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Travelling with Pets in Riva del Garda

🇮🇹Riva del Garda, Italy·Updated 22 June 2026

← City overview 🍽️ Restaurants 🌳 Parks & Walks 🏖️ Beaches 🏥 Vets 💡 Local Tips 🏛️ Attractions 🐶 Pet Sitting

Riva del Garda has no train station of its own; the nearest railway is at Rovereto, about 20 km away, connected by the year-round Trentino Trasporti bus line 332. Within the lake basin, the Navigazione Laghi ferries link Riva to towns down the lake, and the town itself is compact and very walkable. Public transport is dog-friendly but a leash of maximum 1.5 m and a muzzle (carried, worn if requested) are required for dogs on buses, boats and trains.

🏨 Where to stay in Riva del Garda

Lido Palace

★★★★★ · 9.5/10 · €420/night · pet fee €30/night

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Mode	Policy	Tip
Bus (Trentino Trasporti)	Lap-sized small dogs travel free. Larger dogs are allowed if there is space, on payment of a ticket. All dogs regardless of size require a muzzle and a leash no longer than 1.5 m (or a carrier). One animal per passenger.	💡 Line 332 runs all year from Rovereto train station via Nago-Torbole to Riva and Arco, roughly hourly, about 40 minutes.
Ferry (Navigazione Laghi)	Dogs are allowed in indoor and outdoor areas of the motor ships and catamarans. Small dogs (under 50 cm at the shoulder) travel free; medium and large dogs pay a reduced fare. A leash (max 1.5 m) and muzzle are required; only mini-dogs and cats in a bag are allowed on the fast hydrofoils.	💡 Riva is the northern terminus of the Lake Garda ferry network. Buy tickets at the Riva landing stage or via navigazionelaghi.it.
Train (via Rovereto)	Riva has no station. The nearest is Rovereto on the Verona-Brennero line, about 20 km away. On Trenitalia regional trains, small dogs in a carrier travel free and larger dogs need a reduced-price ticket, on a leash and muzzle.	💡 From Rovereto station the Trentino Trasporti bus 332 connects directly to Riva, so you can do the whole trip with the dog by public transport.
Ponale cycle and foot path	The Ponale path, the old road carved above the lake towards Val di Ledro, is a shared cycle and foot path open to dogs on a short leash. It has narrow sections, unguarded drops and seven tunnels, with cyclists descending fast, so a short leash is essential.	💡 Walk it in the morning before the midday heat and cyclist rush; carry water as there is no shade in the open sections.
Taxi	Local taxis are private and acceptance of dogs is at the driver's discretion. Small dogs in a carrier or calm dogs on the floor are usually accepted; always state you are travelling with a dog when you book.	💡 Book ahead for an airport transfer (Verona is the closest major airport) and confirm the dog when you reserve.

Useful transport links

Trentino Trasporti (bus and animal-transport rules): trentinotrasporti.it. Navigazione Laghi (Lake Garda ferries, timetables and pet rules): navigazionelaghi.it. Garda Trentino tourist board dog-friendly page: gardatrentino.it. The nearest railway station is Rovereto on the Verona-Brennero line.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Riva del Garda by train with a dog?

Take a train to Rovereto on the Verona-Brennero line, then the year-round Trentino Trasporti bus 332 to Riva (about 40 minutes). Small dogs in a carrier travel free; larger dogs need a reduced ticket and a muzzle and leash.

Can I take my dog on the Lake Garda ferries from Riva?

Yes. Navigazione Laghi allows dogs on the motor ships and catamarans, indoors and out. Small dogs under 50 cm travel free, larger dogs pay a reduced fare, and a leash and muzzle are required. The fast hydrofoils only allow mini-dogs in a bag.

Do I need a muzzle for my dog on public transport here?

Yes. Trentino Trasporti and Navigazione Laghi both require all dogs to have a leash of maximum 1.5 m and a muzzle available, to be put on if requested. Carry one even for a small, calm dog.

Pet-Friendly Hotels in Riva del Garda

Our top-rated pet-friendly hotels, handpicked and verified.

Hotel Savoy Palace - Tonelli Hotels

★★★★ · 8.8/10

€150/night

Hotel Sole - Relax & Panorama

★★★★ · 8.5/10

€120/night

Lido Palace

★★★★★ · 9.5/10

€420/night

See all hotels →Compare on Booking.com →

More Riva del Garda guides

🍽️Restaurants 🌳Parks & Walks 🏖️Beaches 🏥Vets 💡Local Tips 🏛️Attractions 🐶Pet Sitting

Pet-friendly destinations nearby

Looking for a place to stay elsewhere? These destinations near Riva del Garda also welcome your dog.

🇮🇹Sirmione 🇮🇹Verona 🇮🇹Bolzano 🇮🇹Bergamo

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Mode

Policy

Tip

Bus (Trentino Trasporti)

Lap-sized small dogs travel free. Larger dogs are allowed if there is space, on payment of a ticket. All dogs regardless of size require a muzzle and a leash no longer than 1.5 m (or a carrier). One animal per passenger.

💡 Line 332 runs all year from Rovereto train station via Nago-Torbole to Riva and Arco, roughly hourly, about 40 minutes.

Ferry (Navigazione Laghi)

Dogs are allowed in indoor and outdoor areas of the motor ships and catamarans. Small dogs (under 50 cm at the shoulder) travel free; medium and large dogs pay a reduced fare. A leash (max 1.5 m) and muzzle are required; only mini-dogs and cats in a bag are allowed on the fast hydrofoils.

💡 Riva is the northern terminus of the Lake Garda ferry network. Buy tickets at the Riva landing stage or via navigazionelaghi.it.

Train (via Rovereto)

Riva has no station. The nearest is Rovereto on the Verona-Brennero line, about 20 km away. On Trenitalia regional trains, small dogs in a carrier travel free and larger dogs need a reduced-price ticket, on a leash and muzzle.

💡 From Rovereto station the Trentino Trasporti bus 332 connects directly to Riva, so you can do the whole trip with the dog by public transport.

Ponale cycle and foot path

The Ponale path, the old road carved above the lake towards Val di Ledro, is a shared cycle and foot path open to dogs on a short leash. It has narrow sections, unguarded drops and seven tunnels, with cyclists descending fast, so a short leash is essential.

💡 Walk it in the morning before the midday heat and cyclist rush; carry water as there is no shade in the open sections.

Taxi

Local taxis are private and acceptance of dogs is at the driver's discretion. Small dogs in a carrier or calm dogs on the floor are usually accepted; always state you are travelling with a dog when you book.

💡 Book ahead for an airport transfer (Verona is the closest major airport) and confirm the dog when you reserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Riva del Garda by train with a dog?

Can I take my dog on the Lake Garda ferries from Riva?

Do I need a muzzle for my dog on public transport here?

Yes. Trentino Trasporti and Navigazione Laghi both require all dogs to have a leash of maximum 1.5 m and a muzzle available, to be put on if requested. Carry one even for a small, calm dog.