Ortisei to Malcesine

You are traveling between two points nowhere close a railway station and crossing two indipendent provinces and another regional administration, each one organizing their own local bus service. The easiest route I can think is bus Ortisei to Bolzano or Ponte Gardena, train to Trento, bus to Riva del Garda, then bus to Malcesine, about 4 hours. Frankly if you can find a driver it would be much easier but also much more expensive. It is the kind of trip that really needs a car.

We took bus from Ortesei to Bolzano, train to Rovereto, and then a private driver to Macesine. It was 90 euros each way.

Keeping in mind I haven't actually done this you can get from Chiusa Klausen FS to Rovereto by train. It's 1:20 - 1:40 hours and runs pretty regularly. (At least using current time tables.) You should be able to get to Chiusa Klausen FS via bus from Ortisei - check routes 350, 351, 360. This may require yet another change to a local train for 6 minutes to get to the actual train station. This should clearer once you are local.

Alternately you should be able to bus from Ortisei to Bolzano (1 hour) and then train from Bolzano to Rovereto. Check Sudtirol Alto Adige route 350.

Either way once you get to Rovereto it looks like bus for an hour to Riva del Garda and ferry (1:00) to Malcesine. Or a bus to Torbole (almost to Riva on the same bus) and then change buses to Malcesine (1:45 with a 30 minute wait).

So it looks like bus plus train for about 2:15 plus wait time and then two more buses (1:45) or a bus and ferry (1:45).
Or a 2 hour drive. I'm not a "private transfer" kind of guy but this looks like it might make sense in this situation depending on cost and your inclination.

Now if you consider the ferry as part of your lake experience - and it should be but less fun with luggage - then really it's only 3-4 hours of travel and then the ferry. But in any event it will be a big travel day.

I haven't been to Rovereto but I've heard good things about it so maybe lunch and tour a little but there and break up the day and then bus to Riva and get the ferry to Malcesine. If you can make it a bit of a travel and explore day rather than an endless slog to get to your next place maybe that will reduce the "trek" feel of it.

Good luck, I hope that helps, but you have some research and work to do,
=Tod

[Edit: I'm glad to hear from @BethFL who has experience that this is a viable plan. I was relying on web searches.)

Just to note that the Riva bus station is at least a mile from the ferry port. That’s not a problem for a backpack traveler but might require a taxi if you have luggage. So perhaps just taking the bus from Riva to Malcesine is a better choice.

In June, I did bus from Ortisei to Bolzano, then train to Rovereto and private driver from Rovereto to Malcesine.

I really do appreciate all of your suggestions and advice. Thank you!
@BethFL and @Janet, who did you hire for private driving, and how can I reach out to them? We are staying at an Airbnb in Malcesine, and unfortunately the host doesn’t have any private drivers’ contacts. Thanks again!

I got two names from our airbnb host and booked with the one that replied the quickest.

It was Chicar. [email protected] The driver met us outside the Roverto station with iPad with my name on it. Drove us to Malcescine and back. Spoke English. Mercedes car. 90 Euros each way.

And I got Chi-Car's name from Beth and used them for two trips (Rovereto to Malcesine and Malcesine to Peschiera del Garda for departure). Those trips were 100 euro and 130 euro for me in June 2025 - and WELL worth it, in my opinion. Andrea (male, the company owner and my driver) was delightful and spoke perfect English.

Edited to add: In my opinion, this is another example of the high value of this forum.

Thank you again! I was able to secure a ride with @Taxi-Ivan from Ortisei to Malcesine. He has been recommended multiple times by Laurel and others on this forum. I thought he was only available within the Dolomites area, but apparently not! His price was definitely the best. Once again, I am so thankful for everything that is shared on the forum.

Janet - Thanks for this! I've ridden with Ivan back and forth from Ortisei to Bolzano but also had no idea he went "abroad." Going direct from Ortisei to Malcesine would be a dream!