Where to Stay in the Dolomites Without a Car and How to Get Around for Hiking

You don't need a car to explore the Dolomites. In fact, many experienced hikers find that going car-free is easier and more flexible than driving—you can take one-way hikes without needing to return to a parked car, and the region's excellent public transport network connects all major valleys and trailheads during hiking season.

The key is choosing the right base town with good bus connections and staying at accommodations near transport hubs and trailheads. This guide covers the best locations to base yourself, how to get around without a car, and what to expect from car-free Dolomites hiking.

Getting Around the Dolomites Without a Car

Why Go Car-free?

The Dolomites have an extensive and reliable public transport network. Regional bus companies operate frequent services connecting all major valleys, villages, and trailheads during the hiking season (June through September). Buses are comfortable, affordable, and often more convenient than driving—especially for point-to-point hikes where you'd otherwise need to arrange car shuttles or retrace your steps.

Key Transport Options

1. SAD Südtirol serve the northern Dolomites, including Val Gardena, Val di Funes, Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm), and connections throughout South Tyrol. This network is extensive and well-coordinated with cable cars and lifts.

2. Dolomiti Bus covers the eastern valleys, including Cortina d'Ampezzo, Belluno, the Cadore region, and connections to popular trailheads like Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Lago di Braies.

3. Trains connect gateway towns like Bolzano, Bressanone (Brixen), and Belluno to the broader Italian and Austrian rail networks, then link seamlessly to regional bus services heading into the mountains.

4. Summer shuttle buses operate special routes to popular hiking destinations during peak season, running more frequently than regular year-round services.

Planning Tips for Car-Free Travel

Download bus schedules and routes before your trip—most regional transport companies publish timetables online as PDFs. Buses run most frequently during peak season (July-August), with reduced schedules in June and September. Most buses accept cash euros or regional transport cards that you can purchase at larger stations or online.

Be aware that schedules typically reduce after mid-September when rifugios close and tourist season winds down. Always check current timetables rather than assuming year-round service.

For complete transport details including which airports to fly into, train connections, and step-by-step directions to reach the Dolomites, see our logistics guide.

Best Base Towns for Car-Free Hiking

Choosing the right base town makes all the difference for car-free hiking. These locations offer excellent bus connections, proximity to major trailheads, and full services (accommodations, restaurants, gear shops, ATMs) between hiking days:

The glamorous eastern Dolomites hub with buses to Alta Via 1 trailheads, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Lago di Braies, and valleys throughout the Ampezzo region. Well-connected to Venice and other gateway cities.

Centrally located with cable cars directly to Alpe di Siusi plateau and frequent buses throughout the Sella Group region. Excellent base for exploring multiple valleys without moving accommodations.

The major transport hub of the region, with trains and extensive bus connections to all valleys. Not in the mountains itself, but perfect for day trips to multiple areas and exploring different valleys each day.

Direct bus access to Seiser Alm plateau, quieter and more traditional than Ortisei while maintaining excellent transport connections. Great for hikers seeking a peaceful village base.

Southern gateway town and Alta Via 1 endpoint with excellent train connections to Venice, Padua, and other cities. Ideal for ending multi-day treks or exploring southern Dolomite valleys.

Northern hub with trains to/from Innsbruck and Italy, plus buses to Val di Funes, Puez-Odle Nature Park, and surrounding areas. Historic town with medieval charm.

These towns offer accommodations ranging from budget guesthouses to upscale hotels, plus restaurants, outdoor gear shops, supermarkets, and ATMs—everything you need between hiking days or before starting a multi-day trek.

Top 10 Hotels & Inns for Dolomites Hiking

Here are the best accommodations for car-free hikers—all located in towns with excellent bus connections and close proximity to major trailheads:

Planning Multi-Day Hut-to-Hut Treks Without a Car

If you're planning Alta Via routes or multi-day rifugio-to-rifugio treks, you won't need hotels at all—you'll stay in mountain huts each night. And you still don't need a car to make it work.

How Car-Free Hut-to-Hut Hiking Works

Take buses to your trek starting point. For example, the Cortina Express runs directly from Venice Airport or Cortina to Lago di Braies, the classic starting point for Alta Via 1. Other buses serve trailheads throughout the range.

Hike hut-to-hut for the duration of your trek. Rifugios provide accommodation (dormitory beds) and meals (dinner and breakfast), so you're carrying minimal gear—no tent, no sleeping bag, no stove or food supplies.

Take buses from your trek endpoint back to civilization or onward to your next destination. Most major endpoints have bus connections, or you can arrange transport as part of your planning.

The Advantage

Car-free rifugio trekking is actually easier than driving. You hike one-way routes—say, north to south along Alta Via 1—without ever needing to return to a parked car or arrange complicated shuttles. The mountains' point-to-point design works perfectly with public transport.

Resources for Planning Hut-to-Hut Treks

1. Mountain Huts (Rifugios) - What mountain huts look like and their locations

2. Full rifugio guide - When and how to book, what to expect

Many hikers discover that removing the car from the equation simplifies everything—you walk, sleep in huts, and let buses handle the logistics. It's liberating.

Car-Free = Hassle-Free

You absolutely don't need a car to explore the Dolomites. Strategic base towns with excellent bus connections make car-free hiking practical and often more convenient than driving—especially for point-to-point routes and multi-day treks. Stay in comfortable hotels or inns between day hikes, or go rifugio-to-rifugio on Alta Via routes using buses to reach trailheads and return from endpoints.

For complete planning help, book a consultation with our team or explore our tours where all transport logistics, rifugio bookings, and route planning are handled for you.