INN → ORT
Ortisei from Innsbruck Airport
Over the Brenner into South Tyrol and the Ladin heart of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.
The route
From Innsbruck Airport the drive takes the Brenner toll motorway south over the Brenner Pass into Italy, then on down the Wipptal and the Isarco valley to the Chiusa exit.
From there the road runs via Laion to Ortisei at 1,236 metres. It is winding but has no steep climbs, and in winter it is generally clear. Wintry conditions usually start around Laion, about halfway up, and are no problem for our experienced drivers or our vehicles, which carry full winter equipment from 1 November onwards.
The Brenner is an internal Schengen border between Austria and Italy. In principle there are no checks, but the authorities of both countries do carry out spot checks, so please keep your travel documents with you during the drive. Tolls and vignettes, where required, are included in the fixed price and never added on afterwards.
The village centre is largely traffic-calmed and access is restricted. We bring you as close to your accommodation as possible and help you carry your gear and luggage the rest of the way. In some cases shuttles and taxis are allowed into the traffic-calmed zone.
Private transfer vs. public transport
The private transfer is the shortest and fastest way to Ortisei. It runs straight from the arrivals hall to your accommodation, regardless of timetables, with no changes and no hauling gear and luggage between trains and buses.
The fixed price is per vehicle, not per person: two people pay the same as seven, gear and luggage included. With several people on board, it comes in well below the cost of individual public transport tickets.
By public transport, the trip from Innsbruck to Val Gardena is long and, with several changes, a real logistical exercise. Only regional trains stop at Chiusa, and they call at every station on the line. Take a long-distance train and you have to go as far as Bolzano and change to a bus there, which is not direct either. In bad weather it takes considerably longer, and after a late landing the journey turns into a race against the clock.
When you travel
Ortisei is a popular destination for all ages at any time of year. In summer the Seceda and the Alpe di Siusi are among the best-known excursions.
In winter the ski season usually runs from early December into April, and at the head of the valley in Selva and on the nearby Dolomite passes, such as the Sella Pass, Arabba and the Pordoi, until the end of April. We drive the route all year round.
In December, World Cup races take place in Santa Cristina in Val Gardena and in Alta Badia in the neighbouring Val Badia. There is more traffic on those days, and we plan extra time. If you are travelling in race week, we recommend booking early.
Our fixed price applies at any time of day.
Arrival and meeting point
Your driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall with a name sign. Before you travel we send you the vehicle’s make, model and registration, along with your driver’s name and phone number.
Always give us your flight number when you book. We then track your flight in real time and allow for delays, diversions and early landings automatically. We wait 60 minutes free of charge after landing, which covers passport control and baggage reclaim.
Please switch off flight mode on your mobile phone once you land, so we can reach you.
The return journey: Ortisei to Innsbruck Airport
The return journey also has a fixed price, just like the outbound. We collect you from your departure address. You are welcome to book the return when you book your outbound transfer, or at a later date.
On departure day we plan particularly generously, so that you reach the terminal around two hours before your flight. Please take an early pickup time seriously and do not push it back: your driver knows the route, the traffic and the road conditions, and our aim is to get you to your flight without stress.
Easily confused
Ortisei is part of Ladinia, the name often given to the area made up of Val Badia, Val Gardena, Val di Fassa and neighbouring valleys. The mother tongue of most locals is Ladin, an old Rhaeto-Romance language that has survived since antiquity. In South Tyrol, German and Italian are both official languages, and in the Ladin valleys Ladin is too. That is why place-name signs show all three names: St. Ulrich, Ortisei and Urtijëi.
The same goes for the valley: Grödental in German, Val Gardena in Italian and Val Gherdëina in Ladin.
The valley also includes the municipalities of Santa Cristina and Selva, and Ponte Gardena, Laion and Castelrotto are often counted as part of the wider Val Gardena area. Each is a separate destination with its own fixed price.
Ortisei in Val Gardena should also not be confused with St. Ulrich am Pillersee in Tyrol.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ortisei the same as St. Ulrich?
Yes. St. Ulrich is the German name, Ortisei the Italian and Urtijëi the Ladin. They all refer to the same village.
How long does the transfer from Innsbruck Airport to Ortisei take?
Around 1 hour and 45 minutes for roughly 120 kilometres, over the Brenner and down the Isarco valley. On busy travel days and in bad weather we plan more time.
Are tolls and vignettes included?
Yes. All road charges along the route are included in the fixed price and never charged separately.
Are there border checks at the Brenner?
The Brenner is an internal Schengen border, so in principle there are no checks. The authorities do still carry out random passport checks, so please keep your travel documents with you during the drive.
My hotel is in the traffic-calmed zone. How do I get there?
We drive you as close as possible and help you carry your gear and luggage to your accommodation. In some cases shuttles and taxis are allowed in anyway.
My flight lands late in the evening. Is that a problem?
Not at all, and there is no surcharge. We run around the clock, seven days a week.
Can I cancel free of charge?
Yes, up to 24 hours before your scheduled pickup. If the airline cancels your flight, you can cancel free of charge at any time, provided you send us the airline’s cancellation confirmation before you travel.
How do I pay?
Your choice: online when you book, or on arrival, paying your driver in cash or by card (except American Express). The price is the fixed price confirmed when you booked. If you change the destination during the drive to an address outside the municipality of Ortisei, we adjust the price.
Are child seats available?
Yes, from infant carriers to booster seats, on request and at no extra charge. All seats meet the current UN R129 (i-Size) standard. Tell us the number and ages of the children on the day of travel when you book, so the right seats are fitted.
