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Lake Garda on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
It is possible, but Lake Garda is not a cheap destination in summer; budget travellers save by staying in the south and using ferries and buses. A realistic minimum is about €100 a day per person sharing a room — around €45 for a bed, €30 for food, €15 for sights and €10 for transport.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €45 | €85 | €190 |
| Food & drink | €30 | €55 | €95 |
| Sights & tickets | €15 | €30 | €50 |
| Local transport | €10 | €20 | €40 |
| Per person, per day | €100 | €190 | €375 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Lake Garda day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Swimming at Jamaica Beach, the limestone slabs below the Grotte di Catullo in Sirmione
- Walking the lakeside promenade at Salò
- Walking or cycling the Ponale path above Riva del Garda
- The climb through olive groves to the views below Castello di Arco
- Watching windsurfers and kitesurfers at Torbole in the afternoon
- The lakefront walk between Bardolino and Lazise at sunset
Cheap eats
- Pizza — €9–14
- Aperitivo with snacks — about €6–9
- Gelato cone — about €3–4
- Canederli (bread dumplings) in Riva or Torbole — about €12–16
- Supermarket picnic with lake-area olive oil, bread and cheese — under €10
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay around Desenzano and Peschiera in the south, near the train stations, where simpler hotels are about €80–130 a night for a double and campsites are cheaper. Many campsites have cabins or mobile homes, a good option for small groups. Book early for July and August.
Getting around cheaply
Arrive by train at Desenzano or Peschiera (about 15–25 minutes from Verona), then use ferries and ATV and other shore buses. A one-day ferry pass is good value if you take several boats. In the north, rent a bike rather than a car.
A sample budget day
- Morning: train or bus to Sirmione and a walk through the old town, free
- Lunch: pizza (about €10–12)
- Afternoon: swim at Jamaica Beach, free, and a gelato (about €3–4)
- Evening: bus back to Desenzano and aperitivo with snacks as a light dinner (about €8)
- Total: about €100 including a shared room (about €45) and transport
More ways to save
- Choose one or two paid sights, such as the Vittoriale or the Monte Baldo cable car, rather than all of them.
- Travel in May, June or September for lower room prices and fewer crowds.
- Fill water bottles at public fountains in the towns.
- Buy wine directly from cantinas around Bardolino, where a bottle often costs less than two glasses in a bar.
- Use buses along the shore for short hops, which are cheaper than ferries.
- Consider a day trip to Verona by train instead of staying there, as lake towns near the station are cheaper.
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Common questions
Can you visit Lake Garda on a budget?
Yes, with care. Stay in the south, use trains, buses and ferries, and swim at free beaches. Plan on about €100 a day.
Do I need a car at Lake Garda?
No. Trains reach Desenzano and Peschiera, and ferries and buses link most towns. Parking is expensive in summer.
Where is the cheapest place to stay at Lake Garda?
Desenzano and Peschiera in the south, plus campsites around the lake, are usually the cheapest.