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Table of Contents:
How to get to Livigno from Milan
How to get to Livigno from Bergamo
How to get to Livigno from Verona
When to travel to Livigno
Livigno is a very popular ski resort. Located in the very north of Italy, on the border with Switzerland, Livigno has all the infrastructure necessary for skiing, as well as excellent natural conditions that allow you to get the most out of your skiing. At the same time, Livigno is located away from other Italian ski resorts and it has its own extensive ski area. Besides, Livigno is also a duty-free area.
After some research, I decided to put together information I have previously found out and create a complete guide on how to organize a holiday in Livigno. I figured out how to get to the resort town, where to stay & what to do there. I really hope this detailed information will help you plan your trip to Livigno.
Livigno is considered to be a year-round resort. Situated on the shores of a mountain lake, during the summer time, Livigno becomes a center for hiking, rock climbing, windsurfing and kiting. Both spring and summer are very picturesque and blossoming in the valley as well as autumn which is pretty colorful and stunning. These months tourists usually use it for hiking, sightseeing and other seasonal activities. The skiing period in Livigno lasts from November until April.
How to get to Livigno
Where do you fly into to get to Livigno? You can get to Livigno from Milan, Verona or Bergamo. You can check the flight timetable to these cities via the specialized search services of Aviasales and others. I often use this online service when planning my own trips. I like its comprehensive search and a lot of filters which can help to sort and narrow down the results. I can definitely recommend it. Public transport along the route includes regular buses, as well as a train + bus combination (Livigno does not have its own railway station). Private means of transportation include taxis and transfer services. For travelers with a driver`s license, a rented car is also a suitable travel option.
How to get to Livigno from Milan
By public transport: Milan is located 250 km from Livigno. If you want to go to Livigno immediately upon arrival, then the Livigno Express bus shuttle runs from Milan Malpensa and Linate airports during the winter season. The travel time by shuttle is about 4,5 hours. Buses run along the route 1-2 times a day and are available only during the ski season.
If you plan to travel by public transport, you can take a train to the town of Tirano, and then take a local bus from Tirano to Livigno. Trains to Tirano run throughout the day up to 10 times a day. The travel time is 2,5 hours. Buses from Tirano to Livigno via Bormio also run throughout the day. The journey time is another 2,5 hours. You can view the bus schedule from Tirano to Livigno on the website of the local bus carrier called Busperego, and the train schedule from Milan to Tirano on the Raileurope service.
By transfer service: You can also always take a taxi car at the airport or order a private transfer service from Milan to Livigno in advance. This is the most comfortable, but also most expensive option. The advantages are that it is convenient to transport ski equipment, a large amount of luggage. It is also more convenient to travel with small children; it is suitable for arrival at night, when neither buses or trains run. You can order an individual transfer using various booking services such as Kiwitaxi, Intui.Travel and others. The total travel time from Milan Airport to Livigno resort is 5,5 hours. I can totally recommend both online services as they have a great number of positive reviews.
By rented car: You can get to Livigno from Milan on your own by rented car. Car rental services in Milan are very popular among travelers. To rent a car in Milan, a standard set of documents is enough, including a passport, a driver`s license and a bank card to pay for the services. The roads in Italy have an excellent quality; you can move along them quickly and comfortably. Milan and Livigno are connected with the #SS42 road via Bergamo. The total travel time from Milan City takes approximately 4,5 hours and from Milan Malpensa Airport takes about 5-5,5 hours (see on the map). You can book a car in advance via different international services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. To my mind, both online services are good for car rental as they accumulate a great number of offers from different car suppliers.
How to get to Livigno from Bergamo
By public transport: You can get to Livigno from Bergamo in similar ways. True, Bergamo is located somewhat closer to the resort than Milan. The distance between the city and the ski resort is slightly more than 200 km. You can get directly from Bergamo Orio al Serio airport by the same Livigno Express shuttle bus. The travel time is about 4 hours. Shuttles operate in winter, from December 1 to April 29 inclusive.
The public transport route is a little more complicated. So, first you need to get from Bergamo to Tirano by train with a change in Lecco (there are no direct trains). The travel time is about 2 hours 45 minutes. You can check the train timetable at the Raileurope booking service. Then, in Tirano, you need to take a regular bus to Livigno. Bus schedules can be checked on Busperego carrier online service.
By transfer service: It is also possible to take a taxi or to order an individual transfer service from Bergamo to Livigno. In this case, the travel time is about 5 hours one way. Kiwitaxi and other transfer services run along the route.
By rented car: You can also rent a car at Bergamo Airport for independent travel. There are 23+ more different rental companies open at Bergamo Airport, so finding a car that suits your needs is not difficult, the choice is huge. Car rental in Bergamo is an extremely popular option among tourists, especially among those going on winter holidays. You can book a car in advance via various international online services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. Based on my experience and decent review research, I can recommend both online services. Bergamo and Livigno are connected with motorway No. SS42. The travel time by car is about 4 hours (see on the map).
How to get to Livigno from Verona
Verona is located a little further from Livigno than Milan and Bergamo, but is also a popular starting point for the resort. The distance between the city and the resort is 266 km. There are no direct shuttle buses from Verona to Livigno, so you have to get there either by public transport, by private transfer service, or by rented car.
By public transport: Regarding public transport, you first need to get from Verona to Tirano via Milan by train. Then in Tirano you need to take a regular bus to Livigno. The travel time from Verona to Tirano can take up to 5 hours due to a change in Milan; then the trip from Tirano to Livigno takes at least another 2,5 hours. Overall, traveling from Verona to Livigno by public transport can be quite tiring. You can check the train timetable at the Raileurope booking service. Bus schedules can be checked on Busperego carrier online service.
