Mountainous terrain, incredible greenery, lush Alpine forests – the list goes on and on. The Dolomites are some of the most beautiful mountains in the world, and they are a key characteristic of the northern Italian landscape. While Italy’s northern neighbours may have their fair share of mountainous terrain – Switzerland and Austria especially – few mountain ranges can compare to the sheer beauty, practicality and ease of access that the Dolomites offer, proving that you don’t need a car to explore them.
In this comprehensive guide to exploring the Dolomites without a car, tips on using public transport in this generally remote area, which tours are on offer and other car-free itineraries will all be discussed. Whether you’re planning a day trip or exploring the region over the course of a week or longer, we’ve got you covered. The Dolomites are easily accessible without a car, and you may just stumble across some hidden gems that you’d never have found with a car.
Why travel the Dolomites without a car?
While road-trippers love the Dolomites, there are plenty of good reasons to visit without a car.
Save on costs
The average cost of hiring a car in the Dolomites ranges anywhere from £220 to well over £400. Of course, this depends on the type of car you wish to hire – smaller cars are cheaper, whereas larger cars such as SUVs are more expensive. However, in order to tackle the mountain passes and the rugged terrain of the Dolomites, a larger, sturdier car is necessary, and mandatory during the winter months when wintry conditions provide further challenges.
Stress free
The Dolomites are known for being incredibly beautiful at all times of year, but the majority of visitors come in the winter months for skiing. Driving on icy roads is precarious at the best of times, but throw some steep, winding, narrow mountain passes – sometimes only just wide enough for two small cars at a time – into the mix and you can see why most people opt to let someone else do the driving for them.
Sustainability
We’re all trying to do our bit to save the environment, right? Well, then, how about opting to take the bus, or even undertake a walking tour and explore the Dolomites on foot? Not using a car is by far the most eco-friendly way to explore this area of incredible beauty.
What are the best alternatives to hiring a car in the Dolomites?
Take public buses
Of course, walking is the best way to experience the Dolomites, but there are plenty of public buses that run between the nearby towns, villages and cities. The Flixbus service is the most popular public bus to take in the Dolomites, connecting you from cities as far afield as Venice. They are easy to spot thanks to their bright green colouring. You could also hop on board the Cortina Express, which runs directly between Cortina d’Ampezzo and Venice Marco Polo Airport every day.
Many regional bus services only accept cash, so it is a good idea to always carry some cash if you plan on getting around using public buses. Most larger bus companies – like Flixbus and the Cortina Express – accept both cash and card payments, with contactless being a common and preferred method.
Top tip: The SüdtirolMobil app gives you live updates on buses and their schedules in the Dolomites and allows you to pay for tickets via the app. We recommend downloading this before you arrive.
Taking designated tourist buses to reach remote areas
Many of the public buses do not reach the most remote areas, which are generally the most stunning areas of the country, but many designated tourist buses do. These operate year-round, although sometimes they cannot reach the most remote areas in the winter due to road conditions. Such bus companies include Vico Travel and Dolomiti Bus, which help tourists reach destinations such as Val di Fassa, the Belluno Region and Ortisei.
Tour companies & day trips
Let someone else do all the hard work while you sit back and admire the view from the comfort of a coach. There are numerous tour companies that offer day trips and longer excursions in the Dolomites, so choosing the right one can be hard.
Popular day trips
One of the best ways to experience the natural beauty and stunning scenery of the Dolomites is by going on a day trip. Here are some of the best in the region:
Val Gardena: If you want to explore traditional Dolomite villages, including Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva, then this is a day trip that is a must.
Lago di Landro: A day at the lake sounds good, right? You’ll find it hard to leave after just a day – one of the best lakes in the entire Dolomites region.
Val Badia: Perfect for the foodies: traditional Dolomite cuisine can be found in every corner of quaint villages like Corvava and La Villa.
Cortina d’Ampezzo: Perhaps the most famous resort in the Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo is a great place to visit due to the number of activities to do there as well as the unforgettable scenery.
Seceda: Hike or take the cable car up to Seceda for unrivalled views of the Geisler mountain group and the surrounding valleys below.
Lago di Landro
Domestic flights
The least eco-friendly option, but ideal if you’re short on time, you can catch flights to different areas of the Dolomites, notably from Venice Marco Polo Airport and Verona in Italy, as well as from Innsbruck in Austria. However, these short flights can be expensive, typically costing well over £300, in addition to most of them involving a connection.
Hut-to-Hut Hiking
Take a walking holiday to the next level with hut-to-hut hiking in the Dolomites. An affordable and enjoyable way to make your way through the Dolomites, hut-to-hut hiking involves staying in mountain huts (also known as rifugios) along the journey, meaning you have a safe haven with a roof over your head and don’t have to stress about carrying tons of camping gear with you. You should fly into either Marco Polo Airport (Venice) or Innsbruck Airport (Austria) and make your way to Cortina d’Ampezzo by bus if you’re flying into Venice, or you can take two trains from Innsbruck to reach San Candido in the northern Dolomites.
What are the most convenient airports when exploring the Dolomites without a car?
There are several major international airports which provide easy access to the Dolomites, and they are perfect to fly into if you do not have a car.
