DIY: Marseille

[dav964]

Just returned from a one week cruise round the Med that included Marseille as it's final stop. This is what we did: -

 

Our ship MSC Fantasia docked at the furthest point from the dock gate. If you dock at a proper pier with walkways into a terminal building then this is it. If you've just got a gangplank at deck 2 then you're closer than we were. Pick up a tourist map from the terminal/cruise company for Marseille. Anyway, it was a 1.8 km walk to the gate for us which took about 20 minutes. Just follow the signs to town centre and bus 35 - simple. When you get to the dock gate go up the hill to the bus stop. There were two buses waiting when we got there so I guess there are a steady stream. A ticket costs 1.50 euros and will get you to the terminus - La Jolliete. This is about 15 minutes walk from the harbour and you'll pass by the cathedral as you go. This is very impressive from the outside but less so from the inside. Anyway, it's worth a stop 'cos it's free. When we continued to the harbour we found that there are a fair amount of road works going on - pretty much all of the harbour walkways are closed and the area will be very nice indeed in 2013, but for 2012 it's a dead loss. We got the petite train up to the church on the hill (Notre Dame La Grande?) which cost 7 euros per person and was a very good trip. It went around the coast road (lots of fresh air) and climbed up the hill to the church which was well worth a look - and also free. After that we made our way back on the petite train and then walked back to La Joliette bus stop. The return bus is also number 35 and starts from exactly the same place that we were dropped off at (can't remember its destination) and will be full of cruisers. Good job really, as the final stop is not obvious. It's just that the bus driver kicks everyone off! Then there's another 1.8 km walk back and you're done.

 

So that's it. We paid 1.50 for a single bus ticket and 7.-00 for the petite train. The return bus journey was free 'cos the driver was in a grump and wasn't collecting fares. Very easy, but the only thing that I would suggest is that after you exit from the port gate have a good look around to work out what the return bus stop looks like. Then you won't have the "did I get off at the right stop" feeling.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the info.

[Alex71]

Thanks for the info. We'll be in Marseille with the Splendida on December 30. Do you recall how much MSC charges for the shuttle?

[aonsceal]

MSC were charging €15pp for the shuttle bus to city centre. We did exactly what the other person did and it worked out really well.

[Alex71]

Thanks, aonsceal. We'll definitely take the bus #35 as well then.