What is the best way to get to Marseille Provence airport ?

 

1. Take the bus from Saint-Charles station

The Saint-Charles train station is the main bus and train station of Marseille. It is located at the intersection of the two metro lines 1 and 2. If you are in the center of Marseille, the Saint-Charles station is easily accessible on foot. It takes about ten minutes from the Canebière and about twenty minutes from the Vieux-Port. If you want to take public transportation to the Marseille airport, then the Saint-Charles train station is your starting point.

For many people, the fastest way to get to Marseille-Provence airport from the city is by bus, also known as the airport shuttle. It will get you to the airport in about 25 to 30 minutes. Buses to the airport depart frequently: every 15 minutes from 7 am to 7 pm and then more frequently. The last shuttle is at 0:50, the first at 4:10.

Taking the bus is very convenient, as it leaves from the Marseille Saint-Charles bus station and drops you off right in front of the airport, between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

However, this mode of transportation has several drawbacks. If you have to catch a flight in the middle of the night, you will be limited by the schedule. In addition, the bus has the disadvantage of being rather expensive: it costs 10 euros for one trip, 16 euros for a round trip.

If you are traveling with a large family, this price can quickly become a barrier. Finally, the buses that serve as shuttles to the Marseille-Provence airport are not the most modern. Wifi is rarely available on board and the air-conditioning is frequently out of order.

2. Take the train from the Saint-Charles station

Another way to get to Marseille airport from the Saint-Charles train station is by train. However, this type of public transportation is not as convenient as the shuttle, since it is not direct. Indeed, choosing the train means choosing a multimodal transportation system.

You will have to go to the Marseille Saint-Charles station and take a TER (Train Express Régional) to the Vitrolles station, better known as Vitrolles-Aéroport-Marseille-Provence. The trains are not as frequent as the shuttles. There is one every hour or two. The journey to Vitrolles takes between 15 and 20 minutes.

Once in Vitrolles, you will have to leave the station and go to the parking lot below. Here you will have to wait for an express bus that will take you directly to the airport in 5 to 10 minutes. Depending on the time of day, the time of year and how busy it is, the train ticket will cost you between 5 and 15 euros.

The shuttle between the Vitrolles train station and the airport, which was free until recently, will now cost you 2 euros. It is important to bring cash to pay the driver for this transaction. Among the multimodal modes of transportation, the train is an interesting option, depending on the time of year and the traffic, to avoid traffic jams when leaving Marseille. However, it can be expensive and does not guarantee optimal comfort, as the TER trains on this section are generally in poor condition.

 

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3. Use your car and take advantage of Blue Valet's parking solutions

There are many advantages to driving to the airport in Marseille. First of all, you will not be obliged to go to the Saint-Charles train station first, which is particularly interesting for people living in an outlying area or in a town located around Marseille.

Moreover, this allows you not to depend on public transport. The risks of delay will be less, and you will not have anything else than the price of gasoline.

If you are a large group (group of friends or family with children), bus or train tickets can quickly represent a significant amount of money. Finally, the car gives you a great deal of flexibility in terms of schedules. If you like freedom and independence, driving to the airport is a good option.

However, you will be confronted with the issue of parking. In an airport, parking can be very expensive, especially in case of long departure. But with Blue Valet, you don't have to worry anymore. This service allows you to leave your car in front of the airport with a valet. He will bring it back to the same place when you return. For this, you just have to make a reservation on the website of Blue Valet.

4. Getting to Marseille airport by cab

If you prefer to avoid leaving your car in the parking lot and still have some flexibility, taking a cab to Marseille airport is also possible. This mode of transportation allows you to leave whenever you want, and not need to find a solution to park or leave your car.

In short, on paper, the cab has neither the disadvantages of taking your own car nor the inconveniences of public transport.

But the cab has a major problem, often prohibitive: its price. From Marseille airport to the city center, it will cost you about 50 euros during the day, and 60 euros at night. And the farther you live from the center, the higher the bill will be. From Marseille, it can sometimes be difficult to find a cab that accepts this destination. Moreover, you always run the risk of running into a dishonest cab that will not hesitate to overcharge for the trip.

 

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