Where are the Dolomites Italy?
The Dolomites are a unique mountain region in far northeastern Italy. The Dolomiti Superski area combines all the ski resorts of the 'true' Dolomites under the one ski pass.
The major Dolomites ski resorts are about 130km south of Innsbruck in Austria & approximately 200km north of Verona. Venice is 150km south of Cortina d’Ampezzo & Milan is around 370km southwest of several Dolomites ski resorts.
The city of Bolzano is a major transport hub on the western edge of the Dolomites & makes a great base to explore the entire region.
Flights to the Dolomites
The best gateway airport to the Dolomites for intercontinental travellers (from non-European destinations) are Munich (MUC), Milan Malpensa (MXP) & Venice (VCE)(Marco Polo). If flying to the Dolomites from the UK, Scandinavia or mainland Europe, Innsbruck (INN) (Austria) provides the best access, but Verona (VRN) is also an option.
Search for a great deal on a flight to the Dolomites via the airports at Venice, Innsbruck, Milan, Verona or Munich here.
Flights into Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
An alternative to Milan for skiers and snowboarders flying into the Dolomites from European and non-European locations (including the USA, Canada, Australia, Middle East etc.) is the Venice (Marco Polo) (VCE) airport. Venice is preferred airport if skiing at the Dolomites ski resorts of Cortina d’Ampezzo, Arabba Marmolada or Civetta.
Transport from Venice Marco Polo to the ski resorts is best via car rental or direct bus shuttle. An interesting way to spend a night or two in Venice is to take a vaporetto (water taxi) directly from the airport across Laguna Veneta (Venetian Lagoon) into Venice.
If staying in Venice, trains from Venezia Santa Lucia station go via Venezia Mestre where they link up directly to several Dolomites ski resorts (Kronplatz, 3 Peaks, Plose, Gitschberg Jochtal) via Verona.
Flights into Innsbruck Airport (INN)
Innsbruck airport is one of the best fro accessing the northern resorts of the Dolomites and is served by flights from mainland Europe, Scandinavia and the UK. Flights numbers and options increase during the winter season. The airport is conveniently located close to the centre of Innsbruck.
The Innsbruck city centre and central bus & train station is a 20min bus ride from the airport via the Route F bus at the terminal. Taxis offer an alternative.
If arriving late or leaving early from Innsbruck airport, enjoy a night in the magnificent Innsbruck old town & get a taxi for the short drive back to the airport pick up your rental.
Flights into Munich Airport (MUC)
Munich (MUC) international airport is rated as one of the world’s best. It receives a vast number of flights every day from worldwide destinations.
Munich airport is well served by efficient train transport which links quickly to train services to ski hubs like Innsbruck. Take the S8 line from the main terminal (trains every 10min) to the major Ostbahnhof for trains direct to Innsbruck. Travel time is 2hr 30min. From Innsbruck, the Dolomites are a short distance south.
At least 8 major car rental companies are available at Munich airport. Ensure your vehcile is fully set up for winter driving conditions before leaving the terminal.
Flights into Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
The best airport in Italy is Milan Malpensa (MXP). It serves flight origins from all over the world & is central to most Italian, French, Swiss & Austrian ski resorts. Train connections from the airport to the Dolomites are straightforward via the Malpensa Express train to Milano Centrale station.
If you are flying into Milan Malpensa Airport late in the day, or leaving early in the morning, we recommend staying at the Sheraton Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel or the great value Moxy Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel.
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Airport & Hotel Transfers
The Powderhounds recommend taking the train & bus from the airports to the Dolomites. However, in a post COVID-19 world, & for those that just cannot abide public transport or are travelling in larger groups, a private transfer from the airport direct to the ski resort may be the most efficient mode of travel. Cost is dependent on number of persons- the larger the group the more affordable it becomes!
Search & book all Dolomites airport transfers.
Train & Bus Transport to the Dolomites
The train offers a fantastic way to travel to & around the Dolomites. From Milan Malpensa airport, regular trains depart from Terminals 1 & 2 bound for Milano Centrale station (50min), from where connections can be made to the Dolomites via Verona.
At least two or three trains are generally needed to get to the Dolomites. For example, to get to Kronplatz ski resort by train involves one from Milano Centrale to Verona, another from Verona north toward Innsbruck with a change at Fortezza (Franzensfeste), then one more train to Brunico or Perca. Travel time from the airport to Kronplatz would be about 6hr.
The train network from Munich airport to Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof (Hbf)(central train station) provides seamless journeys to all points of the compass including south to Bolzano and the Dolomites in Italy. The train trip from Munich to the Dolomites (Brunico - Kronplatz) would take about 4½hr via Innsbruck.
By train from Venice to the Dolomites, two options exist. Via Verona then north to Bolzano and Brunico will require at least three trains and 5hr to reach Kronplatz or 3 Peaks. Access from the south via Belluno and Calalzo will require a bus transfer to arrive at Cortina d’Ampezzo in around 4hr.
Bus shuttles direct from airports and larger cities to many Dolomites ski resorts from the airports exist.
The local Dolomites bus services (various companies) provide regular, cheap and efficient transport from major centres to the ski resorts. For example, the route 460 bus from Brunico train station to Alta Badia costs only a few € and takes one hr. Up to date information is easily available when in-country.
Train & Bus Tickets
A sure way to POW (Protect Our Winters) is by taking the train to the Dolomites, particularly from Munich or Innsbruck to one of the gateways to the Dolomites, Bolzano.
Search & book train tickets to the Dolomites & Bolzano.
Car Rental for the Dolomites
For those travellers wishing to drive to the Dolomites or want to pick up a car once you have already arrived in the Dolomiti Superski area, car hire & rentals are readily available. Prices are generally highly competitive and if travelling with two or more persons, car rental can be more cost effective (as well as convenient) when compared to train or bus travel. Note that Dolomites roads can be quite challenging in icy and snowy conditions, and when negotiating tight bends with oncoming buses. When in doubt, slow down and give way to the larger oncoming vehicle!
To read more about getting around the Italian mountains by car, see our Travel to Italy page.
For travellers arriving from overseas into Venice, Munich or Milan, the most convenient location for picking up a rental car is at the airport terminals. We do not recommend picking up a car in the Venice, Munich or Milan, as the traffic and navigation challenges are not worth the effort.
For skiers and snowboarders flying into Innsbruck, cars can be rented from the airport or various locations near the relatively small city centre. Check prices, as locations away from the airport are sometimes cheaper.
If you want to hire a car closer to the Dolomites, take a train or bus to an alternative location with car rental offices such as Bolzano, Bressanone (Brixen), Brunico (Bruneck), Cortina d’Ampezzo, Canazei (Alba), Santa Cristina (Val Gardena), Belluno or even Trento. If travelling from Austria, Innsbruck is a convenient place to hire a car.
Ensure the hire car comes with snow tyres and/or snow chains (bare minimum). All-wheel drive or 4WD vehicles offer the safest driving experience on the windy mountain roads of the Dolomites.
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Nearby Ski Resorts to the Dolomites
Whilst the Dolomiti Superski resorts can take a serious amount of time to explore, the nearby Skirama Dolomiti includes some 3,000m+ resorts (the excellent freeride resort of Tonale & the boutique Pejo), plus the extensive Madonna di Campiglio-Folgarida Marilleva-Pinzolo combination.
Northwest of Bolzano are the diverse ski resorts of the Ortler ski region. A full range of high glacier based resorts (Val Senales & Solda), medium sized ski resorts (Belpiano, Reinswald) plus smaller local ski resorts (Trafoi) are dotted all through the region.