Although it would be very convenient to have an airport in Lake Garda, reaching Lake Garda by air is easier than you might think. Here’s a complete guide to the 8 nearest airports to Lake Garda, and the connections and public transport options from each airport to Lake Garda.
The area is well served by trains and public transportation, but also nicely connected to airports via roads and highways.
Customized transfer services can be requested at each of the airports in the vicinity of the lake in order to make transportation as convenient and practical as possible.
Lake Garda’s strategic location also makes it well-served by international airports such as London Heathrow and Sharm El Sheikh.
Nearest Airports to Lake Garda Map
Milan Bergamo Airport – Orio al Serio Airport
Milan Bergamo Airport, whose official name is Il Caravaggio International Airport, is located in Orio al Serio, a town 5 km from Bergamo and 50 km from Milan.
It represents the Italian operational base of the European low-cost airline, Ryanair. Together with the other two airports in Milan, it forms the Milan airport system.
Initially used for military purposes, it has become a civilian airport since 1970.
Connections and public transportation from the airport to Lake Garda
Bergamo Airport is well-connected to major Italian cities and towns. Shuttle buses depart from Bergamo station with a frequency of 30 minutes to connect the airport to the city center.
From here it is then possible to reach Lake Garda by your own vehicle or by taxi along the A4 highway Milan-Venice arriving at the southern end of the lake. Or by taking the A22 Brenner-Modena motorway arriving east of Lake Garda instead.
From Bergamo airport to the western shore of the lake the travel time is around one hour by car.
If you choose the public transportation option, you can use the train connections that link Bergamo train station to Peschiera del Garda, in the province of Verona, and Desenzano del Garda, in the province of Brescia, and then travel locally to the lake by bus.
Milan Linate airport
Milan Linate Airport is part of Milan’s main airport district. It is Italy’s eighth-largest airport in terms of passenger and flight traffic.
It accommodates domestic and international traffic by grouping the entire basin of airports in northern Italy. Although it’s mainly used for low-cost carriers, it is now also increasing its tourist reputation.
Completely renovated in recent years, Milano Linate Airport is now one of the most advanced airports in Europe.
Connections and public transportation from the airport to Lake Garda
Milano Linate Airport is connected to Milan by high-frequency trains and shuttle buses. From 2022, it is possible to reach the center of Milan by the new M4 subway.
The first location reachable by car from Milano Linate is Desenzano del Garda, taking about one hour and ten minutes depending on traffic conditions taking the Verona – Modena highway.
If you choose to use public transport, the best way is the train. The travel time rises to an hour and a half from Milano Centrale, with the ticket costing about 20 euros.
Once you get to the Desenzano del Garda – Sirmione stop on the southern shore, you can reach the other towns on the lake by local transportation.
Milan Malpensa airport
Milan Malpensa is an intercontinental airport in the province of Varese, but part of the Milan area. It is the second busiest airport in Italy in terms of passenger traffic and has numerous daily direct flights with major cities in Europe.
It rises from an old farmstead that was once an aviation school. It was the first in Italy to have a direct connection to New York.
Connections and public transportation from the airport to Lake Garda
Malpensa Airport is served by the Malpensa Express, a train that departs every 30 minutes from Milano Centrale and Milano Cadorna. Travel time varies from 50 to 30 minutes, depending on the stop chosen.
There are also regular buses connecting the airport to the city center. Other buses connect it directly to Peschiera del Garda, in the province of Verona, in 4 hours.
During the high season the frequency of these connections increases, as do the destinations on the west side of Lake Garda that can be reached from Milan.
By car, you can take the A35 highway (Brescia, Bergamo, Milano) and reach the southern shore.
Verona airport – Verona Villafranca airport
Verona Airport (also called Verona Villafranca and Valerio Catullo) turns out to be the easiest airport to reach Lake Garda and the nearest airport to Lake Garda. This airport in Verona is located between three regions: Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino-Alto Adige.
The management company of Verona airport is the same as that of Brescia airport.
Given the increase in air traffic from all over Europe in recent years, it was decided to expand and modernize Verona airport. There are also plans to build a new train station along the Verona – Modena line to better serve the entire area.
Connections and public transportation from the airport to Lake Garda
Verona Airport is the closest airport to Lake Garda; in fact, it is only 15 km away. From Verona, you can easily reach all locations on the lake on both the western and southern shores using public transport.
There is a direct bus service run by the Azienda Trasporti Verona that connects the Verona airport to the lake and to Verona Porta Nuova in a short distance.
There is also a shuttle bus from Verona Porta Nuova station to Peschiera del Garda.
Venezia airport
Venice Marco Polo Airport is among the most important airports in northern Italy. Direct flights arrive here from all over Europe.
This airport is served by a transportation network that connects the airport to Venezia Mestre station and to the entire Venetian lagoon area.
In recent years Venice airport has undergone remodeling and expansion such as a new terminal and runway. To date, it is a base for low-cost airlines such as Wizz Air and Ryanair.
The Venice airport system includes the airport of the same name and Treviso airport.
Connections and public transportation from the airport to Lake Garda
The structure is located 13 km from the city of Venice. It can be reached by regular bus service or by following the boat lines of boats.
Private transfer services and taxis have been set up directly from the airport to Lake Garda. The distance to travel with your own car is 2 1/2 hours, for a total of 185 km.
It is not among the closest airports to the city of the lake, but it is still well served by public transport and train.
Brescia Montichiari airport
Brescia Montichiari Airport is located in a municipality in the province of Brescia. It is managed by the company that also runs Verona Villafranca Airport.
Brescia Airport represents the main hub for the Italian Post Office and Amazon.
Brescia Montichiari’s origins date back to the first Italian aviation event in 1909. It has since become the best airport for the Air Dolomiti airline, with which it operates flights nationwide.
Connections and public transportation from the airport to Lake Garda
As for connections to Lake Garda, the Brescia structure is served by the A35 (Brescia, Bergamo, Milano), A21, and A4 freeways. These are very convenient routes to reach the westernmost side of the lake in just 30 minutes by car or taxi.
The direct train from Brescia train station to Desenzano – Sirmione station has a frequency of 30 minutes and takes about 15 minutes.
Treviso airport
Treviso Airport is among the newest airports in Italy. Started as a center for the local aeroclub, it is now also a stopover for flights from Europe.
It sits in the Sile Park nature zone and is used more for service functions compared to the busier Venice airport.
The airport in Lake Garda is located in the surrounding area and is well connected by public transportation to the main lake resorts.
Connections and public transportation from the airport to Lake Garda
There is a car rental service and a cab service to reach the main surrounding cities. By city buses, it is possible to reach the historic center of Treviso.
From here one can rent a car or use the trains to Milano Centrale train station which stops at the main stations around Lago di Garda.
It is very convenient for reaching the southern shores of the lake train directly.
Innsbruck airport
Innsbruck Airport is convenient for connecting to the shores north of Lake Garda. It is a popular stopover for winter sports enthusiasts and those who want to explore the areas of Tyrol.
It is a very scenically impressive airport surrounded by Alpine peaks. You can either fly from here to Italian locations and then take land transportation to Lake Garda or otherwise head straight to Lake Garda by car, bus, or train.
Innsbruck is the Austrian hub for Verso connections to Italy, due to its proximity to the national border.
Connections and public transportation from the airport to Lake Garda
Unlike the Bolzano airport, which makes it possible to reach cities such as Riva del Garda in about 1 hour and 30 minutes, the Innsbruck spot is located 3 hours away.
It is the best hub for tourists coming from northern Europe.
Buses or the Eurocity train can be used to reach Riva del Garda.
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