Taking the bus from Rimini to San Marino

Almost everyone who visits San Marino rides this bus at some point, and for good reason. There’s no railway, the road ends in pay car parks and the bus drops you by the walls for €7. Two companies run it together, Bonelli Bus and F.lli Benedettini, it operates every day of the year, and it has a couple of rules worth knowing before you board.

Where to catch it and how long it takes

The first stop is Rimini railway station, the Stazione FFSS. Five minutes later it calls at the Arch of Augustus, the other stop in town. From there it climbs through Cerasolo, crosses into San Marino at Dogana and stops at Serravalle, Domagnano and Borgo Maggiore before reaching the Murata and the terminus, Ex Stazione Park 2 Bus, just below the old town. It’s 55 minutes end to end, the same coming back. Wheelchair users can ask for the lift, but it has to be booked by phone 24 hours ahead, as I explain in San Marino accessibility.

Arriving by train, you walk out of the station and the bus is right there. If you’re staying on the seafront, the Arch of Augustus may be handier, and I cover the town itself in things to do in Rimini. In summer Bonelli points to further connections from other Riviera resorts on a separate page.

The autumn timetable and the bus you mustn’t miss

The autumn timetable, valid from 15 September to 7 November 2026, has eight buses a day in each direction. From Rimini they leave at 08:00, 09:25, 10:40, 11:45, 14:25, 15:40, 17:00 and 19:00. From San Marino at 08:10, 09:15, 10:30, 12:00, 14:15, 15:30, 17:00 and 19:00. Note the lunchtime gap on the way up, from 11:45 to 14:25.

The time I’d write on my hand is the last one down, 19:00. There’s nothing after it until the next morning, and I couldn’t find any source on taxis inside San Marino, so missing it makes for a long evening. I’d aim for the 17:00 and keep the 19:00 in reserve. For filling the hours in between, follow my one-day San Marino itinerary.

The timetable that follows 7 November wasn’t online when I checked Bonelli’s site on 26 September 2026. If you’re travelling later, check before you go.

Should you buy the ticket in advance?

Bonelli recommends it in so many words, and I’d listen. You can buy on its online shop, at authorised sales points (in Rimini, Tabacco e Venere and the Visit Rimini office; in San Marino, the Marisa e Gianni tobacconist and the Ticket Office) or from the driver, but on board only if places are left. Standing passengers are allowed too, and a ticket guarantees your place on that departure, not a seat. With a pet, note that only small dogs and cats are allowed, and the rest of the rules are in San Marino with a dog.

The bit almost nobody reads is that the ticket is only valid for the day, time and bus shown. Miss yours and it won’t work on the next one. Cancel with 48 hours’ notice and you get 70% back; after that, nothing. So I’d book the trip up online and buy the return at the top, once I know when I want to leave.

What each section costs

A single from Rimini to San Marino is €7. To Borgo Maggiore or Domagnano it’s €6, and to Serravalle, Dogana or Cerasolo €4.50. Regulars can buy a 12-journey pass for €62 on a rechargeable card with no expiry, though for a visitor it rarely adds up. Children under 100 cm ride free without a seat, and a normal suitcase goes at no charge.

One trick I would use. The bus stops at the San Marino Outlet in Dogana, and with a ticket to the top you can get off, shop and carry on later for free by asking for a voucher at the outlet’s Info Point. The details are in my page on shopping and tax-free in San Marino.

Getting off early at Borgo Maggiore

An option I like is to get off at the Bar Forcellini stop in Borgo Maggiore, a €6 fare, and ride the cable car up to the Città. Cabins leave every 15 minutes for €4 a ride, and you arrive with the plain of Rimini spread out below. The cable car and the local buses are covered in getting around San Marino.

If the bus doesn’t suit you

Driving, you’re looking at roughly 22 km up the SS72 from the Rimini Sud exit, with the problem of parking at the top. For anyone coming from Urbino, Bonelli runs a Rimini to San Marino to Urbino line in winter only, Monday to Friday and by reservation, at €7.50 from Urbino to San Marino. Airports and trains into the area are in how to get to San Marino.