Italy

How to get from Venice to Cortina d'Ampezzo

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and practical tips.

⏱
FASTEST
2h 30min
💶
From
26€
📍
Distance
127 km
Powered by 12Go system
⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from Venice to Cortina d'Ampezzo: Bus, about 2h 30min – 3h, from €26. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on October 27, 2026): Cortina Express, Taxi Cortina Sci; main departure point: Venice Mestre Train Station.

Distance: 127 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from Venice to Cortina d'Ampezzo

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

Bus
2h 30min – 3h
26 – 27 €
View
🚌 Departure from Venice
📍Buses to Cortina d'Ampezzo leave from the Venice area, with departure points that can include the Santa Lucia station zone, Mestre or the airport area. Check your ticket for the exact stop, arrive a little early and keep your confirmation handy.
🚇From central Venice, use the vaporetto or walk to Santa Lucia station, or take the tram or a local train to Mestre. For the airport area, an airport bus or a taxi works well. Allow extra margin for crowds on the water buses.
⏰Departures are generally concentrated in the morning and early afternoon, with fewer services off-season. Check the exact times for your date on the booking page, and book your return trip at the same time.
💸 Transport from 26€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 2h 30min
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

Companies selling this route on 12Go

Offers listed on 12Go on October 27, 2026 for a departure on November 17, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.

CompanyModeDeparts fromFromOffers
Cortina Express Bus Venice Mestre Train Station €26 6
Taxi Cortina Sci Van / transfer €437 1
📶 Stay connected the moment you land

Activate an eSIM before you go: internet the moment you land, no SIM to swap, zero roaming fees.

Yesim · eSIM partner

Practical tips

💡
Check the departure point on your ticket

Venice has several departure areas: Santa Lucia on the lagoon, Mestre on the mainland and the airport zone. Read your booking confirmation carefully and note the exact stop before you head out, so you do not end up in the wrong place.

💡
Book ahead in high season

Winter ski weekends, August and holiday periods fill up fast. Booking early secures your seat and usually keeps the fare low, whereas waiting until the last day risks a full bus or a higher price at the counter.

💡
Skip the train search

Cortina is a mountain town far from the main rail lines, so the coach is the practical choice. Save your time and compare coach times and fares on the page rather than hunting for a rail connection that adds changes.

💡
Keep luggage easy to load

Coaches have a luggage hold, but space is not unlimited. Travel with one main bag, keep valuables, a warm layer and water with you in the cabin, as mountain weather can change quickly on arrival.

💡
Plan your return trip too

Mountain routes have fewer departures than city lines, especially off-season. Book your return at the same time as your outbound trip, so you are not stuck in Cortina with a full bus on the day you leave.

The journey experience

Getting from Venice to Cortina d'Ampezzo is a trip where the answer is simple: the bus is the option to plan around. Cortina sits in the heart of the Dolomites, far from the main rail lines, so you will not be comparing high-speed trains, ferries and flights here. You get one clear, direct way to reach the mountains without a car.

The journey is a scenic ride from the lagoon, through the Veneto plains and then up into the Dolomite valleys, ending right in the town. A coach is comfortable for this kind of trip: reclining seats, space for your luggage in the hold, and no need to change at a mountain station. It suits independent travellers with a big bag, as well as skiers and hikers who want to arrive relaxed. The comparison table on this page shows the current duration and price so you can check them at a glance.

My advice: pick your departure point carefully, because Venice has several (Santa Lucia station, Mestre and the airport area), and check which one your ticket uses before you leave. In high season, winter ski weekends and summer holiday weeks, book ahead so you are not left without a seat. Book online for instant confirmation, keep the ticket on your phone, and you can enjoy the mountain views without worrying.

Frequently asked questions — Venice → Cortina d'Ampezzo

Why visit Cortina d'Ampezzo?

  • ✓ Ride the Freccia nel Cielo cable car up to Tofane (3,200 m) for sweeping panoramic views over the Dolomites
  • ✓ Ski the Olympic slopes of Cortina, host of the 1956 and 2026 Winter Games, including the Olimpia delle Tofane run
  • ✓ Walk around the turquoise Lago di Braies and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, both a short drive away
  • ✓ Explore the Lagazuoi tunnels and WWI open-air museum, then ski the Great War Ski Tour
  • ✓ Stroll Corso Italia for boutique shopping, aperitivo and Ampezzo specialities like casunziei pasta
🌙
Recommended stay
2 to 4 nights — enough for a ski day, a hike and the lakes without rushing

When to visit Cortina d'Ampezzo?

