Marseille airport to cruise port: shuttle, taxi compared
No bus or train goes straight from the airport to the cruise terminal. The public route is three legs, the airport shuttle to Saint-Charles, metro M2 to Joliette and bus 35, which takes about 90 minutes for 16.70 euros. A taxi is the sensible choice on sailing day, at roughly 50 to 60 euros in about 35 minutes.
- Cheapest
- €16.70Airport shuttle, metro M2 and bus 35 · 1 h 30 min
- Fastest
- 35 minTaxi · €50–€60
- Taxi
- €50–€60Taxi · 35 min
With 2 travelling, take a taxi: €50–€60 for the group, about 35 min, straight to your door.
Taxi
Taxi
35 min
For the group€50–€60estimate
Taxi
Metered · no flat airport fare
- Per person
- €50–€60 per vehicle
- Door to door
- 35 min
- Runs
- 24 hours
- Frequency
- Rank in front of Terminal 1
- Board at
- Official taxi rank in front of Terminal 1
- Suitcases
- Carried for you
Private car
Pre-booked private car
35 min
For the group€60estimateCheck price
Pre-booked private car
Fixed price, driver waits in arrivals with a name sign
- Per person
- €60 per vehicle
- Door to door
- 35 min
- Runs
- 24 hours
- Frequency
- Pre-booked
- Board at
- Meeting point in arrivals, given in your booking
- Suitcases
- Carried for you
Bus
Airport shuttle, metro M2 and bus 35
1 h 30 min
For the group€33.40
Airport shuttle, metro M2 and bus 35
Line 91 shuttle 15 euros plus a 1.70 euro RTM ticket
- Per person
- €16.70
- Door to door
- 1 h 30 min
- Runs
- 05:30–19:45
- Frequency
- shuttle every 10 to 20 min, bus 35 every 15 to 20 min
- Board at
- Shuttle stop outside the airport terminal, signposted for Marseille Saint-Charles
- Suitcases
- Awkward
Every option in detail
BusAirport shuttle, metro M2 and bus 35
- €16.70
- 1 h 30 min
- 05:30–19:45
- → Terminal Croisières stop at Gate 4
The shuttle runs between 03:30 and 00:50 and takes about 25 minutes to Saint-Charles bus station, longer in rush hour. It costs 15 euros, payable by card or cash. From the station take metro M2 toward Gèze to Joliette, then bus 35, or 35T on cruise days, to Terminal Croisières near Gate 4. The RTM ticket is 1.70 euros and valid for 60 minutes. Bus 35 stops running to the terminal at about 20:55 on weekdays, so the practical last shuttle is around 19:45. The metro itself closes at about 21:30 from Monday to Wednesday.
TaxiTaxi
- €50–€60 per vehicle (estimate)
- 35 min
- 24 hours
- → Cruise terminal entrance at Gate 4
Marseille airport taxis run on the prefectural meter, and there is no flat rate. The airport website names a rank at Terminal 1 with 86 vehicles available at all hours. We estimate 50 to 60 euros to the port, depending on the time and traffic on the A55, with higher fares at night. The ride takes about 30 to 35 minutes. Tell the driver you are going to Gate 4, the Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal.
Private carPre-booked private car
- €60 per vehicle (estimate)
- 35 min
- 24 hours
- → Cruise terminal entrance at Gate 4
A pre-booked sedan starts at about 60 euros for up to four passengers by day and a few euros more at night. The price is fixed and the driver tracks your flight, so a late landing does not cost extra. It is about the same as a taxi and removes the queue on arrival.
The same trip in a different situation
Arriving late at night
The shuttle to Saint-Charles runs until about 00:50, but bus 35 to the cruise terminal stops at about 20:55 on weekdays and the metro closes at about 21:30 from Monday to Wednesday. After about 20:00 the public route stops working, so a taxi or pre-booked car is the way to reach the port. Both work all night, with the taxi dearer after 23:00.
See the comparison →4 people, 4 suitcasesTravelling as a group of four
Four people on the shuttle, metro and bus pay 66.80 euros in all, more than a taxi at roughly 50 to 60 euros for the whole car. For two people the public route is 33.40 euros, close to the taxi price per person, and takes an hour longer. On this route the taxi or pre-booked car is the better choice for any group with luggage.
See the comparison →Practical tips
- Sailing day: aim to reach Gate 4 at least 3 hours before departure. Check your cruise line for check-in cut-off, which is usually 60 to 90 minutes before sailing.
- If you fly in on the day of sailing, leave a buffer of at least 4 hours between landing and the ship's all-aboard time.
- Gate 4 is the entrance for the cruise terminals. Tell the driver Gate 4 or Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal, not the Joliette J4 terminal.
- The airport shuttle leaves from the Saint-Charles bus station on the rue Honnorat side for the return trip.
- Bus 35T only runs on cruise days. On other days use bus 35 from Joliette.
- If you are tight on time, take the airport shuttle to Saint-Charles and then a taxi from the rank by the metro level.
Questions travellers ask
How do I get from Marseille airport to the cruise port?
The cheapest way is the airport shuttle to Saint-Charles at 15 euros, metro M2 to Joliette and bus 35 or 35T to Gate 4 for 1.70 euros. It takes about 90 minutes. A taxi takes about 35 minutes and costs roughly 50 to 60 euros.
How much is a taxi from Marseille airport to the cruise terminal?
Taxis are metered with no flat rate. We estimate 50 to 60 euros by day, with higher fares at night. The airport quotes about 60 euros by day and 70 at night to reach Marseille.
Is there a direct bus from Marseille airport to the cruise port?
No. The airport shuttle runs to Saint-Charles station, and you then take metro M2 and bus 35 or 35T to the terminal. The ride takes about 90 minutes.
How early should I leave the airport for my cruise?
Leave at least 4 hours before the all-aboard time if you fly in on sailing day. Cruise lines usually close check-in 60 to 90 minutes before departure, so a taxi gives more margin.
