Updated July 2026
A practical reference for couples planning a Dolomites elopement
Getting to the Dolomites
Most couples fly into one of these airports:
- Venice Marco Polo (VCE) — the most common entry point, around 2–2.5 hours by car to the central Dolomites
- Treviso (TSF) — a smaller airport south of the Dolomites, served by budget airlines; similar drive time to Venice
- Verona (VRN) — a good option if you’re flying in from a European airport
- Milan Malpensa (MXP) — well-connected international hub; a good option if you’re routing through northern Italy
- Munich (MUC) — well-connected international hub; a good option if you’re coming from or via Germany
- Innsbruck (INN) — a smaller hub with fewer direct connections
Getting Around
By car
A car gives you the most flexibility, particularly for early starts, adapting to weather, and reaching locations that aren’t on bus routes. Mountain roads are well-maintained but often narrow and winding. Note that many popular locations now have access restrictions, reservation requirements, and parking fees – see below.
By public transport
The Dolomites actively promote sustainable travel, and the infrastructure is better than many visitors expect. Many hotels provide free regional bus and train passes – worth asking about before you arrive, as the pass may also cover your arrival journey.
Good base towns for car-free travel:
- Cortina d’Ampezzo — walkable, with bus connections to Cinque Torri and surrounding areas; also a good base for 4×4 access into the mountains
- Ortisei (Val Gardena) — cable car access to Seceda and Alpe di Siusi; easy connections across the valley. Santa Cristina and Selva di Val Gardena are also well-positioned
2026 Access Restrictions
Tourism in the Dolomites has grown significantly in recent years, and local authorities have responded with mandatory reservation systems, traffic restrictions, and parking fees at the most visited locations. The rules below reflect what is in place for 2026. Regulations can change seasonally, always verify current requirements before your visit.
Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee)
From 1 July to 15 September 2026, the Braies Valley is closed to private traffic between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. During this period, a parking reservation is required via prags.bz. Outside these dates and times, no reservation is needed – parking is available at P3 or P4 near the lake (all lots are charged).
By bus: Bus line 442 connects the lake to the train stations in Niederdorf and Welsberg.
Boathouse (La Palafitta)
For an elopement at the lake, the boathouse morning booking is the way to do it: exclusive access to the boathouse and boats before the rental shop opens, with no other boats on the water. There are two options:
- Standard booking — €600 for 1.5 hours, including two wooden boats. Bookings open in February and many dates sell out within hours of the platform opening.
- Premium early-access — available before the February window opens, at an additional price.
If Lake Braies is one moment within a larger elopement day rather than the main focus, a private raft and boat can be booked during regular hours for €120 per hour – a section of the jetty and a wooden boat, just for you.
Drone policy: Drones are not permitted at Lago di Braies unless you have rented the boathouse during early morning hours. Always confirm current permissions directly with the rental organisation for your specific slot.
Passo Gardena (Grödner Joch)
New for 2026: From 1 September 2026, a two-month pilot closes Passo Gardena – the pass connecting Val Gardena and Alta Badia – to day-tripper cars. It’s a trial run for the wider seasonal closure planned from 2027 (see below).
- Residents, overnight guests in either valley, public transport, and delivery vehicles keep normal access across the pass.
- Day visitors arriving by car are limited to a pool of 150 pre-booked, paid parking slots per day at the top of the pass. At the time of writing the online booking system was not yet live, so I wouldn’t rely on driving over as a day-tripper.
- Without a slot, the alternative driving route is a sizeable detour – roughly 42 km longer via Passo Sella and Passo Pordoi, or up to 100 km via the Pustertal.
The simplest approach is to base yourselves inside Val Gardena or Alta Badia, where access is unaffected and you won’t need a car at all:
- Guest pass: Accommodations in Val Gardena include the Val Gardena Guest Pass, and those in Alta Badia include the Südtirol Guest Pass – both give free, unlimited local bus travel for your stay (validate before each journey).
- By bus: Line 473 (Gröden–Grödner Joch–Gadertal) runs over the top of Passo Gardena from both valleys through the season.
- By cable car: From Selva, the Dantercëpies gondola takes you up to a station a short walk from the pass (trail 654, about 20 minutes) – a lovely way to arrive already up high, without the road. The gondola is a separate lift ticket, not covered by the guest pass.
