Marseille airport to city centre: all transport options compared
Marseille: airport transfer to the city centre
What is the best way from Marseille airport to the city centre?
The Navette 91 airport bus (10 EUR, 25–30 min to Gare Saint-Charles) is the best combination of price and simplicity for most travellers. Taxis cost 50–60 EUR but are faster with luggage at night.
Marseille Provence Airport: the basics
Aéroport Marseille Provence (IATA: MRS) is located at Marignane, approximately 30 km north of the city centre. It is a medium-sized international airport with two terminals: a main terminal (MP1) handling most traffic, and a secondary terminal (MP2) mainly used by low-cost carriers. Confirm your terminal before travelling to avoid a long walk between them.
The airport is modern and functional. There is no direct metro connection to the city — your options are bus, train, taxi, or rental car. This guide covers all four honestly, including the trade-offs that matter depending on time of day, group size, and luggage situation.
Option 1: Navette 91 airport bus — the best general option
The Navette Aéroport (line 91) runs directly from both airport terminals to Gare Saint-Charles (the city’s main railway station), which is on the metro and within walking distance of the Vieux-Port downhill.
Schedule: The bus runs daily with high frequency. Departures from the airport: approximately every 10 minutes between 8:00 and 20:15, then every 20 minutes during the rest of the day and night (first bus around 4:10, last bus around 1:30). This is one of the most frequent airport buses in France — you are unlikely to wait more than 15 minutes at any reasonable hour.
Journey time: 25–30 minutes in normal traffic; up to 50 minutes during rush hour (typically 7:30–9:30 and 17:00–19:30 on weekdays).
Price: 10 EUR one-way; 16 EUR return. Tickets can be bought at the airport directly from machines or online. The RTM daily pass (5.20 EUR) does NOT cover the Navette 91 — it is a separate service operated by Aéroport Marseille Provence, not RTM.
Where it drops you: Gare Saint-Charles. From there, you can take the metro (Gare Saint-Charles is a metro hub, M1 and M2) or walk downhill to the Vieux-Port in 15–20 minutes. Taxis and ride-shares are also available at Saint-Charles.
For the return journey to the airport: Buses depart from platforms 13 or 14 at Gare Saint-Charles. Allow 40–45 minutes buffer before check-in, more during rush hour.
Verdict: Best option for solo travellers, couples, and anyone arriving during the day with manageable luggage. The price-to-simplicity ratio is the best of any option.
Option 2: TER train — cheapest but less direct
A TER regional train connects the airport station (Vitrolles-Aéroport Marseille Provence) to Gare Saint-Charles. The airport station is connected to the terminal by a free shuttle bus within the airport — factor in 10–15 minutes for this connection.
Train frequency: Up to 70+ TER trains per day from Vitrolles to Saint-Charles; trains run roughly every 15–30 minutes through the day from approximately 6:15 to 22:00.
Journey time (train only): About 30 minutes from Vitrolles to Saint-Charles. Total door-to-door time including the airport internal shuttle: 45–60 minutes.
Price: 4–6 EUR one-way (depends on time and whether booked in advance on SNCF Connect vs purchased on the day).
Trade-offs vs Navette 91: The TER is cheaper (4–6 EUR vs 10 EUR), but the internal shuttle connection adds complexity and time. The Navette 91 drops you at Gare Saint-Charles directly. For a solo traveller with a small bag who does not mind the extra transfer, the TER is the budget-optimal choice. For anyone tired, with luggage, or arriving late at night, the Navette 91 is worth the extra few euros for simplicity.
Last trains: Check SNCF Connect for current timetables; late-night frequencies are reduced. The Navette 91 typically runs later than the last TER.
Option 3: Taxi — the right answer for specific situations
Taxis from Marseille Provence Airport to the city centre cost approximately 50–60 EUR during the day and 60–70 EUR at night (19:00–07:00) and on Sundays. Surcharges apply for large luggage and more than three pieces.
The journey takes 30–40 minutes in normal traffic. At the airport, taxis queue at a dedicated rank outside the arrival hall.
When a taxi is worth it:
- Arriving very late at night when the Navette 91 frequency has dropped and you are unsure of timings
- Travelling with heavy luggage, young children, or mobility constraints
- Groups of 3–4 people where the per-person cost (50 EUR divided by 4 = 12.50 EUR each) approaches the bus price for significantly more comfort
When a taxi is not worth it:
- Solo travellers during daytime — 50 EUR vs 10 EUR for the Navette 91 is a large premium for marginal time saving
- Anyone on a budget
Negotiation and meters: Marseille taxis are metered and regulated. Do not negotiate a fixed price with unofficial drivers at the arrivals hall — these are not licensed taxis and the “fixed price” often exceeds what a metered fare would be. Use the official taxi rank.
Option 4: Uber and ride-share services
Uber operates in Marseille and is available from the airport. Prices are comparable to or slightly below licensed taxis — typically 40–55 EUR to the city centre. Uber drivers pick up in a designated area separate from the taxi rank; follow the app’s directions.
Legality: Uber is fully legal in France using licensed VTC (private hire vehicle) drivers. This is distinct from the illegal UberPop service (non-licensed drivers) that caused controversy years ago — that service no longer exists in France.
Practical note: At peak times (holidays, summer afternoons, late Friday evenings), surge pricing can push Uber fares above taxi rates. Check the app before committing.
