Getting there
Monte Isola Ferry: timetable, prices & boats at Lake Iseo
Lake Iseo has passenger ferries but no car ferries. Services are operated by Navigazione Lago d'Iseo (NLI). The most important connection for visitors is the Sulzano–Peschiera Maraglio (Monte Isola) ferry — a short crossing, running year-round 24 hours a day.
Supplementing this are water taxis, group tours and boat rental. Timetables change seasonally — current PDFs are always available on the NLI website.
Main lines: Sulzano ↔ Peschiera & Sale Marasino ↔ Carzano
The Sulzano–Peschiera Maraglio line is the most-used Monte Isola connection: a few minutes' crossing, roughly every 15–20 minutes in summer, year-round around the clock. Tickets at the jetty: approx. €2.60 single, return and multi-trip tickets cheaper. Bicycles can be taken on board for a supplement.
The Sale Marasino–Carzano line serves the northern harbour of the island — also year-round and around the clock. Practical for guests coming from the eastern shore or combining with Trattoria Portole above Sale Marasino.
Sulzano jetty: in the village centre, Via Peschiera. Sale Marasino jetty: south of the centre on the lakeside road. Both are on the Brescia–Edolo railway line (stops: Sulzano and Sale Marasino).
| Line | Connects | When | Crossing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sulzano ↔ Peschiera Maraglio | Mainland ↔ Monte Isola (south) | Year-round, around the clock | a few min |
| Sale Marasino ↔ Carzano | East shore ↔ Monte Isola (north) | Year-round, around the clock | a few min |
| Iseo ↔ Monte Isola / islands | Southern shore, seasonal | Summer & cruises | depends on route |
| Lovere ↔ Pisogne | Northern shore | More in summer; winter school line | ~20–30 min |
| Sarnico ↔ Lovere | South ↔ north end | Summer season | long crossing |
The main ferry and boat lines at Lago d'Iseo.
Further lines: Lovere, Pisogne, Iseo & Sarnico
Lovere–Pisogne: a seasonal northern-shore line that runs more frequently in the summer timetable (from around mid-June). In winter reduced to weekdays as a school service (Mon–Fri). Works well combined with a visit to Lovere.
Iseo–Predore: also seasonal or school-timetable only. In high season additional excursion sailings are added: 'Tre Isole' (Three Islands) and 'Alto Lago' (northern-lake route) — timetabled departures with reserved seats, ideal as a sightseeing trip.
Sarnico–Lovere: a passenger line between the southern and northern ends of the lake, operated in the summer season. Private barcaioli also offer flexible departures for occasional trips.
Arriving without a car: in step with the summer season, the new Iseo Express (Arriva) connects Bergamo Airport directly — no changes — with the southern-shore ferry towns of Iseo, Paratico and Sarnico from 12 June to 13 September. That makes a lake day easy to plan by bus and ferry (see the arrival guide).
Seasonal timetables: spring, summer, winter
Spring service (from late March): basic timetable on main lines. The frequency on Sulzano–Peschiera increases as the season progresses. Official timetable PDFs appear in March on the NLI website.
Summer timetable (from mid-June): extended service with special sailings ('Tre Isole', 'Alto Lago'). Higher frequency on main lines, extra evening sailings. End of summer timetable: early September.
Winter timetable (October to late March): Sulzano–Peschiera and Sale–Carzano continue 24/7. Lovere–Pisogne and Iseo–Predore are reduced to school days (Mon–Fri). Current PDFs always available on the NLI website.
Night sailings, landing fee & bicycles
Sulzano–Peschiera and Sale–Carzano run around the clock year-round — so even after a late dinner on Monte Isola the return trip is secure, though the frequency is lower at night. Tickets at the jetty or via the NLI app.
Since 2025 the Monte Isola municipality levies a landing fee of €1.50 per person — in addition to the ferry ticket. This fee applies at all island jetties.
Bicycles may be taken on scheduled ferries for a supplement — ideal for an island tour or continuing the Ciclovia on the other shore. Pushchairs and wheelchairs are easily accommodated on low-floor vessels.
Water taxi & group tours
Iseo Taxi Boat (owner Max, Porto Gabriele Rosa, Iseo; +39 329 9890723) offers private speedboat transfers for small groups — flexible in time and destination, useful for late returns or personal island transfers.
Barcaioli Monte Isola organises group tours with boats up to 65 seats — departures from Sulzano, Sale Marasino or Iseo, flexible timing. Suitable for club outings, wedding parties and corporate groups. Book directly with the operator.