Looking ahead – summer 2027: If the pilot succeeds, a seasonal closure (roughly May–October) is planned from 2027, with day visitors again limited to 150 booked slots and regional buses running every 15–20 minutes as the main alternative. This still requires final sign-off from the Province of South Tyrol.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo & Cadini di Misurina
The toll road from Misurina to Rifugio Auronzo – the access point for both the Tre Cime hike and Cadini di Misurina viewpoint – requires a mandatory online reservation via auronzo.info. The parking area typically opens at the end of May, subject to weather. Reservations are expected to open towards the end of April.
Key details:
- The road is closed to all private traffic except those with a valid booking
- During booking, you select a timeslot; your booking is valid for 12 hours from your chosen access time
- Staying beyond 12 hours requires booking a second slot, subject to availability
- Sleeping in your vehicle overnight is permitted; camping (tables, chairs, awnings, outdoor equipment) is not, with fines of €100–€500
- Free cancellation up to 5 days before your visit; no refund after that
Fees:
| Vehicle | Fee |
|---|---|
| Car | €40 |
| Caravan / motorhome | €60 |
Alternative: Limited parking is available in Misurina, with a bus running up to Rifugio Auronzo. A shuttle from Toblach/Dobbiaco also exists but requires advance booking. Both options have limited capacity.
Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm)
The access road to Alpe di Siusi is closed to private traffic from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. During those hours, use one of the cable cars (from Ortisei or Seis/Siusi) or the public bus.
Driving outside restricted hours:
- You may drive up before 9:00 AM or after 5:00 PM, but are restricted to designated parking areas at Compatsch (P2) or Spitzbühl (P1)
- On weekends and good-weather days, the road may close earlier than 9:00 AM if parking lots reach capacity
- Night ban: Barriers at P2 (Compatsch) are closed between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM, which means driving up for sunrise is not possible. To catch sunrise on the plateau, staying overnight is the only option – and most hotels on the plateau require a minimum stay of multiple nights.
Parking locations:
- P2 Compatsch — located in Compatsch, near the top station of the Seiser Alm cable car. €30/day (cash or card). During off-season, €15/day.
- P1 Spitzbühl — located slightly below Compatsch, near the bottom station of the Spitzbühl lift. €15/day (cash only). A 30-minute uphill walk connects P1 to Compatsch. During off-season, parking is free.
Off-season (mid-April to mid-May and early November to early December): The Seiser Alm cable car is closed during this period, but the road to Compatsch is open to private traffic throughout the day.
Hotel guests receive a permit to drive to their hotel, but this permit does not extend to photographers or other vendors travelling separately.
By cable car: The Seiser Alm cable car from Seis/Siusi is the quickest option. Free parking (outdoor and garages) is available at the bottom station. Cable cars typically run mid-May through October, approximately 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (varies by season).
By bus: Line 179 operates during shoulder season, running three times in the morning and three times in the afternoon. The Seiser Alm Express (line 10) provides an alternative route. With a Südtirol Guest Pass, most bus travel is free – though not line 10, 11, 12, 439, 442, and 444.
Val di Funes
New traffic restrictions are in place May through November 2026.
Santa Maddalena church viewpoint: Physical barriers prevent non-resident vehicles from driving to the Panorama Viewpoint above Santa Maddalena church. Only residents and guests staying in village hotels have car access beyond the barriers. Day visitors must park in the main village lot (paid) and walk approximately 20–30 minutes to the viewpoint.
Geisler Alm & Adolf Munkel Trail: Parking at the Zans car park is managed by a traffic light at Ranui. If the light is green, you may drive up and pay on-site. If the light is red, the lot is full, only those with a pre-booked online reservation may pass. Without a booking, use alternative parking in Santa Maddalena (Ranui, Putzen, or Filler) and take Bus 330, which runs to Zans every hour.
Seceda
Cable car access from Ortisei
Online booking is recommended, particularly in high season – the booking process requires you to select a timeslot, and walk-up availability can be limited. Tickets are approximately 5% cheaper when purchased online in advance.
Current adult online prices:
- Single (uphill): €46.50
- Return: €70.50
The cable car typically runs from approximately 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM (varies by season).
Alternative access: The Col Raiser gondola in Santa Cristina offers a back route to Seceda but requires an additional hour of uphill hiking to reach the ridgeline.
On the ridge:
- A paid turnstile has been introduced on the main ridgeline trail: €5 per person
- Hiking into the meadows is not permitted; visitors must stay on designated footpaths
- Rangers operate in the area to enforce these rules
- Drones are prohibited
→ 5 Popular Places to Elope in the Dolomites, and How to Experience Them Well