Would you like to visit the multi-faceted city of Marseille? It’s easy to reach, whether you’re from France or elsewhere. The city has a well-connected international airport, a TGV train station with links to major French and European cities, and direct motorway access from the Mediterranean coast. Here we share all the options for how to get to Marseille, depending on your starting point and travel preferences.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Summary: How to get to Marseille
If you don’t want to read the whole article:
- France’s second-largest city on the Mediterranean coast
- 30min drive from Marseille Provence Airport (flights from all over Europe and international destinations) – see options
- Marseille-Saint-Charles TGV station: Paris in 3h10, Lyon in 1h45, Nice in 2h30, Ventimiglia (Italy) about 4h with connection – book your journey
- Access by car via the A7, A50 and A55 freeways – find a car
- Day trips available from Aix-en-Provence, Cassis or La Ciotat
WHERE TO STAY IN Marseille
Our favorites:
Historical option
Hotel InterContinental Marseille – Check photos and availability
Boutiquel-hotel
Hotel Maison Juste – Check photos and availability
Seaside
Hotel Les Bords De Mer – Check photos and availability
See our selection of the best hotels and neighborhoods in Marseille
Where is Marseille and map
Marseille is located on the Mediterranean coast of southeastern France, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. The town stretches between the sea and a hinterland of limestone hills, with the calanques to the south and the Crau plain to the east. It’s France’s second-largest city by area and population, and the Mediterranean’s leading port.
From Marseille, the region’s main cities are within easy reach:
- Aix-en-Provence is 30 minutes away
- Cassis 35min away
- La Ciotat at 50min
- Avignon 1h20 away
Here’s a map to help you locate Marseille:
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Remember to take outcomprehensive insurance (some roads are winding and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Option 1: by plane
Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) is located in Marignane, about 28km northwest of the city center. It is the region’s main air gateway, handling millions of passengers every year. We like it for its good service from all over Europe, with an increasing number of direct flights in recent years.
The offer includes year-round connections from major European capitals, as well as a seasonal network to numerous destinations in France and abroad. In summer, frequencies increase significantly.
Compare available flights to Marseille.
Getting to downtown from the airport
The airport is about a 30-minute drive from the center. Several solutions are available, depending on your budget and preferences:
- By rental car: the most flexible option for reaching Marseille and continuing your exploration of Provence. The main international agencies have counters in the arrivals terminal, alongside local rental companies who are often more competitive. We recommend booking as early as possible. Compare car rental offers.
- Direct shuttle service: connecting the airport to the center of Marseille, with stops at Gare Saint-Charles and the Old Port (approx. 25-30 min. depending on traffic). This is a practical option if you’re traveling without a car and want to go straight to your accommodation in the city center.
- By cab: they park outside the arrivals terminal. A surcharge applies at night and on Sundays.
- By private transfer: for greater comfort, for families or groups, a private transfer booked in advance is often more economical as the price is fixed per vehicle – book your trip
It’s time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
Option 2: by train
Gare de Marseille-Saint-Charles is one of France’s best-served TGV stations. Located right in the city center, it allows you to reach Marseille from Paris, Lyon, Nice, Bordeaux or Montpellier without having to use an airport. We often use the train for departures from Paris.
Main connections from Gare Saint Charles :
- Paris Gare de Lyon: 3h10 by TGV, several departures per day
- Lyon Part-Dieu: 1h45 by TGV
- Nice: 2h30 by TGV or Intercity train
- Bordeaux: 3h30 with connection to Lyon or Montpellier
- Montpellier: 1h20 by TGV
The station is accessible from downtown Marseille on foot (a few minutes from the Belsunce district) or via the RTM bus and metro network.
Consult timetables and book your train tickets.
DISCOVER Marseille
- Best things to do in Marseille
- Where to sleep in Marseille: best hotels
- Best museums in Marseille – coming soon
- Itineraries: 1 day – 2 days – 3 days – 4 days – 1 week
- Rent a car in Marseille
Option 3: by car
Marseille benefits from a dense motorway network, making it easy to access from all directions. Three main axes converge on the city. The A7, known as the Autoroute du Soleil, arrives from the north from Lyon and Paris. The A50 runs along the coast from Toulon and the Côte d’Azur to the east. The A55 connects Marseille with Martigues and the Etang de Berre to the west.
Indicative journey times under normal traffic conditions:
- From Aix-en-Provence: 35min (A51 and A7)
- From Cassis: 35min (A50)
- From Toulon: 1h (A50)
- From Avignon: 1h25 (A7)
- From Nice: 2h20 (A8)
- From Lyon: 3h40 (A7)
- From Paris: 9h (A6 then A7 or A7 only)
In July and August, motorways leading to Marseille are subject to heavy traffic congestion, particularly on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. Allow extra time, especially on the A7 and A50. Some toll booths charge a fee; please bring a credit card or change.
