Rimini sits on Italy’s Adriatic coast in Emilia-Romagna, served by its own international airport and a well-connected train station on the Bologna-Ancona line. Most visitors arrive by air at Federico Fellini International Airport (RMI) or by train at Rimini Centrale, then reach their hotel by bus, taxi, or rental car. This guide covers the practical details: how to get from the airport, what a taxi costs, whether you can drink the tap water, tipping customs, and which months bring mosquitoes. The best time to visit Rimini guide covers seasonal weather and crowds in more detail.
Travel Tips for Rimini: Airports and Arrival
Federico Fellini International Airport (RMI), also called Rimini-Miramare Airport, sits 8km southeast of the city centre near the suburb of Miramare. It handles seasonal flights from across Europe (Ryanair, Wizz Air, and various charter airlines) with the busiest period running May through September. Outside summer, many routes pause and the airport runs a reduced schedule. The airport is small and manageable: one terminal, one baggage belt, and a single exit into the arrivals hall. There is no train station at the airport. Your options for getting into Rimini are a metered taxi (€25-30 to Marina Centro, 15 minutes), the Start Romagna bus line 9 (€1.50, every 30-40 minutes, 25 minutes to the train station), or a pre-booked private transfer (€35-45). The bus stop sits directly outside the terminal exit; you can buy tickets from the Tabacchi shop inside the terminal or via the MooneyGo app. If you land after 10pm, bus service drops to roughly hourly until midnight, then stops — budget for a taxi. See our Rimini weather by month for monthly climate data.
Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) is the main year-round alternative, 120km northwest of Rimini, with far more routes and airlines. From Bologna airport, take the Marconi Express monorail to Bologna Centrale station (€12.80, 7 minutes), then a direct regional train to Rimini (€10-12, 80-90 minutes). Total door-to-door from BLQ to Rimini Centrale takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. A private transfer from Bologna airport to Rimini costs €180-220 and takes 75-90 minutes on the A14 autostrada. See our Rimini events and festivals for seasonal events.
Getting Around Rimini
Start Romagna runs all local buses in Rimini. A single ticket costs €1.50 and is valid for 75 minutes from first validation, including transfers. You can buy tickets at tabacchi (tobacco shops), newsstands, or via the MooneyGo app. Remember to validate your ticket in the orange machine when you board — inspectors patrol frequently in summer and the fine for an unvalidated ticket is €60. The most useful bus for visitors is line 11, which runs the full length of the seafront from Torre Pedrera in the north to Miramare in the south, passing the train station, Marina Centro, and the thermal baths. Line 4 connects the centro storico to Viserba and the northern beach suburbs. The Metromare is a trolleybus rapid-transit line connecting Rimini Centrale station to Riccione (the neighbouring resort town) in about 25 minutes with departures every 8-12 minutes; it uses the same €1.50 ticket. See our Rimini neighborhoods guide for area overviews.
Rimini Centrale station sits on the main Bologna-Ancona railway line. Regional trains to Bologna run roughly hourly (80-90 minutes, €10-12), to Ravenna every 30-60 minutes (55 minutes, €5.50), and to Ancona hourly (50-70 minutes, €7-9). High-speed Frecciarossa and Italo trains connect Rimini to Milano Centrale (2 hours 45 minutes) and Roma Termini (3 hours 45 minutes) several times a day, but book these at least two weeks ahead for the best fares. The station has luggage storage (€6 per bag per day, near platform 1) and is a 15-minute walk or a 5-minute bus ride (line 11) from Marina Centro. See our where to stay in Rimini for hotel recommendations.
Taxis in Rimini are metered and reliable. The base fare is €3.90 (€5.70 on Sundays and holidays), with a per-kilometre rate of €1.20-1.50 depending on time of day. A typical ride from the train station to Marina Centro costs €8-12. From Marina Centro to the centro storico runs €10-14. Taxis wait at marked ranks at the train station, Piazzale Kennedy, and Piazza Cavour. You cannot hail a taxi on the street — call the central dispatch at +39 0541 50020 or use the appTaxi or FreeNow apps. Uber operates in Rimini but only the Uber Black (professional driver) tier, which is 50-70% more expensive than a regular taxi.
