We are going to be staying in Lake Guarda for a couple of days and would like some help. We would like to take a day trip to Lugano and did not know if that is doable.
Any help would be appreciated.
Jerry
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Trains take about 3 hours each way with a connection at Milan (e.g., from Desenzano del Garda/Sirmione station). How to Look Up Train Schedules and Routes Online gives you the DB train schedule link and tips for using it. I would not expect to find a bus on this route.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16243 posts
It's Garda (without the 'u').
If you are staying only a couple of days at Lake Garda, why do you want to waste a perfectly good day to travel all the way to Lugano?
They aren't even that close, so most of the day will be spent on the (rail)road and by the time you get there, you will only have the time to change platform to catch the train back.
It's like having only 2 days at Lake Tahoe, and wanting to take a day trip to San Francisco?
Posted by
California 🦋
5301 posts
Jerry,
I agree with Roberto, enjoy your stay at Lake Garda & plan on visiting Lugano on a different trip.
You can cruise the lake via ferry boat & visit some or all of the lakeside villages.
This is the website for the ferry schedules: http://www.navlaghi.it/eng/g_illago.html[1]
Happy travels!
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Lugano is closer to Lake Como than to Lake Garda. If you prefer to stay on Lake Garda, there are lots of easy daytrips. Just taking the ferry to some of the shoreline towns can be a great way to spend your time there.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
Which town on Lago di Garda are you planning to stay? Some of the towns are not as easily accessible to rail stations, so not as convenient to use as a base for day trips.
As the others have mentioned, a day trip to Lugano will take awhile and while it may be feasible, it's not as practical. If the trip to Lugano is important, staying on Lago di Como or Lago Maggiore may be a better choice. If you stay in Stresa (Lago Maggiore), you could also consider a day trip to Locarno (Switzerland) via the scenic Cento Valli Railway, returning by boat in the early evening.
Posted by
134 posts
If you really want to go to Lugano, why don't you visit Milano and go from there there is a train every hour from Milan.
There are also very nice lakes, smaller but not so much known, in Piedmont and Lombardia. I prefer Lake Como o Maggiore to Lago di Garda but that's a matter of taste or souvenirs.