Trip ideas · Over the Brenner to Verona, Lake Garda and South Tyrol
Over the Brenner to Verona, Lake Garda and South Tyrol: a One-Week Road Trip From Munich
Best in April and May, also good in March
From Munich and back: seven nights, 888 km, the longest day about 3 h 20 at the wheel. Driving costs €130–€210 + 2 tolls not priced.
Apple blossom in South Tyrol's valleys (Merano, Dorf Tirol, Lana; reachable from Bolzano): end of March to early May; Dorf Tirol peaks mid-April. Watch for: Vinitaly wine trade fair in Verona: city hotels fill and prices rise; avoid or book early.
Use this route in my plan Your checklist for Germany, Austria, Italy: vignettes, zones, kit and dates.
Day by day
Kilometres and hours are motorway estimates between the cities named, without stops or traffic. Where you sleep in a smaller place nearby, the real place and its distance are given.
Day 1
Munich → Innsbruck 171 km · about 2 h driving
Alpine city stop before the Brenner; medieval old town with the Golden Roof. Source
Day 2
Innsbruck → Verona 269 km · about 3 h 10 driving
Roman Arena and old town; park outside the ZTL. Source
Photo: Henrique Ferreira / Unsplash Day 3
A day out from Verona No long drive
Day 4
Move on, staying near Verona Driving way to Bardolino, Lake Garda (east shore)
Lakeside town on the Veneto shore of Lake Garda, known for its wine. Source The place itself: Bardolino, Lake Garda (east shore), about 30 km from verona (estimate, not from an official page).
Day 5
A day for Bardolino, Lake Garda (east shore) No long drive
Day 6
Verona → Bolzano 163 km · about 2 h 05 driving, plus the way back from Bardolino, Lake Garda (east shore)
South Tyrol's capital; Ötzi museum, arcaded old town; day trip to the apple orchards around Merano and Lana. Source
Day 7
A day out from Bolzano No long drive
Day 8
Bolzano → Munich 285 km · about 3 h 20 driving
Why go in April and May
- Apple blossom in South Tyrol's valleys (Merano, Dorf Tirol, Lana; reachable from Bolzano): end of March to early May; Dorf Tirol peaks mid-April. Source
- 'Lana in Bloom' month of blossom events with farm produce in Lana near Merano: 1–30 April (page gives no year; 2027 dates not confirmed). Source
What to watch for
- Vinitaly wine trade fair in Verona: city hotels fill and prices rise; avoid or book early (11–14 April 2027). Source
- Verona ZTL (limited traffic zone) in the historic centre; hours and visitor permits are on the AMT3 page linked from the city page (year-round, at set hours). Source
- A22 Brenner motorway (Italy): winter tyres or chains on board required regardless of snow (15 November to 15 April). Source
- Austria: winter tyres required in wintry conditions (affects March and early April on the Inn valley and Brenner) (1 November to 15 April). Source
What the week costs to drive
| Item | Cost | Worked out from |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel for 888 km | €95–€167 | Each country's average petrol and diesel price (week of 28 September 2026), 5 to 8 litres per 100 km. Fuel prices |
| Vignettes | €13 | Austria: 10 days |
| Tolls | €25 | A13 Brenner motorway, Innsbruck–Brenner (Austria), southbound €12.50 Source; A13 Brenner motorway, Brenner–Innsbruck (Austria), northbound €12.50 Source |
| Driving the week | €130–€210 + 2 tolls not priced | Rounded to €10 |
Not included: A22 Brennero–Verona Nord (Italy), southbound (operator); A22 Affi (Lago di Garda Sud)–Bolzano Sud, then Bolzano–Brennero (Italy), northbound (operator); hotels, food and parking. For your own car and exact days, use the trip cost calculator.
The rules on this route
Driving in Germany · Driving in Austria · Driving in Italy
Use this route in my plan to get every vignette, zone, kit rule and deadline for these countries in one checklist, with dates. The speed limits and sign words pages can then show only these countries.
Next on the road
Sources
- Apple blossom in South Tyrol's valleys (Merano, Dorf Tirol, Lana; reachable from Bolzano)
- 'Lana in Bloom' month of blossom events with farm produce in Lana near Merano
- Vinitaly wine trade fair in Verona: city hotels fill and prices rise; avoid or book early
- Verona ZTL (limited traffic zone) in the historic centre; hours and visitor permits are on the AMT3 page linked from the city page
- A22 Brenner motorway (Italy): winter tyres or chains on board required regardless of snow
- Austria: winter tyres required in wintry conditions (affects March and early April on the Inn valley and Brenner)
- A13 Brenner motorway, Innsbruck–Brenner (Austria), southbound
- A22 Brennero–Verona Nord (Italy), southbound
- A22 Affi (Lago di Garda Sud)–Bolzano Sud, then Bolzano–Brennero (Italy), northbound
- Alpine city stop before the Brenner; medieval old town with the Golden Roof.
- Roman Arena and old town; park outside the ZTL.
- Lakeside town on the Veneto shore of Lake Garda, known for its wine.
- South Tyrol's capital; Ötzi museum, arcaded old town; day trip to the apple orchards around Merano and Lana.
Dates and prices as published when checked. Events move: check the organiser's page before you book.