How to Get to Lake Garda
Complete transport guide: ferries, buses, trains, airports and driving.
Ferries
The Navigarda network connects all the main ports on the lake.
Navigarda — Navigazione Laghi
Operates steamers, hydrofoils and the Maderno–Torri del Benaco car ferry.
Over 20 active docks from April to October. Car ferry runs year-round.
Coverage
April to October
Full service with all lines. Lower and upper lake reachable.
Car Ferry
Maderno ↔ Torri del Benaco
The only car ferry on Lake Garda. Active year-round, every ~30 min in summer.
Tickets
From ~€4 per trip
Day passes and season tickets available. Buy on board or at the docks.
Buses
Three operators cover the three shores of Lake Garda with seasonal and year-round lines.
East Shore (Veneto)
- 164 Verona ↔ Peschiera del Garda
- 483 Peschiera ↔ Lazise ↔ Bardolino
- 484 Bardolino ↔ Garda ↔ Torri del Benaco
- 482 Verona ↔ Garda ↔ Malcesine
- 199 Garda ↔ Brenzone ↔ Malcesine
West Shore (Lombardy)
- LN026 Brescia ↔ Desenzano ↔ Salò
- LN027 Salò ↔ Gardone ↔ Gargnano
- RL204 Gargnano ↔ Limone ↔ Riva del Garda
- LN012 Desenzano ↔ Sirmione (seasonal)
- ShuttleBus Sirmione Old Town ↔ Car Parks
North Shore (Trentino)
- B861–B863 Riva del Garda ↔ Arco ↔ Trento
- B204–B205 Torbole ↔ Nago ↔ Rovereto
- 332 Riva del Garda ↔ Limone (seasonal)
Trains
Lake Garda is reachable from Milan, Venice and Trento by train, then by bus or taxi.
Peschiera del Garda
Connections: ATV line 164 to Lazise, Bardolino, Garda
Trenitalia station with Frecciarossa and regional trains. Town centre 5 min walk.
Desenzano del Garda
Connections: ARRIVA line LN026 to Salò, Gardone, Gargnano
Frecciarossa stop. Shuttle to Sirmione (8 km, taxi or bus LN012).
Rovereto
Connections: Trentino Trasporti to Riva del Garda (30 min)
Gateway to the upper lake. Direct bus Rovereto–Riva every hour.
Airports
Five airports serve the Lake Garda area, from 25 to 170 km away.
Verona Catullo
Closest airport to Lake Garda. Flights from many European cities.
Aerobus shuttle to Verona FS, then train to Peschiera. Taxi ~€50.
Bergamo Orio al Serio
Ryanair hub. Wide range of international low-cost routes.
Direct bus to Desenzano/Peschiera (Flixbus, seasonal Itabus). Taxi ~€130.
Milano Malpensa
Main intercontinental hub in Lombardy.
Malpensa Express to Milano Centrale, then Frecciarossa to Desenzano.
Milano Linate
Domestic and European flights, mainly Alitalia/ITA Airways.
M4 metro to Milano Centrale, then train to Desenzano.
Brescia Montichiari
Very few flights. Only convenient if your flight is available.
Taxi ~€40. No regular direct bus to Lake Garda.
Car & Parking
Main roads, ZTL restricted zones and parking tips for the lakeside towns.
Main roads
SS249 "Gardesana Orientale"
East shore: Peschiera → Malcesine. Scenic but narrow, slow in summer.
SS45bis "Gardesana Occidentale"
West shore: Desenzano → Riva. Tunnels, spectacular views, heavy traffic.
A4 Milano–Venezia
Exits: Desenzano, Peschiera. Quick access to the lower lake.
A22 del Brennero
Exit Rovereto Sud for Riva del Garda. Northern connection.
ZTL Warning
Many old towns (Sirmione, Riva del Garda, Limone, Malcesine) have restricted traffic zones active year-round or in high season. Always check before driving in.
Town parking
Sirmione
Paid car parks outside the peninsula. Old town is pedestrian-only.
Riva del Garda
P2 and P3 are 5 min from the centre. ZTL active in summer on the lakefront.
Malcesine
Le Vele car park (free, far out) or paid parking in the centre.
Limone
North car park outside ZTL, then free shuttle to the centre.
Gargnano
Large free car parks north of town. Centre is accessible.
Desenzano
Porto Vecchio car park (paid). Free parking further from the lakefront.
Last updated: March 2026. Timetables and fares are subject to seasonal changes — always check the official websites before departure.
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