Overview
The Marseille Metro (French: Métro de Marseille, [metʁo d(ə) maʁsɛj]) is a core rapid transit system serving the Marseille urban area. It consists of two lines that run partially underground and cover approximately 22.7 kilometers. As a visitor, you can use the metro to navigate the city efficiently; it operates daily from 5:00 AM until 12:30 AM the following day. During rush hours, trains run every 3 minutes, while frequency slows to every 10 minutes during the evenings.
The network
The transit network in Marseille is managed by the Régie des Transports Métropolitains (RTM) and includes several modes of transport:
- Metro: The system features two lines, Line 1 and Line 2. These lines intersect at two key stations: Saint-Charles and Castellane.
- Tram: There are 3 tram lines available throughout the city.
- Bus: There are 74 bus lines serving the region. A limited network of night buses, known as Fluobus, operates until approximately 12:30 AM.
- Ferries: Various boats operate in the area, including a Ferry Boat across the Old Harbour (Vieux Port) and ferries to locations such as L'Estaque, Les Goudes, La Pointe-Rouge, and Le Frioul.
Tickets & fares
You can purchase tickets at metro stations, in cafes, or directly on buses. Note that 10-journey tickets are not sold on buses.
- Single Ticket: Costs approximately €1.70 and allows for unlimited transfers on the bus or tram within a one-hour limit from your first use. For the metro, it provides one entry with a one-hour limit.
- Pay as you go: If you obtain a "La Carte" (a free personalized transport card requiring a passport-sized photo and ID), single tickets can be loaded onto it for approximately €1.40.
- Day Passes: A daily ticket (carte journée) is approximately €5.20, while a 72-hour pass is approximately €10.80.
- Weekly Pass: A 7-day pass costs approximately €15.50 but requires the "La Carte" personalized card.
- Multi-journey: A 10-journey ticket is available for approximately €15 (plus a small fee of €0.10 for the reusable card).
- Tourist Pass: City passes are available starting at approximately €27 for 24 hours, though these often include various attractions and may be expensive if used solely for transportation.
From the airport
There are several ways to reach the city center from Marseille-Provence International Airport (MRS):
- Bus: You can take the "Navette Aeroport Gare St Charles" (Bus #91) for approximately €8.30 each way. This bus runs every 20 minutes and takes about 30 minutes to reach the Gare St Charles station.
- Train: You can take a TER train from the Vitrolles Marseille Provence Airport station. The journey takes about 20 minutes. To reach this station, you may need to take a short shuttle bus (Bus #13) from the airport terminal. This option costs approximately €5.70.
- Taxi: Taxis are available but vary in price depending on the time of day, typically costing around €50 during the day and €60 at night.
Etiquette & customs
While specific behavioral rules like "standing on one side of the escalator" are not detailed in the source material, it is important to note that most metro stations contain stairs and some have multiple flights. If you have mobility issues or a stroller, the tram and bus systems are recommended alternatives. Additionally, be aware that service on all lines stops entirely on May 1st.
Official links
If you have mobility issues or are traveling with a stroller, the tram and bus systems are recommended alternatives to the metro as most metro stations contain several flights of stairs.