I’ll be traveling in the Dolomites end of September. After a full week of hiking the main attractions east of Bolzano, there is a 4-day period where I’ll be enjoying rest and relaxation time in Pinzolo. It will take some effort (train and bus) to get to Pinzolo and so I’m weighing 1) the option of renting a car from Bolzano to get there and 2) the value of having a car while there to have the freedom to drive around and see more of the small towns and immediate surrounding area. As an experienced solo traveler new to this region of Italy, I’d appreciate any suggestions on ease/value of car rental in the Italian Alps and recommendations on places to visit west/southwest of Bolzano. Thank you!
Posted by
Citizen of the World
3332 posts
I’m going to the Dolomites and am renting a car because there are some spectacular locations that are not easily accessible by the bus system that’s in the region and I don’t want to be limited in where I can go, So, yes, go for a car rental— particularly if you’re basing in Pinzolo for several nights.
www.AutoEurope.com brokers car rentals for the big agencies ( Hertz, Avis, Alamo, Budget, Sixt etc) and has great deals.
There are rental locations both at Bolzano’s airport and downtown closer to the train/bus station. Also in Trento which is closer to Pinzolo.
Cheers!
Posted by
OP
Sacramento, CA
2 posts
Thank you for the link and encouragement!
Posted by
New Jersey
26 posts
Two years ago we stayed in the Dolomites near Bolzano.
We rented a car for the 4 days. We picked it up and returned it at the main Verona train station.
Worked well, but you have to pay attention to the exact return location. It isn’t the same parking lot as the pickup
Great area, enjoy.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16769 posts
I’ve always rented a car in the Dolomites, and although there are buses to every town in Italy, I would still rent a car for any countryside or mountain region. Obviously that convenience will imply a higher price than the bus.
Posted by
Minnesota, USA
28 posts
My wife and I will rent a car in early October to spend a couple days between Bolzano and near Cortina. Last week I found car rentals in Bolzano to be expensive but that may be because I will drop the car off in Trieste. AutoEurope was more expensive than booking directly with Budget at the non-airport location (via Luigi Galvani).
I didn’t want to use public transport for this part of our trip as I enjoy driving and stopping where I want to in the mountains.
Sorry, I don’t have tips for west/SW of Bolzano.
Your full week of hiking in September sounds great!