Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) sits around 25 km north-west of the city, near the town of Marignane, and unlike some French airports it has no dedicated on-site rail station — but the two realistic public transport options, a direct shuttle bus and a connecting train, both work well and cover different priorities.
The airport shuttle bus
The most straightforward option is the dedicated airport shuttle bus (Navette), which runs directly between the terminal and Marseille Saint-Charles, the city's main railway station, without changes. The journey takes around 25–30 minutes under normal traffic conditions, though this can extend during peak periods or on the approach to the city centre. Buses run frequently — roughly every 15–20 minutes for much of the day, thinning out in the early morning and late evening — and tickets can be bought from the driver, at machines, or online in advance. This is the simplest option for most travellers, since it drops you directly at Marseille's main transport hub, with onward metro and tram connections available immediately.
The train option: via Vitrolles
An alternative route uses a short shuttle bus connection from the airport to Vitrolles Aéroport Marseille Provence railway station, from where regional TER trains run into Marseille Saint-Charles. The bus link to Vitrolles station takes a few minutes, and the train itself takes roughly 15–20 minutes into the city, so total journey time is broadly comparable to the direct shuttle bus once you include the connection — sometimes slightly faster outside peak traffic, since trains aren't affected by road congestion for the final stretch. This option can work out marginally cheaper if you're combining it with a regional rail pass, but for most visitors the direct shuttle bus is simpler, since it avoids an extra change.
Taxi and rideshare
Taxis are available outside the terminal, with the journey into central Marseille taking around 25–40 minutes depending on traffic and your exact destination, longer during rush hour. Fares are considerably higher than either public transport option, but a taxi is worth considering for late-night or early-morning arrivals outside shuttle bus operating hours, for groups splitting the fare, or when travelling with substantial luggage directly to accommodation away from Saint-Charles station.
Which option should you choose?
For most travellers, the direct airport shuttle bus to Saint-Charles is the easiest choice — no changes, frequent departures, and a direct drop at Marseille's best-connected transport hub, with the city's metro and tram network, plus onward TGV and regional trains, all available from the same station. The Vitrolles train connection is a reasonable alternative if the timing works better for your flight or if you already hold a regional rail ticket, but it doesn't offer a large enough advantage over the direct bus to be worth deliberately choosing for most people.
Getting around once you've arrived
From Saint-Charles, Marseille's compact Metro and tram network reaches most of the city centre, the Vieux-Port and the main tourist areas within another 10–20 minutes. See our Marseille public transport guide for details on the RTM network and the cross-port ferry.
First-timer tips
- Follow signs for "Navette" or "Shuttle" from the arrivals hall for the direct bus; signs for "Train" or "Vitrolles" lead to the connecting shuttle for the rail option instead — the two are easy to mix up on first glance.
- Buy your shuttle bus ticket before boarding if possible: Machines and online booking are available, and while some drivers do sell tickets on board, having one ready speeds up boarding, especially with a queue.
- Saint-Charles has a steep approach: The station sits above street level with a well-known staircase down towards the Old Port; travellers with heavy luggage should look out for the lifts and escalators rather than the stairs.
- Confirm your final destination stop: The shuttle bus may have more than one stop in the city depending on the service; check with the driver or the timetable if your accommodation isn't near Saint-Charles.
Combining the airport transfer with onward rail
If Marseille is a stopover rather than your final destination, both the direct shuttle bus and the Vitrolles train option deliver you to Saint-Charles, where TGV and regional trains continue onward without needing to cross the city. This makes Marseille Provence a workable, if indirect, alternative gateway to the Côte d'Azur or northbound to Lyon and Paris if flight availability or fares favour flying into Marseille specifically.
Onward travel from Marseille
Marseille is a major rail hub for southern France — see our guides to Marseille to Nice along the Côte d'Azur, Marseille to Toulon, and Paris to Marseille by TGV. For a similar airport transfer further north in the Rhône valley, see our guide to Lyon airport to the city. If you're arriving from outside the Schengen area, check current Schengen 90/180-day rules before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Marseille Airport to the city?
Not from the terminal itself — there's no on-site station. A short shuttle bus connects the airport to Vitrolles Aéroport station, from where TER trains run into Marseille Saint-Charles in around 15–20 minutes.
How long does the airport shuttle bus take?
Around 25–30 minutes from the terminal directly to Marseille Saint-Charles station under normal traffic, with departures roughly every 15–20 minutes for most of the day.
Which is faster: the shuttle bus or the train via Vitrolles?
They're broadly comparable in total journey time. The direct shuttle bus is simpler with no change; the Vitrolles train option can be marginally quicker outside peak traffic since the final leg isn't affected by road congestion.
How much does a taxi from Marseille Airport to the city centre cost?
Expect a noticeably higher fare than either public transport option for a 25–40 minute journey depending on traffic — worthwhile mainly for late-night arrivals, groups, or heavy luggage.
Sources and further reading:
- Marseille Provence Airport (marseille-airport.com) — official transfer information.
- SNCF/TER PACA — Vitrolles Aéroport train connections.
- RTM (rtm.fr) — Marseille public transport network.