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How can I get to Marseille city centre?

Do you want to come to Marseille? Here are all the details that will help you to organise your stay in Marseille and to get there, whatever the means of transport you choose.

By car

Driving to Marseille, you will probably take one of the three motorways to enter in the city.

> Northern motorway (A7) cross the north of the city and lead close to the Marseille Saint-Charles train station. It is the southern terminus of the major north-south motorway (linking Lille to Marseille via Paris and Lyon). The A7 motorway also links Montpellier and Toulouse (via the A9 and A54) and Aix en Provence, Gap and Grenoble (via the A51).

> Littoral  motorway (A55) from Martigues runs along the port area before crossing the Jolette district via the footbridge and ending up at the north- western and of the Vieux-port.

> Eastern motorway (A50) From Toulon crosses the eastern districts and ends at Menpenti.

The Prado Carrénage tunnel (with toll) connect to the A50 and A55 motorways. It is possible to exit at “Vieux-port” and “la Major”.

The L2 bypass open the end of 2018 links the A7 and A50 motorway.

By plane

You will arrive at Marseille Provence Airport, the 2nd largest regional airport in France with over 9 million passengers in 2022. It is served by more than 170 airlines operated by more than 30 companies and connecting directly to 128 destinations in 36 countries.

For all flight related information, please contact the passengers information:
0820 811 414 (0,12cts/min)
www.marseille.aeroport.fr

How  can I get to Marseille from the Marseille Provence airport?

The airport is located 27 kilometers away from the city centre of Marseille to get there, there are three options : shuttle bus, taxi or renting a car.

Bus transfer/shuttle

The easiest connection is theLecar 91 line
Airport shuttle <> Marseille St Charles station.
– 7 days a week, from 4.10am to 1.30am
– One departure every 10 minutes during rush hour from 7.55am to 8.15pm.
– Journey time between 30 and 50 minutes.

The bus station is located between terminals T1 and T2.

Buy your ticket :
Online, At the ticket office (credit card, cash), from vending machines, from the driver outside ticket office opening hours.
Single ticket price €10 / €10.90 if combined with an RTM ticket.

Taxi transfer

The Airport taxi station is located in front of the terminal 1.
Taxis operate 24h/24h and 7 days a week to and from the terminals MRS and the MP2.
Between the airport and the city centre, the fare should be around 70€/80€ during the day and 90€/100€ at night with luggage. Except for sundays and bank  holidays (higher rate)

To book a taxi :
www.taxis-aeroport.com
04 42 14 24 44 (from  abroad 00 33 (0) 4 42 14 24 44)

Renting a car

For travellers who need more independence, you can also rent a car.
More information about car rental companies.

By train

From the airport, you can take a train to Marseille city centre. Take the bus+13 from the  airport (bus station – plateform 5) to get to Vitrolles train station. This bus runs 7 days a week and operates 57 round trips a day (sunday and bank holidays as well). Duration of the journey is around 5 minutes. Once at Vitrolles train station, take a T.E.R train towards the Marseille Saint Charles station  (duration of the journey is about 20 minutes).

By boat

  • Coming with a private boat?

    Getting to Marseille by the sea is the perfect way to discover various facets: the sea plays a part in the heritage, you can admire the beauty of the coast with the islands and also the calanques if you arrive from the south.

    Want to do a stopover in Marseille?

    From l’Estaque to les Goudes passing through the Old Port, Marseille owns 14 marinas on 57 Kilometers of coast so nearly 8600 “rings” and the second port of Europe. In order to book your space, you will need to get in touch with the Harbour master’s office including the main one on the Old-Port.
    Harbour master’s office (24h/24, 7j/7) – Quai Marcel Pagnol – Tél : 04 91 99 75 60 ( from abroad : 00 33 (0) 4 91 99 75 60

  • Are you a cruise passenger?

    If you are, you will arrive at the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille Fos (3.1 million passengers welcomed in 2019, including 1.85 million cruise passengers and 1.25 million ferry passengers). It is France’s leading cruise port and one of the top five ports in the Mediterranean. Its state-of-the-art facilities enable it to accommodate the latest generation of cruise ships.

    How to reach the city centre from the cruise terminals?

    The cruise terminals are located at Gate 4 of the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille Fos, which is about 6 km from the city centre. But beware: it is not possible to get there on foot as the area is surrounded by the motorway. You can choose between taxis (about 20€ per trip), paying shuttles managed by your cruise company, free shuttles from the port (from 9am to 5pm every 30 minutes, only on the days of boat arrivals) or local buses (RTM bus n°35T or 35) is at the exit of the Cruise Port – take the bus in the direction of La Joliette.

