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How to reach San Marino from Italy
Updated: Nov 3
As San Marino is located on a hill, so there’s no train connection to San Marino. But, it’s still pretty convenient to reach San Marino by public transport.
Rimini to San Marino: quick facts
Distance: about 20 km. There is no train, so the bus is the public transport option.
Bus: Bonelli and Benedettini buses run from Rimini station to San Marino about every 1 hour 30 minutes; the ride takes around 1 hour.
Tickets: 6 euros one way, 12 euros return, sold online, at the kiosk in front of Rimini station (next to Burger King) or on the bus. Carry cash.
Bus stop: about 200 metres from the station, near the Burger King.
San Marino is around 20 km from Rimini. There’s a bus connection which takes around 1 hour from Rimini to San Marino and vice versa.
There are frequent connections by a Bonelli Shuttle and Bus Benedettini after every 1 hour and 30 minutes. You can find the details about departure time here. Check out the blog with all the details on how to reach San Marino using Public Transport from Rimini.
Step 1:
Buy a ticket:
You can buy the ticket online, or a ticket kiosk near the Rimini Central station or you can buy it on the bus.
Where is the ticket Kiosk near Rimini Train Station:
Search for Burger King in front of the Rimini Train station, there’s a small Kiosk selling bus tickets, Souvenirs, etc. You can buy the ticket for either one way or a return journey. One-way costs Euro 6 whereas Return Journey costs Euro 12. It’s advisable to have cash to make a payment.
Step 2:
Once you get the ticket, now It’s time to find the bus station. The Bus station is located around 200 meters from Burger King.
Check out our blog about Things to do in San Marino.
The best way is to look for the Napolean Hotel, the bus station is located right in front of it. You’ll also find the signboard of San Marino.
Be aware that there’s also some buses to Bologna Airport and Rome that leave from the same bus stop. Please do check or ask the driver to make sure that you’re taking the right bus.
The bus normally comes on time. During the peak season especially in summer, it’s a bit of a hustle to find a seat as the ticket doesn’t guarantee the seats.
After the journey of 1 hour - You can reach San Marino. There are also two options to get off at San Marino:
Option 1:
If you want to avoid the climb to San Marino, you can also take a scenic cable car ride up to San Marino. While coming to San Marino using public transportation, you can get off at Borgo Maggiore Bus station which is just one station before San Marino.
From the parking, you can take a Cable Car up to the hill. It’s a quiet steep ride but it’s not scary at all. It takes around 2 minutes to reach to the top and it costs Euro 3 for one way. There are normally frequent rides running back and forth.
Option 2:
You can get off at the last station and from there you can take a little hike to the Old Town of San Marino.
How to get to San Marino: frequently asked questions
How do you get from Rimini to San Marino?
Take the Bonelli or Benedettini bus from the stop about 200 metres from Rimini train station, near the Burger King. Buses leave roughly every 1 hour 30 minutes and the ride up to the City of San Marino takes about one hour. Buy the ticket online, at the kiosk in front of the station or on board.
How much is the bus from Rimini to San Marino?
6 euros one way or 12 euros for a return when we travelled. The kiosk and the driver prefer cash, so have euros ready. The return ticket is handy because the last buses back to Rimini fill up in the late afternoon.
Is there a train to San Marino?
No. San Marino sits on a hill with no rail link, so the bus from Rimini is the only public transport. Rimini itself is on the main line from Bologna, and Rimini and Bologna airports are the closest for flights.
Do you need a passport to enter San Marino?
There are no border checks between Italy and San Marino, so you will not be stopped, but carry your passport or ID card as you would anywhere in Italy. For a souvenir, the tourist office in the historic centre stamps passports for a small fee.
Can you visit San Marino as a day trip?
Yes. With the first morning bus from Rimini you have the whole day for the three towers, the Palazzo Pubblico and the viewpoints, and you can be back in Rimini for dinner. Our things to do in San Marino guide has the full list.
Ending Note:
The Bus also departs from the same point so you can find your departure point based on your convenience.
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