Marseille's Ferry Boat is a 283-meter public-transport crossing between the Mairie on Quai du Port and Place aux Huiles on Quai Rive-Neuve. It is useful, inexpensive and easily confused with much longer island or sightseeing boats.
Current standalone fare is €0.50. The crossing takes under five minutes, but waiting and weather can make walking around the harbor equally practical.
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Current Hours and Frequency
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RTM currently lists daily service from 07:30 to 20:20 except May 1, about every 20 minutes. Departures depend on weather and live operating conditions.
Fare and Pass Coverage
Pay €0.50 standalone by exact cash or contactless bank card aboard. The standalone fare does not include an onward RTM connection. Qualifying 24- and 72-hour passes include the crossing.
Find the Two Boarding Points
On the north side, board near the main Town Hall on Quai du Port. On the south side, use the landing opposite Place aux Huiles. Check which side supports the next stop before waiting.
When Walking Is Faster
If the boat has just left, weather interrupts service or the route already uses the harbor edge, walking may be quicker. The crossing saves distance only between the two central sides.
Do Not Confuse Boat Products
Frioul and Château d'If boats travel beyond the harbor. Coastal shuttles and Calanques cruises use other schedules and fares. Confirm the exact company and quay for every longer trip.
How to Use This Guide on the Day
Recheck the controlling official page the evening before the visit and again before leaving. Marseille transport, museum hours, boat departures, worship, fire controls, trail access, weather and event security can change after publication. Save the exact entrance, boarding point, ticket conditions and one same-area substitute offline.
Allow more time than the fastest map estimate. Hills, stairs, cobbles, exposed quays, Saint-Charles station exits and long north-south distances change real effort. Travelers needing step-free access should verify every platform, lift, threshold, toilet and final approach separately; an accessible venue does not prove an accessible route.
Keep one element flexible around every fixed booking. If a boat, trail or church becomes unavailable, replace it inside the same zone before crossing Marseille. Remove the lowest-priority stop when the day slips instead of turning the rest of the schedule into a race.
Match the route to the actual traveler. A family, a museum specialist, a strong hiker and a traveler using a wheelchair need different versions of the same day. Verify child rules, seating, shade, toilets, trail difficulty and step-free access directly. Do not infer that a scenic boat, rugged land route and beach stop provide equivalent access to the coast.
Separate ordinary transport from sightseeing and excursion products. RTM city fares, the short Ferry Boat, airport A1, Frioul or Château d'If boats, coastal shuttles, little train and Calanques cruises have different tickets and operating conditions. Save the product name and boarding point rather than relying on the generic word “boat” or “pass.”
Plan with Live Information
This guide was checked against first-party information on August 5, 2026. Reopen the official source that controls your date before paying, departing or relying on a route. A reservation manages one part of the visit; it does not remove weather, fire, security, worship, capacity or connection risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Marseille Ferry Boat?
The current standalone fare is €0.50.
How long is the crossing?
The 283-meter trip takes under five minutes when operating.
How often does it run?
RTM currently lists about every 20 minutes from 07:30 to 20:20, weather permitting.
Does the fare include a bus or metro transfer?
No. The standalone crossing has no onward connection, though qualifying passes cover the Ferry Boat.