Everything tourists – Italian and foreign – need to know to reach Lake Garda from major cities, and to explore it once they arrive. Without regrets, without unnecessary queues, with some tips from locals.
Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. It spans three regions – Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino-Alto Adige – and welcomes millions of visitors from all corners of Europe each year. The good news? It's surprisingly easy to reach. The less good news? In August, the SS45bis on the western shore can turn into an open-air parking lot. But we'll get to that.
This guide covers everything: how to get there, how to get around the lake, and practical tips for a stress-free trip – or at least with stress reduced to a minimum.
Part 1: How to Get to Lake Garda
From Milan – the lucky neighbor
Milan is the closest city to Lake Garda, and the journey is almost offensively fast.
By train. The most convenient way is by high-speed train from Milan Centrale to Desenzano del Garda/Sirmione or Peschiera del Garda – the two main stations on the southern shore. Both Frecciarossa (Trenitalia) and Italo cover the distance in about 54 minutes. Buying tickets online in advance on trenitalia.com or italotreno.it often allows for considerable savings. Yes, even just a few days in advance makes a difference.
By car. Take the A4 motorway (Milan–Venice) and exit at Peschiera del Garda, Sirmione, or Desenzano depending on your destination. Approximately 1 hour under normal conditions – which in summer means: leave early.
From Milan airports. Linate is about 120 km from the lake (1h 15 min by car), Malpensa about 150 km (1h 40 min). Both are connected to Milan Centrale, from where you can take a train to the lake.
From Verona – ten minutes and you're there
Verona is the reference city for the eastern (Veneto) shore of the lake. Those arriving from here have an advantage.
By train. From Verona Porta Nuova, regional trains reach Peschiera del Garda in 10–15 minutes. Verona is an important hub on the Milan–Venice high-speed line: those arriving from Rome on Frecciarossa take about 1h 40 min.
By bus. ATV (Azienda Trasporti Verona) operates several direct lines to the lake. Lines 163, 164, and 185 connect Verona with Peschiera, Lazise, Bardolino, and Garda – every day, from early morning until evening.
From Verona airport. Valerio Catullo Airport in Villafranca is only 20 km from the lake and is served by ATV line 164: no car rental, no parking stress.
Combined Train + Bus ticket (Garda Link). With a single ticket purchasable on Trenitalia, you arrive by train at Verona Porta Nuova and board one of the ATV buses that reach Lazise, Bardolino, Garda, Torri del Benaco, and Malcesine every 30 minutes. One of the most convenient options for those visiting the Veneto shore – and one we unhesitatingly recommend.
By car. A4 with exit Peschiera del Garda for the south-eastern shore, or A22 (Brennero–Modena) with exit Affi for Bardolino and Garda.
From Venice – an hour and a half, then the lake
By train. Venice is connected to Peschiera del Garda and Desenzano by regional and high-speed trains on the Milan–Venice line. The journey takes about 1h 30 min. From Marco Polo Airport, the distance is about 145 km (1h 25 min by car).
By car. A4 westbound. Approximately 1h 30 min under normal conditions – which in July and August means: allow extra time.
From Brescia – the gateway to the Lombard shore
Brescia is the closest city to the western shore of the lake. Ridiculous distance, in a good way.
By train. On the same Milan–Venice line: Desenzano del Garda/Sirmione in 15–20 minutes.
By bus. ARRIVA Italia manages public transport on the Brescia shore. Line LN026 is active all year round and connects Verona to Brescia with stops in Desenzano, Sirmione, and Peschiera del Garda.
From Bologna and Rome – further, but not too far
From Bologna, high-speed trains reach Verona in about 50 minutes. From Rome, Frecciarossa and Italo arrive in Verona in about 1h 40 min. From both cities, you then continue to the lake as described above. In short: Garda is closer than it appears on the map.
From Trento and the North – for the northern shore
For those heading to Riva del Garda, Torbole, or Malcesine, the most convenient station is Rovereto, about 18 km from the lake. From there, buses B301 and B332 take you to Torbole in 30 minutes and Riva del Garda in 45 minutes (operating daily from 06:50 to 20:50). For Malcesine, take the B301/B332 to Torbole and change to bus 484.
Part 2: How to Get Around Lake Garda
Once you arrive, exploring the lake is one of the great pleasures of a visit. The main options are four: ferry, bus, car, and – for the more adventurous – cable car or bicycle.
By Ferry and Boat – the most scenic option (and the one we recommend)
The public navigation service is managed by Navigazione Laghi (navigazionelaghi.it), active on the lake since 1827. Yes, since 1827. Gliding on the water between historic villages with the Alps in the background and a glass of Bardolino in hand is an experience that is hard to forget – and one that we at FeelGarda wholeheartedly recommend.
What's available? The fleet includes ordinary boats, hydrofoils (express service), and vehicle ferries. In summer, 18 lines are active with 10 ships, 3 ferries, 2 hydrofoils, and 3 catamarans. The main route connects Desenzano del Garda in the south to Riva del Garda in the north, touching dozens of towns on both shores.
Vehicle ferries – the main cross-lake crossings:
- Toscolano Maderno → Torri del Benaco: the quintessential car-ferry route, located exactly in the middle of the lake. Indispensable if you want to cross without driving all the way around.
