Airports
Everything You Need to Know About the Nearest Airports to Lake Garda
Lake Garda is well-connected by public transport and accessible from several major airports in North Italy, making them convenient for travelers. The nearest airport is Verona Airport, just a short drive away, offering numerous domestic and international flights. Milan Bergamo Airport, approximately 90 kilometers west of Lake Garda, caters to various European destinations and is served by many low-cost airlines.
For a broader range of international flights, Milan’s airports Linate and Malpensa are ideal, located about 130 kilometers away. Venice Airport, approximately 150 kilometers east, allows visitors to enjoy both Venice and Lake Garda. Efficient public transportation ensures a hassle-free journey from these airports to the lake. Read this guide to discover all about airports near Lake Garda!
Verona Airport (VRN)
Verona Airport, also known as Valerio Catullo Airport or Verona Villafranca Airport, is the closest airport to Lake Garda. Situated near the town of Villafranca di Verona and close to the city of Verona, it serves as an ideal gateway for travelers heading to the Lake Garda.
It is possible to arrive from Verona Airport to Lake Garda by public transport. Upon arrival at Verona Airport, you can take a Airlink Line N.199 shuttle bus that operates frequently between the airport and Verona Porta Nuova train station throughout the day.
From the Verona Porta Nuova train station, there are direct trains to Peschiera del Garda and Desenzano del Garda, which are key towns on the lake’s southern shore. These towns are well-connected by local buses and ferries, facilitating easy travel to various lakeside villages.
There are also ATV bus lines 162-163-164-185 as well as ARRIVA bus line LN026, that connect the Verona Porta Nuova train station to different towns on the eastern and southern shores of Lake Garda: Peschiera del Garda, Lazise, Bardolino, Garda, Desenzano del Garda and Sirmione.
During the high tourist season, from June to September, the ATV bus line N.482 runs daily, hourly services directly from Verona Airport to Lake Garda. This route offers a convenient way to travel directly to Peschiera del Garda, Lazise, Bardolino and Garda.
For those heading to the northern shores, options include taking a bus or ferry from either Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano del Garda. Alternatively, you can travel by train from Verona Porta Nuova to Rovereto train station, and then take a Trentino Trasporti bus line N.332 (all year round) to northern lakeside towns such as Riva del Garda or Nago-Torbole.
For more information visit the official website: Verona Airport Valerio Catullo.
Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY)
Milan Bergamo Airport, known also as Orio al Serio Airport, is a popular entry point for travellers heading to Lake Garda, particularly from budget airlines throughout Europe. Located near the town of Bergamo and approximately 80 kilometers west of Lake Garda, it provides convenient access to many of the main towns all around the lake.
It is possible to arrive from Milan Bergamo Airport to Lake Garda by public transport. Upon arrival at Bergamo Airport, travelers can choose from multiple transport options to reach Lake Garda. The most direct route involves taking the Autostradale Shuttle bus from the Bergamo Airport to the Brescia bus station. There is also Orio al Serio Airlink bus to Brescia Poliambulanza (a few meters from Brescia Metro) and Verona Porta Nuova Train Station. The bus runs 15 times a day, even at night.
From Brescia train station (near the bus station), you can take direct train to Desenzano del Garda or Peschiera del Garda, two of the principal towns on the southern shore of Lake Garda. These towns offer excellent connectivity to other parts of the lake via local buses and ferries. There are also the ARRIVA R-link bus line RL202-1 and ARRIVA bus line LN026 that connect the Brescia train station to different towns of the southern, western and northern shores of Lake Garda.
Alternatively, take the shuttle bus which connects the Bergamo Airport to the Bergamo train station at regular intervals throughout the day. From the Bergamo train station, you can travel by train (with a change) to Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano del Garda. From there, you can use the networks of buses and ferries that connect the different lakeside towns and villages.
To reach northern part of the Lake Garda, you can travel by train from Bergamo train station to Rovereto (with train change) and once there, you can take a Trentino Trasporti bus line N.332 (all year round) to Riva del Garda.
Additionally, during the high tourist season, there are direct shuttle services available from Bergamo Airport to Peschiera del Garda and to Gardaland (Castelnuovo del Garda). These shuttles provide a convenient and direct way to reach the lake, eliminating the need for multiple transfers.
