Harbour on the east shore of Lake Garda with a boat landing

Boat trips on Lake Garda: ferries, day tickets and prices 2026

Going from town to town by boat is the most relaxed way to see Lake Garda, with no traffic or parking hunt. What tickets cost in 2026 and which route is worth it.

Photo: Davy1509, CC BY-SA 4.0

By Redaktion HotelGardasee.com · Updated

The scheduled boats of Navigazione Laghi link almost all the towns on Lake Garda. A day ticket for the whole lake costs €39.50 for adults in 2026, children aged 4 to 11 pay €20, and the family ticket is €79. The summer timetable runs from 16 May to 4 October 2026.

Tickets 2026

Ticket Price Good to know
Day ticket whole lake (adult) €39.50 Includes fast boats
Day ticket reduced €31.60 Per the operator’s tariff conditions
Children aged 4-11 €20 Free under 4
Family ticket €79 Valid for one day
Three-day ticket €79 For frequent travellers
Day ticket upper or lower lake €27 One half of the lake only
Single ticket from €3.50 Desenzano-Riva approx. €17.50

Sources: Navigazione Laghi tariff page (valid from 1 April 2026) and overviews from GardaVisit and Monsguide. No guarantee; current timetables at navigazionelaghi.it.

Do the sums: for two short trips, single tickets are enough. From three or four legs on the same day, or as a family, the day ticket is cheaper.

The most scenic routes

  • Malcesine ↔ Limone: a short crossing over the northern lake, between the cable car and the lemon groves.
  • Garda ↔ Sirmione: from the east shore to the moated castle in the south.
  • Riva ↔ Desenzano: the whole lake in one day, about 2¼ hours by fast boat.

Car ferry Maderno-Torri

The car ferry between Toscolano-Maderno (west) and Torri del Benaco (east) saves the long drive around the lake. It runs in the summer timetable from 16 May to 4 October 2026. Check departure times and prices with the operator before you travel.

Prefer a guided boat tour?

Instead of the scheduled boat: a speedboat, a sailing boat or a Fiat 500 boat you drive yourself.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a day ticket for the Lake Garda ferries?

For the whole lake including fast boats, €39.50 for adults (2026 Navigazione Laghi tariff), reduced €31.60, children aged 4 to 11 €20. A family ticket costs €79 per day.

How long does the trip from Desenzano to Riva take?

About 2 hours 15 minutes by fast boat, and up to around 5 hours on the slow scheduled boat.

Is there a car ferry across Lake Garda?

Yes, between Toscolano-Maderno on the west shore and Torri del Benaco on the east shore. In the 2026 summer timetable it runs from 16 May to 4 October.

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