Marseille Airport Mini Guide
What is so special about Marseille?
Marseilles is France’s second biggest city, found on the Mediterranean coast and a cultural world away from the biggest city,
Paris. From the huge mix of different peoples living there, North Africans, Italians and more, the city has gained a variety of music, food and history. It has stunning buildings, vibrant commerce including a thriving fish market and a growing tourist industry. Many use the city as a base for exploring the Rhone Delta and the wetlands of the Camargue to the west. For whatever reason you go there, you are unlikely to forget it in a hurry.
What’s the best way of getting to Marseilles?
Do as nearly seven million others did last year and fly into Marseilles Provence Airport, sixteen miles from the city. You can get into Marseilles by a variety of ways with the most convenient being by the new train service or by hire car. There are dozens of routes from all across Europe and North Africa with UK travellers being well served by budget carriers; easyJet and Ryanair.
What’s the airport Like?
If you’re flying in by budget carrier you’ll have your own dedicated terminal, MP2, opened in 2006. There, you’ll find all the facilities you’d expect of a large modern airport including assistance for passengers with reduced mobility. The main terminal, used by scheduled national carriers, received a facelift too and is as impressive as the MP2 Terminal.
What can I expect when I land?
You’ll be surprised at how big and light the terminal is once you’ve alighted from the plane and are inside the terminal building. It’s a short journey through passport checks and on to collecting any luggage. Once in the arrivals hall, you have the chance to change money at one of the bank branches there or buy some flowers for your host from the flower vending machine. There’s also a first aid facility and a place to freshen up if you’re heading straight to a meeting.
The car hire companies have desks in the arrivals hall and by pre-booking a car you’ll ensure you have the choice you want. If there’s anything you need to know or if you are lost in the airport, there’s an information desk in Hall 1 where the staff can help you. Train tickets can be purchased from the automatic machines for your journey into Marseilles or further afield or you can catch a bus or take a taxi from the departure point outside the terminal.
What about facilities for when I leave?
You may want to arrive at the airport early to take advantage of the facilities it offers. The shopping is great and includes a gift shop of products from Provence, a jewellery and watch store and an upmarket perfumery and cosmetic outlet. There’s also a branch of Relay, the French newsagent which, at the airport, also sells gifts and music.
After security, there’s a very large duty free outlet selling all the products you’d expect. Eating out at the airport is an experience not to be missed with delicious gastronomic fare at the Blue Olive or simpler food at one of the cafeterias and take away outlets. The airport also has free Wi-Fi facilities for when your shopping and eating is completed.