By transfer service: A private transfer from Verona to Livigno takes approximately 5 hours and 20 minutes in total. However, despite the duration of the trip and its price, this option is much more convenient than public transport. A car transfer solves such problems as transporting ski equipment and luggage, as well as moving when arriving at night. You can order a transfer on Kiwitaxi service and the others.
By rented car: You can also get to Livigno from Verona by rented car. A car can be rented either at numerous points around the city or at the airport. The registration takes no more than 20 minutes. You need to have a passport, a driver`s license and bank card to pay for the services. It is recommended to book a car in advance as it is a very popular option among travelers. You can book a car in advance via various international online services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. Verona and Livigno are connected with highway No. A4 via Brescia. The travel time is about 4,5-5 hours (see on the map).
Where to stay in Livigno
Livigno is a popular tourist destination, especially in winter when the ski slopes are open for skiing. I did some research and I can say that tourists can find a lot of different accommodation options to stay here. You can stay in hotels of various star categories, apartments, B&B`s, chalets or holiday homes. In addition to Livigno, you can also find accommodation to stay in the neighboring villages of Bormio (20 km), Valdidentro (14 km) and Valdisotto (21 km).
The Sporting Family Hospitality 4* hotel has a swimming pool, a jacuzzi, a hammam, a spa area, and a fitness room in its area. There is also a restaurant, a children’s club and a play area. Wi-Fi in the hotel and a parking lot nearby are free of charge;
The Baita Montana 4* hotel offers such entertainment as a swimming pool, a lounge area, a jacuzzi, a solarium, a sauna, and a fitness room. The hotel terrace offers panoramic views of the mountains and the valley. Additionally, there are all the necessary entertainment options for children, as well as free Wi-Fi and a parking lot;
Hotel Spol – Feel at home 4* is also ready to offer a terrace, a garden, a swimming pool, a spa center and, what is more important, direct ski access to the hotel;
Hotel Larice 4* has comfortable rooms of various categories, a restaurant, and a free parking area. Ski slopes are within walking distance. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. There are places for storing skis;
Hotel St. Michael 4* offers its guests a spa center and a terrace with panoramic views. The nearest ski lift is within walking distance. The hotel has a bar, a restaurant, a free parking area and wireless Internet. You can stay in rooms of various categories. Breakfast is offered. There are places for storing skis;
The Bio Hotel Villa Cecilia 4* hotel has Alpine-style rooms with balconies, a wellness center, free Wi-Fi, free parking spaces and ski access to the hotel;
Hotel Las Salin Spa & Mountain Resort 4* is located opposite the ski slopes. The hotel has rooms with balconies, an indoor swimming pool, a sauna, a Turkish bath, wireless Internet, a free parking area, and a restaurant.
Even in some 3* hotels you can find a spa area, a fitness room and a sauna; the resort is famous for these services. In addition, many three-star hotels also have convenient access to the ski slopes. According to my research of reviews, the hotels that get one of the best ratings are:
Francesin Active Hotel 3* is a hotel in the style of a mountain chalet. Wellness facilities include a sauna, a hot tub, a Turkish bath, and a fully equipped fitness center. Tourists can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms. There is an indoor swimming pool. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Free private parking can be found on site. Ski storage is also provided;
Piccolo Tibet 3* – the hotel is located 600 meters from the nearest ski lifts in Livigno. The hotel offers rooms of various categories, including family rooms. Breakfast is included. Some rooms have mountain views. Private parking is available on site upon reservation. There are places for ski storage at the front desk.
Apartments in Livigno are also popular among tourists. Most often these are either one or two-room apartments, or detached chalets. The area of the chalet, as a rule, exceeds 100 sq.m., so this accommodation option is more suitable for families with children or for large groups of people.
What to do in Livigno
During the winter, Livigno turns into a full-fledged ski resort with 115 km of ski slopes. Of these, 30 km are suitable for beginners, 65 km for intermediate skiers and 20 km are complex multi-level trails. Livigno is also famous for its freeride opportunities. Geographically, the Livigno ski area is divided into 2 parts called Mottolino and Carosello.
Let’s say that for more difficult trails, go to Mottolino; for beginners, the Carosello trails are more suitable. In total, the resort serves 44 lifts of various types. Among other things, Livigno also has its own snow parks, half-pipes and heli-skiing opportunities. Livigno is considered to be a snowboard-friendly resort.
Prices for ski passes in Livigno vary depending on the season. During the “high” season, from December 29 to January 6 and from February 2 to March 22, the cost of ski passes starts from 63,50 euros per adult for 1 day.
In addition to skiing, Livigno offers a lot of other opportunities for active time. In the winter season there is cross-country skiing (a route about 30 km long), mountaineering, ice skating, sledding and tubing. In the summer tourists can try kiting and surfing on the lake, fishing, playing at the rope park, horse riding, hiking and rock climbing. In addition, one of the largest wellness centers in the ski resorts of Italy, the AquaGranda Park, is open all year round. As I discovered, you can find here:
- family water park with slides (indoor)
- wellness area with hydromassage
- steam bath
- bio-sauna
- massage rooms
- body and facial treatments
- fitness room with organized classes in Pilates, gymnastics, step aerobics, stretching, Zumba and many other activities
- gym
- 25-meter swimming pool
- salt room
- solarium
In my point of view, there is everything for relaxation and even more in Livigno, including excellent trails, perfect natural conditions, a variety of leisure activities, a large number of accommodations, cafes, restaurants, and even a duty-free area. Despite the transport distance, Livigno consistently remains one of the most popular ski resorts in Italy.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Italy, do not forget to take out travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerging medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: laura_aura71
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Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…