It’s tiny, it’s interesting, it is one of the smallest nations on the planet- but it’s a mystery how to get to San Marino from Rimini! This petite country landlocked within Italy’s borders is stunning and formed around 3 gorgeous fortress cities- the highest being Mount Titano- in the Apennine mountains, you won’t want to miss it!
I know your first question is probably: where is San Marino? The answer is: it’s a nation in central Italy, east of Florence. The San Marino capital is handily also named the City of San Marino. Getting there can be fiddly, so I’ve included exact details of where the bus departs from Italy and the Rimini San Marino bus timetable.
Luckily, I’ve done the hard work of scouring old forum posts from 2009 and found the cheapest, easiest and most efficient way. All this, beautiful pics and just a 2 minute read– how can you go wrong?
Getting to Rimini
The first thing to know is that San Marino has no airport, the only way to enter is via Rimini in Italy which operates buses and has the closest train station and airport to the San Marinese capital. You can also take a Rimini to San Marino taxi, but that will cost around 30-40 euros. The nearest airport to San Marino is in Rimini, and then Ancona and Bologna.
Rimini is 16km away, so a San Marino day trip is easy to organise.
How to get to San Marino- Italy to Rimini
The Hard Way:
Taking an Italian train. Depending where in Italy you start from this may be pricey. Checking today on GoEuro it takes 4 hours and costs minimum 25 euros from Rome, each way. From Milan it is around 30 euros each way.
The Easy Way:
I paid petrol costs in return for a seat in a car already travelling Milano to Rimini via the carsharing site Blablacar. It operates a review system giving you a sense of safety and you can see who you will be travelling with me. There were 5 of us in the car and we all chipped in around 15 euros each way for petrol- a win for any budget traveller! From Milan, it took around 3.5hours each way.
Rimini to San Marino- the final leg
Leave your ride at Rimini Station and cross the road opposite the station to where buses are standing. You are looking for a Bonelli bus and it costs 5 euros each way and takes only 40 mins. The bus has no number but simply displays S.Marino which is the final stop. I know it’s confusing figuring out the bus so here is the Rimini San Marino bus timetable and here are Google Maps images of where it starts its journey in Rimini and where you travel to in San Marino. No excuse for getting lost now you have the Rimini-San Marino bus schedule!
What is the Rimini-San Marino bus schedule like?
The Rimini bus runs 7 days a week every 75 minutes. The earliest bus you can take from Rimini is at 8am, and the latest you can return is 8pm on weekdays or 7pm on Sundays.
Is there a visa check point on the way to San Marino?
No, there’s no borders, so as long as you’re in Italy legally, you should be fine! I didn’t even have to show my passport on the bus, as I was travelling from the EU to the EU, so there are no controls.
What happens once you arrive?
The bus will leave you on a cardiac inducing hill and above you there will be nothing but mountains. Walk on the lazy cobbled streets to your hotel, or make a stop in the central post office to ask for a stamp in your passport so you can get some superb San Marino souvenirs.
So now you’re fully on board with how to get to San Marino, what will you do while you’re there? Leave me a comment below telling me about the smallest nation you’ve ever visited.
Cover image ‘a mighty defender’ via Flickr PedroCaetano CC BY-2.0
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Oh wow! Before reading this I knew absolutely nothing about this country called San Marino. The photos look really interesting though. Thanks for sharing!
Very interesting! I had heard of San Marino before but have never considered going there – not sure why! But now I’m intrigued and would like to add this in to my next trip to Italy!
San Marino has never been on my radar. I hadn’t really heard about it. Thank you for your post. I now know a little bit more about it and would love to visit.
This is very informative and helpful, I wouldn’t have necessarily known to look into this!
From my home country, the plane tickets to Milan are very cheap, so that would definitely be my starting point. I’m already considering this destination for one of my future travels. Thanks for sharing!
Elena
I love that you mentioned two things in your post I want to do this year…San Marino and Blabla cars….hilarious.
This and Andorra are my last two countries in Western Europe to visit. Taking busses in foreign countries (or any country, really!) can be so confusing, so thanks for explaining it all. Asking a dozen people which bus I should take is a good way to meet locals though, lol.
Wow, I had no idea that you have to go via Rimini. I’d definitely like to visit, so I’ll have to keep your advice in mind.
I can’t believe I have never heard of this place! Thank you for introducing it to me. Looks like a great place to visit so i will have to add it to my list!
Looks like a super cute place to visit. I love getting out there and seeing new places. Adding this one to the list.
A castle on a hill with a princess!? Right out of a fairytale book! I’ve never heard of Blablacar but it sounds like the Uber and Lyft I’ve taken in the states. A comfortable car ride would be much preferred. And maybe you’ll make some new travel buddies. Thank you for the two minute tips!
Thank you for the informative and precise post! We will definitely not going to get lost following your amazing directions. Rimini is kinda on our way from Croatia.
I had never even heard of San Marino before reading this. Now that I know how to get there, it is on my list. Looks like a photographers dream.
Wow, I haven’t heard about this place and I didn’t know that it’s close to Italy. I find it very interesting place to visit and hopefully I can explore as well if given a chance. Thank you so much for sharing. You as well owned an amazing photos.
That ride share app is a great idea! I love it. I have to see if it works around the NYC area. I haven’t been to italy yet, but this sounds like an awesome add on trip for when I finally make it there.
I like how you provided the Blablacar option since it is getting more and more traction lately. Plus, you can have a nice conversation with the folks in the car and probably establish some friendships, too!
Thanks for the details about getting to San Marino. I will make sure to check it out. Any VISA requirements?
I did not even realize San Marino was a country. Just the fact that it’s not so easy to get to makes me want to get there though that’s for sure. Thanks for the helpful info on how to navigate that!
Thanks for sharing – so comphrensive! I need to go back to Italy to see more so now San Marino is on the list!
Thanks for sharing! I have friends who are going to Italy this summer. A mother/daughter and the mother is from San Marino. They were telling all about this place. I need to go back to Italy – love this country. Have been to a few places in Italy.
Thanks, Caroline, I hope they have a good trip! Can you go with your friends at all? You’ll love San Marino.