Getting around in Marseille

Public Transport

Régie des Transports de Marseille (RTM) provides public transport throughout the city and some of the suburbs. There are two metro lines (blue and red) and over 80 bus lines. The metro runs from 0500 until 2100 every day and from 0500 until 1230 from Friday to Sunday and when there is a football match at the Velodrome Stadium. Buses run from around 0500 until 2100 every day, consult the RTM website (above) for exact timetables for various bus routes.

Tickets can be bought in any metro station, at the RTM office on 6 rue des Fabres, or any shop displaying the RTM sign in their window. Major roadworks are currently under way to build a new tram system, which will become operational in 2006.

Day passes are available, as well as the Carte Liberté, valid for five to 10 trips. Tickets have to be validated, or you might incur an on the spot fine. You can travel on the same ticket for up to one hour. After that, another ticket must be validated.

Taxis

Major taxi providers include Taxi Blanc Bleu , Taxis Plus , Taxi Radio Marseille and Taxi Tupp Radio . Tips are welcome but not expected.

Driving in the City

Parking in Marseilles has always been a problem, especially in some of the ‘quartiers’ where narrow streets are the norm, and over the past few years this has become even more of a headache, so the advice is to leave the car behind if you can. The city centre is compact enough to explore on foot, and public transports links are good.

To make matters worse, major roadworks are currently under way to build a new tram system, so traffic disruptions are unavoidable until completion (scheduled for 2007). For more information, log onto www.metro-tramway-marseille.com (French only).

Driving in Marseilles (as anywhere else in the south) can be a nerve-racking experience, as drivers do not always abide by the Highway Code and have their own take on right of way. The use of the horn is also popular. Take it all in your stride if you are behind the wheel… it’s all part of the local colour.

Car Hire

The minimum age to hire a car varies from 21 to 25 years. Drivers must possess a national driving licence, which they must have held for at least one year. Third party insurance is mandatory for driving in France and this should be covered in the hire price. Additional insurance is optional.

Providers in the city centre include Ada , Avis , Budget , Europcar , Hertz, Midas National and Thrifty . With the exception of Midas, all of the above have desks at the airport. So does Sixt.

Bicycle & Scooter Hire

Holiday Bikes, 129 cours Lieutaud, 6e hires out motorbikes, scooters and bicycles. A similar service is provided by Cycles Do, 72 cours Lieutaud, 6e.