San Marino MotoGP: how to get to the race in Misano

The San Marino MotoGP is one of the sport’s most popular races. Not only does it put the best riders in the world up against one of the great tracks on the calendar, but it also takes place on the beautiful Italian coast.

The race takes place in the town of Misano just outside the city of Rimini, a popular tourist spot with long sandy beaches while maintaining a traditional Italian vibe.

Easily accessible by air, or by road for fans taking a road trip around Italy, this guide will take you through the easiest ways to get to the race from the UK and major European cities.

San Marino MotoGP travel guide

Where is the San Marino MotoGP race?

Despite the title of the race, the San Marino MotoGP race on the Italian coast. There can only be one ‘Italian MotoGP’ race, and that’s held at Mugello in May. So much like when two Formula 1 races were held in Italy, this second race takes on the title of ‘San Marino’. MotoGP fans will be used to this, with four races held in Spain, and the titles ‘Catalunya’, ‘Aragon’ and ‘Valencia’ being used.

The San Marino race is held in the coastal town of Misano, approximately 25km from the Sammarinese border. Misano itself is approximately a half-hour drive from the city of Rimini, the capital of the Rimini province. This is where many fans will choose to stay while in the area for the race.

How to get to Misano from London via Rimini Airport

The city of Rimini does have an international airport: Aeroporto Internazionale de Rimini e San Marino. Seasonal flights from London Stansted to Rimini run throughout the summer from June, taking just over 2 hours. Ryanair operates the service, and for a return journey arriving in Rimini on the Tuesday before the race and returning the following Tuesday, a flight will cost less than £100 per person. From Rimini airport, the circuit is a 20-minute drive along the main SS16 road. By public transport, you can get to the circuit in less than an hour by boarding the 42 bus towards Belforte from Miramare to Cella, and changing to the 55 bus towards P.Le Kennedy from Chesa to Del Carro.

How to get to San Marino MotoGP from London via Bologna Airport

Other airport options include Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport north of the Rimini. For similar dates (Wednesday to Wednesday around the race weekend), Ryanair operates a service from Stansted for £40 return. Ryanair also operates a service from Luton, costing £67 return. British Airways operate several services daily from Heathrow, with prices varying from £60 to £102 including luggage.

Flights to Bologna are also available from Edinburgh, Manchester and Dublin airports.

Bologna could act as a great base for part of your stay, as a traditional city famously known as the ‘red city’. For foodies, this is the birthplace of Bolognese and various classic pasta dishes and offers a unique experience to the traditional tourist hotspots.

From Bologna, Rimini is approximately a 90-minute drive along the A14. This route passes Imola, the where the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari has hosted many Formula One Grands Prix and World Superbike races, and Faenza, the base of the AlphaTauri F1 team.

By train, Trenitalia runs a service from Bologna Centrale to Rimini. It’s eight stops and 1 hour 27 minutes to the destination.

How to fly to Misano from Europe

For fans travelling from Europe, Bologna Airport is the best option. Flights are available from major European cities including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Munich, Paris and Prague. The below table shows a selection of airports flights can be booked from, including operating airline and approximate flight time.

How to drive to Misano

Many fans will travel to the race by road, either on their own bike or by car. Travel to Misano from almost anywhere north of Italy is relatively simple. The Autostrada A1/E35 runs from Milan to Modena for approximately 163km. At Modena, the road becomes the E45, which can be followed for approximately 163km to Rimini.

The A1 Motorway is accessible from many major cities in Italy: Turin, Verona, Venice, and Florence. That makes the San Marino race great for anyone looking to explore the country on two wheels or four around race weekend.