How to get to Lake Garda  

Lake Garda (Lago di Garda in Italian) is Italy’s largest lake and one of my all-time favorite destinations.  

It’s filled with calm, clear waters, peppered with pretty lakeside towns and surrounded by alpine scenery.  

As someone who lives close by, I know firsthand the best ways to reach Lake Garda. 

Thanks to its central location in Northern Italy, it’s easily accessible by train, car, bus and plane.  

Whether you're wondering how to get to Lake Garda from Milan, Verona or Venice this travel guide has the answers. 

A helpful resource to plan your Italy trip keep reading to explore transport options, recommended routes and how to get around once you arrive. 

Where is Lake Garda? 

Lake Garda spans three regions in northern Italy: Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige/ Südtirol and Veneto. 

It lies between Milan and Venice, making it incredibly accessible for international and domestic visitors. 

Some of the most popular towns here include: 

• Sirmione 
• Bardolino 
• Limone sul Garda 
• Riva del Garda 
• Peschiera del Garda 

How to get to Lake Garda

1. By train 

Traveling by train is one of the easiest, and most affordable, ways.

There isn’t a train station directly on the lake’s shore. However, the towns that do have stations are reachable on foot, via local transport or taxis. Its transport connections also makes it one of the best, and closest, day trips from Verona.

Closest train stations to Lake Garda 

• Peschiera del Garda (best for southern lake towns): 2-minute drive to Porta Verona (historical landmark), or 9 minutes by bus and on foot. 

• Desenzano del Garda (to visit Sirmione): 3 minutes' drive, 3 minutes by bus (with a 5-minute walk) or 12 minutes on foot to reach the center. 

• Rovereto (for northern Lake Garda): a bus ride from Rovereto train station to Riva del Garda takes approximately 40 minutes. By car, it’s around a 30-minute drive. 

How to get from Milan  

One of the most popular questions asked is ‘how do I get from Milan to Lake Garda by train?’ 

And the answer is simple. 

• Depart from Milano Centrale train station. 

• Choose either Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano del Garda as your stop. 

• From the station, take a bus, taxi or walk. 

The train ride from Milan to Desenzano del Garda takes around 1hr to 1hr 20mins. It’s a relaxing, straightforward journey and one that I’ve done a few times.  

Cost: €10 ($12/£8.50) to €40 ($47/£34)* depending on train class, day and time of travel. 

How to get from Verona to Lake Garda by train  

Taking a train from Verona is one of the most popular routes. It’s fast, affordable, and perfect for a quick and easy day trip from Verona. 

How long does it take from Verona by train? 

The train ride is short and sweet. Expect a journey time of about 23 minutes from Verona Porta Nuova train station to Desenzano del Garda. To Peschiera del Garda it’s slightly shorter at around 20 minutes. 

Cost (to Desenzano del Garda): around €5 ($6/£4) to €21 ($25/£18).

Can you get a train from Venice to Lake Garda? 

100% yes. 

Trains run regularly between Venice (Santa Lucia) and Desenzano del Garda/Peschiera del Garda. 

Journey times are longer from Venice and can range from 2 to 3 hours. 

Cost (to Desenzano del Garda): average one-way tickets can range from €14 ($16/£12) to €52 ($61/£44). 

How do I get from Bologna to Lake Garda by train? 

There are no direct trains from Bologna but the transfer at Verona is simple. 

First take a train from Bologna Centrale to Verona Porta Nuova. From here, change to a regional train heading to either Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano del Garda. 

The journey time can range from 1hr 40mins to 2hrs.  

Cost (to Desenzano del Garda): average one-way tickets can range from €14 ($16/£12) to €82 ($96/£70). 

2. by car 

If asked about my personal preference, the car wins hands down.

Hiring a car gives you the freedom to move around the lake wherever and whenever you want. 

Public transport is helpful if visiting without a car but it can be limiting. It can also be time consuming if visiting Lake Garda only for one day.  

Below are some of the most popular driving routes: 

From Milan: Take the A4 highway eastbound. Exit at Desenzano del Garda, Sirmione, or Peschiera del Garda. 

How far is Milan from Garda by car? 

The distance from Milan to Lake Garda will differ according to the destination.

