Marseille Provence Airport Guide

A terminal at Marseille Provence Airport

Meinzahn / Getty Images

Marseille Provence Airport is France's fifth-largest airport and a regional hub for Air France in the southern part of the country. Some 35 national and low-cost airlines serve more than 130 destinations in France, Europe, and around the world. Here's what to know if you'll be flying into this airport.

Marseille Airport Code, Location & Contact Information

  • Airport Code: MRS
  • Location: The airport is located around 15 miles northwest of Marseille, in the town of Marignane. It takes between 20 to 35 minutes on average to travel to or from the Marseille city center, depending on your mode of transport.
  • Phone Number: For the main customer service line and information on flights, call +33 820-811-414. Other customer service and airline numbers can be found at the official website.
  • Departure & Arrivals Info: See this page for details on current flights.
  • Airport map: See this page.
  • Information for travelers with disabilities: If you or someone you are traveling with has a disability, make sure to inform your travel agency or airline 48 hours in advance of your departure or arrival at the airport. Provided you arrive at least two hours prior to your flight, you can call for assistance from two points at the airport: one outside the bus station and one at the Information desk at terminal 1, Hall A (near the taxi station).

Know Before You Go

Several major national, European, and global airlines service Marseille Provence Airport. It is a regional base for national carrier Air France, and global airlines including Air Canada, Lufthansa, and Delta offer flights to and from MRS.

Meanwhile, low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, Vueling, and Easyjet also operate at MRS, serving primarily European destinations. If you're on a tighter budget, these flights can offer significant savings on fares compared to national carriers.

Terminals at Marseille Provence Airport

This airport is relatively small and manageable, and thanks to the addition of a second terminal in 2008 to accommodate more budget airlines, it boasts more shopping and dining options than ever. Recent efforts to add more signs and services in English and other languages has also made the airport friendlier and more accessible for international travelers.

Marseille Provence Airport has two terminals, numbered 1 and 2. They are within walking distance of one another and both are built on two levels.

  • Both terminals are used by national and low-cost carriers, but most international flights depart from Terminal 1 while budget European flights tend to operate from Terminal 2. You can check the departures or arrivals page to find out which terminal your flight will be flying to or from in advance.
  • Terminal 1 is divided into two areas, Hall A and Hall B. Departures are from the second floor, while arrivals and baggage claim are on the ground floor.
  • In Terminal 2, check-in and departures are on the ground floor, while baggage claim is on the second level.
  • Information desks can be found in both terminals, and staff are at your disposition to answer questions regarding services, lost luggage, and other common traveler queries.

Airport Parking

  • If you've rented a car and need to drop it off at the airport, you can find information and location details for rental agencies including Europcar, Hertz, and Budget on this page.
  • You can easily book a parking space (whether short-term or long-term) in one of the airport's lots at the official airport website.

Public Transportation

From Marseille Provence airport, it's easy to travel to nearby Marseille and other destinations in the greater Provence region in France. Buses (coach services), trains, and taxis are among your best options for getting there and around.

  • To catch a train to Marseille city center, take the free airport shuttle (bus station platform 5) to the Vitrolles City station; from there, you can board a train for Marseille-Saint Charles. Shuttles depart roughly every 15 minutes and there are several trains daily to Marseille.
  • You can also board trains to destinations including Avignon, Nice, Montpelier, and Toulon from the Vitrolles City train station.
  • Several buses depart daily from MRS to regional cities and destinations including Marseille St-Charles train station, Aix-en-Provence (train station), Arles, Nice, Toulon, and Montpelier. Find more information and find out how to buy tickets at this page.

Taxis

If you opt to take a cab to get to your destination, you'll find official taxi ranks outside of Terminal 1 (follow the signs). To ensure a safe ride and fairly calculated fares, make sure you only accept a ride from taxis operating within the official queue, and verify that the taxi is equipped with a meter. More information on typical fares per ride and how to book a taxi in advance can be found at the official airport website.

Where to Eat and Drink

Marseille Provence airport has a handful of casual restaurants, bakeries, and cafes offering light fare and hot choices. Most are located in Terminal 1. To see a full list of eateries, visit this page at the official website.

  • For coffee and snacks, try Starbucks (Terminal 1, Halls A and B) or Class' Croute (Terminal 1, Hall B and Terminal 2)
  • For sandwiches and typical French pastries, head to La Brioche Dorée (Terminal 1, Halls A and B) or Class'Croute (Terminal 1, Hall B and Terminal 2)
  • For burgers and fast food options, head to Burger King (Terminal 1, Hall A) or Comptoirs & Cie (Terminal 1, Hall B).
  • There's also a "Casino" minimarket (Terminal 1, Hall A)) where you can purchase food and snacks. Sorry, no slot machines to be found here!

Where to Shop at Marseille Provence Airport

The airport boasts a small selection of shops, offering everything from international newspapers and magazines to duty-free cosmetics and fragrances, wine and liqueurs, local products, and souvenirs.

You'll find shops that offer products from global brands including Calvin Klein, Superdry, Victoria's Secret, and Benefit Cosmetics, as well as boutiques specializing in local products (Air de Provence in Terminal 2 and Cure Gourmande in Terminal 1, Hall B).

Wi-Fi and Charging Stations

Free high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout both terminals at the airport. Connecting is easy: simply connect to the network "Airport-Free-Wifi" (no personal details are required). Access is unlimited.

You'll find power outlets throughout the airport. Nevertheless, we recommend that you bring your own portable, battery-powered charger; charging points and outlets are often in high demand, and it can be difficult to locate a free one at certain times.

Marseille Provence International Airport Tips & Facts

  • High & low season: This airport tends to be the busiest during the peak tourist season (roughly April through late September); you'll generally find conditions at MRS to be quieter and less crowded between October through March.
  • While this is a manageable mid-sized airport, Europe-wide efforts to bolster security procedures in recent years means it's still a good idea to arrive around three hours before an international overseas flight. Aim to arrive two hours in advance for domestic or European destinations.
  • If you're flying with a low-cost carrier, keep in mind that many routes no longer offer complimentary food or beverage service. Consider enjoying a meal or purchasing snacks and water at the airport.
  • Even if you're not flying in business or first class, you can still opt to use the VIP Lounge in Terminal 1 by purchasing a day pass. Inquire at one of the Airport Information desks.
  • To enjoy your time at the airport unencumbered, consider using the Luggage check service (available at both terminals from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).