Dolomites itinerary: 5 days, two bases
This plan starts in Cortina d'Ampezzo, where the bus from Venice airport arrives, and finishes in Bolzano, which has the railway and the airport. It uses two bases: Cortina for two nights and Ortisei (St. Ulrich) for two nights. Every day has a car option and a bus option. Driving times between valleys vary with season and traffic, so check each leg in a route planner and leave extra time for mountain roads.
The plan is built on the summer 2026 rules. Today is 19 October 2026, so the section below the table says what is still open. For a summer 2027 trip, check the reservations again: only the Lago di Braies traffic rule had been announced as returning, with details expected in spring 2027.
Dolomites 5 day itinerary at a glance
One main stop per day, with the transport that works for it.
| Day | Night in | Main stop | By car | By bus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cortina | Arrival, Faloria | Drive from Venice | Cortina Express from the airport, about 2 h 10 min |
| 2 | Cortina | Tre Cime loop | Toll road, online reservation, €40 | Shuttle 444 not running until summer 2027 |
| 3 | Ortisei | Lago di Braies | Free access outside 1 July to 15 September | Bus 442 from Toblach or Niederdorf |
| 4 | Ortisei | Seceda, Val di Funes | Park in Ortisei | Bus to Piazza S. Antonio, then 6 minutes on foot |
| 5 | Bolzano | Alpe di Siusi, Lago di Carezza | Free car park at Siusi cable car | Bus 180 from Bolzano to Carezza |
Dolomites itinerary without a car
The plan works mostly without a car: the Cortina Express on Day 1, bus 442 to Lago di Braies, buses to Seceda and bus 180 to Lago di Carezza. Only the Tre Cime day depends on shuttle 444, which is off until summer 2027.
Dolomites tours and day trips
If you prefer a guide to a plan, these day trips and guided hikes start from Venice and Bolzano.
Dolomites trip itinerary day by day
What to book and what to expect.
Day 1: Cortina d'Ampezzo
Take the Cortina Express from Venice airport. In the timetable valid from 1 October 2026 to 8 June 2027 the buses leave at 11:20, 14:20 and 17:20 and reach Cortina at 13:30, 16:30 and 19:30. The stop is Piazzale Revis. In summer the Faloria cable car climbs from 1,224 m to 2,120 m (€21 single, €27 return in 2026). Spend the evening in town.
Cortina guide →Day 2: Tre Cime di Lavaredo
By car, reserve the toll road online for €40 per car, which includes parking and lasts 12 hours. The road ends at Rifugio Auronzo, about 2,330 m. The loop is 9 to 10 km and takes 3 to 4 hours, with about 400 m of climbing and the huts open from June to September. Without a car, this day depends on the shuttle 444 from Toblach, which stopped on 11 October 2026 and is announced for summer 2027.
Tre Cime guide →Day 3: Lago di Braies, then Ortisei
From 1 July to 15 September 2026 the valley road needed a booking between 9 am and 4 pm (combined ticket €44). Outside those dates there is no restriction, and parking is paid. Entry to the lake is free, and the walk around it takes about an hour. Rowing boats run until 1 November 2026. Bus 442 serves the lake from Toblach and Niederdorf. Then continue to Ortisei.
Lago di Braies guide →Day 4: Seceda and Val di Funes
Book the Seceda slot online: €74 return in 2026, in a 30-minute window, not refundable, and the cable cars run from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. A private turnstile near the viewpoint charges €5. In the afternoon, if time allows, visit the church of St. Magdalena in Val di Funes: park at Putzen and walk about 30 minutes. The road to the church is closed to cars.
Seceda guide →Day 5: Alpe di Siusi and Lago di Carezza
By car, use the free outdoor car park at the Siusi cable car instead of the booked top parking (€30 a day since 29 June 2026). The cable car takes about 15 minutes and costs €30 return. Then go on to Lago di Carezza at 1,520 m, where bus 180 runs from Bolzano and the car park by the lake has 270 spaces. Finish in Bolzano for the train or the airport.
Alpe di Siusi guide →If you travel in late October 2026
Several stops are closed. The Lagazuoi cable car closed on 18 October, Cinque Torri on 11 October and the Tofana lifts on 27 September. Still running are the Seceda and Alpe di Siusi cable cars (until 2 November) and the Lago di Carezza lifts (until 1 November). The Tre Cime toll road is normally open until the end of October. Snow or hazards can close it temporarily.
Faloria's 2026 closing date was not confirmed, so on Day 1 walk around town instead if the cable car is shut. Ski areas open between late November and early December. For the weeks between the seasons, see the seasons guide.
Costs and passes for the 5 days
Adult prices in 2026.
By car
Tre Cime toll €40, Seceda €74 (per person), Siusi cable car €30 (per person), plus parking in Ortisei and at Braies and Carezza. Carezza parking costs €5 for the first hour and €30 for 24 hours.
By bus
The Mobilcard Südtirol costs €52 for 7 days in 2026. It is not valid on the shuttle 444, on the Siusi lines 10, 11 and 12, or on bus 442 between 1 July and 15 September 2026. The Guest Pass, free at participating accommodation, has similar limits. Ask locally whether South Tyrol cards are valid on the Veneto buses around Cortina.
Plan the rest of your trip
Useful pages before you book.
A Dolomites hiking itinerary
Three days of this plan include a walk: the Tre Cime loop of 9 to 10 km (3 to 4 hours), the walk around Lago di Braies (about an hour) and the 30-minute walk from Putzen to St. Magdalena in Val di Funes. Together they make a Dolomites hiking itinerary with short, medium and longer days.
A Dolomites itinerary for 7 days
To stretch the plan into a 7 day Dolomites itinerary, add one day for the Lago di Sorapis hike from Passo Tre Croci (10.5 km return, about 4 hours, rated for experts) and one day for the lifts near Passo Falzarego, Lagazuoi and Cinque Torri, which close for the season in autumn.
Dolomites itinerary: frequently asked questions
Is 5 days enough for the Dolomites?
Five days cover several of the best-known places: Cortina, Tre Cime, Lago di Braies, Seceda and the Alpe di Siusi. It is not enough for the whole range.
Can I do this itinerary without a car?
Mostly. Braies, Seceda, Siusi and Carezza have public transport. The Tre Cime on Day 2 depends on the shuttle 444, which stopped on 11 October 2026 and is announced for summer 2027.
What do I have to book in advance?
In summer 2026: the Seceda slot, the Tre Cime toll reservation, the Braies valley access between 1 July and 15 September, and parking at the top of the Alpe di Siusi.
Can I do the same route in winter?
Not as written. The summer lifts and the Tre Cime road close in autumn. In winter the better plan is a ski week based in Cortina or Ortisei.
Should I stay in two places or one?
This plan uses Cortina for two nights and Ortisei for two nights, and the last night is up to you. One base is simpler but means longer days on mountain roads.