It's approximately 2hrs 6mins to Desenzano del Garda, 2hrs to Peschiera del Garda and 2hrs to Sirmione. 

From Venice: take the A4 motorway westbound and make the exits as desired. 

How long is the drive from Venice to Lake Garda? 

The journey from Venice to Sirmione can take around 2hrs 25mins. This doesn’t factor in traffic or stops. 

From Innsbruck (Austria)/the Dolomites

Use the A22 Brenner Pass route. Exit at Rovereto Sud for Riva del Garda.

The average journey time from Innsbruck is 2hrs 30mins while it’s 1hr 10mins from Bolzano. 

From Bologna

Take the A1 northbound, then merge onto the A22 Modena-Brennero motorway. Exit at Affi (for Bardolino, Garda, Lazise) or Peschiera for the southern towns.  

The drive from Bologna to Lake Garda can range from 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic (or 95mi) (152 km)). Given the distance between the two destinations, be ready to pay around €10 to €15 in tolls for this journey. 

Italy driving tip

Highways are toll roads. Collect a ticket when entering (at the cash/card barrier) and pay at the exit. 

3. by bus 

Public buses are ideal for budget-conscious travelers as well as for taking short distances around the lake.  

Can you get a bus from Verona to Lake Garda?  

There are several buses that travel between the two.  

Operated by ATV and Arriva Italia, buses LN026, 163, 164 and 185 will take you from Verona to Peschiera del Garda, Bardolino, Lazise and Garda. One-way tickets start from: 

• Peschiera del Garda: €3.90 ($4.57/£3.30) 
• Desenzano del Garda: €4.80 ($5.62/£4.11) 
• Sirmione: €4.20 ($4.92/£3.59) 
• Bardolino: €4.60 ($5.39/£3.9) 
• Riva del Garda: €6.70 ($7.85/£5.73) 
• Lazise: €3.90 ($4.57/£3.30) 
• Malcesine: €6 ($7/£5) 
• Garda €4.60 ($5.39/£3.9) 

Bus journey times can range from 1hr to 3hrs depending on the destination and route. The ATV website is a useful source to get the most up-to-date information. 

Bus from Venice to Lake Garda  

There are no local buses that travel between the two. The same applies from Milan to Lake Garda.  

Instead, the best option is the coach service FlixBus.  

Services are available from Venice (and Milan) to Peschiera del Garda and to Sirmione. While prices are very budget friendly (starting from €16), Flixbus services tend to be seasonal and limited in availability. 

The best alternative option is to take a train from Venice or Milan to Peschiera/Desenzano del Garda. It’s quicker and more straightforward. 

Bus from Rovereto

Bus B332, heading in the direction towards Bolognano, will take you to Riva del Garda. This line is operated by Trentino Trasporti. 

4. by plane 

While Lake Garda doesn’t have its own airport, there are several that are conveniently located nearby. 

Nearest airports

Airport	Distance to Lake Garda	City access
Verona (Valerio Catullo)	9mi (15km)	Best for east/southern lake towns
Bergamo (Orio al Serio)	56mi (90km)	Low-cost flights from Milan
Milano Malpensa	99mi (160km)	International flights
Milano Linate	75mi (120km)	Domestic flights
Venice Marco Polo	87mi (140km)	East Lake Garda
Treviso	90mi (145km)	Budget alternative to Venice

How do I get from Verona airport to Lake Garda? 

There are two options to get from Verona airport ((VRN) Valerio Catullo). The first is to take a bus from Verona bus station (Porta Nuova) to either Peschiera del Garda or Bardolino. 

The other option is to take a direct train to Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano del Garda. From here, you can take a bus to other towns on the lake. 

Airport transfers and private transport 

If convenience is your M.O choose: 

• shared shuttle buses from Verona or Milan airports 

• private transfers  

• taxi or Uber (Uber isn’t available across much of Italy. Milan has Uber but the service works differently to what you might be used to in your home country). I cover this topic in greater detail in ‘Taking taxis in Italy’. 

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Lake Garda Italy map

5. Book a group/private tour 

The final, and sometimes, best option is to join a group tour. 

While they might not be for everyone, group tours can be a lot of fun. Many tours can also sometimes work out much cheaper given that transport is included. 

