Getting around Lake Garda by bus is absolutely feasible, even without a car. The lake is served by four different transportation companies, one for each area. Here is a complete map of all the lines, with schedules, frequencies, and practical tips for 2026.
ATV – East Bank (province of Verona)
ATV (Azienda Trasporti Verona) covers the entire eastern shore, from Peschiera to Malcesine. The main lines are:
Line 164: Verona → Peschiera → Lazise → Bardolino → Garda
The most frequent and useful line: it leaves about every 20 minutes from Verona and runs all the way along the east coast to Garda. Perfect for reaching the seaside resorts on the Verona shore.
Line 483: Peschiera → Lazise → Bardolino → Garda → Torri → Malcesine
Active in summer, it connects the lower lake with Malcesine by going up the entire east coast. Essential for reaching the Monte Baldo cable car from Malcesine without a car.
Line 484: Garda → Torri del Benaco → Malcesine → Torbole → Riva del Garda
Connects the center of the east shore with the north side of the lake. Frequency: approximately every 60 minutes. Useful for reaching Riva del Garda from the Verona shore.
Line 482: Verona Airport → Peschiera → Lazise → Bardolino → Garda
The direct bus fromCatullo airport to the lake, operating about every hour from March to October. Most convenient for those who land in Verona and want to go directly to the lake without going through the station.
Line 199 (Airlink): Verona Airport → Verona Porta Nuova Station
Shuttle between airport and station, every 20 minutes. From there take the train to Peschiera or Desenzano.
ARRIVA – West Bank (province of Brescia)
ARRIVA (formerly Trasporti Brescia) serves the Brescia shore and the Western Gardesana. Main lines:
Line LN026: Brescia → Desenzano → Sirmione → Peschiera
Connects Brescia with the lower lake, passing through Desenzano and Sirmione. Useful for those arriving by train in Brescia and wanting to reach the Sirmione peninsula.
Line LN027: Desenzano → Salò → Gardone → Gargnano → Limone → Riva del Garda
The line that runs along the entire Western Gardesana from south to north. It is the main link for the west bank. The complete trip is long but scenic.
Line RL204: Desenzano → Salò
Frequent service(every 30 minutes in summer) between Desenzano and Salò. Perfect for reaching Salò from the Desenzano train station.
Line LN012: Gargnano → Tremosine → Limone
Connects Gargnano with Tremosine sul Garda (famous for the Strada della Forra) and Limone. Reduced frequency, check schedules.
Tourist ShuttleBus
From March 28 to September 27, ARRIVA operates a dedicated tourist shuttle service for visitors. Cost: €13.50 per day for unlimited trips. Very convenient if you plan to make several trips in the same day along the west bank.
Trentino Transportation – North of the Lake
Trentino Trasporti covers the northern tip of the lake (Riva del Garda, Arco, Torbole) and connections to Trento and Rovereto.
City lines B861, B862, B863: Riva del Garda ↔ Arco ↔ Torbole
Urban lines to get around between the three northern lake towns. Frequent and cheap, perfect for the daily life of tourists staying in the area.
B204 and B205 lines: Riva del Garda ↔ Trento
They connect Riva del Garda with Trento via the Valle dei Laghi. Useful for those arriving by train in Trento and wanting to reach the north end of the lake (about a 1-hour trip).
Route 332: Rovereto ↔ Mori ↔ Riva del Garda
Connects the Rovereto train station (on the Brenner line) with Riva del Garda. An alternative to the bus from Trento for those arriving from the south on the Brenner railway.
APAM – From Mantua
Line 46: Peschiera del Garda ↔ Valeggio sul Mincio ↔ Mantua
APAM (Azienda Provinciale Autolinee Mantova (Mantua Provincial Bus Company) connects Peschiera with Mantua via Valeggio sul Mincio (famous for Valeggio tortellini and Sigurtà Park). Useful for a trip out of the lake.
How to buy tickets
Each company has its own system, but in general:
ATV (Verona)
- Tickets at newsstands, tobacconists and ticket machines
- ATV Verona app for digital purchase
- On board at extra charge
ARRIVAL (Brescia)
- Tickets at authorized retailers and ticket offices
- App ARRIVES Italy
- Tourist ShuttleBus: purchase on board or at ticket offices
Trentino Transportation
- Tickets at newsstands, tobacconists and ticket machines
- OpenMove App
APAM (Mantua)
- Tickets at retail outlets and on board
Practical tips for getting around Garda by bus
- East bank → Best served: the 164 ATV line is frequent and covers all the main villages
- West Bank → Fewer frequencies, plan schedules in advance. RL204 Desenzano-Salò is the exception: good frequency in summer
- North Lake → Well connected internally (Riva-Arco-Torbole), less so with the rest of the lake
- Crossing the lake → Buses do not cross the lake! To get from one side to the other, use the ferry (Maderno-Torri car ferry).
- In summer → More rides and seasonally active lines. In winter, service is reduced
- Google Maps → Works well for planning bus routes on Garda, try it out
The complete guide to transportation on Lake Garda
This article covers buses, but for ferries, trains and how to get to the lake from major cities, visit our complete guide to Lake Garda transportation.