ALPINE MOUNTAIN CLIMATE

December to March for skiing, or June to September for hiking — reliable snow in winter, mild sunny days in summer

Jan 😐
Feb 😐
Mar 😐
Apr 😞
May 😞
Jun 😐
Jul 😊
Aug 😊
Sep 😊
Oct 😐
Nov 😞
Dec 😐
📍
In Cortina d'Ampezzo — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Cortina d'Ampezzo
Compare the best rates available
via trip.com

What to do in Cortina d'Ampezzo?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

MUST-SEE
🚡
Tofana Cable Car to Punta Anna
The Freccia nel Cielo cable car climbs from town to 3,200 m in three stages, with sweeping views over the Dolomites, a UNESCO site. Expect around 40€ return. Go early to avoid queues and cloud build-up, and bring warm layers: it is often near freezing at the top, even in summer.
💧
Lago di Braies Shoreline Walk
Emerald lake about 40 minutes by car from Cortina, ringed by an easy 3.5 km path taking roughly 1 hour. In peak season (July to early September) vehicle access requires a prior reservation and a fee of around 40€, so book ahead or arrive before 9:30 am. Rowboats rent from about 30€ per hour.
⛰️
Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop
The classic 10 km circuit around the three iconic peaks takes about 4 hours with little elevation gain. Drive up to Rifugio Auronzo via the toll road (around 35€ per car, usually a bit less in the shoulder season). Start before 9 am, as the car park fills quickly, and carry water and a rain jacket.
⛪
Corso Italia and Basilica Minore
Stroll the pedestrian Corso Italia, lined with boutiques and cafés, then step into the Basilica Minore dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo and its tall bell tower, a landmark of the town. Entry is free. Come at aperitivo time, around 6 pm, when locals gather for a spritz from roughly 6€.
🍝
Ladin Cuisine in a Local Trattoria
Taste the mountain cooking of the Ampezzo valley: casunziei (beetroot-filled ravioli with poppy seeds and butter), barley soup and venison. A main course usually costs 15-25€. Book dinner in high season and ask for the daily specials, which often showcase local produce.
🏰
Great War Open-Air Museum, Lagazuoi
Walk the tunnels and trenches dug by Italian and Austrian soldiers on Lagazuoi during World War I. Take the Lagazuoi cable car from Passo Falzarego (around 25€ return), then descend through the tunnels. A headlamp is essential, and sturdy shoes are strongly advised on the damp, uneven rock.
🎨
Regole d'Ampezzo Museums
The Museo Ladino, Museo d'Arte Moderna Mario Rimoldi and paleontology museum reveal the valley's Ladin heritage, fossils and 20th-century Italian art. Plan about 2 hours for the three. Combined tickets cost roughly 10-15€. A good rainy-day option, but check opening hours as they vary by season.
🌅
Sunset at Lago Ghedina
A quiet lake in a pine forest just 10 minutes' drive from the centre, with views of the Cristallo and Tofane peaks. Free to visit, and a 20-minute path circles the water. Arrive about an hour before sunset when the light turns the rock pink. In summer, a small café nearby serves snacks.

How long to visit Cortina d'Ampezzo?

2 to 4 days

Plan 3 to 4 days to enjoy Cortina properly. With 2 days, pick one big outing: Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Lago di Braies or the Cinque Torri, plus an evening stroll in the centre. With 4 days or more, add the Lagazuoi cable car, Lago di Sorapis and a day on the Dolomiti Superski slopes in winter. Book parking and shuttles for Tre Cime and Braies in advance in summer, and start early to avoid the crowds.

Related searches

bus Venice Cortina d'Ampezzo how to get from Venice to Cortina d'Ampezzo ticket price Venice to Cortina d'Ampezzo travel time Venice to Cortina d'Ampezzo travel to Italy

Other trips from Venice

Book now