Travelling To Marseille

Marseille is one of easiest cities to reach in Europe, with a great train service and a convenient airport. Marseille Provence International Airport is just 20kms from the city centre and is directly connected by its own motorway. The TGV train service provides very fast access from Paris and Nice, while the French motorway system cannot be beaten for simplicity and safety. It is also possible to access Marseille via ferry from ports in northern Africa and the islands of Corsica and Sicily.

By car

Motorways around Marseille, Provence and the French Riviera are very safe and provide fast access between cities and towns. The A7 motorway connects Marseille to Paris, while the A8 links the city to Nice. There is also a spectacular coastal scenic drive, the A50/N98, which runs along the Mediterranean from Marseille through Toulon, Heyres, St Tropez, St Maxime, St Raphael, Cannes and eventually on to Nice.

By rail

Marseille’s Gare Saint Charles railway station is connected to Paris via a fast TGV service, which now cuts the travelling time down to 3 hours. There are frequent trains to and from the French capital daily and also regular TGV services to Nice (2 hours). Slower trains connect Marseille to destinations along the Côte d’Azur and throughout the region.

By bus

While not a very popular option due to the great train services and flight schedules to Marseille, travelling to the city by bus from provincial towns and cities in southern France and beyond is feasible and cheap. Long distance buses terminate at the Gare Routiere. There is also a ‘Snow Shuttle’ coach service during the winter which connects Marseille with many of the best ski resorts in the southern French Alps, such as Montgenèvre, Val d'Allos and Vars.

By ferry

Marseille harbour has regular ferry services to and from ports in Corsica, Sardinia, Tunis and Algiers. The ferry services are operated by SNCM Ferries. There are two passenger ferry terminals, one at Place de la Joliette (servicing Corsica and Sardinia) and the other at the end of Boulevard des Dames (servicing North Africa).

By air

Most visitors arriving by air opt to use Marseille International Airport, which has a wide selection of regular and charter flights from the UK and major European cities, not to mention convenient ground transfer options.

Marseille Provence International Airport

An important aviation hub in the south of France, Marseille Provence International Airport has frequent scheduled flights to destination all over the UK, Europe and beyond. The convenient selection of flights makes Marseille Provence International the preferred gateway to Marseille for most tourists arriving by air. The terminal has three halls, of which Hall 1 is for international arrivals and departures; Hall 3 for domestic arrivals; and Hall 4 for domestic departures. The airport is very modern and has an extensive range of facilities and amenities.

Marseille Provence International Airport transportation

Marseille Provence International Airport is located 20kms from Marseille. There are regular shuttles and buses connecting the town with the airport, leaving at least hourly. The journey typically takes under 30 minutes in normal traffic, but you should allow much more time if travelling during peak hours. Visitors can also opt to rent a car, with a direct motorway between the airport and city providing fast and safe access to Marseille.