Old Port of Marseille (Le Vieux-Port) is one of those places in the city where “getting there” is already part of the fun. It sits right in the center, surrounded by cafés, boat masts, and long waterfront promenades, so once you reach the area you can simply follow the sea breeze and the crowd. In practice, the easiest way to arrive is to aim for the métro stop called Vieux-Port Hôtel de Ville, which is essentially the gateway station for the harbor. The Marseille tourism office even lists Vieux-Port Hôtel de Ville as a station on Metro line M1, right alongside the main railway hub Saint-Charles, which tells you how directly connected the Old Port is to the city’s core.
If you’re arriving by train, you’ll almost certainly come into Marseille Saint-Charles. From there, you have two simple choices depending on your mood and your luggage. When you want the quickest, most straightforward transfer, the métro is the clean solution: Saint-Charles is on the same M1 line as Vieux-Port Hôtel de Ville, so you just ride a few minutes and step out almost on the waterfront. If you’d rather see the city unfold in front of you, Marseille Tourism notes that there is a monumental staircase outside Saint-Charles that leads you down toward the Vieux-Port in about 20 minutes on foot. It’s a very “Marseille” way to arrive, because you descend from the station’s viewpoint into the older streets and suddenly the harbor opens up ahead.
Coming from Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) is also simple, and the most common plan is “airport shuttle, then métro.” The airport’s official access page describes the A1 shuttle between the airport and Saint-Charles with a journey time of about 25 minutes, and it runs frequently through the day, which is why so many travelers treat Saint-Charles as their reset point before heading anywhere else in town. Once you arrive at Saint-Charles, you can either hop on Metro line M1 toward Vieux-Port Hôtel de Ville or do the scenic walk down the staircase if it’s daytime and you’re traveling light.
If you’re already staying somewhere in central Marseille, the Old Port is the kind of place you can reach without overthinking it. The Vieux-Port station is widely described as being right by the Old Port area, which is exactly what you want after a long day: step out of the métro and you’re basically there. And because the network is compact, even neighborhoods that feel “not that close” on a map can be quick by public transport. The tourism office’s metro overview shows how M1 crosses key central stations like Saint-Charles and then continues to Vieux-Port Hôtel de Ville, while M2 intersects the center as well, letting you connect across town and still end up at the harbor without needing a taxi.
Taxis and rideshares are the easiest option when you arrive late, when you’re carrying large suitcases, or when you want to go straight to a hotel near the waterfront without navigating stairs and ticket machines. It’s also a stress-free choice if you’re landing on a day when the city is busy and you’d rather avoid transfers. Still, for most visitors in normal daytime conditions, the “train or airport to Saint-Charles, then M1 to Vieux-Port Hôtel de Ville” rhythm is hard to beat, because it’s direct and puts you right at the heart of the harbor.
One last tip that saves time once you arrive: the Old Port is not a single pinpoint, it’s a long waterfront curve with different “best spots” depending on what you want to do. If you’re meeting someone, heading for a boat tour, or chasing the morning fish market atmosphere, decide which side of the harbor you want first, then walk along the water. The moment you see the boats lined up and the cafés facing the sea, you’ll know you’ve made it.
Old Port of Marseille access
The Old Port of Marseille, usually written as Old Port of Marseille or Le Vieux-Port, is one of the easiest places in the city to reach because it sits right at the center of everyday Marseille. If you want the simplest “set-it-and-forget-it” route, aim for the metro stop Vieux-Port – Hôtel de Ville on Metro Line 1. Marseille Tourism explicitly points visitors to Line 1 for reaching the Vieux-Port area and nearby sights, and it’s the same station locals use when they’re meeting friends on the waterfront.
If you’re arriving by train, you’ll most likely come into Marseille Saint-Charles. From Saint-Charles, the Old Port is a quick hop by metro on the same Line 1, and many travelers treat it as the fastest “first move” after stepping off a long-distance train. Even third-party route planners commonly describe this ride as only a few minutes, which matches what it feels like in real life: you’re underground briefly, then you surface and suddenly the harbor atmosphere is right there.
Coming from Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) is also straightforward because the airport connects directly to Saint-Charles by shuttle bus. The airport’s official information lays out frequent departures throughout the day, including very early morning and late-night services in some seasons, which is why so many visitors choose “airport shuttle to Saint-Charles, then metro to Vieux-Port” as the default plan. Once you reach Saint-Charles, you’re back in that same simple Line 1 rhythm toward Vieux-Port – Hôtel de Ville.
What makes the Old Port especially convenient is that it also works as a walking hub. Marseille Tourism notes that places many people pair with the Old Port, like Le Panier and MuCEM, are reachable on foot once you arrive at the Vieux-Port – Hôtel de Ville station, so you can use the port as your “base” and then just keep moving along the water and into the old streets. In other words, access isn’t only about getting to the harbor; it’s about how naturally the harbor connects to the rest of the city once you’re there.
