Overview
Marseille is France's oldest city and its sun-soaked second city, tumbling down from limestone hills to a working Mediterranean harbour. It rewards travellers who like culture with a bit of grit: bouillabaisse around the Vieux-Port, spice-scented market streets in Noailles, and the wild Calanques on the doorstep. With fast, frequent flights from the UK, it makes an easy long-weekend break or a gateway to the rest of Provence and the Côte d'Azur.
Best time to fly to Marseille
Late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September and October) are the sweet spot — warm, bright days, a swimmable sea and thinner crowds. July and August are hot, lively and busiest, with school-holiday demand pushing fares up, so look at the When to book chart above before you commit. Winter is mild but breezy, and the cold mistral wind can blow hard at any time of year. For the best value, avoid the peak summer weeks and use the price charts on this page to find cheaper dates.
Airlines and routes
Marseille is well served from the UK. easyJet flies direct from London Gatwick, Bristol and Manchester; Ryanair operates direct from London Stansted and Manchester; and British Airways flies from London Heathrow. Jet2 adds seasonal direct services from several airports in the warmer months. Direct flying time from London is around 2 hours, and roughly 2 hours 15 minutes from Manchester. Connecting options via Paris or Amsterdam exist if the price or schedule suits, though they add several hours.
Things to do in Marseille
A compact centre and a dramatic coastline let you pack a lot into a short trip.
- Vieux-Port: the historic old harbour, ringed by cafés and a morning fish market, and the natural heart of the city.
- Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde: the hilltop basilica known as la Bonne Mère, with the widest views over the rooftops and sea.
- MuCEM: a striking waterfront museum of Mediterranean civilisations, linked by footbridge to Fort Saint-Jean.
- Le Panier: the oldest quarter, a tangle of pastel lanes, artisan workshops and street art above the port.
- Calanques National Park: turquoise coves and white cliffs between Marseille and Cassis, reached by boat, bus or hiking trail.
At Marseille Provence Airport (MRS)
The airport sits at Marignane, about 27 km northwest of the city centre — roughly 25 to 35 minutes by road. The official airport shuttle bus runs frequently to Marseille Saint-Charles, the main train and metro station, taking around 25 minutes. A short free shuttle also links the terminal to Vitrolles Aéroport Marseille Provence station for regional trains. Taxis wait outside arrivals on a set zone-based fare, and car hire desks are in the terminal if you plan to explore Provence.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Marseille
- Book roughly one to three months ahead for the best short-haul fares; prices on this popular leisure route rarely drop at the last minute.
- Fly midweek — Tuesday to Thursday departures are usually cheaper than Friday or Sunday.
- Use flexible-date search and the price charts on this page to compare a spread of days rather than one fixed weekend.
- Compare easyJet, Ryanair and British Airways together, and factor in baggage and seat fees, not just the headline fare.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourism in France: you can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Your passport should be issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least three months after your planned departure date. The currency is the euro, and cards are widely accepted. Bring a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for state healthcare alongside travel insurance. No special vaccinations are required. A new EU entry system for non-EU visitors is being phased in, so check the latest entry requirements before you fly.
