Travel advice for Bellagio (Lake Como) > Ortisei (Dolomites) > Florence

Posted by hannahgsmith89 on 08/19/26 03:37 PM

Hey all! I’m looking for some advice on the most efficient way to travel from Bellagio (Lake Como) to Ortisei, and then from Ortisei to Florence. We are planning a bit of a last minute trip in mid-September.

Is renting a car necessary for this route? While we’re in the Dolomites, we’re planning to visit Seceda and Alpe di Siusi, and it looks like both are pretty accessible without a car from our hotel in Ortisei. We’d love to rely on public transportation if it’s reasonably convenient rather than renting a car.

If a rental car does make the most sense, does anyone have recommendations for the best places along the route to pick up and drop off the car? Ideally, we’d like to minimize travel time.

Thanks for any advice!

Posted by Bob

Minneapolis

08/19/26 04:08 PM

1400 posts

Hi Hannah. No car needed; it would be a hassle. Ferry from Bellagio to Varenna, walk 3 short blocks to Varenna-Esino train station, train to Bolzano. See train timetables on trenitalia.com. Easy bus from Bolzano station to Ortisei. Once in Ortisei, walk to lifts up to Alpe di Susi and Seceda. Also access to free local bus to take you to other nearby towns and lifts. When done in Ortisei, bus back to Bolzano and train to Florence (station Firenze SMN ). Enjoy!

Posted by NickB

Maryland

08/19/26 07:42 PM

1247 posts

https://seceda.axess.shop/en/Products/Tickets

https://www.val-gardena.com/en/summer/mobility/lifts-cable-cars/

The bus station in Bolzano is 50 meters north of the train station on the same side of the road. There is a mobile app that you can use to buy tickets on the fly. The regions tourism website includes a helpful "How to get ere section."

https://www.suedtirol.info/en/en/experiences-and-events

Have fun.

Posted by Roberto da Firenze ⚜

San Francisco Bay Area (USA)

08/19/26 10:52 PM

18106 posts

A car is not an absolute necessity to get anywhere in Italy, since all towns are served by some means of transportation.

Some people may prefer to have a car at the Dolomites to have more flexibility and ability to visit places where public buses may not be available or infrequent. Obviously a car is generally more efficient to visit rural areas.

If you decide to have a car at the Dolomites, coming from Lake Como, the best choices to pick up a rental car (and/or drop it off) are probably either Bolzano or Verona, since you must pass by both if you travel by train from Lake Como to the Ortisei area.

For sure, even if you rent a car, I wouldn't suggest that you drive all the way down to Florence. If you rent a car you should pick it up and return it up there, then take the train to Florence. I've done that drive from Florence to Ortisei and back, a few times in my life, and it's a hell of a long boring drive.