Because Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, the "best" train station depends entirely on which part of the lake you intend to visit. For the southern shore, which includes popular towns like Sirmione, Desenzano, and Peschiera del Garda, the best stations are Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione or Peschiera del Garda. Both are located on the main rail line between Milan and Venice, making them incredibly easy to reach via high-speed Trenitalia or Italo trains. If you are heading to the northern part of the lake, such as Riva del Garda or Torbole, there is no direct train station on the shore. Instead, you should take a train to Rovereto (on the Brenner line from Verona to Innsbruck) and then catch a local bus for the roughly 30-minute scenic drive to the lake. For the eastern "Olive Riviera," a train to Verona Porta Nuova followed by a regional bus is often the most efficient route. Using the southern stations is generally the most popular choice for tourists because they offer immediate ferry connections to the rest of the lake.