Option 5: Rental car — essential for some trips, unnecessary for most
If your Marseille trip includes road-based day trips to Luberon villages, Valensole, or the Gorges du Verdon, renting a car at the airport is the most logical approach — you pick it up on arrival and return it before your flight home.
All major rental companies (Europcar, Avis, Hertz, Sixt, Budget) have desks at both terminals. Pre-booking online is significantly cheaper than walk-up rates — especially in July and August when rental car demand in Provence is high.
Important: A car is not useful for getting around Marseille itself. Parking near the Vieux-Port is expensive (2.50–3.50 EUR/hour at public car parks) and street parking is limited and often blocked. If you are renting a car, plan to use it for day trips and leave it parked (at a cheaper residential area or at a hotel with parking) during city days.
Driving time from MRS to Vieux-Port: 30–40 minutes in normal traffic; longer during Marseille rush hours. The motorway toll between the airport and city costs around 2–4 EUR.
Arriving very early or very late: what to know
Very early (before 6:00): The Navette 91 starts from the airport around 4:10. If your flight lands before 4:00, a taxi is your only option.
Very late (after midnight): The Navette 91 runs until approximately 1:30 from the airport. If you land after 1:00, a taxi or pre-booked transfer is necessary.
Pre-booked private transfer: If you want a guaranteed vehicle for late arrivals or early departures, private transfers can be booked via GYG or directly through local operators. These typically cost 55–80 EUR for a private car (similar to or slightly above taxi), but with the certainty of a named driver waiting at arrivals.
Summary: which option to choose
| Your situation | Best option | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Solo or couple, daytime | Navette 91 bus | 10 EUR |
| On a tight budget, patience for connection | TER train | 4–6 EUR |
| Family with luggage, late night | Taxi | 50–70 EUR |
| Group of 3–4, flexibility | Uber | 40–55 EUR |
| Road trip planned | Rental car | Variable |
For onward travel once you reach Gare Saint-Charles — metro, walking to Vieux-Port, bus to your neighbourhood — see our getting around Marseille guide. For planning what to do once you are in the city, start with our first-timers guide.
From Gare Saint-Charles to your accommodation
Gare Saint-Charles is the central transport hub. Once you are there, your next step depends on where you are staying.
To the Vieux-Port: The station is elevated above the city on a hillside. The front entrance of the station has a famous monumental staircase (the Escalier de la Gare) that descends 104 steps to Boulevard d’Athènes. Walk down the stairs, continue southwest along Cours Belsunce and then Canebière, and you will reach the Vieux-Port in about 15–20 minutes on foot. Alternatively, the métro M1 (direction La Timone) stops at Vieux-Port in two stops.
To Le Panier: Walk from the station to the Vieux-Port (as above), then climb the ten minutes uphill to Le Panier from the north quai. Or take a taxi directly from the station.
To Cours Julien: Two stops on métro M2 (direction Sainte-Marguerite Dromel) to Notre-Dame du Mont – Cours Julien station.
To the Prado / Corniche area: Métro M1 to Castellane, then bus connections south; or tram T2 from the station toward Dromel, changing for bus services. This zone is the most complex to reach from the station without a taxi.
Taxi rank: There is a dedicated taxi rank at the main exit of Gare Saint-Charles, with metered taxis available at all hours. A taxi from the station to the Vieux-Port costs 8–12 EUR.
Luggage storage: Left-luggage facilities are available at Gare Saint-Charles for the day — useful if you arrive before check-in time and want to explore the city immediately.
Airport practical notes
Terminal check: Marseille Provence Airport has two main terminals — MP1 (most airlines) and MP2 (mainly low-cost carriers, including Ryanair). They are not within easy walking distance of each other. Check your terminal before travelling, and confirm at check-in if connecting.
Airport facilities: The airport has standard international facilities — currency exchange (poor rates; use an ATM), a pharmacy, cafés and restaurants, and a duty-free zone on the departure side. ATMs (DAB/distributeur) are available and dispense EUR; using a card with low foreign transaction fees is significantly cheaper than currency exchange booths.
Luggage trolleys: Available at no charge in the arrivals hall.
Navette 91 exact stop: The Navette 91 bus departures are well signposted in both terminals’ arrivals areas — follow signs for “bus navette” or “Navette Aéroport.” The stop is outside the arrivals exit; tickets can be purchased on the bus or online in advance. Keep your ticket — inspectors do board.
Return journey timing: When leaving Marseille by air, add 40–45 minutes to the stated journey time for the Navette 91 to account for peak-hour traffic variability. Most carriers recommend arriving at the airport 2 hours before departure for international flights, 1.5 hours for domestic. From the city, the practical rule: leave for the airport at least 2.5 hours before your flight.
What changes depending on the time of year
In peak summer (July–August), the Navette 91 can be slower due to traffic on the motorway approaches. Journey times of 40–45 minutes are not unusual at peak hours compared to the standard 25–30 minutes. Plan your return to the airport with a 45-minute buffer beyond the standard journey time in summer.
In winter, the journey is typically faster. The airport itself is less crowded, the taxi rank has shorter queues, and the Navette 91 frequency (every 10 minutes during the day) makes the wait manageable. For budget-conscious winter visitors, the TER train is the best option — fast, cheap, and no traffic variability.
For overall Marseille trip planning, see our how many days guide. For transport around the city once you have arrived, see our getting around Marseille guide. For full trip cost context including airport transport, see our trip cost guide.
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