If this sounds like an appealing idea, here are some handpicked tours that I would personally join myself. 

Tours from Verona 

• Lake Garda day trip from Verona (private – 7 hours) 
• Sirmione, Lake Garda with boat and spritz tasting – from Verona (5 hours) 

Tours from Venice 

• Verona and Lake Garda tour from Venice or Treviso (12 hours) 
• Verona, Sirmione and Lake Garda with boat cruise – from Venice (10 hours) 

Tours from Milan 

• Full day discovering Lake Garda tour – from Milan (semi-private tour, 7 hours) 
• Verona, Sirmione, Lake Garda Private Boat cruise (from Milan – 11 hours) 

Tours from Lake Garda 

• Full-day Lake Garda tour – from various pickup locations around the lake (9 hours) 
• Sunset boat trip with drink in Desenzano del Garda (75 minutes) 
• Peschiera del Garda half-day cruise with lunch (4 hours) 
• Sirmione vineyard tour with Lugana wines and local tastings (1.5 hours) 
• Lake Garda motorboat cruise to Sirmione (3.5 hours) 

Other fun tours

• Dolomites full-day tour (10 hours) 
• Full-day tour of Venice (11 to 14 hours) 
• Lake Garda canyoning adventure tour (3.5 hours) 
• Gardaland Park and SEA LIFE open date entry ticket 
• Lake Garda Cavour Water Park skip-the-line ticket 

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How to get around Lake Garda (ferry, bus, car) 

Once you’ve arrived, it's time to decide how you want to get around.  

by ferry  

Where do I get the boat on Lake Garda? 

Because of its scale, there are plenty of places from which you can get a boat.  

Some of the popular ferry routes include: 

• Peschiera del Garda to Lasize 
• Sirmione to Bardolino, Lazise and Garda 
• Limone sul Garda to Malcesine 
• Riva del Garda to Limone sul Garda  

Buses 

Local buses run between towns all year round. While they might be cheaper than ferries they tend to be slower too.  

Car  

Renting a car in Italy is the best way to see Lake Garda. It's ideal if visiting remote areas or during the off-peak season. 

E-bikes 

Renting an e-bike is a fun way to visit while keeping fit at the same time. The trails around the lake make it accessible for bikers to stay safe while enjoying the spectacular scenery. 

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Best towns to stay in Lake Garda 

Choosing where to stay in Lake Garda can be overwhelming especially if it’s your first time visiting.  

Coming from a local and frequent visitor, I'd recommend the following places to first timers.  

• Sirmione: one of the prettiest towns on Lake Garda with several attractions and good transport links. 

• Desenzano del Garda and Peschiera del Garda for traveling to Lake Garda without a car. 

• Bardolino: for its wine culture and to walk its lungolago (lakefront promenade).  

• Riva del Garda: for its access to outdoor sports like windsurfing, hiking and for visiting the Dolomites.  

Lake Garda travel tips 

• Avoid driving to Lake Garda in the high season. The same applies to Italian public holidays. The traffic and queues build up on the highway long before you arrive in Lake Garda. Take it from experience, sitting in slow moving lines, especially in the summer, is far from fun. 

• Arrive early to secure parking. Popular towns fill up quickly even during the shoulder seasons. 

• Buy train tickets in advance on Omio for convenience and no language barriers. 

• Get ferry tickets in advance, especially if visiting in summer. 

• Wear comfortable walking shoes. Some Lake Garda towns, such as Limone sul Garda, have cobbled streets and sloped streets. It's also important to know if traveling to Italy with a baby and stroller. 

• Check whether hotels and services are open if planning on visiting Lake Garda during the off-peak season. It's common for many to be closed. 

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FAQs 

What is the best way to get to Lake Garda? 

The best way to reach the lake depends on your starting point.

From Milan or Verona, the train to Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano del Garda is fast and easy. If flying, arrive at Verona Airport and take a train or bus. 

Is Lake Garda closer to Milan or Venice? 

Lake Garda is roughly the same distance — 96mi (155km) from Venice to Desenzano del Garda and 81mi (130km) from Milan. 

What are your thoughts on this guide? If you have any questions, leave me a comment or send me a DM on Instagram. 

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