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Good to know
- Nearest airport
- Marseille Provence Airport (MRS)
- To city centre
- 20 km
- Centre access
- Restricted traffic zone
- Parking in the centre
- Paid zones
- Main roads
- A7, A50, A51, A55
- Region
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Population
- 886,040
- City IATA code
- MRS
- Time zone
- Europe/Paris
- Currency
- EUR
- Driving side
- Right-hand traffic
- Rental offices
- 17
- Rental companies
- 7
Compare car rental in Marseille
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Where to pick up a car in Marseille
Rental desks by area, with the distance from the city centre.
Train stations
Offices 6Marseille Saint-Charles
Marseille-Blancarde
City centre
Offices 1Further from the centre
Offices 10Le Rouet
Les Cinq-Avenues
5e Arrondissement
Bon-Secours
La Capelette
La Croix-Rouge
Marseille by car
Marseille wraps around an ancient harbour with limestone hills at its back and the Calanques cutting into the shoreline just east of it. Whole districts climb those hills in terraces, so addresses a short distance apart can be a long way apart in practice.
Driving in Marseille
Marseille is reached by A7, A50, A51 and A55. The centre of Marseille is closed to through traffic. Parking in the centre is paid and marked by zone. Driving through the centre is restricted, so most drivers park on the edge.
Arriving by road
The A8 runs east from Marseille towards the French Riviera, with the A50 serving Toulon and the A51 Aix-en-Provence. In the centre the streets are narrow, many are one-way, and the one-way system has been completely reorganised, so older satnav maps can lead across new pedestrian areas or tram lines.
From the airport without a car
Bus #91 runs from the airport directly to the St. Charles bus and train station, where the metro continues towards the centre. Alternatively, bus #13 from platform 5 of the bus station reaches Vitrolles Marseille Provence Airport station on the TER network, with trains towards Marseille and Miramas, or Arles, Tarascon, Nîmes and Montpellier.
Popular searches in Marseille
One click to the results with the filter already set.
Day trips from Marseille
- Cassis16 km
- Aix-en-Provence27 km
- Avignon86 km
Rules of the road in France
- Speed limits
- 50 / 80 / 130 km/h
- Alcohol limit
- 0.5 ‰
- Motorway tolls
- motorway tolls paid at the barrier
- Must carry
- a reflective vest and a warning triangle
What kind of car do you need?
Typical capacity for the category — the exact model is confirmed by the rental company at booking.
Frequently asked questions
France: which side of the road do they drive on?
On the right. Speed limits are posted at the roadside and differ between towns, open roads and motorways.
Which currency will I be charged in?
Prices are usually set in EUR. The rental company sets both the price and the deposit, and shows them before you book.
Can I drive the car into another country?
Often yes within the EU, but never assume it. Crossing a border has to be allowed by the rental company and usually costs extra, so check the terms before you book.
Is there a low-emission zone in Marseille?
The centre of Marseille is closed to through traffic rather than filtered by emissions.
Where do I park in the centre of Marseille?
Parking in the centre is paid and marked by zone.
What are the speed limits in France?
50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on open roads, 130 km/h on motorways.
Are the motorways tolled?
Motorways charge at the barrier. Payment is by cash, card or an electronic tag.
Where can I pick up a rental car in Marseille?
At Marseille Saint-Charles: Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Rent A Car and Sixt. At Marseille-Blancarde: Budget. In the city centre: Europcar. In Le Rouet: Enterprise and Sixt. In Les Cinq-Avenues: CarGo. In 5e Arrondissement: ADA. Elsewhere in the city: Ucar, Hertz, Rent A Car, Sixt and Thrifty. More rental desks are at Marseille Provence Airport.