Marseille Shore Excursion from Cruise Port

What is the best Marseille shore excursion for cruise passengers?

For a first visit, a small-group tour with pickup at the terminal is the easiest way to see Marseille in one day. Ours covers Notre-Dame de la Garde, the Corniche, the Vieux-Port and Le Panier from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM, with a local driver and a maximum of 8 guests, for €80 per person.

How far is the Marseille cruise port from the city centre?

The Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal is about 8 km from the Vieux-Port, in the north of the industrial port. By car or taxi the trip takes about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on traffic. By free shuttle and bus, allow 45 to 60 minutes each way.

Is there a free shuttle from Marseille cruise port to the city?

Yes. On cruise days the port runs a free shuttle to La Joliette. The stop is at gate 4, a 5 to 12 minute walk from your ship. From La Joliette, the Vieux-Port is a 25-minute walk or a 10 to 15 minute bus ride on lines 55, 82 or 83.

Can you walk from Marseille cruise port to the Old Port?

No. The main cruise terminal is about 8 km from the Old Port, and the route crosses container yards and busy roads. Take the free shuttle, the 35T bus, a taxi or a shore excursion with pickup at the terminal. Only ships docking at J4 La Joliette are within walking distance.

Where do cruise ships dock in Marseille?

Most ships, including MSC and Costa, dock at the Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal (MPCT) at port gate 4. Some smaller ships dock at J4 La Joliette, next to the MuCEM and close to Le Panier. Send us your ship’s name and we confirm your exact meeting point.

Where will the driver meet us?

At the exit of your cruise terminal, holding a sign with your name. We confirm the exact meeting point by WhatsApp as soon as you send us your ship’s name and date. There is no shuttle to find and no taxi queue: your driver is waiting when you come out.

What time does the Marseille shore excursion start and finish?

The shared tour picks you up at 9:30 AM and brings you back to your terminal at 3:00 PM, well before most all-aboard times. If your ship arrives later or leaves earlier, tell us when you book: we adjust the day, or you can choose a private tour with your own times.

How much does a Marseille shore excursion cost?

Our shared small-group tour costs €80 per person. A private tour for your group alone costs €400 per vehicle, for up to 8 guests. Lunch, tips and entry tickets are not included, but the main stop, Notre-Dame de la Garde, is free to enter.

What is included in the €80 tour?

Pickup and drop-off at your cruise terminal, an air-conditioned vehicle with a maximum of 8 guests, a local driver all day, bottled water and Wi-Fi on board, real-time tracking of your ship and free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Lunch, entry tickets and tips are not included.

Is a guide included?

No. Your local driver takes you from stop to stop, gives you tips along the way and waits for you at each stop. Our drivers are not licensed guides and do not go inside monuments with you. If you want a guided visit of a site, book it directly and we plan the day around it.

How many people are in each group?

A maximum of 8 guests per vehicle. Shared tours can include passengers from different ships. If your party has more than 8 people, you travel in two or more vehicles on the same itinerary, so you stay together all day.

Can we book a private tour of Marseille?

Yes. A private vehicle for your group, up to 8 guests, costs €400. You choose the stops and the pace, and we set the pickup and return times around your ship. Contact us before booking if you want to leave Marseille for Cassis or Aix-en-Provence.

Can we visit Cassis or Aix-en-Provence from the cruise port?

Not on the shared tour, which stays in Marseille. With a private tour, contact us before booking: we tell you whether Cassis or Aix-en-Provence fits your ship’s times. Allow for traffic around Marseille, which can be heavy, and keep a comfortable margin before all-aboard.

What happens if our ship arrives late?

We follow every ship in real time. If yours docks late, your driver simply waits and the day starts when you come off the ship, at no extra cost. We then shorten or reorder the stops so you are back on board with a safety margin before all-aboard.

Is there a risk of missing the ship?

We plan every tour backwards from your ship’s all-aboard time, with a margin for traffic around the port, and we track your ship in real time. Tell us your all-aboard time when you book: if it is earlier than usual, we shorten the day. Your driver is in touch with our team all day.

Is cancellation free?

Yes. You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your excursion. There is no deposit to pay when you book, so there is nothing to refund. To cancel, reply to your confirmation email or send us a message on WhatsApp.

When and how do we pay?

You pay at the end of the excursion, when you are back at your ship, in cash (euros) or by card. We do not ask for a deposit when you book, so you can still cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your tour.

Is Marseille worth getting off the ship for?

Yes. Marseille is France’s oldest city, founded about 2,600 years ago, and one port day is enough to see Notre-Dame de la Garde, the Corniche, the Vieux-Port and Le Panier. The only difficulty is distance: the terminal is 8 km from the centre, so arrange your transport before you arrive.

Are the tours suitable for children and guests with reduced mobility?

Yes. Child seats and boosters are free on request: tell us your children’s ages and weights when you book. Door-to-door transport and small groups suit guests who prefer to walk less. Some stops, such as Le Panier, have steep streets and steps, so tell us your needs and we adapt the day.

Do you offer transfers from Marseille airport or Saint-Charles station to the cruise port?

Yes. We offer private transfers between Marseille Provence Airport, Saint-Charles station, your hotel and the cruise terminals, for embarkation and disembarkation days. There is no direct public transport between the airport and the cruise terminals. Contact us for a quote.