San Marino covers 61 square kilometers entirely surrounded by Italian territory in the Apennine range. The capital, Città di San Marino, sits on Mount Titano at 739 meters elevation. Eight other municipalities exist below: Serravalle holds the largest population, followed by Borgo Maggiore, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, Chiesanuova, Acquaviva, and Montegiardino. All nine castelli connect through roads totaling approximately 220 kilometers. No internal borders or checkpoints exist within the republic. The furthest distance between any two points measures roughly 13 kilometers.
San Marino maintains no airport. The nearest commercial airport is Federico Fellini International Airport in Rimini, Italy, located 27 kilometers east. Buses operated by Bonelli Bus run from Rimini railway station to Piazzale Calcigni in Borgo Maggiore, with the journey taking 45 to 50 minutes depending on traffic. The Italian railway network connects Rimini to Bologna in 1 hour 20 minutes and to Milan in approximately 3 hours 40 minutes. Travelers arriving from Bologna can take buses directly to San Marino, a distance of 135 kilometers covered in roughly 2 hours. No rail service exists within San Marino itself. The republic dismantled its 32-kilometer electric railway connection to Rimini in 1932.
Buses within San Marino connect the nine municipalities on schedules that reduce significantly on Sundays and public holidays. The public bus company operates routes linking Città di San Marino with Serravalle, Borgo Maggiore, and other castelli. A cable car, the Funivia di San Marino, runs between Borgo Maggiore and the historic center of Città di San Marino, covering 160 meters of vertical elevation in approximately 2 minutes. The cable car operates from early morning to evening with departures every 15 minutes during peak seasons. Single tickets cost around 2.80 euros one direction as of recent years, though prices adjust periodically. The walking alternative between these two points takes 20 to 30 minutes uphill on pedestrian paths and roadways.
Taxis operate from stands in Città di San Marino and Borgo Maggiore. The republic licenses a limited number of taxi vehicles. Fares lack metering in the traditional sense; drivers typically quote fixed prices for common routes. A ride from Rimini airport to Città di San Marino costs approximately 60 to 80 euros depending on negotiation and luggage. Ride-hailing applications do not function reliably within San Marino due to the small service area and regulatory framework. Taxi availability decreases sharply after 8 PM and on Sundays.
Driving remains the most flexible method for covering distances within San Marino and accessing Italian surrounding areas. Visitors arriving by car from Italy face no border formalities. The republic applies Italian traffic regulations. Parking in Città di San Marino concentrates in designated lots outside the historic pedestrian zones. Parking fees range from 1.50 to 2.00 euros per hour in regulated areas. The historic center of Città di San Marino prohibits private vehicle access except for residents with permits. Roads connecting the castelli handle light traffic except during summer weekends and public holidays when congestion increases near the capital's tourist areas. Speed limits follow Italian standards: 50 kilometers per hour in built-up areas, 70 on secondary roads, and 90 on the principal thoroughfare connecting to Italy. Fuel prices align closely with Italian rates, typically 1.70 to 1.90 euros per liter for gasoline.
Car rental offices do not operate within San Marino. Travelers must rent vehicles in Rimini or Bologna. International driving permits supplement foreign licenses for non-European Union visitors, following Italian requirements. Winter conditions between December and February occasionally bring snow to Mount Titano, requiring tire chains or winter tires on the roads leading to Città di San Marino. The government closes certain steep access roads during heavy snowfall.
Walking covers all significant sites within Città di San Marino. The historic center measures less than one square kilometer. The path from Piazza della Libertà to the Guaita tower takes 10 minutes at a moderate pace. Continuing to the Cesta tower adds another 15 minutes. The route descends steeply in sections, with stone steps and inclines. The full circuit of the three towers and return to the main square requires approximately 90 minutes including brief stops. Mobility-impaired visitors face challenges; the medieval layout includes uneven stone paving, narrow passages, and staircases without ramps. The cable car provides an alternative to the uphill walk from Borgo Maggiore, but does not reach the towers themselves.
Bicycle rental exists on a limited scale in Borgo Maggiore and Serravalle. The mountainous terrain and narrow roads with vehicle traffic make cycling strenuous and less practical for casual visitors. Dedicated cycling paths do not exist. Serious cyclists use San Marino as a training route, particularly the ascent to Città di San Marino, which gains 200 meters over approximately 6 kilometers from Borgo Maggiore.