There's a summer ritual that repeats promptly every year, with the precision of a Swiss watch and the pleasantness of a dentist: the Brenner Pass queue.
Miles of cars stuck under the sun, children asking "are we there yet?", and adults staring at the satnav hoping for a miracle. We at FeelGarda know it well — we see it every summer, from the other side, on the lake, waiting for you.
So we decided to do the most useful thing we could: tell you how to avoid it.
The problem: why the Brenner Pass is always congested
The Brenner motorway — the A22 — is one of the busiest traffic arteries in Europe. It connects Germany and Austria to Northern Italy, and in summer it becomes the bottleneck of half a continent. The worst peaks are concentrated on weekends in July and August, especially Saturday mornings southbound and Saturday evenings northbound.
In 2026, the situation is further complicated by maintenance work on some Austrian sections and the increasing pressure from heavy vehicle traffic, which shares the same carriageway.
The alternatives: what really works
1. Travel on the right days
The simplest solution is also the most effective: avoid Saturdays. Those who depart on Friday evening or Sunday morning will find completely different conditions. Traffic is halved, travel times are halved, and spirits improve proportionally.
2. The Reschenpass
For those coming from western Bavaria or Tyrol, the Reschenpass is a concrete alternative to the Brenner Pass. The road is slower but panoramically incomparable — you pass by the famous submerged church tower of Resia, one of the most surreal landscapes in the Alps. You then descend towards Merano and Trento, and from there to Lake Garda in less than an hour. Additional time compared to the motorway: about 45-60 minutes. Additional scenery: priceless.
3. The Toblach Pass and the Pustertal Valley
For those coming from eastern Austria or Carinthia, the Pustertal Valley offers an alternative route that completely bypasses the Brenner Pass. You descend towards Brixen, taking the A22 only in the final section, already past the critical points.
4. The train — the option no one considers enough
The Munich-Verona railway connection is direct, frequent, and, above all, queue-free. From Verona, Lake Garda is a 20-minute drive or bus ride. For those who want to enjoy the journey instead of enduring it, it's the smartest choice — and increasingly popular among Northern European travellers.
5. Travel at night
It's not for everyone, but it works. Departing between 10 PM and 4 AM means finding the motorway almost deserted. You arrive at the lake at dawn, when the water is still and the sun is still deciding whether to rise. It's not a bad way to start a holiday.
Estimated travel times from Munich to Lake Garda (2026)
- Munich → Riva del Garda via Brenner: 2h45 under normal conditions, up to 5h+ on peak weekends
- Munich → Riva del Garda via Reschenpass: approx. 3h30, traffic almost always flowing smoothly
- Munich → Verona by train (Eurocity): approx. 3h45, then 20 min by car
A final tip, from those who live here
Whichever route you choose, the lake awaits you. The water is the same, the colours are the same, and the products we have selected for you at FeelGarda are ready to welcome you — whether you arrive at 10 AM or 10 PM.
The important thing is to arrive. We'll take care of the rest.
0 comments