Welcome to this guide that looks at how to get from Lake Garda to Verona.
Did you know that Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake is quite close and well-connected to the romantic city of Verona? Verona is known to be the setting of the most famous love story of all times: Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare and the Arena of Verona.
But there’s much much more to be discovered in this northern Italian city! Verona makes a great day trip to take from different locations around Lake Garda.
NO matter whether you’re planning a day trip or prefer to do an extended stay, this guide provides detailed information and transport options designed to show you exactly how to get from Lake Garda to Verona by train, car, bus, and guided tour.
Lake Garda to Verona
With this Lake Garda to Verona guide, I’ll cover distances between some towns and villages around Lake Garda and Verona, travel times, and other tips for a smooth trip.
Let’s start off by looking at where Verona is located in relation to Lake Garda.
Where is Verona?
Verona is one of the largest cities in northern Italy, belonging to the Veneto region, in northeast Italy. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and travellers from all over Europe and beyond visit Verona for its Arena, the Roman amphitheatre, Juliet’s balcony and house and its beautiful piazzas and old streets.
Situated about 121 kilometres west of Venice (about a 1-hour and 15-minute drive), 150 kilometres east of Milan and 30 kilometres east of Lake Garda (Peschiera del Garda), Verona is a great city to start your tour of amazing places in northern Italy.
See my 10-day northern Italy itinerary for even more inspiration. I’ve outlined various activities and attractions as well as the best way to get from one place to the next.
Two other places you can easily reach from Verona are:
- the Valpolicella wine region
- the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites
Then, if you want something more obscure, you have some of the less visited cities in Veneto such as Vicenza and Padua or even Mantua and Brescia (in Lombardy).
How far is the Lake Garda from Verona?
The closest town to Verona from Lake Garda is Peschiera del Garda. This town is 30 kilometres away from Verona and you can either get from there to Verona by train, car or bus. The cheapest and fastest way is by train as it takes only 14 minutes.
The distance between Verona and Lake Garda varies depending on the exact locations you’re travelling between. Here’s a list of popular lakeside destinations that are both well connected to Verona by car and public transport (train and bus).
- Peschiera del Garda to Verona: 30 km.
- Sirmione to Verona: 41 km.
- Desenzano del Garda to Verona: 44 km.
- Lazise to Verona: 25 km.
- Bardolino to Verona: 37 km.
I recently wrote an itinerary that covers the same 3 days in Lake Garda that I spent around the lake if you are still there and would like some travel inspiration.
Where to stay in Verona?
For your stay in Verona, I recommend booking accommodation in the historic centre or at least just short walk from it. This will allow you to reach the attractions easily and return to your hotel at anytime you want (or need) to take a break.
Here’s my selection of some of the best hotels in Verona for all budgets:
- StraVagante Hostel & Rooms: Ideal for budget travellers, this hostel is just a few minutes’ walk from the historic centre. It offers affordable and comfortable dormitories as well as double rooms with private bathrooms.
- Theatrum Rooms and Suite: Perfect for those with a mid-range budget, Theatrum Rooms and Suite features stylish rooms with modern amenities and is only 300 metres from Ponte Pietra.
- Vista Palazzo: For luxury travellers, Vista Palazzo is the ultimate choice in the heart of the city. This 5-star property offers the best in luxury accommodations for your stay in Verona.
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How to get from Lake Garda to Verona
Now we have covered the distance and some things to expect. Let’s begin to look at all the options available to you to get from some towns on Lake Garda to Verona.
This way you can make a decision based on your travel priorities, plans and budget.
Train from Lake Garda to Verona
Taking the train from Lake Garda to Verona is often the fastest and most convenient option you have available.
Trenitalia operates regional direct trains connecting Peschiera del Garda and Desenzano del Garda to Verona Porta Nuova station, Verona’s main train station (to not confuse with Verona Porta Vescovo).
- Peschiera del Garda to Verona: Approximately 13 minutes
- Desenzano del Garda to Verona: Approximately 23 minutes
You can catch trains from either the Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano del Garda stations, both of which offer frequent services to Verona.
You don’t need to get the ticket in advance because for this type of route by regional train, prices remain the same. You can purchase your ticket online via the Trenitalia website or get a paper ticket at the ticket machines or ticket office at the stations.
