Getting from AMS to the Dolomites

Posted by Peggy (West Linn, OR, USA) on 01/06/25 09:58 PM

We have a wedding in Amsterdam in July 2025 and are thinking about doing a Dolomites hiking trip afterwards. I'm trying to figure out the best way to get from AMS to either Bolzano or Verona. One tour choice starts in Bolzano and the other option starts in Alta Badia. I've never been anywhere in northern Italy (other than Venice which I am trying to avoid.)

Maybe fly to Innsbruck and then take a train? Or would it be worth flying to Verona and taking a train to Bolzano or Badia from there? Just wondering if anyone has done this or knows a way that will avoid long car rides - I do better with planes and trains. Thanks!

Posted by shoeflyer

Chicago

01/06/25 10:36 PM

871 posts

It looks like (per the Innsbruck Airport website) that Transavia is the only airline flying
from AMS nonstop, twice a week. No non-stops from AMS to Verona. Plenty of them
from AMS to Munich.

Bolzano is on the Brenner Pass and you can get to it via train from any of the
aforementioned cities. Alta Badia probably requires a bus/shuttle/taxi ride into
the mountains from Bolzano, maybe 60-90 mins.

I suspect you're looking at a short but full day to make the journey if you do Munich
to Bolzano, and a long full day if you fly into Innsbruck or Verona, as you would most
likely have a connection somewhere along the way. And a longer full day if you add
on the ride to Alta Badia.

Posted by Roberto da Firenze ⚜

San Francisco Bay Area (USA)

01/06/25 10:37 PM

16655 posts

Transavia flies from AMS to both Verona (VRN), seasonally only, and Innsbruck (INN), all year around. I think Austrian airlines might do the same to INN.
Check if any of the above works for you. Otherwise you can fly to Venice (VCE), which has more options, and go from there. Innsbruck is of course closer.

Posted by Peggy OP

West Linn, OR, USA

01/06/25 10:55 PM

196 posts

Thank you both! I hadn't thought about Munich and will look into those flights and how much longer a train would take from there. Maybe we could spend a night in Bolzano and then shuttle the next morning to Badia. (Or do the tour that starts in Bolzano.) It might make sense to fly home from Venice.

Posted by David

Huntsville, AL, USA

01/06/25 11:12 PM

8390 posts

The flights from AMS to Innsbruck are available on Transavia, Austrian and Lufthansa airlines. They're not badly priced either.

The alternative would be to fly into Munich and rent a car. An automobile for travel in The Alps and The Dolomites makes travel so much easier and you will see things that would otherwise be missed.

It's just a couple of hours from Munich to Innsbruck by car. We love to get up on the mountain outside Innsbruck and drive from village to village stopping at every little pub. Buy a round once, and you'll be taken in by the locals.

Our favorite trip is the Grossglockner High Alpine Highway from south of Zell-am-Zee down to the Italian border at Lienz, Austria. It's the second highest point in Europe and absolutely the most beautiful place I've ever seen. You can go west and catch the autobahn going north thru the Brenner Pass to Innsbruck.

Posted by Peggy OP

West Linn, OR, USA

01/06/25 11:26 PM

196 posts

Thank you. I have heard good things about Transavia but they only fly from AMS to Innsbruck twice a week so will look at the other airlines. Your car trip sounds great for another time. This trip we are just trying to get from Amsterdam to Bolzano as quickly and efficiently as possible! (I may have to go via Venice after all. The tour group is suggesting flying into Venice, then bus to Cortina and a car from there, I think. I don't know why but I just didn't want to deal with Venice and a bus ride but it may actually save the most time...)

Appreciate all the advice from those more experienced!