Venice Marco Polo Airport
Located on the outskirts of the world-famous ‘City of Bridges’, Venice Marco Polo Airport is by far the most popular airport to fly into if you’re planning on exploring the Dolomites. You can take the Cortina Express bus to reach the Dolomites, bypassing incredible scenery on the way in. If you’re planning on visiting one of the many ski resorts in the Dolomites during the winter months, a special ski shuttle bus service operates directly from the airport, making this a convenient airport to fly into to explore the Dolomites at any time of year.
Innsbruck Airport
Found in neighbouring Austria, flying into Innsbruck is another viable option if you want to explore the northern Dolomites, including regions such as San Candido and Innichen. These areas are accessible by train from Innsbruck Airport, although you will generally need to take at least two trains, so it can be a good idea to split your journey up on the way.
Munich Airport
If you’re a real travel fanatic, then you could even fly into Munich Airport in Germany. This is a longer journey, but ideal for those who like exploring other countries. A train runs directly from Munich Airport, through Austria and into the Dolomites region, making this another viable option. However, be aware that this train journey can take up to six hours, so make sure that you’ve set enough time aside if this is the route you’re planning on taking.
Bolzano Airport
The closest airport to the Dolomites is just a 20-minute bus journey outside of Bolzano, in the heart of the Dolomites. This is a small airport, but definitely the most convenient because it is the closest. However, only a few airlines fly into the airport from certain destinations, so make sure you check to see if any airlines near you fly there before booking anything.
Where to stay without a car
Cortina d’Ampezzo
The most popular resort town in the Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo, has excellent local, national and international bus connections, making it easy to get around.
Bolzano
Another great choice if you’re not planning on visiting the Dolomites with a car or hiring one while you’re visiting, Bolzano has an excellent public transport network, making it another suitable option.
Val Gardena
Many of the villages in Val Gardena, including Ortisei and Selva, are known for their vibrant nightlife and lively neighbourhoods, so these are also good places to stay without a car. They also offer good local bus networks between other Dolomite villages.
Val Gardena
The Dolomites without a car: Itinerary ideas
3-5 Days in Cortina d’Ampezzo
There's a lot to do and see in Cortina d’Ampezzo without a car, making it the perfect place to spend a long weekend or even a full working week.
Day 1: familiarise yourself with your surroundings, and spend some time exploring the town. Enjoy dinner in a traditional Italian restaurant, and sample some of the local wine.
Day 2: Get your hiking boots on and head up towards Cinque Torri, enjoying the panoramic views below. You could also plan for a lunch stop at a mountain hut along the way.
Day 3: If this is your last day, make sure to head to one of the nearby lakes, such as Lago di Braies, which is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites.
Days 4 and 5: If you’re planning on spending longer in Cortina d’Ampezzo, then spend another day in and around the town, and make sure to purchase some gifts from local, independently-run shops. You could also spend one of these days taking on another hike, perhaps a more challenging one if you feel up to it, such as a hike to Lago di Sorapiss, which combines hiking with a lake visit.
3-5 Days in Bolzano
Another good place to stay without a car in the Dolomites is Bolzano.
Day 1: Get to know the city. Have a wander through the city centre after you have checked into your accommodation, and make sure to visit the central area, known as Piazza Walther, with its stunning fountain.
Day 2: Take a cable car up to Renon High Plateau, and enjoy the breathtaking views as you experience the Dolomites from above. You could also squeeze in time to hike to the Earth Pyramids, which are natural geological formations over 25,000 years old.
Day 3: Take a bus or taxi over to Lake Carezza, one of the region’s most stunning lakes. Enjoy a day lakeside, complete with a picnic and plenty of Instagram-worthy shots.
Days 4 and 5: A good idea if you’re staying on for a bit longer is to spend another day tackling a hiking trail and one day spending some more leisure time in the city. That way, you can feel like you’ve explored the region sufficiently, without feeling overwhelmed or exhausted.
3-5 Days in Val Gardena
Val Gardena is another superb place to stay in the Dolomites without a car.
Day 1: Enjoy the local scenery, including stunning Alpine forests and glorious mountain backdrops. Photos will hardly do it justice!
Day 2: Take the cable car across the Secada Ridge, which offers simply unbelievable views of the scenery below. Hike along the trail once you reach the top, and enjoy views of the Geisler and Odle mountains.
Day 3: Alpe di Siusi is just a short bus journey away from Val Gardena, and it is the largest high-altitude plateau in Europe. Spend day 3 exploring here before returning to your accommodation.
Days 4 and 5: The Resciesa Plateau is another bus journey away from Val Gardena, and again is worth exploring if you enjoyed your day at Alpe di Siusi. You can also easily spend another day or two in and around Val Gardena itself, enjoying traditional Italian coffee, wine and food and even better scenery.
Tips for exploring the Dolomites without a car
- Book tours in advance (especially in the summer).
Overall, it is absolutely possible to explore the Dolomites without a car. There might be several challenges on the way, especially getting to the most remote parts of the Dolomites in bad weather, but with a bit of forward planning and plenty of research before you set off, you should have a fantastic time. Exploring the Dolomites car-free can not only save you money, but also provide an overall more relaxing experience that you’ll look back on with fond memories for years to come.