Remember to validate the paper ticket before boarding the train at the validating machines that you can find around the station or at the platforms. Avoid pricey fines!
Driving from Lake Garda to Verona
When taking this journey, I have found that hiring a car and driving from Lake Garda to Verona gives you flexibility and the opportunity to explore more along the way and means that you can stop wherever you please on your way to Verona.
It’s also the best option if your northern Italy itinerary includes other places that can be explored better by car. I’ve noted the best cities in Veneto to visit on this blog.
The A4 motorway connects some lakeside resorts to Verona such as: Peschiera del Garda, Sirmione and Desenzano del Garda. If you want to leave from Lazise or Bardolino get the Strada Provinciale 5 and then Strada Statale 12.
Travel times vary depending on the traffic conditions. If possible, avoid the peak hours between 7 to 9am and 4 to 7pm:
Leaving from | Distance | Travel Time |
Peschiera del Garda | 30 kilometres | 24 to 40 minutes |
Sirmione | 41 kilometres | 40 minutes to 1 hour |
Desenzano del Garda | 44 kilometres | 30 to 50 minutes |
Lazise sul Garda | 25 kilometres | 25 to 40 minutes | Bardolino | 37 kilometres | 30 to 45 minutes |
If you have time for a road trip then you can stop at different locations along the Gardesana Occidentale road before heading to Verona.
Bus from Lake Garda to Verona
ATV (Azienda Trasporti Verona srl) is the company managing public transport in the municipality of Verona and nearby municipalities. There are regular buses from Lake Garda towns to Verona.
There’s also another bus company called Arriva Italia srl that connects various places on the lake to Verona. The buses may take longer than trains but offer scenic views and multiple stops in smaller towns.
If you have time to explore at a slow pace within a budget, I definitely recommend getting around by bus.
To keep it simple and straightforward, see the table below that shows which bus to get from some popular lakeside towns to Verona.
Leaving from | Distance | Travel Time | Arrival bus stop in Verona |
Peschiera del Garda | LN026 by Arriva | 48 minutes | Pradaval C1 |
Sirmione | LN026 by Arriva | 1 hour | Pradaval C1 |
Desenzano del Garda | LN026 by Arriva | 1 hour and 27 minutes | Pradaval C1 |
Lazise | 185 by ATV | 34 minutes | Piazza Bra Arena C | Bardolino | 185 or 163 by ATV | 46 minutes or 1 hour and 12 minutes | Piazza Bra Arena C |
Other bus lines connecting more places around Lake Garda to Verona are the number 162, 164 and 165.
If you want to go to Verona airport from Lake Garda, there’s a summer bus service by ATV, the line 482 that leaves from different towns and villages such as Garda, Bardolino, Pacengo, Gardaland and Peschiera del Garda. This service is available every hour.
Check bus schedules and stops on the official ATV and Arriva websites for the most accurate information. Google Maps is the perfect tool to check the closest bus stops to where you want to leave from and the closest arrival stop to your hotel in Verona.
You can buy bus tickets from the bus driver without surcharge (carry some cash with you to pay for the fare) or online and through the bus company app.
Full-day Tour to Verona from Lake Garda
Joining an organised group from Lake Garda to Verona is another option to consider, especially if you don’t really like the idea of using public transport or hiring a car.
This Verona Day Tour from Lake Garda departs from various Lake Garda locations, including Desenzano, Riva del Garda, and Bardolino. The tour includes round-trip transportation, a professional guide, and a guided walking tour of Verona.
During the tour you will explore Verona’s historic centre, visiting landmarks such as the Verona Arena, Juliet’s Balcony, and Piazza delle Erbe. You’ll also have some free time for shopping, dining, or further exploration.
This tour is perfect if you want to spend a day in Verona without an itinerary and learn about Verona’s multilayered history and culture accompanied by a local guide.
Getting from Lake Garda to Verona
Travelling from Lake Garda to Verona is straightforward, with multiple transport options to suit different preferences and budgets.
Whether you prefer the speed of the train, the flexibility of driving, the affordability of the bus, or the convenience of a guided tour, Verona’s rich history and vibrant culture await you.
Still unsure if Verona is a good day trip to take from Lake Garda, then I suggest you read my guide is Verona worth visiting that will help you make up your mind!
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