When is the best time to visit How to get to Brescia?

The recommended time is April, May, June, September and October, when it is less crowded.

Is How to get to Brescia crowded?

How to get to Brescia is a very quiet destination compared with the more touristy ones.

Where is How to get to Brescia?

How to get to Brescia is located in Brescia, Lombardy, Italy.

How to get to Brescia: trains, planes, cars and buses

How to get to Brescia

Brescia, the Lioness of Italy, is a city that surprises with the richness of its historical heritage and how easily it can be reached. Situated between Milan and Verona along the Po Valley axis, it is perfectly connected to high-speed rail, three airports, and Italy's main motorway. Here is how to get there.

By train

Brescia is served by high-speed trains on the Milan-Venice line. Frecciarossa trains connect Brescia to Milan in just 45 minutes, Verona in 25 minutes, Venice in 1 hour 10 minutes, Bologna in 1 hour 20 minutes, and Rome in about 3 hours 30 minutes. Italo offers similar connections.

The station is on Viale della Stazione, about 1 km from the historic centre. On foot, you can reach Piazza della Loggia in about 15 minutes along Corso Martiri della Libertà. The light metro (single line) connects the station to the centre in a few minutes.

Regional trains connect Brescia to Bergamo (50 minutes), Cremona (55 minutes), Pavia (1 hour 45 minutes with change in Milan), and Desenzano del Garda (20 minutes), gateway to Lake Garda.

Local tip

If visiting Lake Garda, take the train to Desenzano and from there the ferry to Sirmione, Salo, or Gardone Riviera. It is more scenic and often faster than driving in summer traffic.

By plane

Brescia has its own airport, the Gabriele D'Annunzio at Montichiari (VBS), about 20 km from the centre. However, flights are limited and seasonal. The nearest major airports are:

Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY), about 50 km away (45 minutes by car), is northern Italy's main low-cost hub with Ryanair and EasyJet flights from across Europe. The direct bus link (Orio Shuttle or APAM bus) reaches Brescia in about 1 hour.

Milan Linate (LIN) and Malpensa (MXP) are reachable by train via Milano Centrale (45 minutes by Frecciarossa + airport shuttle). Verona Catullo (VRN) is about 50 km away and connected by shuttle bus.

Local tip

Bergamo Orio al Serio is almost always the best choice for those arriving from abroad: flights are affordable and the connection to Brescia is direct and frequent.

By car

Brescia sits on the A4 motorway (Turin-Trieste), the main artery of the Po Valley. From Milan, allow about 1 hour 15 minutes (95 km). From Verona, 50 minutes (65 km). From Bergamo, 50 minutes (55 km). From Bologna, about 2 hours (180 km) via A1+A21.

The southern and western ring roads allow you to reach different parts of the city without crossing the centre.

Parking

The historic centre is a restricted traffic zone (ZTL). The most convenient car parks are Parcheggio Vittoria (underground, very central, near Piazza della Loggia), Parcheggio Stazione (covered, next to the station), and Parcheggio Arnaldo (near Piazzale Arnaldo, the nightlife area). Rates run from 1.50 to 2.50 euros per hour. The Castle car park (free on holidays) offers a pleasant downhill walk to the centre.

By bus

The bus station sits next to the railway station. FlixBus connects Brescia to Milan (1 hour 30 minutes), Rome (6 hours), Naples, and other cities. Prices start at 5 euros.

SIA/Arriva bus lines connect Brescia to Lake Garda towns (Desenzano, Salo, Gardone) and to Franciacorta, making the city an excellent base for day trips.

Local transport

Brescia Mobilita manages buses and the light metro. The metro (single line, 17 stations) crosses the city from northwest (Prealpino) to southeast (San Polo Parco), passing through the station and centre. A single bus+metro ticket costs 1.40 euros and is valid for 90 minutes.

The historic centre is compact and easily visited on foot. From the Duomo Nuovo to the Santa Giulia Museum is 10 minutes, from the Castle to the Tosio Martinengo Gallery about 15.

The BiciMia bike-sharing service has stations throughout the city, ideal for reaching outlying areas such as the Parco delle Colline.