S$206 Cheap Flights to Marseille

Cheap flights to Marseille

France's second largest city, Marseille is located Provence, but Cannes or St-Tropez it most certainly is not. This vibrant port city exudes an infectious energy, largely driven by its multicultural population and the sheer exuberance of its music and arts scene.

This contemporary buzz, however, sits on top of more than 1,500 years of history – in many ways it is the presence of the past and the urgency of its contemporary culture that really makes this fascinating city sing.

Book yourself a cheap flight to Marseille today and discover its multifaceted tones for yourself.

When to book cheap flights to Marseille

Marseille is blessed with a Mediterranean climate that makes it enjoyable to visit throughout the year, although there are significant fluctuations in the cost of flights to Marseille as the seasons change.

The most popular time to fly to Marseille from the UK is in the summer, during the months of June, July and August. You'll need to book very early if you are to have any chance at all of finding a bargain-priced flight to Marseille at this time.

It's the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn when you'll be able to take advantage of the perfect combination of warm weather, little rain and cheaper flights. If you book your trip for October you'll also be able to catch the Fiesta des Suds, a music festival that sees performers from all over the world descending on the city to entertain the crowds that gather at the Docks des Suds.

The cheapest flights to Marseille can be found during the winter months – excluding the festive period – of December, January and February, when temperatures are at their lowest.

Main airports in Marseille

Marseille Provence Airport is located 17 miles northwest of Marseille. It is the fifth busiest French airport by passenger traffic – and serves the needs of its many passengers very well.

Travelling between the airport and Marseille city centre is easy. The airport is served by shuttle buses and taxis that will drop you off in the city centre in around 30 minutes. The shuttle service costs €8 per person and a typical taxi fare would be €50.

During the ski season there are additional shuttle services, known as the Navettes Blanches, that run from the airport to the slopes.

If you are looking to catch a train for onward travel a free shuttle service will take you to the nearby train station. Here you can buy tickets to Marseille city centre or other French destinations, such as Avignon, Arles and Montpellier.Car hire is available at the airport and a great option if you want to make the most of your stay in the beautiful region of Provence.

Which airlines fly to Marseille?

Airlines offering flights to Marseille from the UK include:

• British Airways
• Ryanair
• Lufthansa (via Frankfurt)
• Air France (via Paris)
• KLM (via Amsterdam)

How to get around in Marseille

Marseille is a large, sprawling city and you'll probably need to take advantage of its comprehensive public transport to get around.

While each of Marseille's neighbourhoods is easily navigable on foot you will need to use either the Metro or the tramway to get from area to area.

Metro lines 1 and 2 both stop at the main train station, Gare St-Charles. Line 1 makes a U-shaped circuit from the suburbs into the city and back again, while Line 2 runs north and south in the downtown area.

Individual tickets are less than €2 and are valid on Metro, tram, and bus lines for up to 60 minutes after purchase.

What are the must-sees in Marseille?

The heart of the city is the vibrant Vieux Port (old port). Here mast-to-mast yachts and pleasure boats bob up and down contentedly in the water just below the ancient Le Panier neighbourhood, which is well worth exploring.

The République quarter contains the city's stylish boutiques, designer outlets and Haussmann buildings.

History lovers are spoilt for choice with more than 20 museums to discover and classic buildings such as the Palais de Longchamp, the 19th-century Notre Dame de la Garde and the Cathedral of the Major to visit.

Tips for travelling to Marseille

Marseille is perfectly positioned for those wishing to explore Provence. There's the beaches along the Mediterranean coast, including the Calanque Cliffs and the Camargue, as well as regular ferries to and from the island of Corsica and the Îles du Friou.