Gardena
- Airport Milan Malpensa (MXP) - via the A4 motorway to Verona and the A22 motorway (exit Bolzano Nord) ca. 373 km to Ortisei in Val Gardena
- Airport Salzburg (SZG - Austria) - via the Brennero motorway A22 (exit Chiusa/Klausen) ca. 285 km to Ortisei in Val Gardena
- Airport Munich (MUC - Germany) - via Brennero motorway A22 (exit Chiusa/Klausen) ca. 310 km to Ortisei in Val Gardena
The nearest airports to Arabba or Val di Fassa are:
- Treviso (TSF)
- Verona (VRN)
- Venice Marco Polo (VCE)
- Bolzano / Bozen (BZO)
- Innsbruck (INN - Austria)
The nearest airports to Cortina Italy are:
- Treviso (TSF), bus transfer to Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Venice Marco Polo (VCE), bus transfer to Cortina
- Verona (VRN)
Arrival by helicopter
Local helicopter companies provide national and international flights to various destinations, hotels and airports.
The advantage is to reduce travel time between airports and hotels (helicopter speed higher than 220 km/h) as well as to avoid winding roads or traffic on alpine passes. Helicopter tours and sight-seeing flights of the Dolomites are also available.
