How to Get to the Dolomites: Flights, Airport Transfers and Driving from the US

The Dolomites sit in northern Italy, in the South Tyrol, Trentino and Belluno areas, and the closest airports are Verona (VRN) and Innsbruck (INN). Plan on a connection, then a train, bus or car for the last stretch into the valleys.

At a glance

• Closest airports: Verona (VRN) and Innsbruck (INN)
• Other useful airports: Venice, Treviso, Bergamo, Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Brescia
• Bolzano Airport: daily flights to Rome Fiumicino, plus seasonal flights to other destinations
• Main road: A22 Brenner Motorway
• Main rail line: Verona, Trento, Brennero and Munich
• Local buses in South Tyrol: SAD, departing from Bolzano

How do you fly to the Dolomites from the US?

The closest airports to the Dolomites are Verona (VRN) and Innsbruck (INN). Venice, Treviso, Bergamo, Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate and Brescia are also useful. Which one suits you depends on the valley you’re heading to.

Bolzano Airport has daily flights to Rome Fiumicino and seasonal flights to other destinations. That makes it a handy last leg if you land in Rome first.

Distances to the 3 Zinnen Dolomites region show how the options compare. Bolzano is about 62 miles (100 km) away, Innsbruck and Salzburg about 81 miles (130 km), Treviso about 106 miles (170 km), Venice about 118 miles (190 km) and Verona about 155 miles (250 km). Munich and Bergamo are about 205 miles (330 km) away, and Milan Malpensa about 261 miles (420 km). Pick the airport nearest your valley and you’ll save hours on the ground.

How do you get from the airport to the Dolomites?

From Bolzano Airport, the 3 Zinnen region is about 62 miles (100 km) away. Innsbruck is about 81 miles (130 km) from it, and Venice about 118 miles (190 km).

Local buses in South Tyrol are run by SAD, with departures from Bolzano. Check the current schedule for airport transfers before a late arrival, and keep your luggage light for connecting buses.

Can you get to the Dolomites by train, bus or car?

The most direct way into South Tyrol by road is the A22 Brenner Motorway, which runs north to south through Trentino and South Tyrol. From the west, you can come in over the Resia Pass or the Stelvio Pass, and the Stelvio is open only in summer. To reach the province of Belluno, take the A27 Venezia-Belluno motorway.

The main railway line runs from Verona through Trento and Brennero to Munich. In the south, the main stations are Rovereto and Trento. In the north they are Bolzano, Bressanone, Vipiteno and Brennero.

Frecciargento trains run from Verona, Florence, Bologna, Rome, Trento and Rovereto. Frecciabianca trains run from Milan, Turin, Venice, Udine and Trieste, with a change in Verona. DB/ÖBB trains link South Tyrol daily with Austria and Germany.

FlixBus connects Milan, Rome, Trento and other cities with South Tyrol every day. Once in Bolzano, SAD runs the local buses.

How do you get around the Dolomites once you arrive?

With the digital guest card, public transport is free during your stay at the 3 Zinnen region.

In Trento, Trentino Trasporti Esercizio Spa runs the buses, and the bus station is 164 feet (50 m) from the railway station. Connections between train and bus are easy on foot.

A car helps in the high country. Cortina is crossed by the S.S.51 di Alemagna north to south and the S.R.48 bis delle Dolomiti east to west. Car access to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo parking (Rifugio Auronzo) is possible only with online booking, so reserve before you drive up.

What documents do you need to board a flight to Italy?

U.S. citizens can stay in Italy for 90 days without a tourist or business visa, according to the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov). Passports must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area. A 6-month validity is recommended. Passports must have 2 blank pages for entry stamp.

U.S. citizens must arrive at Italian ports of entry with a valid passport. If your passport has ever been reported as lost or stolen, or is expired, Italian authorities could deny you entry and return you immediately to the United States. You will need proof of sufficient funds and a return plane ticket.