Traveling from Milan to Lake Garda couldn’t be easier. Whether you’re planning a day trip or a longer vacation, this guide outlines your transportation options.
Traveling from Milan to Lake Garda
The train is the most convenient option for getting from Milan to Lake Garda, with prices starting at €10 (£8.85/€10.62), and the fastest journey taking just 51 minutes.
While the train is both affordable and rapid, you’ll need to consider alternative transportation options to reach your final destination in Lake Garda, as both train stations are located in the southern part of the lake.
Renting a car is another excellent choice. The drive from Milan to Lake Garda takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. With a car, you can easily access your final destination in Lake Garda and enjoy the freedom to explore the area during your stay.
Below, we provide detailed information on how to reach Lake Garda from Milan. If you have a specific location in mind, feel free to jump ahead using the links below.
Which part of Lake Garda is closest to Milan?
The closest area of Lake Garda to Milan is its southern region, specifically the town of Desenzano del Garda.
By Train
We believe that taking the train from Milan to Lake Garda is the best option.
There are two train stations in Milan with direct connections to Lake Garda: Milano Centrale and Milano Lambrate.
Milano Centrale, Milan’s main train hub, is located in the city center (as the name suggests).
What train stations are in Lake Garda?
Lake Garda features two train stations: Peschiera del Garda and Desenzano del Garda. Both stations are located in the southern region of the lake, so additional transportation may be necessary to reach your specific destination within Lake Garda.
How long does the train ride take from Milan to Lake Garda?
Depending on the service, the train journey from Milan to Lake Garda can vary from 51 minutes to 1 hour and 50 minutes.
The fastest train (51 minutes) departs from Milano Centrale station every hour at fifteen minutes to the hour.
What is the cost of the train from Milan to Lake Garda?
Train ticket prices vary but typically range from €10 to €28 one way when booked ahead.
Booking Your Train Tickets Online
We recommend booking your tickets in advance online through Trainline Europe. This not only saves you from the last-minute rush of buying a ticket in Milan, but it also allows you to choose the best train option based on price and travel time.
Arriving in Lake Garda
As mentioned earlier, you’ll arrive at either Desenzano del Garda or Peschiera del Garda train station.
Both towns are worth exploring, so take some time to enjoy what they offer before heading to other areas of the lake.
By Car
Driving from Milan to Lake Garda is a simple and convenient option. One major advantage is that you can drive directly to your destination in Lake Garda, whereas trains only connect to the southern part of the lake.
How long is the drive from Milan to Lake Garda?
The journey from Milan to Lake Garda generally takes just over one and a half hours, depending on traffic conditions.
This duration applies to reaching the southern portion of the lake, specifically Desenzano del Garda.
If you’re driving to Riva del Garda (located at the northern tip of the lake), the trip will take over two and a half hours.
What is the best route for driving?
We recommend taking the route from Milan heading northeast toward Bergamo, following the A4 highway past Brescia until you reach Lake Garda and Desenzano del Garda.
This route is straightforward, and after exiting the A51 just outside Milan, you can follow the A4 all the way to Lake Garda.
This route involves tolls, which can be paid using a credit card or cash. In Italy, tolls are paid upon exiting the motorway based on where you entered.
What can you see along the way from Milan to Lake Garda?
If you want to break up your journey and enjoy some sights, you can stop at Bergamo or Brescia, both of which are en route.
We recommend stopping in Brescia, known for its historic city center and excellent culinary options—truly a hidden gem in Italy!
Day Trip from Milan to Lake Garda
One common question is whether a day trip from Milan to Lake Garda is feasible.
The answer is a resounding yes!
If you plan to take a day trip, we recommend catching the train from Milano Centrale to either Desenzano del Garda or Peschiera del Garda train station, and then boarding a ferry to explore other parts of Lake Garda.
Should you arrive at Desenzano del Garda, you can catch a bus to the historic town of Sirmione, which takes about 20 minutes. Once in Sirmione, you can take a ferry anywhere on the lake.
If you arrive at Peschiera del Garda, we suggest spending some time in this charming town, which offers various pleasant dining and drinking spots. Ferries are also available here to connect you to other parts of Lake Garda.
Is Lake Garda Worth a Visit?
In our view, Lake Garda showcases the best of what the Italian lakes have to offer. While Lake Como is more popular, Lake Garda remains a hidden gem.
With countless activities, delectable cuisine, and breathtaking views—especially in the northern part of the lake near the mountains—Lake Garda is truly a must-visit.
Can You Experience Lake Garda Without a Car?
It’s absolutely possible to explore Lake Garda without a car. The lake has an excellent ferry service that can take you all around. Day tickets for the ferry start at €34.40 for adults.
The cost can be further reduced with a 3-day ferry pass or a family ticket.
Additionally, there’s a robust local bus service covering the entire area, making it easy to travel between nearby towns.
Is One Day Enough for Lake Garda?
One day is certainly sufficient to see a few key sights in Lake Garda. If you’re coming from Milan, we recommend sticking to the southern part of the lake, exploring towns like Peschiera del Garda and Sirmione.
Arriving in Lake Garda – What Next?
If you take the train to Lake Garda, you’ll arrive at either Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano del Garda stations.
From these towns, ferries connect you to major locations around the lake.
If you prefer not to travel far from the train stations, getting a bus to nearby towns might be more convenient than a ferry ride.
Traveling from Milan to Desenzano del Garda
The most efficient way to reach Desenzano del Garda from Milan is by taking the train from Milano Centrale to Desenzano del Garda station.
The travel time varies depending on the train, but the fastest service takes just 51 minutes, while the longest options take a little more than an hour and a half.
Traveling from Milan to Peschiera del Garda
A direct train service from Milan to Peschiera del Garda is available, making it the recommended option.
This route may take slightly longer than the journey to Desenzano del Garda, as Peschiera del Garda is the next station along.
Traveling from Milan to Sirmione
To travel from Milan to Sirmione, you have a couple of convenient options.
Your first option is to take a train from Milano Centrale to Desenzano del Garda. From there, you can either catch a bus to Sirmione or take a taxi, which we estimate to cost around €15.
Alternatively, you can drive from Milan to Sirmione, a straightforward trip with ample parking available near the center.
Traveling from Milan to Malcesine
To reach Malcesine from Milan, we suggest taking the train to Peschiera del Garda, which is the nearest station to Malcesine.
From there, you can take either the bus or ferry north towards Malcesine. The bus journey may take up to 1 hour and 48 minutes, while the fastest ferry takes just over 2 hours.
Driving from Milan to Malcesine averages a time of 2 hours and 40 minutes. One hour of the drive offers stunning views as you travel beside the lake, with plenty of stops to enjoy the scenery.
Traveling from Milan to Riva del Garda
The drive from Milan to Riva del Garda typically takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes and follows the western side of the lake.
If you prefer public transport, the ideal route is to take the train from Milano Centrale to Peschiera del Garda, then catch a bus to Garda, followed by another bus to Riva del Garda. This entire journey typically takes around 3 hours.
Traveling from a Milan Airport to Lake Garda
All major airports in Milan (Linate, Malpensa, and Bergamo) are conveniently accessible for travel to Lake Garda.
Milan Bergamo Airport to Lake Garda
Traveling from Bergamo Airport to Lake Garda can be done by either driving (approximately one hour) or taking the train from Bergamo train station to either Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano del Garda (around 1.5 hours).
