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 (VRN), just 30 minutes away, offering numerous domestic and international flights. Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY), 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 (LIN), and Malpensa (MXP) are ideal, located about 130 kilometers away. Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE), 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. Located near the town of Villafranca di Verona and just outside the city of Verona, it serves as the ideal gateway for travelers heading to the eastern and southern side of the lake.
To reach Lake Garda by public transport, upon arrival choose ATV bus line 482, runs hourly from March until mid-October, connecting Verona Airport to Peschiera del Garda, and extending to Garda during the summer months. Click here to find the information how from Peschiera del Garda train station continue on to Sirmione, Desenzano, Lazise, Bardolino, Garda, Torri del Benaco, Brenzone sul Garda, Malcesine or Riva del Garda.
Alternatively, You can use shuttle service Airlink Line N.199 that operates all year around between Verona Airport and Verona Porta Nuova train station. From there, you’ll find direct trains to Peschiera del Garda and Desenzano del Garda, two key towns on the lake’s southern shore. Both are well connected by local bus lines and public ferries, making it easy to reach other lakeside villages.
Several bus routes are also available: ATV bus lines 162, 163, 164, and 185, that connect Verona Porta Nuova station with towns along the eastern shores of Lake Garda — including Peschiera del Garda, Lazise, Bardolino, Garda, as well as the ARRIVA bus line LN026, that connect Verona Porta Nuova station with towns along the southern shores of Lake Garda — Peschiera del Garda, San Benedetto, Sirmione, and Desenzano del Garda.
If you’re heading to the northern shores (Riva del Garda, Torbole), you can take a bus or public ferry from either Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano del Garda. Another option is to travel by train from Verona Porta Nuova to Rovereto, then continue on Trentino Trasporti bus line 332, which runs year-round to Riva del Garda.
For more information, visit the official website: Verona Airport Valerio Catullo.
Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY)
Milan Bergamo Airport, also known as Orio al Serio Airport, is a popular entry point for travelers heading t Lake Garda, particularly those flying with budget airlines from across Europe. Located near the town of Bergamo and approximately 80 kilometers west of Lake Garda, it offers convenient access to many of the lake’s main towns.
Upon arrival, travelers can choose from several transport options to reach Lake Garda. The most direct route involves taking the Autostradale Shuttle Bus from Bergamo Airport (Bus Stop 7) to Desenzano del Garda train station. Click here for information on how to continue to Sirmione, Peschiera del Garda, Padenghe, Moniga, Manerba, San Felice del Benaco, Salò, Gardone Riviera, Toscolano Maderno, or Limone sul Garda.
Another direct option is the FlixBus Shuttle, which runs year-round from Bergamo Airport to Peschiera del Garda. These buses offer a convenient and straightforward way to reach Lake Garda, eliminating the need for multiple transfers. Click here for information on how to continue from Peschiera del Garda train station to Sirmione, Desenzano, Lazise, Bardolino, Garda, Torri del Benaco, Brenzone sul Garda, Malcesine, or Riva del Garda.
If the direct route doesn’t fit your schedule, there are several convenient alternatives. You can take one of the shuttle services from Bergamo Airport to Brescia — either the Autostradale Shuttle Bus to Brescia bus station, or the Orio al Serio Airlink Bus to Brescia Poliambulanza (just a few meters from the Brescia Metro), or to Verona Porta Nuova train station. The Airlink service operates up to 15 times per day, including nighttime departures.
From Brescia train station (located next to the bus station), you can continue by direct train to Desenzano del Garda or Peschiera del Garda — which are two main towns on Lake Garda’s southern shore. Both towns offer excellent onward connections to other parts of the lake via local buses and ferries. Otherwise, the ARRIVA R-Link bus line RL202-1 and ARRIVA bus line LN026 connect Brescia bus station with various towns along the shores of Lake Garda.
Alternatively, you can take the Airport shuttle bus from Bergamo Airport to Bergamo Train Station, which operates frequently throughout the day. From there, travel by train (with one change) to Desenzano del Garda or Peschiera del Garda train station. Once you arrive at the lake, make use of the extensive bus and public ferry networks to explore the charming villages and resorts along the shoreline.
To reach the northern part of Lake Garda (Riva del Garda, Torbole), you can continue by bus or public ferry from either Peschiera del Garda or Desenzano del Garda. Another option is to take the direct Orio al Serio Airlink Bus from Bergamo Airport to Verona Porta Nuova train station, then take a train to Rovereto. Alternatively, you can take a train from Bergamo train station to Rovereto (with two changes). From there connect to the Trentino Trasporti bus line 332, which operates year-round and goes directly to Riva del Garda.
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 public 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 or M4 blue metro line 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 public 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, take a 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 ATVO Mestre Express Shuttle (Bus stop D) or the ACTV 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 public 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 162, 163, 164, and 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 FlixBus Shuttle 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