The best airport to fly into to see the Dolomites depends on which part of the Dolomites you plan to visit and your travel preferences.
Here are some of the most convenient airports:
* Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) is often recommended as a top choice. It's convenient for accessing the eastern Dolomites, including popular destinations like Cortina d'Ampezzo. You can find direct buses from the airport to Cortina, and it's also a good option for renting a car.
* Bolzano Airport (BZO) is the closest airport directly bordering the Dolomites, making it ideal for the Western Dolomites (e.g., Val Gardena). However, it's a smaller airport with more limited flight options, primarily offering domestic flights within Italy, Germany, and some from London.
* Verona Villafranca Airport (VRN) is another excellent option, especially for the western Dolomites (e.g., Val Gardena). It serves numerous European destinations.
* Innsbruck Airport (INN) in Austria is a good choice if you're heading to the northern Dolomites, particularly areas like San Candido/Innichen. It has connections with Frankfurt and London.
* Venice Treviso Airport (TSF) is a good option for budget airlines like Ryanair.
While other major airports like Milan Malpensa (MXP) and Munich (MUC) are listed as nearby, they are generally farther, with travel times of at least 4-5 hours to reach the Dolomites.
Many travelers find that renting a car is the easiest way to explore the Dolomites once you've arrived at a nearby airport, as it provides the most flexibility.