- Limone sul Garda → Malcesine: seasonal, suspended in winter.
Timetables and tickets. In high season, ferries operate from approximately 8:00 to 20:00. Timetables change with the seasons: summer schedules (mid-May – early October) are much more extensive than winter ones. Always check navigazionelaghi.it before you go.
Prices for a single journey start from around €3.00, with varying fares based on distance and type of vessel. A very popular option is the Free Circulation Card (daily or multi-day): you can hop on and off boats without limitations for the entire day. Ticket offices open 20 minutes before each departure. In smaller towns without a ticket office, you buy directly on board without surcharge.
Vehicle ferry fares (Maderno–Torri route): passengers €6.50 (from 13 years); motorcycles up to 250 cc €8.50; motorcycles over 250 cc €10.70; cars up to 3.50 m €10.70; cars up to 4.50 m €12.90.
FeelGarda Tip: Bicycles are allowed on many services (look for the bike symbol in the timetables) with a small surcharge. In summer, arrive at the pier a few minutes early – especially for vehicle ferries.
By Bus – the backbone of local transport
Buses cover routes that ferries don't reach and connect the inland villages. Three operators, three shores.
Eastern shore (Veneto) – ATV Verona:
- Line 164: active all year, connects Garda to Verona passing through Peschiera, Lazise, and Bardolino. Also passes in front of Gardaland, SEA LIFE, and Movieland – for those with children (or a child's spirit).
- Line 484: active all year, connects Garda to Riva del Garda. In high season, bus 483 is also active, connecting Peschiera to Malcesine every hour.
Western shore (Lombardy) – ARRIVA Italia: Desenzano station is the gateway to the Brescia Garda area, with timetables aligned with trains on the Milan–Verona route. The Arriva MyPay app (iOS and Android) is available for purchasing and validating tickets from your smartphone. On Brescia vehicles, you can also pay with a contactless card. The Oneday ticket allows unlimited use of all extra-urban services in the province of Brescia for an entire day.
Northern shore – Trentino Trasporti: The area around Riva del Garda and Torbole is served by Trentino Trasporti, which also connects the northern part of the lake with the Dolomites.
By Car – maximum freedom, some compromises
A car offers maximum flexibility, especially for reaching smaller villages and hillside destinations not served by public transport. The main roads are the SS45bis on the western shore and the SS249 on the eastern shore. However, both – particularly the western shore with its rock-hewn tunnels – can become very congested in summer, especially on weekends. The Maderno–Torri del Benaco ferry can save a lot of time if you need to cross the lake. Parking in popular resorts (Sirmione, Limone, Malcesine) is limited and often expensive in high season. You have been warned.
By Cable Car – from Malcesine to Monte Baldo
One of the most spectacular experiences on the lake: the rotating cable car from Malcesine up to Monte Baldo, at about 1,760 meters above sea level. The view of the entire lake from above is breathtaking – literally, as it's cool up there even in summer. To reach Malcesine: ATV line 484 (all year) or ATV 483 (high season).
Part 3: Practical Tips for Visiting Lake Garda
When to visit. High season runs from June to August: ferries and buses are more frequent but also more crowded. April, May, September, and early October offer pleasant weather, fewer tourists, and excellent connections – and this is when the lake is at its best, in our opinion. In winter (November–March), many navigation services are reduced or suspended.
Attention to Sirmione. Sirmione is located on a long, narrow peninsula and is one of the most visited destinations on the lake. In high season, line LN026 does not enter the peninsula but stops at Colombare; from there, a shuttle runs every 20 minutes to the historic center and Scaligero Castle. Keep this in mind when planning your day.
Day trip to Venice from the lake. Every Tuesday and Thursday (from June to September), the "Riva del Garda – Peschiera – Venezia" line operates: a perfect bus service for those staying on the lake who want to visit the lagoon city without driving or complex train transfers.
OperaBus for the Verona Arena. The OperaBus service (€12 in the 2025 season) provides travel from the Arena to the lake areas at the end of the show. Very convenient, as shows often end late at night – and driving after Aida is never a good idea.
Summary: Key Connections at a Glance
| From | Best option | Approximate time | Key station/stop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milan | High-speed train | ~54 min | Desenzano or Peschiera |
| Verona | Train + ATV bus | ~30–45 min | Peschiera, then bus |
| Venice | High-speed train | ~1h 30 min | Peschiera or Desenzano |
| Brescia | Train | ~15–20 min | Desenzano |
| Rome | High-speed train to Verona, then bus | ~2h 30 min total | Verona + ATV |
| Bologna | High-speed train to Verona, then bus | ~1h 20 min total | Verona + ATV |
| Trento/Rovereto | Bus from Rovereto station | ~30–45 min | Torbole, Riva del Garda |
| Verona Airport | ATV bus line 164 | ~30–40 min | Peschiera/lake towns |
| Bergamo Airport | Car via A4 | ~50 min | Desenzano/Peschiera |
Always check updated timetables directly with transport operators before you leave – schedules change seasonally. And buy train tickets online in advance: you almost always save money, and you start your trip on the right foot.
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