Further water taxi and charter operators are found in Iseo, Sarnico and Lovere — an up-to-date list is on the Visit Lake Iseo portal.
Boat rental & charter
In Italy you may pilot motorboats up to 40 hp without a licence — making it easy to explore coves and reach the island independently. Above 40 hp a valid boat licence is required.
Rental operators on the lake: Nautica Bertelli (Via Mazzini 3/B, Paratico; motorboats without licence), Iseo Boat Rent (Iseo; full and half-day hire), Nautica Pezzotti (Lovere; rental from 2026), Archetti Ercole (Monte Isola; small boats directly on the island), Global Nautic (Predore). Kayak and SUP rental also at several lidos (e.g. Mad Hops in Marone, Sassabanek in Iseo).
For one- to multi-day sailing charters contact the boatyards in Sarnico (Riva Yachts, Cantiere Piantoni in Predore) directly.
Parking at the ferry ports
Sulzano (Monte Isola ferry): large car park Frigio/Gerola approx. €10/day, plus blue zones in the village (approx. €2/hour). In high season arrive early — the car park fills quickly.
Sale Marasino: street parking on the lakeside, partly free. Iseo harbour: lakeside car parks, some two hours free (yellow markings), day tickets at the machine.
Lovere harbour: large paid car park at Porto Turistico. Pisogne and Marone: free parking at the village entrance and harbour. Monte Isola itself is car-free — your vehicle always stays on the mainland.
A day on the lake by ferry: Iseo, Monte Isola & more
Morning — From Iseo or Sulzano, take the ferry to Peschiera Maraglio on Monte Isola (just a few minutes from Sulzano, year-round around the clock). Bring a bike for a surcharge.
Midday — The shore promenade on the island, lunch with lake fish and salami, perhaps the climb to Madonna della Ceriola.
Afternoon — Continue by seasonal line or cruise towards the north (Lovere, Pisogne) or back to the mainland. In high season a 'Tre Isole' cruise to the three islands is worthwhile.
Tip — Check the current PDF timetables from Navigazione Lago d'Iseo in advance; tickets at the harbour, return and multi-trip tickets are cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does the Monte Isola ferry depart from?
- The main line departs from Sulzano to Peschiera Maraglio (Monte Isola); there is also a service from Sale Marasino to Carzano. Both are on the Brescia–Edolo railway.
- How often does the Monte Isola ferry run?
- In summer roughly every 15–20 minutes on the Sulzano–Peschiera line. In winter less frequently but still 24/7. Always check the current timetable at navigazionelagoiseo.it.
- Do ferries run at night to Monte Isola?
- Yes — Sulzano–Peschiera and Sale–Carzano run year-round around the clock. After a late dinner on the island the return is always possible, even if the frequency is lower at night.
- How much does the ferry to Monte Isola cost?
- Approx. €2.60 single; return tickets are cheaper. Since 2025 a landing fee of €1.50 per person on Monte Isola applies in addition. Bicycles are carried for a supplement.
- Is there a car ferry on Lake Iseo?
- No — only passenger ferries run. Monte Isola is car-free; your car stays in Sulzano or Sale Marasino.
- Can you rent a boat without a licence?
- Yes — in Italy you may pilot motorboats up to 40 hp without a licence. Operators such as Nautica Bertelli (Paratico) and Iseo Boat Rent offer these boats. Above 40 hp a boat licence is required.
- How do you book a water taxi at Lake Iseo?
- Iseo Taxi Boat (Max, +39 329 9890723) offers private transfers from Iseo. For group tours Barcaioli Monte Isola is ideal. Book directly by phone or via the Visit Lake Iseo portal.
- Where do you park for the Monte Isola ferry?
- In Sulzano: car park Frigio/Gerola approx. €10/day or blue zones (approx. €2/hour). In Sale Marasino: lakeside street parking, partly free. In high season start early.
- What are the 'Tre Isole' and 'Alto Lago' excursion sailings?
- Seasonal excursion sailings in the NLI summer timetable: 'Tre Isole' visits the three islands on the lake, 'Alto Lago' heads to the northern shore. Reservation recommended; times on the NLI website.
- Do you need to book the Monte Isola ferry in advance?
- No — for the scheduled ferries (e.g. Sulzano–Peschiera Maraglio) no reservation is needed; buy your ticket at the jetty or via the NLI app. Only the seasonal excursion sailings such as 'Tre Isole' or 'Alto Lago' should be booked ahead.
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