How to get from Verona to Lake Garda

Dreaming of Italian sunshine and charming lakeside towns? Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake, offers stunning scenery, historic villages, and vibrant activities. There’s a reason it’s one of the most popular day trips from Verona. But how do you get there from our romantic city of Verona? This guide on how to get from Verona to Lake Garda explores your options, whether you crave a speedy train journey, a scenic bus ride, the freedom of a rental car, or even a unique ferry experience. So, pack your bags and get ready to discover the beauty of Lake Garda, all within easy reach from Verona!

About Lake Garda: Italy’s Largest Lake

Lake Garda is Italy’s crown jewel of freshwater lakes. It’s famous for its stunning scenery, diverse activities, and rich history. Nestled in northern Italy, it straddles the borders of three regions: Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino-Alto Adige. Its 34-mile expanse is framed by the majestic Italian Alps’ dramatic backdrop of snow-capped peaks. The southern shores boast a gentle, rolling terrain, nurturing lush vineyards and olive groves.

In the south, bustling towns like Sirmione, Desenzano del Garda, and Lazise offer a vibrant mix of history, culture, and leisure. Explore the Scaligero Castle in Sirmione, wander through the lively piazzas in Desenzano, or indulge in retail therapy in Lazise’s charming shops. Venturing north, picturesque towns like Riva del Garda and Malcesine reveal a different side of the lake. Renowned for water sports like windsurfing and sailing, these towns attract adventurous souls. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking mountain views, explore the majestic Scaligero Castle in Malcesine, or take a cable car ride up Mount Baldo for panoramic vistas.

Accessibility is a major reason why Lake Garda shines. Major cities like Verona, Venice, Milan, and Bologna are all within easy reach by train, bus, or car. Those seeking a truly unique experience can take the ferry, gliding across the lake’s surface and soaking in the breathtaking panoramas from the water.

How far is Lake Garda from Verona?

Lake Garda is only about 30 kilometers, or about 19 miles, from the historic center of Verona. There’s plenty of beautiful towns you may be looking to see on Lake Garda though, here’s the distance to a few of the more popular ones:

• Verona to Garda Town – 38 km or 23.6 miles (southeastern shore)
• Verona to Torri del Benaco – 44 km or 27.3 miles (eastern shore)
• Verona to Salo’ – 62 km or 38.5 miles (western shore)
• Verona to Malcesine – 65 km or 40.4 miles (eastern shore)
• Verona to Toscolano-Maderno – 72 km or 44.7 miles (western shore)
• Verona to Gargnano – 79 km or 49 miles (western shore)
• Verona to Torbole – 81 km or 50.3 miles (northern shore)
• Verona to Riva del Garda – 85 km or 52.82 miles (northern shore)
• Verona to Limone sul Garda – 96 km or 59.7 miles (western shore)

The Best Ways to get from Verona to Lake Garda

Verona to Lake Garda by Train: Be Waterside in 15 Minutes

Seriously, you can get from Verona to Lake Garda in 13 minutes, and for $10 round trip. We’re gunna be honest, it’s pretty hard to beat that for a day trip to one of the most beautiful lakes you’ll ever see. And in our opinion, taking a train is really the option that makes sense to get from Verona to Lake Garda unless it’s part of a larger road trip.

There’s many towns on the coast of Lake Garda, but only two have train stations.

Peschiera del Garda

The closest town to Verona and only 13 minutes by train, Peschiera del Garda is a charming town brimming with history, natural beauty, and captivating experiences. Encircled by massive Venetian defensive walls, which have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017, the town boasts a historic center that transports visitors back in time. Explore the 16th-century Porta Verona, one of the gateways that stand guard over the historic center.

Peschiera del Garda has beautiful and well preserved fortresses, and plenty of family friendly activities like swimming, boat rentals, windsurfing, and sailing. It’s a perfect town for a quiet Italian day on the lake.

Desenzano del Garda

The further of the two train stations on Lake Garda from Verona (but only by 10 minutes) Desenzano del Garda is also the largest town on Lake Garda. Its vibrant atmosphere contrasts with charming historical remnants. Explore the 15th-century Scaligero Castle, offering panoramic lake views, or delve into the Roman villa ruins, remnants of a bygone era.

For shoppers, Desenzano is a haven, brimming with boutiques and bustling markets. In the evenings, the town transforms into a lively hub, with trendy bars and clubs for the younger crowd.

