The Dolomites lie far to the east of Geneva, so getting there is a journey of one long day or, better, two days with an overnight stop: either via Milan (329 km and about 3 h 50 from GVA) and Lake Garda, or through eastern Switzerland's mountain passes into South Tyrol. AirportsTransfers.ch can drive you door to door, turning a complicated rail and bus connection into a scenic road trip.
- Southern route: Geneva, Simplon or Aosta valley, Milan, Lake Garda, Trento, Bolzano
- Northern route: Geneva, Zurich side, Graubünden, Val Venosta, Merano, Bolzano
- Border crossing: both routes cross the border into Italy
- Time to allow: two days to arrive, then at least four in the mountains
- Best season: late June to September for passes and hiking; December to March for skiing
Route 1: across the plain and via Lake Garda
The southern route enters Italy via the Simplon Pass or the Aosta valley tunnels and runs east along the motorway past Milan and Bergamo. Lake Garda is the natural overnight stop: Sirmione or the towns of the eastern shore break the journey, and the northern tip at Riva del Garda points straight up into the mountains.
From Garda the road follows the Adige valley north, past the vineyards of Trentino and the city of Trento, with its frescoed façades and Council of Trent history, to Bolzano. This route is reliable in all seasons, since it relies on motorways rather than high passes.
Route 2: through the Swiss passes and South Tyrol
The northern route crosses Switzerland towards Zurich (280 km and about 2 h 55 from GVA), then heads into Graubünden. From the Engadin, the Ofen Pass crosses the Swiss National Park into the Val Müstair, where the Benedictine convent of St John is a UNESCO site, before entering Italy's Val Venosta. In summer, the adventurous can continue via the Umbrail and the famous hairpins of the Stelvio Pass.
The Val Venosta descends past apple orchards and castles to Merano, a historic spa town with palm-lined promenades, and on to Bolzano. This route suits travellers who want to see more of Switzerland and is best between June and October, when all the passes are open.
Bolzano and the Dolomite valleys
Bolzano, the capital of South Tyrol, is a bilingual city where Italian and German are spoken side by side. Its arcaded streets, fruit market and the archaeological museum, home to Ötzi, the Iceman found in a glacier in the Alps, make a good introduction. From here, valleys radiate into the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site of pale limestone peaks and spires that glow pink at sunset.
Val Gardena, with Ortisei and Selva, is known for its woodcarving tradition and the Ladin language; above it, the Alpe di Siusi is a vast high pasture with views of the Sassolungo and Sciliar. Alta Badia offers gentle walks and refined Ladin cuisine, and Cortina d'Ampezzo, to the east, is the Dolomites' most famous resort, ringed by spectacular peaks. In winter, many of these valleys are linked by the Sella Ronda ski circuit around the Sella massif.
The high roads of the Dolomites
The Great Dolomite Road links Bolzano with Cortina via a series of passes including the Costalunga, Pordoi and Falzarego, with Lake Carezza and its reflections near the start. Other famous drives circle the Sella group over the Gardena, Campolongo, Pordoi and Sella passes. In the north-east, the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, three great rock towers, and the emerald Lake Braies are among the most photographed sights.
These roads are narrow and busy in summer, with cyclists and motorcyclists sharing the hairpins. Having a professional chauffeur means you can enjoy the scenery while somebody else concentrates on the bends.
Tips for the Dolomites
- Book hotels well ahead for July, August and the Christmas holidays.
- Start drives over the passes early in the morning to avoid the busiest traffic.
- Some high passes close in winter; your chauffeur will plan accordingly.
- Pack for big temperature swings between valley floors and high viewpoints.
Booking your Dolomites transfer
AirportsTransfers.ch can drive you from Geneva Airport to Bolzano, Val Gardena, Alta Badia or Cortina, either directly or with an overnight stop on the way. The price is fixed per vehicle and shown before you pay securely by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur meets you in arrivals with a name sign and follows your flight, waiting if it is delayed. For a long journey, a Mercedes S-Class offers extra comfort for two, while the V-Class carries up to seven with skis or hiking gear declared at booking. Child seats are provided on request. Call or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77, day or night.
