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Milano / Milan / Mailand to Desenzano del Garda by train
How to travel from Milan by train to the closest Lake Garda town
When heading to this beautiful town on the shore of Lake Garda travellers have a choice between taking:
1: the Regional trains, they're more frequent and generally cheaper (they will be when booking last minute at the station)
However, they're also the slowest option and seats can't be reserved; though modern, smart double-decked trains are now used on most departures.
2: the express trains, which are faster and seats assigned when booking, but the speed comes at a price because they tend to be more expensive.
Fastest of all are the Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia and the rival Italo trains, as they whizz down the high speed line between Milano and Brescia.
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Routes
Option 1: the slower, cheaper and most frequent trains
Journey Summary
1hr 25min (approx)
Daily
Travel Information
When taking a train journey from Milano to Brescia, you can reach your destination twice as fast, by taking the alternative high speed trains.
However, if you'll be booking tickets last minute at the station, you'll save more than €10 by taking these Regionale trains.
And if you will be travelling with a Eurail or InterRail Pass, you can avoid the €10 rail pass reservation fees payable on those journeys by Frecce trains
Final Destination: Verona P.N.
The train service is operated by Trenord and not Trenitalia.
15 - 16 x trains per day
This service of Regionale trains is usually comprised of 1 x train per hour, but on Mondays to Fridays there are no departures between 08:25 and 11:25.
On weekends there are no departures between 09:25 and 11:25.
Tickets
Book early and save: No
Tickets will cost the same price if purchased at the station immediately before departure.
These Regionale trains are always cheaper than the faster Frecciarossa trains, you can save a minimum of €5.
They'll be more than €10 cheaper, if you'll be booking last minute at the station.
This train service is operated by Trenord and not Trenitalia, but InterRail and Eurail Passes CAN be used on Trenord's trains.
Rail Pass Users should take these trains and avoid the rail pass reservation fees on the Frecce trains.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Trenitalia | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
If your seat is on the left of the train, look out for when the train slows down to make the station call at Desenzano.
On a clear day you can see a fantastic view over Lake Garda!
Option 2: taking the Frecce fast trains
Journey Summary
51 mins (approx)
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Venezia S.L. (or Trieste or Udine)
4 x trains per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date; though the booking period will be typically be shorter when looking up journeys for travel after the second Sunday in December.
The faster (AV) train service between and Milano and Desenzano is provided by
(1) these Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia and
(2) alternative Italo trains
Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed up to 6 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are typically made available around 3 to 4 months ahead.
Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains - and Italo does not sell tickets for the Trenitalia trains.
If you're booking no more than 4 months ahead and have no particular preference for the train that you will be taking, the price and departure times of the Frecce and Italo trains can be directly compared on with Trainline or Omio, though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.
Rail Pass Users:
You can avoid the rail pass reservation fees charged on these trains by taking the alternative non high-speed trains.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Italia rail | from approx €14 | |
| Trenitalia | from approx €14 | |
| Save A Train | from approx €14 | |
| Omio | from approx €14 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
The express train service between Milano and Desenzano del Grada-Sirmione station is split between these Frecce trains and alternative Italo trains.
If your seat is on the left of the train, look out for when the train slows down to make the station call at Desenzano.
On a clear day you can see a fantastic view over Lake Garda!
Option 2: taking the Italo fast trains
Journey Summary
51 min (Italo)
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Venezia S.L. or Udine
Monday to Thursday: = 5 x trains per day
Friday to Sunday: = 4 x trains per day
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
**Online bookings open: around 3 months ahead of the travel date
The express train service between Milano and Desenzano is provided by:
(1) these Italo trains
(2) alternative Frecce trains operated by Trenitalia
Tickets for the Trenitalia Frecce trains are placed on sale around 6 months in advance, but the Italo train tickets are made available around 3 to 4 months ahead.
Trenitalia does not sell tickets for the Italo trains - and Italo does not sell tickets for the Trenitalia trains.
If you're booking no more than 4 months ahead and have no particular preference for the train that you will be taking, the price and departure times of the Frecce and Italo trains can be directly compared on with Trainline or Omio, though look out for the fact that both of these services will charge a booking fee.
Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.
Eurail and InterRail passes can't be used on Italo trains.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Italo | from €9 approx | |
| Trainline | from €9 approx | |
| Happy rail | from €9 approx | |
| Omio | from €9 approx |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
If your seat is on the left of the train, look out for when the train slows down to make the station call at Desenzano.
On a clear day you can see a fantastic view over Lake Garda!
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