Lake Garda is serviced by a fantastic transport network, so whether you prefer to fly, drive or take the train getting to Lake Garda is very easy. Once you are there you can travel around the lakeside towns using the ‘Gardesana Orientale’, a road that circumnavigates the lake. Or if you prefer to leave the car at your accommodation there is a regular ferry service that covers the whole of the lake.

Getting To Lake Garda By Air

Verona is the closest airport and less than twenty minutes away from the south coast resorts such as Peschiera and Sirmione. There are a number of UK operators offering cheap flights into Verona, including British airways, Easyjet and Monarch. Bergamo, which is about an hours drive to  Salo on the west Brescian coast of the Lake Garda, is serviced by Ryanair. Milan’s Malpensa and Linate airports are both about 90 minutes from Salò. Many people like to include a trip to Venice into their Lake Garda holiday and it is becoming more popular now to fly into Venice airport, especially as it is also now serviced by a number of operators offering cheap flights.

Getting To Lake Garda By Car

Whether you are on a touring holiday or have picked up your hire car from one of the airports, Lake Garda is easily reached via the A4 motorway that runs from Milan to Venice. If travelling from the west and heading to the west coast or northern resorts of Lake Garda then take Brescia Est exit and take the Salò road. There are also exits at Desenzano, Sirmione and Peschiera if you are coming from the east or staying at other parts of the lake. Brescia and Verona are both around half an hour’s drive from the lake’s southern tip.

Lake Garda Ferries

Car ferries cross Lake Garda between Desenzano and Riva del Garda several times a day, stopping at various ports en route (including Sirmione, Salò, Gargnano, Malcesine and Limone); the pedestrian ferry boats and high speed catamarans are more frequent. Click here for timetables and fares.

Lake Garda Taxis

There are many Taxi companies offering transfers from the airports and train station. Love Lake Garda has a partner offering very competitive prices. Fill out a contact form if you would like to get a quote or make a booking.

Lake Garda Taxi

Getting To Lake Garda By Train

Lake Garda’s is easily reachable by train. Mainline stations in Desenzano and Peschiera are connected by regular services to Milan, Venice, Verona and Brescia.

If you are touring Italy you can also travel from Lake Garda south to Bologna, Florence and Rome.

Use the search box below for timetables, prices and to book tickets.

From Desenzano you can easily connect to the other Lake Garda towns using the ferry or SIA bus services (840 620 001).

Book Your Lake Garda Holiday Now

Booking.com

Search For Flights, Trains and Buses

18 Comments

  1. Ruth Jones March 16, 2017 at 10:53 pm - Reply

    Have u any idea how much a return transfer from Verona airport to Riva would cost in September?

    • admin March 22, 2017 at 10:30 pm - Reply

      Hi Ruth, would imagine around €120 each way. If you contact our taxi partnersthey will provide you with a quote. They do speak English.

  2. Owen July 20, 2017 at 8:02 pm - Reply

    Decent would defo recommend

  3. Diana Gonzalez August 21, 2017 at 7:50 am - Reply

    Can anyone tell me Lake Garda or lake Como?
    We are planing to spend about 9 days in this region and could you suggest the loveliest towns in the lakes to stay and the most direct by train from Milan Centrale
    Thank you

    • admin September 17, 2017 at 4:57 pm - Reply

      Hi Diana, both lakes are stunningly beautiful, I would say Lake Garda not just because I’m biased but because there is a greater accessibility to the lake front. You can get the train direct to Desenzano and stay on the south or west coast. My favourite town is Salò which like all the towns gives fantastic access to all the Lake Garda towns.

  4. dawn February 12, 2018 at 1:35 pm - Reply

    you can take a train direct from milan to desenzano? I am staying in Sirmione, can you take a ferry ride from desenzano?

    • admin February 12, 2018 at 11:27 pm - Reply

      Hi Dawn, the answer to both your questions is yes. Sirmione is not too far from Desenzano so you could also get a bus or taxi. The train station is about a mile or so back fro the lake front.

  5. Karen February 23, 2018 at 9:00 pm - Reply

    Please can you help I’m travelling to riva deal gardo from milpansa airport, which is the quickest and easiest route and cheapest please xx

    • admin February 25, 2018 at 12:02 pm - Reply

      You will need to take the motorway A4 from Milan to Venice the n take the Brescia east, follow the signs to Lake Garda and Salò. Then follow the Gardesana along the west coast of the lake up to Riva. Hope this helps. Roy

  6. Kelvin Clark February 26, 2018 at 10:18 pm - Reply

    Could anyone please let me know the best and most economic way of getting from Verona airport to Malcesine at Lake Garda

    • admin March 7, 2018 at 4:22 pm - Reply

      Hi Kelvin,

      The best way is probably hire a car or take a taxi. The most economical would be to take the bus. Hope this helps Roy

  7. Jill August 21, 2018 at 8:01 pm - Reply

    Hello
    We are travelling to Riva Del Garda for a sailing championships and are towing our 8 metre boat. Which route do you suggest from Milan? Up the west side of the lake?

    • admin August 31, 2018 at 7:04 pm - Reply

      Either side should be ok but the west side has some narrow tunnels.

  8. Louise September 8, 2018 at 8:48 am - Reply

    Wondering whether Lake Garda would be a suitable destination for family holiday in January. 4 kids ages 6 to 16. What activities are available in the winter and where is best area to stay? We are Australian and want to use it as a base to explore some of Italy for a week. Thanks

    • admin September 9, 2018 at 12:22 pm - Reply

      Hi Louise,
      While the summer is the time to if you want to enjoy a full events calendar, days on the beach and enjoying the fresh clear waters of the lake, Lake Garda is actually and all year round destination. Of course I don’t know what your kids enjoy, but you could still explore the historic lakeside towns and eat wonderful local food. Many if the Lake Garda attractions stay ope all year, although with reduced opening hours. Check the link to see what’s available and when. I would suggest staying in Desenzano as it is one of the larger towns and has a bit more winter life, although personally I’m a Salò man. Desenzano has a train station with direct links to Italian cities such as Venice, Verona, Padova, Brescia. Bergamo and Milan.
      Hope this helps. Roy

  9. Linda Emery June 15, 2019 at 4:50 am - Reply

    Thank you for sharing your page, it helps me a lot in traveling.

  10. Aaron Jenkins November 13, 2019 at 4:16 am - Reply

    I will be spending 7 days on this place together with my wife and can you tell me where I can stay and travel to reach this lake?

    • admin December 15, 2019 at 1:59 pm - Reply

      HiAaron, sorry vccan you be more specific with your question? Are you asking for advice which town to stay in or which airports/train stations to travel to?? A presto Roy

Leave A Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.