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Getting around Marseille

Public transport: 

The Régie des Transports de Marseille (RTM) provides public transport throughout the city and some of the suburbs. There are two metro lines (blue and red), over 80 bus lines and two tramway lines. See the RTM website for timetables (www.rtm.fr).

Tickets can be bought in any metro station, at the RTM office on 6 rue des Fabres, or any shop displaying the RTM sign (blue on white) in their window. Day passes are available for one day (Carte Journée) or three (Carte 3 Jours). There are also weekly passes and various money-saving cards for groups (ask for more information at any station). Tickets have to be validated, or you might incur an on-the-spot fine. You can travel on the same ticket for up to one hour.

Taxis: 

Major taxi providers in Marseille include Taxis Plus (tel: 04 4289 9838), Taxi Radio Marseille (tel: 04 9102 2020) and Taxi Tupp Radio (tel: 04 9105 8080). Tips are welcome but not expected.

Driving: 

Driving in Marseille (as anywhere else in the south) can be a nerve-racking experience – drivers do not always abide by the Highway Code and have their own take on right of way. The use of the horn is also popular. Try to take it all in your stride if you are behind the wheel – getting angry is generally counterproductive.

Parking in Marseille has always been a problem, especially in those neighbourhoods where narrow streets are the norm, and over the past few years this has become even more of a headache, so the advice is to leave the car behind if you can. The city centre is compact enough to explore on foot, and public transports links are good.

Car hire: 

The minimum age to hire a car in Marseille varies from 21 to 25 years. Drivers must possess a national driving licence, which they must have held for at least one year. Third-party insurance is mandatory for driving in France and this should be covered in the hire price. Additional insurance is optional.

Providers in the city centre (gare SNCF St Charles, 1e) include Avis (tel: 04 9164 7100; www.avis.fr), Europcar (tel: 0825 825 680; www.europcar.fr), Hertz (tel: 04 9105 5120; www.hertz.com), and National/Citer (tel: 04 9105 9086; www.citer.fr). All of the above also have desks at the airport.

Bicycle hire: 

Bikes are available for hire from a number of newly installed self-service stations throughout Marseille (tel: 0800 801 225; www.levelo-mpm.fr). Short-term subscription is available (one week). The first half-hour is free, thereafter rental costs €1 per hour.

MBK Cycles Do, 72 cours Lieutaud, 6e (tel: 04 9154 3314; www.mbk.fr) also hires out motorbikes, scooters and bicycles.

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