The short answer: Cortina d'Ampezzo has no airport and no railway station. The nearest airport is Venice Marco Polo, about 165 km and 2 hours 15 minutes away by car. You can get there by a combination of train and bus, by coach, by driving yourself, or by private transfer, which takes you from the arrivals hall or your hotel in Venice straight to the door of your hotel or chalet.
Which airport is closest to Cortina?
The two most convenient airports are in the Veneto:
- Venice Marco Polo (VCE): about 165 km, around 2 hours 15 minutes by car. It has the most international connections.
- Treviso (TSF): about 135 km, around 1 hour 50 minutes by car, with mostly European flights.
From the north, Innsbruck is also about 165 km and 2 hours 15 minutes away. From Milan the drive is around 4 hours 30 minutes.
Can you get to Cortina by train?
Not all the way. Cortina has no railway station: the closest is Calalzo di Cadore, about 35 km from the town. From Venice you take a regional train to Calalzo, usually with a change, and then continue by bus or car. It works if you travel light; with skis and several suitcases it becomes a long day.
Is there a bus from Venice to Cortina?
Yes. Coach services run between Venice, the airport and Cortina, more frequently in the ski season and in summer. They follow a fixed timetable and fixed stops in town, so you still need to reach your hotel from the bus station, and space for skis and large luggage is limited.
Driving yourself
From Venice the usual route is the A27 motorway towards Belluno, then the SS51 Alemagna road up the Cadore valley to Cortina. In winter, from 15 November to 15 April, mountain roads require winter tyres or snow chains on board, and some passes can close in heavy snow. Check that your rental car is equipped and that your hotel has parking.
Private transfer with a driver
A private transfer is the door-to-door option: your driver meets you in the arrivals hall, loads luggage and skis, and drives you straight to your hotel or chalet. With VLS Agency it works like this:
- A black Mercedes (E Class, S Class or V Class for up to 7 guests) with a professional driver.
- Cars equipped for snow in winter, with drivers who know the roads to Cortina.
- The first 10 minutes of waiting after landing are included; tell us your flight number when you book.
- A fixed price, confirmed in writing before you book.
- The same service in the other direction, from Cortina back to the airport, Venice or the cruise terminal.
Staying in Venice first?
Cars cannot enter the historic centre of Venice, so the journey to the mountains starts on the water. We collect you and your luggage at your hotel's water entrance by private water taxi and take you to Piazzale Roma, where your driver is waiting to continue to Cortina. One booking, and no suitcases on the vaporetto.
Train, bus, car or transfer: a quick comparison
| Train + bus | Coach | Own car | Private transfer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Door to door | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Departure time | Timetable | Timetable | When you want | When you land |
| Skis and large luggage | Difficult | Limited | Depends on the car | Included |
| Snow equipment | Not needed | Not needed | Your responsibility | Included |
| From a hotel in Venice | Via the station | Via Piazzale Roma | Via Piazzale Roma | Water taxi + car, one booking |
Which option is right for you?
Travelling alone and light, with time to spare? Train and bus or the coach will do. Driving in the mountains does not worry you? A well-equipped rental car gives you freedom. Arriving on a long-haul flight, with family, skis or several bags, or starting from a hotel in Venice? A private transfer takes the logistics off your hands, from the arrivals hall to the door.