And of course, Desenzano has three beautiful beaches offering sunbathing and swimming opportunities. Desenzano del Garda presents an ideal blend of historical exploration, vibrant nightlife, and natural beauty, making it one of the most popular destinations on Lake Garda. It also offers easy access to the famous town of Sirmione, which is absolutely gorgeous and well worth a visit while you’re there.

Booking a Train from Verona to Lake Garda

Both regional trains, and high-speed trains like Frecciarossa or Italo can get you from Verona to Lake Garda in no time at all. And because the distance is so close, there really isn’t any difference in speed. So what we recommend, is book for whatever is cheapest for the time slot you need to get to Lake Garda from Verona on Omio. Omio is just the best way to book all your mass transit options like trains, ferrys, and buses, while you’re traveling, and it keeps all the tickets in one place. Of course, you can also book through the regional trains websites, or just buy tickets at the train station when you arrive!

Verona to Lake Garda by Bus: More Destinations!

If you want to trade time on the road for more destinations, taking a bus from Verona to Lake Garda is the way to go. While the train only takes you to two different locations, taking the bus gets you to over a dozen directly, and then once in those towns, you can take other bus lines to even more. And of course, the bus is still

The buses from Verona to Lake Garda are also super convenient to get on, as they pick up in two locations. The primary spot is in front of the Verona Arena in Piazza Bra, which is right in the middle of the historic old city, and close to where most tourists are staying. The buses also will pick up from the Verona Porta Nuova train station, directly across from it.

Which Bus Line to take from Verona to Lake Garda?

• Bus Lines 162 and 163: Verona to Lazise, Bardolino, and Garda. 
• Bus Line 164: Verona to Peschiera del Garda, Lazise, Bardolino, and Garda.
• Bus Line 165: Verona to Bardolino and Garda.
• Bus Line 26: Verona to Castelnuovo, Peschiera del Garda, and Desenzano del Garda. 
• Aerolink Bus Line 199: Verona Airport to Verona Porta Nuova (and then take one of the bus lines above to the lake)
• Bus Line 484: A seasonal line (summer only), that goes directly from Verona Airport to Lake Garda

Click here for the schedule of all the bus lines around Lake Garda.

Booking a Bus from Verona to Lake Garda

The best way to travel to Lake Garda from Verona by bus is to get the daily pass. For just €11.00 you can take every bus line to and from and around Lake Garda to every town you would want to visit. Even if you’re getting to Lake Garda from Verona by train or car, absolutely make sure to get a day pass so you can go anywhere you like while you’re there. If you’re staying for a weekend, the 3-day pass is €22.00, and if you are lucky enough to stay an entire week in Lake Garda, you can get the 7-day pass for €44.00. Which is quite a steal to have transportation to anywhere you want to go around Italy’s largest lake!

Driving from Verona to Lake Garda: Ultimate Freedom to Explore

Driving to Lake Garda from Verona is a breeze, especially if you’re headed to the southern part of the lake. Traffic permitting, it’s a quick and easy trip. There’s a handy highway with tolls that gets you to many southern towns around the lake. This website will give you estimated toll costs.

If you prefer to save money, you can take the slower, free local roads instead. Here’s how long it takes to get to some of the main towns by highway, starting from Verona’s train station (remember, traffic can add time):

• Lazise: 25-35 minutes (25 km)
• Peschiera del Garda: 25-45 minutes (30 km)
• Bardolino: 30-45 minutes (30 km)
• Sirmione: 40 minutes to 1 hour (43 km)
• Desenzano del Garda: 35-55 minutes (44 km)

Once you’re at the lake, you can drive around the entire thing on the lakeside roads. The western side is Gardesana Occidentale and the eastern side is Gardesana Orientale. The closest towns, like Lazise and Peschiera del Garda, take about 25 minutes to reach, while the farthest ones, like Riva del Garda and Limone sul Garda, take about 1 hour and 50 minutes to 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Is it Worth Visiting Lake Garda from Verona?

Absolutely! You could spend an entire summer exploring Lake Garda and never tire of the natural beauty, or the charming towns and shops. If you’re going to be spending a week in Verona, I would spend a day in Lake Garda just to experience some natural beauty of the region. Even just to see more history, Lake Garda offers a little bit of everything for everyone!