Navigating the steep, winding roads up Monte Titano and hunting for a parking spot is the fastest way to ruin a trip to San Marino. Leaving your car at the lower station in Borgo Maggiore and taking the Funivia (cable car) directly into the historic center saves time, saves your brakes, and instantly solves the parking problem.
- Ticket (one-way): €4.00, return: €7.00 (2026)
- Ride duration: under 2 minutes
- Frequency: departures every 15 minutes
- Lower station: Borgo Maggiore (P11 parking at Piazzale Campo della Fiera)
- Upper station: Historic Center (Città di San Marino)
- Hours: 7:45 AM daily, closing times vary by season (see below)
- Children under 120 cm: free
- Dogs: muzzle required
Ticket Prices and Where to Buy
The Funivia is operated by AASS (Azienda Autonoma di Stato). You can buy tickets at the station window, at the automated machines inside the terminal, or online at sanmarinotrasportopubblico.skiperformance.com.
One-way fare: €4.00 | Return fare: €7.00 (2026 rates from visitsanmarino.com)
A reduced fare of €1.50 (one-way) or €2.50 (return) applies to passengers with qualifying disabilities. A €10.00 day pass is available if you plan multiple trips. Children under 120 cm ride for free. Monthly passes exist for residents and frequent users but are not practical for tourists.
Buying a return ticket at the bottom is the smarter move. Walking back down the mountain via the Costa dell'Arnella is a steep, uneven stone path that looks appealing on a map and feels punishing after a full day of sightseeing.
Skip the Queue: Use the Ticket Machines
During summer weekends, the queue at the manual ticket window can stretch out the door. Walk straight past it. Automated machines are located right inside the station. They accept contactless payments and print barcode tickets in seconds. Scan at the turnstile and board.
Operating Hours by Season
The cable car runs every day from 7:45 AM. Closing times shift by season:
| Period | Last departure (approx.) |
|---|---|
| January - March | 19:00 |
| April - June | 19:45 |
| July - early September | 00:45 (after midnight) |
| September - December | 19:00 - 19:45 |
Always check the posted last departure time when you arrive at the lower station. Missing the final run means a taxi or the stone footpath down in the dark.
The cable car may close for scheduled maintenance, typically a few days in late October. AASS announces closures on its official website (www.aass.sm) in advance. For a broader look at how season affects crowds, opening hours, and festivals, see the best time to visit San Marino guide.
Where to Park for the Cable Car
Driving all the way up to the historic center is technically possible, but the roads are narrow, the cobblestones unforgiving, and the upper car parks are almost always full by mid-morning on any clear day.
The sensible approach: park at Borgo Maggiore and ride up.
P11: The Cable Car Car Park
P11 at Piazzale Campo della Fiera is the paid parking lot attached directly to the lower station. It is the most convenient option and fills up fast on weekends and during Italian school holidays. Arrive before 9:30 AM on a clear Saturday in summer and you will almost certainly find a spot.
If P11 is full, overflow free parking areas sit further down the hill toward Borgo Maggiore town center. The trade-off: you face a steep, uneven footpath back up to the station. Wear shoes with grip. It is not a long walk, but it is a sweaty one with luggage.
For campervans and motorhomes, P13 in Baldasserona is the dedicated large-vehicle lot near the cable car. A full breakdown of every numbered lot, rates, and ZTL rules is in the San Marino parking guide.
The Ride: What to Expect
The cabins are modern, clean, and shared. Think of it as a subway car with floor-to-ceiling glass and a two-minute window over the Italian countryside.
The View During the Ascent
Position yourself near the glass facing away from the mountain the moment you board. The panorama over the Emilia-Romagna plain and, on clear days, the Adriatic coast, opens immediately. You have under two minutes. Get to the window fast.
The view is better from the descending cabin (upper to lower station), as you face outward for the entire drop. If the scenery matters most to you, ride up first to reach the city, then position yourself on the correct side coming back down.
Traveling with Dogs
Dogs are permitted, but all dogs, regardless of size, must wear a muzzle inside the cabin. No exceptions. Station staff will deny boarding without one. Muzzles are not sold at the station. Large dogs require an additional ticket.
A leash is also required. Do not assume a calm or small dog gets a pass.
Strollers and Accessibility
Strollers are permitted and the short ride makes this ideal for families. The station layout is wheelchair accessible, though there is a small step between the platform and the cabin floor. Station staff are present at boarding and can assist.
Is the Cable Car Worth It?
If you are parking at Borgo Maggiore or arriving by bus, yes, absolutely. At €7.00 return, it costs less than a coffee at the top and saves a 20-30 minute uphill walk on an exposed road.
If you are driving directly to the upper car parks and manage to find parking, the cable car does not add much. But given how rarely the upper lots have space, most visitors end up at Borgo Maggiore anyway.
For day-trippers from Rimini joining a San Marino guided tour, the cable car is typically included or starts from the lower station, so check your booking confirmation. If you are still planning the journey from the coast, the Rimini to San Marino bus guide covers ticket buying, stop locations, and timetable tips.
The cable car does not connect to the Three Towers of San Marino or the walking trails on the ridge. Once at the top, you explore on foot. The upper station deposits you near the main gate of the old city, steps from the first souvenir market and the start of Via Basilicius.
What If the Cable Car Is Closed?
The Costa dell'Arnella is the pedestrian path connecting Borgo Maggiore to the historic center. It is a genuine stone path, roughly 20-25 minutes on foot, steep in sections. Taxis operate from within the city and from Borgo Maggiore's Piazza Grande.
Bus line 3 also connects the lower town to the historic center, running on a less frequent schedule than the cable car. During maintenance closures, AASS typically increases bus frequency.
