Lake Garda Boat & Ferry Guide

Boat is the best way to get around Lake Garda. It can be the quickest way too but my advice is rather try not to rush - Garda is not that sort of place. Take your time and enjoy a slow cruise around the lake or from town to town.

For those in a rush...

The hydrofoil and catamaran are the best options. They are fast and my son loves them. I think he would spend most of his day going up and down on the hydrofoil but then he loves anything that goes fast. Personally I find you zoom from one place to the next without seeing very much and they are very expensive. Not worth it is my considered opinion.

The slower option…

The car ferries are both cheaper and slower. This is the way to see the lake – slowly and calmly while sitting on deck and enjoying the sunshine.

Plenty of people take their car across the lake like this and it is quicker than driving all the way around. It makes sense considering the time saved and, if you work out the cost of the ferry versus the petrol, it will probably save you money too.

Even slower are the old steamers still operating out of Desenzano. These are over a hundred years old and look quite magnificent chugging up and down the lake. I have never been on one and I am not sure how you get to go on them – I believe they are now used only for private charters so perhaps you need to work for a corporation that hires one for an event or something. If you do work for such a corporation please invite me next time!

Tickets for the ferries, catamarans and hydrofoils can be bought at the ports.

Need somewhere to stay?

Hotels on Lake Garda are a mixed bag. I have a few I know and which I can trust to not let you down. Have a look at the list here.

For more on Lake Garda, Venice, Italy and boats please try the search engine below.