Stay in Desenzano or Peschiera — the two railway stations on the lake (trains from Milan, Verona and Venice). From there the ferries run to Sirmione (≈ 20 min from Desenzano) and the southern towns. The north is far: Desenzano–Riva takes ≈ 4 h by ferry, ≈ 2 h 15 by fast boat. For hiking or watersports in Riva / Torbole, arrive via Rovereto station + bus and stay there. Garda / Bardolino suit ferry hopping but need a bus from Peschiera or Verona. Full summer timetable 16 May – 4 October 2026; fewer boats outside it.
Checked 2026-09-24 · Lake Garda · Nature
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Rail bases | Desenzano · Peschiera (south) |
| North gateway | Rovereto station + bus to Riva/Torbole |
| Desenzano → Sirmione | ≈ 20 min by ferry |
| Desenzano → Riva | ≈ 4 h ferry · ≈ 2 h 15 fast boat |
| Summer timetable | 16 May – 4 Oct 2026 |
| Day pass | €39.50 whole lake (adult) |
The bases compared
| Base | Arrive by | Best for | Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desenzano | Train | Easiest arrivals, ferries to Sirmione | Busy town |
| Peschiera | Train | Compact stay, near Verona | Theme-park crowds nearby in summer |
| Sirmione | Bus or ferry from Desenzano | Castle, peninsula, thermal baths | No station; day-trip crowds |
| Garda / Bardolino | Bus from Peschiera or Verona | Central ferry hopping | Bus service changes by season |
| Riva / Torbole | Train to Rovereto + bus | Hiking, cycling, watersports | Far from the southern towns |
| Malcesine | Bus or boat | Monte Baldo cable car | Long ride from the rail stations |
From the EmweGo Lake Garda guide · checked 24 Sep 2026
Ferries
Navigarda ferries
GardaVisit · ferry service 2026 ↗ · Instagarda · ferries 2026 ↗
South to north is slow
Autumn and winter
Garda town for ferry hopping
Reddit · one week on Lake Garda ↗ · Reddit · Lake Garda without a car ↗
Quick answers
Where should I stay on Lake Garda without a car?
Desenzano or Peschiera — both have train stations and ferries.
How long is the ferry from Desenzano to Riva del Garda?
About 4 hours by ferry or 2 h 15 by fast boat.
Is there a train station on Lake Garda?
Yes — Desenzano and Peschiera in the south; Rovereto (plus bus) for the north.
Go deeper in our guides
Related answers
Sources: GardaVisit · ferry service 2026 ↗ · Instagarda · ferries 2026 ↗ · VisitGarda · rail gateways ↗