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Is Lake Garda expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Lake Garda is mid-priced to expensive by Italian standards: cheaper than Lake Como or the Amalfi Coast, but dearer than inland towns, and high season adds a lot. Expect about €100 a day per person on a tight budget, about €190 mid-range and €375 or more for comfort. Hotels, ferries and the big paid sights take most of the money.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| 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.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Gelato cone in Sirmione | about €3–4 |
| Aperitivo with snacks | about €6–9 |
| Pizza | €9–14 |
| Two-course dinner with wine, per person | €30–45 |
| Glass of Bardolino or Chiaretto | about €4–7 |
| Ferry trip (Navigazione Laghi) | roughly €5–20 depending on distance |
| Rocca Scaligera, Sirmione | around €10 |
| Vittoriale degli Italiani with house tour | about €20 |
| Monte Baldo cable car return, summer | roughly €25–30 |
| Mid-range double room, Bardolino or Garda | €120–200 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the largest cost: campsites and simpler hotels around Desenzano and Peschiera start at about €80–130 a night for a double, mid-range hotels in Bardolino, Garda or Riva €120–210, and lake-view spa hotels in Sirmione or Gardone €250–500. Getting around adds up, because ferries are priced by distance and a lake tour can mean several boats a day; parking is also expensive in summer. Sights are not free either — the Vittoriale, the Monte Baldo cable car and the castles all charge. Food is typical of northern Italy: a pizza is €9–14 and a two-course dinner with wine €30–45 per person. Most towns also add a tourist tax of roughly €1–5 per person per night.
When it is cheaper
April, May, late September and October are noticeably cheaper than July and August, which are the most expensive and crowded months. Many hotels close from November to March, so winter is not always cheaper — choice is simply smaller.
How to spend less
- Stay in Desenzano or Peschiera, on the Milan–Venice train line, where hotels are cheaper and ferries reach the whole lake.
- Buy a one-day ferry ticket for a zone or the whole lake if you plan to take several boats.
- Arrive in Sirmione by train to Desenzano plus a bus instead of driving; cars cannot enter the historic centre and parking is costly.
- Take the Monte Baldo cable car at opening time and bring a picnic for the ridge rather than eating at the top station.
- Make aperitivo with snacks your light dinner on some evenings.
- Swim at free public beaches such as Jamaica Beach in Sirmione instead of paying for lidos every day.
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Common questions
Is Lake Garda expensive?
It is mid-priced to expensive for Italy. Expect about €100 a day on a budget, about €190 mid-range and €375 or more for comfort.
Is Lake Garda cheaper than Lake Como?
Generally yes, especially in the south around Desenzano and Peschiera, where hotels and campsites are cheaper.
How much are ferries on Lake Garda?
Roughly €5–20 per trip depending on distance. A one-day ticket is good value if you take several boats.