Rimini is exceptionally bike-friendly, with over 100km of dedicated cycle paths. The main coastal path runs uninterrupted from Torre Pedrera to Riccione (about 20km), flat and separated from traffic. Several hotels lend bikes free to guests. Public bike-sharing stations (Rimini Bike) dot the seafront and centro storico; download the app, register with a credit card, and pay €1 per hour or €6 per day. Read the things to do in Rimini guide for day-trip cycling routes toward San Marino.
Practical Questions About Rimini
- Can I drink the tap water in Rimini? Yes. Rimini’s tap water is safe, clean, and regularly tested. It comes from the Romagna aqueduct and meets all EU drinking-water standards. It has a slightly mineral taste in some older buildings with dated plumbing — if that bothers you, bottled water costs €0.30-0.80 at supermarkets (Conad, Coop, Pam).
- Do I need to speak Italian? In Marina Centro and the main beach strip, most hotel staff, restaurant servers, and bar staff speak enough English (and often German or Russian) for transactions. In the centro storico, smaller trattorie, and the northern suburbs, English thins out — knowing how to order coffee (un caffè, un cappuccino), say thank you (grazie), and ask for the bill (il conto, per favore) goes a long way.
- What is the tipping custom in Rimini? Tipping is not expected in Italy but is appreciated for good service. In restaurants, a coperto (cover charge) of €1.50-3 per person is already on the bill, covering bread and table service. If service was genuinely good, round up the bill or leave €1-2 per person in cash. In bars, leave the small change from your coffee (10-20 cents). No need to tip taxi drivers, though rounding up to the nearest euro is common.
- Is Rimini safe? Rimini is generally safe for tourists. Violent crime against visitors is rare. The main risks are pickpocketing on crowded summer buses (especially line 11 in August), bag-snatching on the beach if you leave valuables unattended, and drink-spiking in a small number of late-night bars on the southern lungomare. Keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket on busy evenings. The area around the train station feels sketchy after midnight but is not dangerous — just stay alert. Emergency number: 112 (European-wide, works for police, ambulance, and fire).
- When is mosquito season? Mosquitoes (zanzare) are a genuine nuisance in Rimini from late May through September, especially near the canal port and in the centro storico where there is standing water. Bring DEET-based repellent or buy Autan at any farmacia (pharmacy). Most hotels provide plug-in mosquito repellents in rooms. The worst hours are dusk through about 10pm; after that they ease off.
- Do hotels include air conditioning? Most three-star and above hotels in Rimini have air conditioning, but it is often switched on only between June and September. If you are visiting in May or early June and the nights are warm (22-24°C), confirm with the hotel that the A/C is running. Budget one-star and two-star properties in the centro storico may have ceiling fans only.
- Is Rimini wheelchair-accessible? Partially. The main seafront promenade, bus line 11 (low-floor buses with ramps), and the Metromare trolleybus are accessible. Most numbered bagni (beach clubs) have wheelchair ramps to the sand and some have floating wheelchairs for entering the water (bagno 26, 36, and 50 are well-reviewed). The centro storico has cobblestones and narrow kerbs that are challenging — Piazza Cavour and Corso d’Augusto are manageable, but side streets off Via Garibaldi are difficult. The train station has lifts to all platforms.
- What is the local emergency number? Dial 112 for all emergencies — it connects you to police (Polizia di Stato), ambulance, and fire brigade. English-speaking operators are available.
Suggested Hotels in Rimini
Grand Hotel Rimini
A five-star Liberty-style landmark on the Marina Centro seafront operating since 1908, with two outdoor pools, a private beach, a spa, and Fellini-themed suites. Best for couples seeking old-world glamour with Adriatic views. Check rates and availability
DuoMo Hotel
A four-star design hotel in the historic centre, 300 metres from Piazza Cavour, with bold contemporary interiors and a lively bar scene. Best for culture-focused travellers who prefer Roman ruins to sun loungers. Check rates and availability
Hotel Memory
A small two-star in the city centre, 100 metres from restaurants and 250 metres from the beach, with free WiFi and discounts at nearby private beach clubs. Best for solo travellers who want the lowest price in a walkable location. Check rates and availability
