Saint-Charles station: the best way to the Vieux-Port for four people
Four people on single tickets pay 6.80 euros, and RTM sells a 4-person ticket at 4.90 euros which is cheaper still. A taxi at about 10 to 15 euros works out at 2.50 to 3.75 euros each, so for a group with bags it is only a euro or two more than the metro, and it saves the stairs and the platform. For one or two people the metro is much cheaper.
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Metro M1: €6.80 for the group, about 15 min. No booking needed.
Metro
Metro M1
15 min
For the group€6.80
Metro M1
RTM · 1.70 euros · direct to the Vieux-Port
- Per person
- €1.70
- Door to door
- 15 min
- Runs
- 04:30–21:30
- Frequency
- every 4 to 6 min
- Board at
- Metro level below the station hall, reached by escalator or lift
- Suitcases
- Fine
Taxi
Taxi
12 min
For the group€10–€15estimate
Taxi
Licensed taxis · metered, no fixed fare
- Per person
- €10–€15 per vehicle
- Door to door
- 12 min
- Runs
- 24 hours
- Frequency
- Rank by the metro level of the station
- Board at
- Taxi rank beside the metro escalator, on the lower level
- Suitcases
- Carried for you
On foot
Walk down the steps
20 min
For the groupFree
Walk down the steps
Downhill, about 1.5 km on pavements
- Per person
- Free
- Door to door
- 20 min
- Runs
- 24 hours
- Frequency
- Any time
- Board at
- Main staircase at the front of the station
- Suitcases
- Awkward
Every option in detail
MetroMetro M1
- €1.70
- 15 min
- 04:30–21:30
- → Vieux-Port (Quai du Port side)
Take the escalators or the lift from the hall down to the metro level and follow the M1 signs. The Vieux-Port is two stops away, about 4 minutes of riding, and the stop names are shown on the platform board. A single ticket costs 1.70 euros plus 0.10 euros for the card the first time, valid for 60 minutes with one metro entry. Buy it at the machines at the metro entrance. The metro closes early on some nights while the new trains are installed, so check the evening hours below.
On footWalk down the steps
- €0
- 20 min
- 24 hours
- → Vieux-Port via Boulevard d'Athènes and La Canebière
Leave by the main exit and go down the wide stone staircase to Boulevard d'Athènes, then follow La Canebière straight down to the harbour. It takes about 20 minutes with a suitcase, all downhill after the steps. The staircase has no ramp, so with big bags use the lift or escalator inside the station instead. The route is straightforward but the Canebière is busy, so keep an eye on pockets.
TaxiTaxi
- €10–€15 per vehicle (estimate)
- 12 min
- 24 hours
- → Vieux-Port or any hotel
Marseille taxis use a meter on a prefectural tariff, and there is no fixed price for this short hop. We estimate 10 to 15 euros to the Vieux-Port, which depends on traffic on the Canebière and the luggage supplement. The ride takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Use the official rank, where the queue is usually short outside rush hour.
Practical tips
- The metro entrance is inside the station. From the hall, follow the Metro signs down by the escalators or the lift to the M1 and M2 platforms.
- The taxi rank is on the lower level beside the metro escalator, not on the forecourt at the top of the steps.
- There is a staffed left-luggage office on the same lower level near the taxi rank, open daily from about 07:00 to 21:00, later in summer.
- The 4-person RTM ticket costs 4.90 euros and is the best value for a group of three or four.
- The staircase out front has no ramp. With a large case use the lift and escalator inside the station.
- For the cruise terminal, take metro M2 toward Gèze to Joliette and change to bus 35, or 35T on cruise days.
Questions travellers ask
Saint-Charles station with four people: what is the cheapest way?
Walk down the steps: Free for the group of four, about 20 min door to door.
Saint-Charles station: what is the best option for four people with four suitcases?
Metro M1: €6.80 for the group, about 15 min. No booking needed.
Saint-Charles station: is a taxi cheaper than four tickets?
No. Walk down the steps costs Free for four tickets, against Taxi at €10–€15 for the group.
Saint-Charles station: is one taxi enough for four people?
The fare here is counted for up to 4 passengers per taxi, so four people go in one taxi for €10–€15.
Saint-Charles station: which options are easiest with four suitcases?
The comparison marks these as awkward with suitcases: Walk down the steps. Luggage is carried for you with: Taxi.
Saint-Charles station: where do these prices and times come from?
Prices and times were checked on October 4, 2026 against RTM, Légifrance, linked in the list of options on this page.
