Getting from Venice to the Dolomites
The Dolomites start about two hours north of Venice. The closest big town is Cortina d'Ampezzo, which lies in the province of Belluno in the Veneto. Other parts of the range, such as Val Gardena, the Alpe di Siusi or Lago di Braies, lie in South Tyrol and are easier to reach from Bolzano or Munich, so when you are getting to the Dolomites from Venice, pick your base before you pick your route.
For Cortina and the Tre Cime area, a bus from Venice is the easiest option without a car. It runs every day of the year. The timetable below is valid from 1 October 2026 to 8 June 2027. Timetables and prices can change, so check the operator before you travel.
Bus from Venice to the Dolomites: timetable to Cortina
Valid from 1 October 2026 to 8 June 2027, daily. The route runs Venice, Treviso, Cortina.
| Departure | Mestre station | Venice airport | Treviso | Arrival in Cortina |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midday | 11:00 | 11:20 | 11:37 | 13:30 |
| Afternoon | 14:00 | 14:20 | 14:37 | 16:30 |
| Evening | 17:00 | 17:20 | 17:37 | 19:30 |
Two further departures run with Dolomiti Bus. The first leaves Piazzale Roma at 6:20 am, passes the airport at 7:00 am and reaches Cortina at 9:30 am. The second leaves Piazzale Roma at 6:20 pm, passes the airport at 7:00 pm and arrives in Cortina at 9:30 pm. The bus stops at the airport at the coach parking area.
Dolomites to Venice: the return buses
Back from Cortina the buses leave at 7:00 am, 9:30 am, 11:30 am, 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm. They reach the airport at 9:30 am, 11:45 am, 1:45 pm, 5:00 pm and 6:45 pm. Since 1 October 2026 the stop in Cortina is Piazzale Revis, not Piazza Roma. Prices only show in the operator's booking form. A comparison site listed fares from about €27 one way in October 2026, but treat that as a guide only.
Our picks: from Venice
Coach, shared minivan or a small group of up to eight.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Dolomites day trip with Cortina and two lakes
An air-conditioned minivan from Piazzale Roma with an English-speaking driver. Chairlift, boat hire and meals are extra.
Check availability →
Lago di Braies and Tre Cime from Venice by minivan
A driver-guide in a Mercedes minivan for up to eight, with Wi-Fi.
Check availability →
Best of the Dolomites day trip from Venice
A coach with an English-speaking guide from Tronchetto. Chairlift tickets are not included.
Check availability →Day trips from Venice to the Dolomites
Guided day trips and transfers from Venice, with live prices and availability.
Venice to the Dolomites by train, bus or car
What we could verify as of October 2026.
| Direct bus | Train and bus | Car | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Cortina and the Tre Cime area | Travellers who prefer rail | Several valleys in one trip |
| Journey time | About 2 h 10 from the airport | – | – |
| Route | Venice, Treviso, Cortina | Train to Calalzo di Cadore, then bus | Your own route |
| Cost | From about €27 one way (comparison site) | – | Fuel and tolls, plus paid parking in the mountains |
For the Venice to Dolomites train, Calalzo di Cadore is the nearest railway station to Cortina, about 35 kilometres away. The Cortina bus stops at Calalzo station. We have no verified train times from Venice to the Dolomites, so check them before you plan around it.
Drive from Venice to the Dolomites
A car makes sense if you want to visit several valleys. Cortina and the Tre Cime lie in Belluno. The toll road to Rifugio Auronzo needs an online reservation and costs €40 per car in 2026, so book before you drive up. Parking is included in that price.
We have no verified driving time from Venice to Cortina, so use your navigation app. Cortina hosted the 2026 Winter Olympics in February and March. We have no verified information on current traffic effects. On cycling event days the passes close for a few hours: in 2026 that was Falzarego and Valparola on 20 June, and Giau, Falzarego and Valparola on 5 July. Remember that mountain car parks cost money: Lago di Carezza charges €5 for one hour and €30 for 24 hours, and the Alpe di Siusi needs a booked parking space (€30 per day in 2026).
From Bolzano and Munich
The northern gateways to South Tyrol.
From Munich, the EuroCity train to Bolzano runs several times a day without a change. The trip takes about 4 hours 25 minutes. A "Südtirol connection ticket" for €5 is sold on EC trains and at German Railways travel centres. By car, Munich to Bolzano is 284 km and takes about 3 hours 38 minutes. The Brenner motorway toll in Austria (A13) is €12.50 each way in 2026 (secondary sources), and the Italian A22 from the Brenner to Bolzano is €6.60.
Bolzano also has a small regional airport with flights through SkyAlps, 15 minutes from the centre. South Tyrol Bus runs guaranteed transfers from the airports at Munich, Verona, Bergamo and Milan Malpensa and Linate. From Bolzano, bus 180 goes to Lago di Carezza.
Is a day trip from Venice worth it?
Possible, but the bus ride takes most of the day.
With the 6:20 am bus from Piazzale Roma and the 4:30 pm bus back from Cortina, you spend about seven hours in the mountains. The ride takes more than two hours each way, so a day trip suits a visit to Cortina and one viewpoint, not a long hike. If you want the Tre Cime or Lago di Sorapis, stay at least one night, which turns it into a 2 day trip to the Dolomites from Venice.
A Dolomites tour from Venice
A Venice to Dolomites tour takes the logistics off your hands. The three tours in our picks last 9 to 10 hours, and on two of them chairlift tickets and other extras are not included, so read the description before you book.
Venice to the Dolomites: frequently asked questions
How long does the bus from Venice to Cortina take?
About two hours and ten minutes from the airport, according to the timetable valid from 1 October 2026. From Mestre station the Cortina Express leaves at 11:00, 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm and reaches Cortina at 1:30 pm, 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm.
How much does the bus cost?
The operator shows prices only in its booking form. A comparison site listed fares from about €27 one way in October 2026.
Where does the bus stop in Cortina?
At Piazzale Revis since 1 October 2026. Until 30 September 2026 it stopped at Piazza Roma.
Is there a train to Cortina?
Not to the town itself, according to our sources. The nearest station is Calalzo di Cadore, about 35 km away. From there you continue by bus.
Can I reach Val Gardena or Lago di Braies from Venice?
Not directly with the bus above. These places lie in South Tyrol and are usually reached via Bolzano or Munich. Lago di Braies also has booking rules from 1 July to 15 September 2026.