For those preferring to drive, car rental services are available at the airport, offering the flexibility to explore Lake Garda at your own pace. The drive to the lake takes approximately an hour, depending on traffic and your specific destination on the lake. Click here for tips on parking in Italy.
For more information visit the official website: Milan Bergamo Airport.
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
Milan Malpensa Airport, located about 170 kilometers west of Lake Garda, is the largest international airport in the Milan metropolitan area and a primary gateway for travelers coming from around the globe. Due to its significant distance from Lake Garda, planning your transfer is essential to ensure a smooth continuation of your journey to the lake.
Upon landing at Milan Malpensa Airport, you have several options for reaching Lake Garda. The most straightforward way involves renting a car, which gives you the flexibility to explore Lake Garda and its surrounding areas at your leisure. The drive to Lake Garda takes about two hours, depending on traffic conditions.
It is possible to arrive from Milan Malpensa Airport to Lake Garda by public transport. You can take a Malpensa Express train or a Autostradale Shuttle bus from Malpensa Airport to Milan Central Station. From there, frequent direct trains run to Desenzano del Garda and Peschiera del Garda. These towns are well-connected to other lakeside destinations via buses and ferry services, offering easy access to various points around the lake.
To get to the northern shores of Lake Garda from Milan Malpensa Airport, you have a couple of choices. First, you can take a train from Milan Central Station to Verona Porta Nuova, then switch to a train for Rovereto train station. From there a Trentino Trasporti bus line N.332 (all year round) will take you to Riva del Garda and other towns along the northern lakefront.
Alternatively, you can travel by train from Milan Central Station to Brescia train station, and from there, catch a direct ARRIVA R-link bus line RL202-1 that services various western lakeside towns, extending up to Riva del Garda.
For more information visit the official website: Milan Malpensa Airport.
Milan Linate Airport (LIN)
Milan Linate Airport, situated closer to the city center of Milan than Malpensa, is about 130 kilometers west of Lake Garda. Milan Linate Airport is a great choice to travel to Lake Garda by car.
For those preferring public transportation, the first step is to take a Autostradale Shuttle bus, M4 blue metro line or taxi from Milan Linate Airport to Milan Central Station. From there, you can take a direct train to Desenzano del Garda or Peschiera del Garda. Both towns have train stations well-connected to Milan and serve as hubs for further travel around Lake Garda via local buses and ferries.
To get to the northern shores of Lake Garda from Milan Linate Airport, you have a couple of choices. From Milan Central Station take train to Verona Porta Nuova train station, then switch to a train for Rovereto. From Rovereto a Trentino Trasporti bus line N.332 (all year round) will take you to Riva del Garda and other towns along the northern lakefront.
Alternatively, you can travel by train from Milan Central Station to Brescia train station, and from there, catch direct ARRIVA R-link bus line RL202-1 that services various western lakeside towns, extending up to Riva del Garda.
Venice Airport (VCE)
Venice Airport (known officially as Venice Marco Polo Airport), located on the mainland near Venice, is approximately 150 kilometers east of Lake Garda. It is an ideal gateway for travelers aiming to visit the eastern and southern shores of the lake.
It is possible to arrive from Venice Airport to Lake Garda by public transport. Take the Mestre Express Shuttle or the bus line n.15 from the Venice Airport to the Mestre train station. From there you can take a direct train to Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano del Garda. Both towns offer excellent connectivity to the rest of Lake Garda via local buses or ferries.
Alternatively, take a train from Mestre train station to Verona Porta Nuova trains station and then change for one of the ATV bus lines 163-164-185 or ARRIVA bus line LN026 heading to the major towns on the southern or eastern shores of Lake Garda. There is also a direct shuttle bus from Venice Airport to Verona Porta Nuova train station.
If you need to reach the northern shores of Lake Garda from Venice Airport, then you have two options. One is to travel by train from Mestre train station to Verona Porta Nuova and once there to take a train to Rovereto train station. From there, you can travel by Trentino Trasporti bus line N.332 (all year round) to Riva del Garda and other northern lakeside towns.
Alternatively, you can travel by train from the Mestre train station to Brescia train station and once there, to take the ARRIVA R-link bus line RL202-1 to western and northern lakeside towns all the way up to Riva del Garda.
For more information visit the official website: Venice Airport