Do you need a car in Dolomites?

It's absolutely possible to visit the Dolomites without a car. The Dolomites are well connected by regional buses, making it relatively easy to travel between destinations during peak seasons.



While the Dolomites has a decent regional bus network (Südtirol Mobil), having a car is highly recommended for the best experience. The region is vast, and many of the most iconic "Instagrammable" spots, such as Seceda, Lago di Braies, or the Val di Funes, are spread out and can be difficult to reach efficiently via public transit. Buses often run on limited schedules, especially during the "shoulder" seasons (May or October), which can lead to long wait times or missed connections. With a car, you have the freedom to arrive at popular trailheads before the crowds, stay in more affordable "agriturismos" tucked away in the hills, and chase the best light for photography without being tethered to a bus timetable. However, be prepared for narrow, winding mountain passes and "ZTL" (restricted traffic zones) in smaller villages. If you are strictly visiting main hubs like Cortina d'Ampezzo or Ortisei, you can manage without a car, but for a true alpine adventure, a rental vehicle is the gold standard.

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If you simply want to drive through the Dolomites and visit a few highlights, two to three days is all you need. If you love hiking, spend as much time here as you can. I recommend five days at a minimum. So far, we spent 12 very busy days in the Dolomites and still have more that we want to come back and do.

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THE DOLOMITES ARE EXPENSIVE BUT ALSO AFFORDABLE WITH THESE TIPS. We're not going to lie, the Dolomites can be very expensive, and for many travellers, prohibitively so. Accommodation, especially in popular areas, can exceed €200 per night and will likely be your largest cost.

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The winter skiing season runs from mid-December until early April. We've personally visited the Dolomites in May, June, July, August, September, and October. The best time of year to visit the Dolomites is mid/late June, early July, and September.

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Located in the Dolomites, Cortina d'Ampezzo is renowned as a luxurious ski resort. Properties with panoramic views of the mountains and in close proximity to the main shopping street Corso Italia and the ski slopes are particularly sought after. Apartments in the city centre cost up to 14,000 euros per square metre.

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The easiest way to get to the Dolomites is to fly to a nearby airport (Bolzano, Venice, Treviso, Verona, Innsbruck, Milan, or Munich), rent a car, and drive to your base in the Dolomites. Depending on your point of arrival, it may take anywhere between 1 and 4 hours to drive to the Dolomites.

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Cortina d'Ampezzo This town makes an excellent home base to explore the Dolomites, with a great location near Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Lago di Sorapis, the Croda da Lago Circuit, and Lagazuoi. While in Cortina d'Ampezzo, take a stroll along Corso Italia, the pedestrian street that runs through the city center.

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Cortina d'Ampezzo is the best place to stay in the Dolomites if you want a vibrant town atmosphere along with access to some of the most celebrated Ampezzo Dolomites attractions.

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Belluno & the National Park of the Belluno Dolomites The ancient town of Belluno, with 37,000 inhabitants, is the most important town in the eastern Dolomites.

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Fauna include marmots, roe deer, chamois and hares and, on occasion, wolves, bears and lynx. Much of the area of Cortina is part of the Natural Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites.

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The most famous, fashionable and expensive Italian ski resort, Cortina is nicknamed la Regina delle Dolomiti - the Queen of the Dolomites.

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The best time to go to Cortina d'Ampezzo The rainiest months are: july, february and march. We recommende the month of april, may, june, september, october, to visit Cortina d'Ampezzo.

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Probably the most touristy of all the mountain passes in the Dolomites, Passo Pordoi is more than just a road with nice scenery. It's one of the most popular Dolomites destinations, with many people coming here to enjoy the views from Forcella Pordoi and hike to the nearby Piz Boè.

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Weather/Climate in the Dolomites All mountain regions get a fair amount of rain in summer and the Dolomites are no exception. June and September are the driest months.

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