- Must visit
Palazzo Borromeo Museum
Museum spaces inside Palazzo Borromeo display period interiors, paintings, tapestries, and collections in one of Lake Maggiore’s grandest residences.
Cheapest price
lei246
Average price
lei308
Fastest journey
2 h 58 m
Average duration
5 h 17 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
162 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Desenzano del Garda to Stresa is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Desenzano del Garda to Stresa will cost around lei308 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only lei246.
It's difficult to get from Desenzano del Garda to Stresa without transferring at least once.










Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Desenzano del Garda to Stresa among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from lei87. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 29m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of lei87, and a bus costs an average of lei168.
Distance: 100 miles (162 km)
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
lei89 Average price Cheapest | lei201 Average price |
2h 59m Average total duration Fastest 2h 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 26m Average total duration 9h 56m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Desenzano del Garda to Stresa:
A train is lei111 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Desenzano del Garda to Stresa costing on average lei201.
Other travel options to Stresa take longer:
Bus takes on average 9h 56m.
The table below shows live departures for Desenzano del Garda to Stresa trains for today, Tuesday, August 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:23 PM Desenzano del Garda | 10h46 | 8:09 AM Stresa | 1 transfer | |
| Wednesday, August 5 | |||||
![]() | 10:33 AM Desenzano del Garda | 4h40 | 3:13 PM Stresa | 3 transfers | |
![]() | 10:33 AM Desenzano del Garda | 4h58 | 3:31 PM Stresa | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 3:33 PM Desenzano del Garda | 2h58 | 6:31 PM Stresa | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 5:33 PM Desenzano del Garda | 3h03 | 8:36 PM Stresa | 1 transfer | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Desenzano del Garda to Stresa run on average 23 times per day, taking around 2h 29m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at lei87 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 04:48, the last at 21:23. The fastest train covers the 100 miles (162 km) distance in 2h 50m.
Distance 100 miles (162 km) |
Average train duration 2h 29m |
Cheapest ticket price lei87 |
Trains per day 23 |
Fastest train 2h 50m |
First train 4:48 AM |
Last train 9:23 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Discover the best of Stresa — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Stresa trip today.
Museum spaces inside Palazzo Borromeo display period interiors, paintings, tapestries, and collections in one of Lake Maggiore’s grandest residences.
Historic house museum preserving philosopher Antonio Rosmini’s rooms, library, and manuscripts, important for Italian religious and intellectual history.
Gallery route within Isola Madre’s palace showing seventeenth-century furnishings, portraits, and domestic collections in an intimate island setting.
Stresa’s scenic waterfront promenade offers lake views, island panoramas, hotels, gardens, and easy walking between the ferry area and parks.
Lakeside park and zoological garden estate with mature trees, viewpoints, and broad lawns, popular for families and relaxed walks.
Garden terraces on Isola Bella showcase Baroque design, statues, and dramatic lake views; among the area’s most photographed outdoor spaces.
A rich baked dish of local chestnuts, milk, cocoa, sugar and rosemary. It is a historic Lake Maggiore dessert tied to mountain chestnut culture.
Delicate fresh pasta stuffed with braised meat, vegetables and cheese, common across Piedmont and often served with roast juices or butter and sage.
Traditional Novara and Lake Maggiore risotto cooked with Arborio rice, often enriched with local butter, wine and seasonal ingredients from Piedmont.
Elegant Michelin-starred dining inside Villa E Palazzo Aminta, known for refined Italian tasting menus and a formal lakeside setting.
Historic fine dining restaurant on Isola Bella, celebrated for classic Piedmont and lake fish dishes in a romantic, long-established setting.
Well-known traditional restaurant in Stresa serving Piedmont specialties, pasta and lake fish in a polished but approachable atmosphere.
Moderate for Lake Maggiore: hotels often cost more in peak season, while dining is mid-range and ferries and trains are reasonably priced.
Service is often included. Rounding up or leaving 5-10% is appreciated in restaurants. Round up for taxis; small change is enough in cafés.
Official public transport app
Stresa Railway Station -> Piazza Cadorna, Stresa
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Desenzano del Garda to Stresa by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Stresa, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Desenzano del Garda to Stresa trains use the Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione to Stresa station pair. Use this guide to compare Desenzano del Garda and Stresa train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Ristorante Esplanade, Trattoria Alessi
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Mayer & Splendid, Hotel Piroscafo, Hotel Bonotto.
Stresa has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Ristorante LaStresa, Osteria Mercato
Free.
Ticket office support is available at Stresa. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Stresa. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Stresa: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Stresa: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Stresa: Ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees, Hotel La Palma, Regina Palace Hotel.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need