Marseille Saint-Charles train station Practical information

Located in the quarter of the same name, Marseille Saint-Charles station was initially inaugurated in 1848 to open up the PLM (Paris-Lyon-Marseille) line. It underwent numerous expansions and refurbishments to become what it is today, a station frequented by more than 15 million passengers each year. The main railway station for the Marseille metropolitan area, Marseille Saint-Charles is connected to the regional and national network by Intercity trains, TERs and TGVs which serve it daily, enabling a journey to Paris in just 3 hours and 17 minutes. This is a record time.

A TGV Lyria destination

Ensuring the daily connection between the south of France and Switzerland, the TGV Lyria trains operate between Marseille Saint-Charles and Geneva (and the reverse) with a journey time of around 3 hours and 30 minutes, twice a day, via the stations of Bellegarde, Lyon Part-Dieu, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence.

Access to Marseille Saint-Charles station

There is a wide range of public transport which enables you to access Marseille Saint-Charles station:

  • Bus: lines 49, 52, 82S, 521 / night bus lines, Fluobus 521, 533, 582
  • Underground: open every day from 5 a.m. to 12.30 a.m., including public holidays. Accessible via the escalators opposite platforms A-B and C-D ; lines 1 (La Rose-La Fourragère) and 2 (Bougainville-Sainte-Marguerite-Dromel)
  • Tramway: line T2
  • Intercity coaches: lines 34, 50, 51, 53, 64, 88, 89, 91 from the bus interchange point at Marseille Saint-Charles to Aix-en-Provence, Vitrolles, Trets and Marseille Airport.
  • Shuttles operate between the station and airport every day from 4.10 a.m. to 12.10 a.m.

Also available are car rental agencies, taxi ranks and self-service bikes.

Timetables

Marseille Saint-Charles station is open on Fridays from 4.30 a.m. to 1.30 a.m.; and on all other days, including public holidays, from 4.30 a.m. to 1.05 a.m.

Emergency and assistance

Various station assistance services are available on platform A: passenger SOS, police station (every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.). In the event of an emergency, a defibrillator is located at the information point near platform F.

Station services

Marseille Saint-Charles station offers you a variety of practical services:

  • ATMs (at the Honnorat exit between platform N and the bus station),
  • medical office (level -1, behind the underground station entrance),
  • luggage lockers (platform A),
  • lost property (platform A),
  • 3 waiting rooms (the “Espace Confort“ relaxation area and Grand Voyageur lounge on platform A, and the Arthur Rimbaud room between the escalators and McDonald’s),
  • pick-up station (lockers for luggage and drop-off on platform A)
  • and several connected self-service leisure areas (Victor Hugo area).

At the SNCF information point opposite platforms F/Gl, you will find various public reception points (from 4.30 a.m. to 1.05 a.m.), for the disabled (from 4.45 to 12.15 a.m.) and for young passengers.

You can buy your transport tickets at different automatic terminals or in the SNCF sales area, which you will find in the historical hall, on the Square Narvik side opposite platform A. 

Prepare your visit to Marseille

Find all the practical information required to organise your visit at the various Marseille tourist organisations:

  • A tourist and conference office is located at the information point in the station, near the Rimbaud waiting room, opposite platforms D/E, and is open each day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • The main tourist office (at la Canebière)
  • Bouches-du-Rhône Tourism

More information about the station

Did you know?

Following the regeneration of the Saint-Charles quarter, the station has hosted many cultural events. For example, on the occasion of the breakdance festival or the summer season of tango, the concourse and historical hall come alive, transformed into dancefloors where professionals and amateurs share their passion with passengers.

In order to travel in the best conditions, we would advise you to board your TGV Lyria no later than 2 minutes before the departure time indicated on your ticket. After this point, access to the train is no longer guaranteed.