Compare Lake Garda car hire

While boats might be the most popular way to hop around the lake’s shore, renting a car in Lake Garda will give you a set of keys to the wider area, from the hairpin bends of the Dolomites to the canals of the Venetian Riviera and Juliet’s balcony in Verona.

Strap in, fire up your satnav and get ready to cover some serious ground in Lake Garda – from sandy bays to snow-capped peaks, driving in Italy doesn’t get much more dramatic than this.

Driving is quicker than fiddling around with public transport to Lake Garda, so it’s advisable to reclaim your baggage and make a beeline for your wheels. Verona Brescia (VBS) is a far smaller airport, so it isn’t kitted out with quite as many options, but you can pick up some of Lake Garda’s cheapest rental car deals from here.

You will have no problem finding a car hire company in Lake Garda and you’ll often find the cheapest car rental deals by booking in advance. Several international car rental companies, including Avis, Hertz and Europcar, operate directly from Verona Villafranca (VRN) and Milan Bergamo (BGY) airports.

If you don’t fancy driving directly from the airport, book a transfer to your hotel and arrange to pick up your rental car from your resort.

There are cheap Lake Garda car hire offices in the main harbour towns such as Riva, Malcesine, Desenzano and Sirmione, so you’ll never be stuck for a set of keys. This way, you can explore Lake Garda by ferry and go further afield by rental car for a couple of day trips, giving you the best of both worlds.

1. Italian drivers are often, let’s say, slightly on the aggressive side, so prepare to be overtaken in all kinds of inappropriate places. Leave plenty of braking distance ahead of you and keep a close eye on the  rearview mirror.
   
   
2. Don’t get lost and end up arguing in your hire car – it’s a real holiday downer. Ideally, bring your own satnav and buy a detailed road map of the area in advance. Lake Garda car rental companies sometimes provide sub-standard maps, so bringing your own will avoid navigation blips – and the ensuing silent treatment!
   
   
3. If you’re taking a day trip to Venice, be prepared to pay through the nose for parking. All of the public car parks near the waterbus terminals charge phenomenal fees, just because they can. Sadly, there’s no other option, so suck it up and get in a gondola.