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in Provence a success, will soon be gathered in a single ebook!
Option 4: Day trips
Marseille is within easy reach of the region’s main cities, making it an ideal destination for a day trip.
From Aix-en-Provence
Just 30 minutes away by car or bus, Aix-en-Provence is the most convenient starting point for a day out in Marseille. Regular bus and train services link the two cities throughout the day. The frequency is high, so you can leave early and return at your convenience. See guided tour options
From Cassis
Cassis is 35 minutes from Marseille on the A50 freeway. By train, there is a direct link from Cassis station to Gare Saint-Charles. It’s a great option if you’re staying in the village and want to spend a day in the metropolis. Admire the calanques and Marseille from a boat!
From La Ciotat
La Ciotat is a 50-minute drive away. The rail link between La Ciotat and Marseille offers direct, regular access in just 25 minutes. We recommend taking the train to avoid parking constraints on arrival.
From Avignon or the Alpilles
The distance is greater (1h30 by car), but access is still easy via the A7. By TGV fromAvignon TGV station, the journey takes around 30min. It’s a convenient link for travelers staying in northern Provence who want to spend a day in Marseille.
See the available schedules and book your train tickets now.
Option 5: by ferry
Did you know that the Port of Marseille is the leading Mediterranean port and one of the busiest in Europe? It welcomes ferries from Corsica, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. This is a great option if you’re traveling with a vehicle and want to reach the city by sea.
Main connections from Marseille
- From Corsica: Ajaccio, Bastia, Propriano and Porto-Vecchio – crossings year-round, duration varies according to company (6h to 12h)
- From Algeria: Algiers, Oran, Annaba, Skikda – mainly night services
- From Tunisia: Tunis (port of La Goulette) – crossing time approx. 22h
- From Morocco: Tanger Med – seasonal connections, approx. 40h depending on stopovers
Overnight crossings from Corsica save you one night’s hotel accommodation. You embark in the evening and arrive early in the morning at the Port of Marseille. Cabin comfort is decent, but if you’re in a wheelchair or on deck, make sure you bring something to cover up, as the air conditioning on board can be quite strong.
In high season, ferries fill up quickly. Book as early as possible, especially if you’re boarding with a vehicle.
>>> See available ferry routes <<<
Parking in Marseille
Parking in Marseille’s central districts, especially around the Old Port, can be difficult and costly. We recommend using the underground pay parking lots: they are numerous and well signposted. The full list of parking lots is available on the Marseille Tourist Office website here.
If your accommodation doesn’t have a parking lot, another option is to park your vehicle in a parking lot on the outskirts. Then take the metro or streetcar to the center. This option is often more economical and avoids the stress of city traffic. Park-and-ride sites and their access by public transport are listed on the RTM network website (see details here).
Getting around Marseille
The RTM network serves the entire urban area by metro, tramway and bus. Two metro lines link the main tourist attractions to the city center. The tramway serves the Joliette district, where the MUCEM is located. In addition, shuttle boats take you across the Old Port to the Frioul Islands. For short-distance travel, self-service bicycles are a practical and economical alternative.
You can also opt for a quieter, more pleasant option, the Petit Train Touristique de Marseille, see here.
If you’re planning several days of sightseeing, the Marseille CityPass is a great value: available in 24h, 48h or 72h formulas, it includes unlimited public transport, entry to several museums and discounts on many tourist activities.
>> Book your CityPass Marseille <<
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Once in Marseille…
When you arrive in Marseille, you’ll find the city has a lot to offer: the Old Port and its lively quays, the calanques and their clear waters, the MUCEM and Fort Saint-Jean, the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde and its panoramic views over the sea, not forgetting the popular neighborhoods of Panier and Estaque.
- The Old Port and its quays
- Calanques National Park
- Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica
- MUCEM and Fort Saint-Jean
- The Frioul Islands
- The Panier district and its narrow streets
See our article on the best things to do and see in Marseille.
To find out where to stay, see also our selection of accommodation: the best hotels in Marseille.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO provence
- Inspiration
Best things to do in Provence
Provence’s most beautiful towns
Most beautiful villages
Most beautiful castles
Best destinations
- Practical advice
Rent a car in Provence – in Nice – in Cannes – in Marseille – in Aix-en-Provence.
Itineraries: 5 days – 1 week – 10 days (coming soon)
Weekend ideas: best-of – romantic – luxury – unusual (coming soon)
- Where to stay
Where to stay in Provence
Best luxury hotels
SHE MADE THE TRIP Elisa
