Aéroport de Marseille Provence (MRS) is one of the principal gateways for travelers flying to the popular Provence holiday region in southern France. Marseilles Provence Airport is used by both regular and low-cost airlines offering cheap flights to Marseilles from most of Europe and North Africa. Public transportation (trains and buses) makes getting to Marseilles Airport both cheap and fast. Taxis, airport shuttle buses, and car hire are also available for travelers heading to more rural parts of Provence.
Getting to Marseilles Provence Airport (MRS) in France
Marseilles Provence Airport (MRS) is located around 25 km to the north of Marseilles and the same distance to the west of Aix-en-Provence. Marseilles Provence Airport is in the community Marignane in the département Bouches-du-Rhône in the French région Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Many travelers from popular holiday destinations in Provence can travel to Marseilles Airport without having to pass through the city itself or having to deal with heavy urban traffic conditions.
Marseilles Provence Airport (MRS) has two terminal buildings. Terminal 1 (often shortened to MP1) is used by most regular airlines while Terminal 2, also referred to as MP2 (or mp2), is a new terminal used by low-cost airlines flying to Marseilles including Ryanair, EasyJet, and Germanwings. Public transportation mostly departs from MP1, which is a short walk from MP2.
By Bus to Marseilles Provence Airport (MRS) in France
Buses often provide the best public transportation options to Marseilles Provence Airport (MRS), especially from nearby cities such as Marseilles and Aix-en-Provence. Buses generally depart from the bus stops at terminal 1 only – drop offs are sometimes available at terminal 2.
As the closest train station to the airport is a five-minute bus ride away, many passengers prefer to simply take the bus directly to Marseilles-St Charles station rather than transfer to the train. The shuttle bus (navette) Aéroport Marseille-Provence – Marseille Gare Saint-Charles runs three times per hour and takes just 25 minutes. The navette departs from stop (quai) 3 at Marseilles Airport and from the bus station (near track voie N) at Marseilles SNCF St Charles station in downtown. The one-way fare currently is €8.50.
Buses to Aix-en-Provence run twice per hour in around 30 minutes. These buses depart from Marseilles Airport bus stop (quai) 1 and stop en route at Aix TGV station (10 minutes), which is the closest high-speed train station to Marseilles Airport.
Buses are also available – generally once per hour – from Marseilles Airport to Salon-de-Provence. The bus ride is around an hour with the bus stopping en route at Vitrolles les Pinchinades, Gare de Rognac, La Fare les Oliviers, and Lançon de Provence.
By Train to Marseilles Provence Airport (MRS) in France
Unfortunately, the SNCF train station – Vitrolles Aéroport Marseille Provence – is not directly at the airport itself and requires a five-minute shuttle bus (navette) ride. This makes the train less convenient when heading to Marseilles but still a good option for other destinations. The one-way fare to Marseilles is €4.70, which is somewhat cheaper than using the direct bus.
The shuttle bus (navette) to Vitrolles station departs from stop (quai) 2 at terminal 1 at Marseilles Airport.
Direct trains are available from Vitrolles Aéroport Marseille Provence station to amongst others Marseilles St Charles (15 to 25 minutes), Miramas (20 minutes), Arles (42 minutes), Nîmes (1h10), Montpelier (1h40), and Avignon (60 minutes). There are some gaps in the train schedules – especially around the middle of the day – when it may be better to use a bus to Marseilles or TGV Aix station and a train from there instead.
The closest high-speed TGV train station to Marseilles Provence Airport is TGV Aix, which is a ten-minute bus ride away – see details above.
By Ski Shuttle Bus (Les Navettes Blanches) to Marseilles Provence Airport (MRS)
During the winter ski season, special ski buses connect Marseilles Provence Airport with popular ski resorts in Southern Alps (Alpes Sud) on Saturdays. These Navettes blanches bring skiers from the airport to the slopes of amongst others Orcières 1850, Pra Loup, Val d’Allos, Queyras, and Vallée de l'Ubaye.
The Navettes Blanches departs from Marseilles Provence Airport (MRS) and stop en route at TGV-Aix station. Advance reservations are usually essential.
By Car, Taxi, and Airport Shuttle Minibus to Marseilles Provence Airport
Marseilles Provence Airport is right next to Autoroute A7 (or the toll-free D113 and D9) allowing most drivers to avoid urban traffic if driving to smaller towns and rural parts of Provence. Major destinations served by Marseilles Airport are to Marseilles (20 minutes driving time), Aix-en-Provence (20 minutes), Salon-de-Provence (25 minutes), Arles (Arles 45 minutes), Avignon (50 minutes), and Nîmes (1h10).
Taxis are available at the airport but are relatively expensive – expect to pay around €40 (€50 at night) from the airport to downtown Marseilles. Small groups may do better by reserving in advance a private airport shuttle minibus. Compare rates and services as prices and conditions vary widely.
A rental car is a great way to explore especially the rural beauty of Provence. Ada, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, National Citer, and Sixt have car hire desks in Marseilles Provence Airport (MRS).
Marseilles Provence Airport (MRS) is the largest airport in the region and the gateway to Provence for passengers arriving for holidays in this beautiful region of southern France. Smaller airports in Provence with limited services on low-cost airlines include Nîmes-Arles-Camargue (FNI) and Avignon-Caumont (AVN) airports.
Henk Bekker - Henk Bekker is a freelance travel writer currently living on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland.
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