Marseille on a cruise stop: a self-guided city game from the port

Yes, if you head into town straight after docking. Most large ships berth at the MPCT terminal inside the commercial port, several km north of the Vieux-Port, where you cannot walk out. A free cruise-day shuttle takes about 15-20 minutes to Joliette; from there take the metro or a taxi to St Vincent de Paul Church at the top of La Canebière, where our hunt starts. The 3-hour game ends at La Vieille Charité, near the Joliette shuttle stop. Plan about 4.5-5 hours.

Where ships dockMPCT terminal inside the port, several km north of the Vieux-Port
From the ship to the startFree shuttle to Joliette (15-20 min), then metro or taxi
Scavenger hunt lengthAbout 3 hours
Walking during the huntAbout 51 min, 4 km
Game languagesEnglish, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch
Port-day fitFits if you go straight there
%Cruise pack: save at every port Book games in 3 or more of our cruise port cities in one order and get 15% off automatically, or 20% off from 5 cities. The tickets have no time limit, so you can book your whole itinerary before you sail.

From the MPCT cruise terminal to St Vincent de Paul Church

  1. Check with your cruise line where your ship berths. Most large ships use the MPCT terminal on the Môle Léon Gourret, deep inside the commercial port, and you cannot walk out of it.
  2. From the MPCT terminal take the free cruise-day shuttle to the Joliette area by Les Terrasses du Port: about 15-20 minutes plus waiting. Cruise lines may also sell their own shuttle downtown.
  3. From Joliette take metro line M2 or a taxi towards the top of La Canebière, where St Vincent de Paul Church (Les Réformés) stands. If you prefer, walk about 20-30 minutes to the Vieux-Port and start the game from there by choosing your first stop in the app.
  4. Taxis also queue at the terminal (about 15-25 minutes into town, depending on traffic), and Uber and Bolt pick up just outside the port gates. Bus 35 runs from port Gate 4 towards the Vieux-Port.
  5. If your ship is at the Joliette / J4 berths near the Mucem, you are only about 20-30 minutes' walk from the Old Port.

A Marseille port day, hour by hour

  1. 0:00Off the ship at the MPCT terminal and onto the free shuttle to Joliette.
  2. 0:45After the metro or a taxi from Joliette, start the hunt at St Vincent de Paul Church.
  3. 1:45Down to the Opéra de Marseille and the Hôtel de Ville on the Old Port.
  4. 2:45Fort Saint-Jean, the Mucem and the Cathédrale La Major, then up into Le Panier.
  5. 3:45Finish at La Vieille Charité and walk down to the Joliette shuttle stop.
  6. 4:30Back at the terminal at least an hour before all-aboard time, more on busy days.

Tips for Marseille when time is short

  • Check your ship's berth and the shuttle times with your cruise line before you go: from the MPCT terminal everything depends on the shuttle or a taxi.
  • The hunt ends in Le Panier at La Vieille Charité, close to Joliette, which is convenient for the shuttle back.
  • Le Panier is on a hill with steep lanes and steps, so wear good shoes.
  • Watch for pickpockets around La Canebière, the Vieux-Port and on public transport.
  • On days with several ships, taxi queues and shuttles get busy: leave a generous margin before all-aboard time.
  • You can change the order of the stops in the app, so if the shuttle runs late you can start at whichever stop is nearest and keep the game on your schedule.

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.

Marseille cruise stop: questions

Can I walk from the Marseille cruise terminal to the Old Port?

Not from the main MPCT terminal, which is inside the commercial port several km north. Ships at the Joliette / J4 berths are about 20-30 minutes' walk from the Old Port.

Is there a shuttle from Marseille cruise port?

Yes, a free cruise-day shuttle runs from the terminal to the port exit near Joliette, where you continue by metro, bus or on foot; cruise lines also offer their own shuttles.

How do I get from Joliette to the city centre?

Take metro line M2 from Joliette, or walk about 20-30 minutes to the Vieux-Port.

How long do I need for the Marseille scavenger hunt on a port day?

The hunt takes about 3 hours, with about 51 minutes of walking over 4 km. From the MPCT terminal add up to an hour of transfers each way, so plan about 4.5-5 hours in total.

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 Marseille 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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