Dolomites - rental car or public transport

Hi Mary, What time of year will you be there? We've only been to the Dolomites with a rental car, so I can't compare public trans. vs. rental car. We do love driving the Dolomite passes in the area... the Gardena, Sella, Pordoi, etc. Magnificent drives among amazing scenery. From Bolzano the drive to the Val Gardena or Alta Badia via Val di Ega, Lake Carezza, Val di Fassa over the Sella Pass into Val Gardena (or then over the Gardena pass into Alta Badia) is beautiful and under 3 hours drive. www.worldisround.com/articles/355539/index.html www.worldisround.com/articles/324504/index.html www.worldisround.com/articles/351565/ Just an opinion... If you haven't made reservations in Castelrotto, there are better options for places to stay in the Dolomites, as Castelrotto isn't really "in" the Dolomites, but on the outskirts. For instance, we prefer staying in the Alta Badia in the village of La Villa. www.montanara.it www.altabadia.it Another option would be to stay in the Val Gardena. www.val-gardena.com Paul

Hi Paul, We will be in the Dolomites in mid September. Mary

Hi Mary, I was just curious as to when, since it can be very quiet in the Dolomites in a month like April. September is perfect. A variety of cable cars will be running and from our experiences in the fall (late Sept./Oct.), the weather should be beautiful. Paul

Awesome. I checked out your recommended websites. Thanks. Gorgeous. I can't wait. The view from the top of the lift at Ostersei looks incredible. I do have a reservation in Castelrotto but figure if I do end up renting a car that we can see a lot of the places, routes that you recommend. Did you go to any of the castles?

Hi Mary, We were in the Dolomites last October, we rented a car and i am glad we did. We debated taking public transport, but the car was just a lot more flexible. if you plan on hiking, lots of the lifts are not right in the center of towns. Also you would miss the drive to the Gran Dolomit road, which is just so beautiful! We stayed in Santa Christina which was lovely, but think that next time we will stay in Selva, just a bit bigger. Have fun!

I also like the car idea for the Dolomites. In addition to what the others have mentioned you will see some beautiful sights as you drive the Dolomites and with a car you can stop at the many overlooks for some memorable photos.

Thanks everybody. This has been very helpful. I have decided to rent a car for our trip to the mountains.

Hi again Mary, Just wanted to mention this drive: Drive to and through the Val Gardena and take the Gardena Pass towards Alta Badia. After the Gardena Pass you're in Colfosco/Corvara (Alta Badia). Take the Camplolongo Pass towards Arabba. From here take the Pordoi Pass towards Canazei. Before you get to Canazei, take the Sella Pass and at the end of the Sella you'll be back near the beginning of the Gardena Pass. Head towards Val Gardena. That's 4 passes in an easy going day. There's a cafe/restaurant/rest stop at the "top" of the Gardena and Sella Passes. You'll also notice a few small places to park along the passes to get out and walk among the Dolomite peaks. Even without a car, here's a list of the cable cars/lifts in the Val Gardena and Seiser Alm/Alpe di Siusi. Enough are open and running into late Sept. to keep anyone occupied. www.valgardena.it/en/lifts/page65.html Paul

Hi Paul, I've been studying the map of that area and making note of all of your suggestions. This will be very helpful. Our time in the Dolomites is limited and I wouldn't want to miss anything. :) Mary

Hi Mary, FYI: you'll be surprised how close most places are to one another. You can see a lot in a little time. For instance, Castelrotto to Ortisei (Val Gardena) is about 20 min. or so. The entire Val Gardena takes about 20 minutes to drive end to end (Ortisei to St. Christina to Selva to the start of the Gardena Pass). Driving the Gardena Pass takes about 40 minutes. These times are non stop, which is hard, due to the incredible scenery! Paul

You could also go north out of Udine, Italy thru Lienz, Austria and over the Grossglockner Highway; 2nd highest peak in Western Europe. I have traveled many times throughout Bavaria, Switzerland and Western Austria and found the Grossglockner Highway to be the most breathtaking scenery I have ever seen. You can then go west to Innsbruck, and back south thru the Italian Dolomites.