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How to get from Bergamo to Lake Garda
From Bergamo, the train to the southern shore of Lake Garda (Desenzano del Garda or Peschiera del Garda) takes about 1 h 30 to 2 h with a change in Brescia. Driving on the A4 motorway takes about 1 hour to Desenzano or Sirmione.
Best option: Train. Regional trains with one change in Brescia are frequent and avoid lakeside parking problems in summer.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| train Trenord regional train Bergamo–Brescia, then a train Brescia–Desenzano del Garda or Peschiera del Garda | about 1 h 30–2 h | roughly hourly | about €7–15 | Desenzano and Peschiera stations are on the Milan–Verona line; Sirmione has no station. |
| car A4 motorway towards Venice, exits Desenzano or Sirmione | about 1 h to the southern shore | tolls about €6–9 plus fuel | Parking in Sirmione and Desenzano is busy in summer; Sirmione old town is a limited-traffic zone. | |
| bus Regional buses from Desenzano or Peschiera station continue along the lake shores | add 20–60 min | frequent in summer | a few euros | Use these to reach Sirmione, Garda, Bardolino or Salò after the train. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Pick your lake base first: Desenzano and Peschiera have stations; Sirmione, Salò, Garda and Riva need a bus or boat from there.
- Lake ferries (Navigazione Laghi) connect Desenzano, Sirmione, Peschiera and other towns in season.
- Validate paper regional train tickets before boarding, or use digital tickets.
- In summer weekends, roads around Sirmione can be very congested; the train is calmer.
Common questions
Is there a direct train from Bergamo to Lake Garda?
Usually not. Most journeys need a change in Brescia, where you pick up a train on the Milan–Verona line towards Desenzano del Garda or Peschiera del Garda. The two legs together take about 1 h 30 to 2 hours including the change. Check current timetables for the best connection.
Can I do Lake Garda as a day trip from Bergamo?
Yes. The southern shore is close enough for a day trip. Take an early train to Desenzano, then a boat or bus to Sirmione, and come back in the evening. If you want to see the northern part of the lake around Riva or Limone, it is better to stay at least one night.
Is driving faster?
Yes, slightly: about an hour on the A4 to Desenzano or Sirmione, with tolls of a few euros. But in summer finding parking near the lake can take a long time, and Sirmione old town is closed to normal traffic. For a southern-shore day trip the train is often less stressful.
What is the cheapest way?
Regional trains are the cheapest option, usually about €7 to €15 one way depending on the route. Buy tickets at the station machines or on the Trenord and Trenitalia apps. Lake boats and buses cost extra, so check day passes if you plan several hops.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.