I will be spending 4 nights in Desenzano in July with no car. I have tried looking up the ferry schedule from Desenzano to Limone and it looks like it will take over 2 hours. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has done this trip using public transport (bus, ferry or train, although it looks like Limone doesn't have a train station). Also, Desenzano to Malcesine is another day trip I would like to do, but the train route is extremely convoluted so it would have to be bus or ferry. Grazie!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
Susan,
I was in that area last September and travelled from Peschiera to Limone sul Garda by boat. The duration of the trip will depend on which type of boat you use. The Aliscafo (Hydrofoil) is the quickest, the Catamarans are a bit slower and the traditional car Ferries are the slowest.
Unfortunately, according to the current schedule, it appears that the options for boat transport from Desenzano are not that good. I found that Peschiera was an ideal location for both ferry and rail access, and that appears to be where the boats are based as I watched them being taken out of their mooring area first thing in the morning.
The boat stops in Sirmione so you could connect with it there or in Peschiera. Your best bet would probably be to take the train from Desenzano to Peschiera, as the trip is only about 10 minutes. Walk downstairs and as soon as you exit the station, you'll likely see Taxi's on your left, and the trip to the boat dock is only a few minutes. If you want to walk from the station to the docks, I timed it at about 13 minutes at a brisk walk (assuming you know the way of course). The trip from Peschiera to LImone via "fast" boat is 2H:36M. The return boat departs Limone at 15:55 and I believe that's the last one of the day so don't miss it!
The same boats stop in Malcesine (it's the stop before Limone) so you could make the same trip on two different days. That would probably be easier and more direct than taking the bus. As you noted, neither Malcesine or Limone have rail access.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16243 posts
If you still have the time to make changes, see if you can switch locations and stay in Peschiera. Peschiera is a beautiful historic town with a famous fortress on the water. Desenzano is a large resort town, but I never cared for it. Lake Garda is probably not the most ideal lake if you rely on trains, since only Peschiera and Desenzano have stations, however both boats and buses are an option. Ken gave you great info on boats. i don't have personal experience with transit there since I always go there by car, but these are all the bus schedules:
http://www.lagodigarda.it/Linee-autobus/1158-1.html
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
Further to Roberto's comments, I liked Peschiera and would definitely stay there again. I was less impressed with some of the other towns.
Posted by
OP
Kamloops, BC, Canada
484 posts
Thanks very much to you all for your great advice! If you could please recommend a clean hotel in Peschiera (preferably with a lake view from the hotel room) with a central location fairly close to the train station, I don't mind paying a higher price for a good hotel. Thanks again,
Susan
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
Susan,
I'm not sure how many choices there will be with both a lake view and close to the train station. However, after wandering around there for a few days,here are a few thoughts......
I stayed at Hotel Garden and for proximity to the train station, it doesn't get any better than this! The hotel entrance is about a one or two minute walk from the front door of the train station. I found the rooms to be more "basic" but clean and comfortable. The staff were great, the food in the restaurant was good (IMO) and they served a decent breakfast (although the coffee was from a machine which didn't impress me, but that seems to be more common with many hotels in Europe these days). There are usually Taxis at the station so it's very convenient to get anywhere in town. There's a laundromat within a reasonable distance if needed (I took a Taxi to the laundromat, but walked back). The hotel does have an Elevator.
If your budget will allow, one hotel that might fit your criteria is the Enjoy Garda Hotel. It's on the same side of the canal as Hotel Garden but somewhat closer to the boat docks (probably about a 10 minute walk). It's not right on the lake, but should have a view of the lake from the top floors. I walked through that area a number of times, and as I recall there are ATM's and a Pharmacy nearby. The hotel received a Trip Advisor Traveller's Choice award in 2014, so I'm sure you'd be very comfortable there.
Be sure to choose the quicker boats going up the lake. I took the Catamaran to Limone and the Aliscafo on the return journey. That's kind of an interesting experience. I sat on the lower level and could see the "wing" coming out of the water when it got up to speed.
Buon Viaggio!