  • You arrive with a regular line ferry company at the Ferries terminal

    It is from here that the boats of regular national lines to Corsica arrive and leave, or an international trip to Sardinia, Tunisia or Algeria. These destinations are served by the maritime companies such as La Méridionale et Corsica Linéa.
    Created in 2011, the Ferry Terminal is located in the heart of the city centre, La Joliette square in an area well-served by public tranports.
    Address :
    23, Place de la Joliette
    CS 81965 – 13226 Marseille

    How to get to the Vieux-Port by public transport from the Gare Maritime?

    By Metro: Line 2 (direction Sainte Marguerite/Dromel) change line at Gare Saint-Charles station, take Line 1 (direction la Fourragère) and stop at the Vieux-Port station.

    By tram: line T2 (towards La Blancarde) or line T3 (towards Castellane) and get off at Belsunce -Alcazar.
    More information on public transport.

    On foot: Walk for about 20 minutes, either on the “sea side” Quai de la Joliette or on the “city side” Rue de la République.

    By bike: You will easily find a station, there are some located every 300 meters.
    More information on the bike terminals.

By train

Arriving in Saint Charles station

If you travelled by train, you will arrive in Marseille, in the heart of the city centre. When getting off the train you will discover the train station “U” shaped building with a large glass roof built in 1896 by the architect Joseph Antoine Bouvard with a  metal frame structure by Gustave Eiffel.

Train station overlooks the city from Saint Charles plateau. Outside, on the esplanade, stands the monumental staircase that will lead you towards the Old Port in 20 minutes walk. Take time to admire sculptures on the themes of the  African and Asian colonies, a recurring decorative theme in this city which developed in the 19th century largely through trade with these distant lands.

Train station useful information :
– Commercial area with shops and catering
– A  drop-off zone and taxis are  located in the basement
– 2 levels underground parking
– Luggage lockers on level – 1 (open everyday of the week and public holidays from 8.15 am to 9 pm)
– Free and illimited Wifi
– Cash dispenser
– Mailboxes
– Car rental companies : Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, Wattmobile

Public transport from Saint-Charles station

Buses :
lebus 52 > Gare St-Charles / Métro La Timone : Stop Square Narvik
lebus 56 > Gare St-Charles / Belle de mai La Friche : Stop Square Narvik
lebus 82 > Gare St-Charles / Le Pharo Catalans : Stop Gare routière – Exit Honnorat
lebus de nuit 521 > Gare St-Charles / Luminy : Gare Routière stop – Honnorat exit

Metro :

Direct access to metro lines M1 and M2 linking the city centre, central and southern districts of Marseille. The 2 metro lines are accessible from the basement of Gare Saint-Charles.
M1 < > La Fouragère / la Rose
M2 <>Sainte Marguerite / Gèze

Other transport from the Gare Saint-Charles

Taxis:
From the station, follow the taxi/metro direction down the escalators to level -1.
The taxis are parked in the 3rd lane of the “Bourdet” drop-off point on level -1.

My driver:
A TGV INOUI service, a fixed price taxi service, booked with the train ticket. Guaranteed pick-up without waiting and without extra charge (including in the event of a delay in the arrival of the train).

Self-service bicycles:
Paying service, 3 stations are nearby on Bourdet, Nedelec and Voltaire boulevards.

By bus

By bus, you will arrive at the bus station located in the city centre, rue Honnorat, very close to the Saint-Charles train station.

Intercity buses

The Cartreize buses:

To Martigues, Aix-en-Provence (direct by motorway or RN8), Aix Arbois, Trets, Vitrolles (by RN Les Pennes Mirabeau), Marseille Provence Airport
More information on www.lepilote.com – 0 810 00 13 26

Zou buses:

to Nice, Forcalquier (via Manosque), Castellane (via Gréoux-les-Bains and Riez), Barcelonette (via Digne-les-Bains and Sisteron), Briançon (via Manosque, Sisteron and Gap), the Var.
Find out more about Zou buses.

National and international routes

A number of bus companies offer regular connections within France and to Europe, more information on : Blablacar, Flixbus

Book your tickets for Marseille

As you can see, it is very easy to get to Marseille. Here is a list of service providers adapted to your needs. All you have to do is make your reservation!

ouigo
All train tickets are low cost!

tictactrip 
Book your journey by train, bus or both in combination. Tictactrip is the solution to all your responsible transport needs.

Trainline
Find combined ticket for trains and buses

kombo
To book your train, bus and plane tickets. You will find the solution that suits your needs.

 

Museums, activities, boat ...CityPass Marseille

Valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours, visit Marseille thanks to an all-inclusive formula!

  • 26€*24h
  • 35€*48h
  • 42€*72h
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