Aix-en-Provence from Marseille cruise port: a self-guided city game

Yes, if you go straight there. Most ships dock at the Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal, about 30 km from Aix. Take the free port shuttle to La Joliette, metro line 2 to Saint-Charles and a direct TER train to Aix-en-Provence Centre (about 40-45 minutes), then walk to the Musée Granet, where the hunt starts. Plan about 1 h 15 to 1 h 30 each way plus about 2 hours for the hunt: it fits a typical 8-9 hour call.

Where ships dockMarseille Provence Cruise Terminal, about 30 km from Aix
From the ship to the startAbout 1 h 15 to 1 h 30 by shuttle, metro and train
Scavenger hunt lengthAbout 2 hours
Walking during the huntAbout 43 min, 3.6 km
Game languagesEnglish, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch
Port-day fitFits if you go straight there (8-9 hour call)
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From Marseille cruise terminal to the Musée Granet in Aix

  1. From your berth at the Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal, walk to the port exit (600 m to 2.5 km depending on the berth) and take the free port shuttle to Place de la Joliette, about 15-20 minutes plus waiting. On cruise days, public bus 35T also runs from the 'Terminal Croisières' stop at Gate 4 to Joliette.
  2. At Joliette, take metro line 2 to Marseille Saint-Charles station, about 10 minutes. If the shuttle is not running or the queue is long, a taxi from the terminal straight to Saint-Charles takes about 15-20 minutes.
  3. Take a direct TER train to Aix-en-Provence Centre, about 40-45 minutes, roughly every 30 minutes. The line 50 express coach to the Aix bus station (about 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic) is a good backup.
  4. From Aix-en-Provence Centre station, walk to the Rotonde fountain at the bottom of the Cours Mirabeau, then through the Mazarin quarter to the Musée Granet on Place Saint-Jean-de-Malte.

An Aix-en-Provence day from Marseille, hour by hour

  1. 0:00Off the ship; walk to the port exit and take the free shuttle, or a taxi, towards Joliette.
  2. 0:30Metro line 2 to Saint-Charles, then a direct TER train to Aix-en-Provence Centre.
  3. 1:30Start the hunt at the Musée Granet; Place des Quatre-Dauphins, the Hôtel de Caumont and the Cours Mirabeau come first.
  4. 2:30On through the old town: the Fontaine de la Rotonde, Place d'Albertas, Place des Cardeurs and the Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur.
  5. 3:30Finish at the Fontaine du Roi René on the Cours Mirabeau, a few minutes from the station; train back to Saint-Charles, metro and shuttle to the ship.
  6. 5:00Back on board, ideally 2 hours or more before all-aboard time.

Tips for Aix-en-Provence when time is short

  • Aix is 30 km inland: plan about 1 h 15 to 1 h 30 each way from the cruise terminal, more on days with several ships, when the shuttle queues are long.
  • The free port shuttle is not guaranteed on every call; if it is not running, take a taxi from the terminal straight to Saint-Charles station.
  • At the cruise terminal the walk from the ship to the port exit can be up to about 2.5 km; allow for it on the way back too.
  • Trains to Aix leave roughly every 30 minutes; the line 50 coach is a good backup if a train is cancelled, but it can be slower in rush-hour traffic.
  • The hunt finishes on the Cours Mirabeau, a few minutes from the train station, which makes the return easy.
  • The plane trees on the Cours Mirabeau give shade on hot days, and the old-town lanes are flat and pedestrian.

Why a self-guided game works on a port day

  • You start when you step off the ship, not at a fixed tour time, and nobody waits for a group.
  • Everyone in your party can follow on their own phone with one booking reference.
  • You can stop for lunch or a swim and carry on later, and end the game whenever you need to head back.
  • Google Maps guides you from stop to stop, and the game needs no entry tickets.

Aix-en-Provence cruise stop: questions

How do I get from the Marseille cruise terminal to Aix-en-Provence?

Take the free port shuttle (or a taxi) to Joliette, metro line 2 to Saint-Charles and a direct TER train to Aix-en-Provence Centre (about 40-45 minutes), or the line 50 coach.

How long does the whole trip take?

Plan about 1 h 15 to 1 h 30 each way from the ship to the centre of Aix.

Is the Aix train station close to the old town?

Yes. Aix-en-Provence Centre station is a few minutes' walk from the Cours Mirabeau, and the Musée Granet is a short walk further through the Mazarin quarter.

Is there a free shuttle from the Marseille cruise terminal?

On ship days the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille runs a free shuttle to Place de la Joliette, but queues can be long and it is not guaranteed on every call.

Is a Marseille port day long enough for Aix-en-Provence?

Usually yes: about 1 h 30 each way plus the 2-hour hunt comes to around 5 hours, which fits a typical 8-9 hour call if you head straight for the shuttle and train. On a short port day it does not.

Do I need to book a time slot?

No. You book online, receive your booking reference by email straight away and start whenever you are ashore. The ticket has no time limit, so it still works if your ship arrives late or your plans change.

What do we need on the day?

A charged smartphone with mobile data, the World City Trail app from the App Store or Google Play, and your booking reference. A power bank helps on a long port day.

Pick your Aix-en-Provence game

Port and transport details checked in November 2026. Docking positions and timetables change, so always check your ship’s all-aboard time and your cruise line’s port information before you set off.

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