For travelers who care about step-free movement, accessibility has been improving around the Vieux-Port station area, with local reporting highlighting elevator installations and broader accessibility works on parts of the metro network. And if you ever feel unsure mid-trip, the RTM route planner is the practical backup: you can punch in your starting point and “Vieux-Port” and follow the live instructions without guessing which exit lands you closest to the waterfront.
https://www.marseille-tourisme.com/
Old Port of Marseille nearest station
The Old Port of Marseille (Le Vieux-Port) nearest station is the metro stop Vieux-Port – Hôtel de Ville on Metro Line 1 (M1). It’s the station locals and visitors use when they want to step out almost straight onto the harbor area, and the Marseille tourism office explicitly points to “Vieux-Port – Hôtel de Ville” as the Line 1 stop for reaching major Old Port sights.
In everyday terms, this station is “nearest” in the most practical sense: you exit, and you’re already in the Old Port zone. Some local guidance even notes that the metro access is right on the waterfront side near the big mirrored canopy (the Ombrière) area, which is exactly where most people naturally start their Vieux-Port stroll.
If what you meant by “station” is the main railway station, that would be Marseille Saint-Charles. It’s not the closest to the water, but it’s the city’s big arrival point, and it sits on the same M1 line as Vieux-Port – Hôtel de Ville, making the transfer quick and simple once you’re in town.
Old Port of Marseille from air port
To get from Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) to the Old Port of Marseille (Le Vieux-Port), the smoothest route is to ride the airport shuttle into the city, then switch to the metro for the final hop to the waterfront. The airport runs a direct shuttle to Marseille Saint-Charles (the main train station), and it’s frequent through the day, with departures often every 10 minutes in daytime periods.
After you land, head to the airport bus station and take the A1 airport shuttle to Saint-Charles Bus Station / Marseille city center. The airport’s own information describes the trip as about 25 minutes in light conditions, but it’s smart to allow extra time because the city approach can slow down; Marseille Tourism suggests planning for roughly 30 to 50 minutes depending on traffic. Tickets are sold online and at machines and counters, and the airport shuttle fare is clearly posted in the official leaflet, including options that bundle Marseille public transport.
Once you arrive at Saint-Charles, the Old Port is basically on your doorstep by metro. Take Metro Line 1 toward Vieux-Port – Hôtel de Ville, which is the closest station for the harbor area; the Marseille tourism office specifically points to Line 1 and this stop for reaching key Old Port sights. From the Vieux-Port – Hôtel de Ville exit, you’re immediately in the Old Port zone, and it’s an easy, flat walk to the quays, cafés, and boat piers.
If you’d rather avoid the shuttle bus during rush hour, there’s also a train-based option that some travelers like: Marseille Tourism notes you can take a short bus hop from the airport to Vitrolles-Aéroport station, then a TER train to Marseille Saint-Charles (around 20 minutes by train). And when you’re arriving very late, traveling with heavy luggage, or just want a door-to-door ride, taxis are available at the airport; Marseille Tourism gives typical price ranges between the airport and the city center and notes higher night fares.
https://www.marseille-tourisme.com/
Old Port of Marseille transportation
Old Port of Marseille transportation is refreshingly simple because the Vieux-Port sits right in the middle of the city’s everyday movement. For most visitors, the practical target is the metro stop Vieux-Port – Hôtel de Ville on Metro Line 1, which puts you within a short walk of the quays, cafés, and boat piers. Marseille’s official tourism guidance repeatedly uses this station as the “base” for reaching Old Port highlights like Le Panier and MuCEM, and it also explains how you can connect onward from here by bus to major viewpoints such as Notre-Dame de la Garde.
If you arrive by train, Marseille Saint-Charles is the main gateway, and it’s directly connected to the same Metro Line 1 that serves Vieux-Port – Hôtel de Ville, so the transfer stays straightforward even on your first day in town. When the weather is nice and you feel like arriving “the Marseille way,” the tourism office also notes the famous monumental staircase outside Saint-Charles that leads down toward the Vieux Port in about 20 minutes on foot, which can be a great option when you’re traveling light and want an easy sense of direction.
From Marseille Provence Airport (MRS), the common approach is the airport shuttle to Marseille Gare Saint-Charles, then metro to the port. The airport’s official access page lays out frequent departures for the Saint-Charles shuttle throughout the day, which is why so many travelers treat Saint-Charles as the simple transfer point before heading to the waterfront.
Once you’re at the Old Port, transportation isn’t only about buses and metro. The Vieux-Port is also a departure point for boats, which becomes especially useful in summer when you’d rather glide along the coast than sit in traffic. There’s the iconic Ferry Boat that crosses the harbor in under five minutes, and RTM describes it as a short 283-meter hop between the Town Hall side and the opposite quay, making it a fun little “micro-transport” that feels like a sightseeing moment. For longer rides,
Marseille tourism also explains the city’s maritime shuttles (boat bus) and how they integrate with the wider public transport network, while official operators sell tickets for popular sea trips from the Old Port to the Frioul islands and Château d’If, which many visitors treat as the most memorable “public transport” they take in Marseille.
Old Port of Marseille opning hours&closed days,lastentry&packing
