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How to get from Dolomites to Venice
From Cortina d'Ampezzo, direct buses reach Venice (Mestre, Piazzale Roma or the airport) in about 2 h – 2 h 30, and driving takes about the same. Other Dolomite valleys connect by bus or train via Bolzano or Belluno; there is no train into the mountains around Cortina.
Best option: Bus. Direct seasonal buses link Cortina with Venice without changes, and you avoid parking a car in Venice.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bus Direct buses (Cortina Express, ATVO) from Cortina d'Ampezzo to Venice Mestre, Piazzale Roma and Venice Marco Polo airport | about 2 h – 2 h 30 | several a day in summer and winter seasons, fewer in between | about €15–30 | Book ahead in peak seasons; check current timetables. |
| car From Cortina via the SS51 and the A27 motorway to Venice | about 2 h – 2 h 30 | fuel plus A27 tolls | No cars in Venice itself: park at Piazzale Roma, Tronchetto or Mestre. | |
| train From the western Dolomites: train from Bolzano to Venezia Santa Lucia, usually via Verona; from Cortina: bus to Calalzo then regional trains | about 3 h from Bolzano; about 3 h+ from Cortina via Calalzo | regular through the day | about €20–40 | Usually one change; Venezia Santa Lucia is on the Grand Canal. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- "The Dolomites" covers a large area; times here are from Cortina d'Ampezzo — from Val Gardena or Alta Badia add time.
- For Venice itself, get off at Piazzale Roma or take the train to Santa Lucia, not Mestre.
- Venice charges an access fee for day visitors on some dates; check before going.
- Mountain passes can close in winter snow; check road conditions.
Common questions
Is there a train from the Dolomites to Venice?
Not into the heart of the Dolomites around Cortina, which has no railway. The nearest station is Calalzo, linked to Venice by regional trains with a bus from Cortina. From the western Dolomites, trains run from Bolzano to Venice, usually via Verona, in about 3 hours.
How long is the bus from Cortina to Venice?
About 2 to 2 h 30, depending on stops and traffic. Direct buses run to Venice Mestre, Piazzale Roma and Marco Polo airport, with more departures in the summer and winter seasons. Book ahead at peak times and check the current timetable.
Can I drive from the Dolomites to Venice?
Yes. From Cortina, take the SS51 south to the A27 motorway, about 2 to 2 h 30. There are tolls on the A27. You cannot drive into Venice's historic centre: park at Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto, or in Mestre and take the train or bus across the bridge.
Can I visit Venice as a day trip from the Dolomites?
From Cortina it is possible but long, about 4 to 5 hours of travel in total. Check the Venice access fee calendar for day visitors. From Val Gardena or Alta Badia, the trip is longer, so staying at least one night in Venice is more relaxed.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.