Taking the bus from Rimini to San Marino for a day trip to my 113th UN-Listed Member State.
There is no train service between Rimini and San Marino. If you are relying on public transport, you can take a train to Rimini and then catch the Rimini-San Marino bus, operated by Gruppo BonelliBus and Benedettini.
I actually arrived in Rimini on a Flixbus from Siena and stayed 3 nights at one of the backpacker hostels.
Travelling from Italy to the Republic of San Marino.
The Republic of San Marino is enclaved within central Italy. It occupies 61 square kilometres and is the third smallest state in Europe after the Holy See and the Principality of Monaco and it is the fifth-smallest country in the world, one of six European Microstates and one of only three countries landlocked by a single country, the other two being Lesotho, which is surrounded by South Africa and Vatican City, which is also surrounded by Italy.
They joined the United Nations as a full member state in 1992. And for me, my 113th UN-Listed Member State and my 127th country and territory that I have visited.
It is not a member of the European Union, although it uses the Euro as its currency (despite not legally being part of the Eurozone). Before the introduction of the Euro, the country’s currency was the Sammarinese lira.
I have always liked to do something memorable for my birthday. And what better way (other than to be with my wife back home in Mexico) than to backpack the world’s fifth-smallest independent nation?
I purposely concentrated on San Marino City, la citta di San Marino, the capital of the Republic of San Marino. Less is, after all, more.
Would have love to have stayed the night but budget restraints meant it just wasn’t viable and the only hostel in San Marino had reviews mentioning bed bugs.
So, like my trip to Monte-Carlo in Monaco, I day-packed San Marino.
The bus stop is not far from the Railway Station in Rimini (I had checked it out the evening before):
Buying Tickets for the Rimini to San Marino Bus
You can get tickets online or buy them from the Tabaccheria, which is just up the street, cash only, and you can only buy them on the day:
Ticket and timetable for the Rimini San Marino Shuttle Bus:
I took the 9:25 am bus:
One-way tickets since January 1 2025, cost 7 Euros:
Travelling from Rimini to San Marino:
Arrival in San Marino is at Parcheggio 2. The journey took just over 1 hour.
Buying a fridge magnet and sew-on flag for the Repubblica di San Marino:
Getting back to Rimini.
Buy your ticket from the authorised dealer: ‘Tabaccheria e Profumeria Marisa e Gianni”:
Here are a few photos from San Marino:
San Marino lies at an altitude of 749 m asl. Above, you are looking toward the Adriatic Coast.
The military fortress of San Marino. The Second Tower stands on the highest peak, Mount Titano (756m asl), and you can easily walk to it from the main part of the city.
San Marino is beautiful and well worth the visit, especially if you are around that area. (I went on 27th August 2025).
A few points to add on the great article above:
The tickets you buy to and from San Marino are for a specificly timed bus, I am not sure what would happen if you were to miss your bus. So when you reach San Marino, do not buy your return unless you are planning on leaving at a set time.
The Tabbacchi in San Marino closes at 7pm, so if you aim to take a later bus, either buy the ticket ahead of time, or you can buy a ticket on-board the bus, subject to availability (there is a small risk, that if going for the last bus, you may not get a seat).
There is a road train that operates (like a bus) around small circuit, this stops by the main bus terminal (other side of the roundabout). There are 4 stops on its circuit and this will take you nearer the top (great if you have little ones, or you arent sure which way to head). At the time of writing this was €3 to the top or €5 round trip.
If you are wanting a passport stamp for San Marino, you need to head to the Tourist Information point, the building you are looking for is the Stamp and Money Museum (Museo del Francobollo e della Moneta). This closes at around 5pm, so better to do this earlier on.
Finally, it may be worth adding a pin on a map where the bus departs from, so you don’t accidentally head out of town (as it will be more marching up hill to get back). (43°55′53.37″N 12°26′55.33″E)
If you don’t have any Internet or your data is expensive when travelling, before you leave download Maps.Me and download the San Marino (& Rimini) map. You will be able to set pinned locations and get directions to that location all whilst being offline.
Happy Holidaying Folks 🙂 Me x
Places of Interest:
Tourist Office, San Marino
43°56′07.69″N 12°26′49.9″E
Bus Terminal, San Marino 43°55′53.37″N 12°26′55.33″E
Bus Stop, Rimini 44°03′52.02″N 12°34′20″E
Thanks for the extra info. I was there in April so the little train was not operating. I did mention and link the bus parking lot in San Marino: Arrival in San Marino is at Parcheggio 2. and the bus stop in Rimini. both link to Google Maps. cool info about the passport stamp. Thanks!! I think the timed tickets are a bit like any bus/train/plane. “If you’re late, we won’t wait.” :)).
You are right, i missed the links to maps..
I found your article before I went, so just added the details I found when going, hoping it helps the next one (who maybe adds more 🙂 )
Me x
Hoping said traveller can find San Marino awesome!!! thanks for looking me up ;))
Is there luggage storage on the bus. We will be staying for the night in San Marino and need our luggage with us.
Thanks
Hi. Thanks for the message. It’s a full sized bus so am sure there is room for luggage.
Hi!
We tried to go to San Marino but never get there. The bus was taking the round trip and we got of the bus somewhere outside San Marino. The shoffer told us to get of the bus there and the bus for San Marino wiil come, But it never came, we were waiting for 2 hours. We bought the ticket s from tabacheria in Rimini that is across the train station and we get the time table but we never get there.
Am sorry to hear that you couldn’t get to San Marino. The tabacheri is the only point selling tickets.. though i believe you can get them directly on the bus, if there is room. Buses, like trains and planes do run into technical difficulties.
Im thinking of flying into rimini and then flying out of bologna. I wonder how hard it would be to get the latter by bus or train. also, what amount of time did you spend on the ground in san marino? how long does it take to see everything and walk around?
I stayed in Rimini for 3 nights. Flixbus to and from Bologna. I was there for about 5 hours.