How to get from Milan to Lake Garda?
he distance from Milan to Lake Garda (Lago di Garda) is 119 kilometers. You can get from Milan to the city of Desenzano del Garda by train in just an hour or go on a trip on your own by renting a car upon arrival at one of the airports. Let us consider in detail the features of each method.
By train
Train stations on the shores of Lake Garda are only in the cities of Peschiera del Garda and Desenzano del Garda, and we will continue our journey there. See my review of the best hotels in Desenzano del Garda
Regional and high-speed trains run from Milano Centrale to Desenzano. I advise friends and all travelers, if possible, to buy tickets in advance only from Italotreno – modern and comfortable trains, they almost never arrive late.
Travel time to Lake Garda will be only 51 minutes, departing from Milan three times a day: at 08:34, 13:34, 16:34.
A ticket in the second class costs from 12 to 20 euros, in business from 16 to 30 euros. If you take care of tickets in advance, you can manage to buy them for only 10 euros.
Trenitalia also sends its trains to Desenzano from Milan at intervals of about once an hour.
The cheapest way is to go to Garda from Milan on the regional train for 9.20 euros. Usually in such trains there is no choice of seat, sit on any free one. Estimated travel time is 1 hour 22 minutes, but allow for 2 hours as they often get delayed.
A ticket for a regional train can be bought on the day of departure at the station, the cost is always the same.
By Car
Drive from Milan to Lake Garda for about an hour and a half. You can, immediately upon arrival, pick up a pre-booked car and go on a trip. Some sections of the A35 and A4 highways are paid, prepare 9.10 euros. You can make a route through Bergamo (Bergamo) and plan a walk there for two or three hours, or go through Treviglio (Treviglio) – there you can also make a stop to explore the city.
