Marseille, the vibrant port city in southern France, offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore its rich history and iconic landmarks through a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and a captivating guided walking tour of the Panier district. Priced at an affordable rate, this 3-hour experience promises stunning 360-degree views, informative audio commentary, and an immersive journey into the charming streets and culture of one of Marseille’s oldest neighborhoods. Whether you’re a sightseer or a history enthusiast, this flexible tour provides a convenient and insightful way to uncover the hidden gems that make Marseille a truly remarkable destination.
Key Points
- The Marseille Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour offers a 3-hour experience with 360-degree panoramic views, audio commentary in 8 languages, and a 1-hour walking tour in the Panier district.
- The tour includes two circuits, red and blue, covering 14 and 11 stops respectively, showcasing iconic landmarks like the Old Port, Notre-Dame de la Garde, and Corniche Kennedy.
- The Panier walking tour is accessible via a smartphone app, providing recorded stories and real-time navigation to explore the neighborhood’s narrow streets, colorful houses, and Cathedral of the Major.
- The tour package includes an unlimited hop-on hop-off bus pass valid for 24 hours, with buses operating every 30-45 minutes from 10 AM to 5 PM.
- Restrictions include no smoking or food/drinks allowed on the buses, and the tour may not be suitable for wheelchair users due to the bus design.
It's also worth checking out some other tours and experiences nearby.
Tour Overview and Pricing
The Marseille Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour offers visitors an opportunity to explore the city at their own pace. Priced from £26.97 per person, this 3-hour tour allows for free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
Guests can enjoy 360-degree panoramic views from the open-top double-decker buses, with audio commentary available in 8 languages. The tour features two circuits – a red circuit with 14 stops and a blue circuit with 11 stops – showcasing the city’s iconic landmarks, including the Old Port, Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica, and Corniche Kennedy.
Plus, the tour includes a 1-hour audio-guided walking tour of the Panier district, providing an immersive experience through the neighborhood’s narrow streets and colorful houses.
Bus Tour Experience
Aboard the open-top double-decker buses and convertible minibuses, visitors enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of Marseille’s iconic landmarks. The audio commentary, available in 8 languages, provides an insightful guide through the city’s rich history and notable sights. Passengers can choose between two circuits – the red circuit with 14 stops showcasing the Old Port, Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica, Vallon des Auffes, and Corniche Kennedy, or the blue circuit highlighting 11 newer emblematic places.
| Route | Stops | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Red Circuit | 14 | – |
| Blue Circuit | 11 | – |
| Bus Frequency | Every 30-45 minutes | 10 AM – 5 PM |
The hop-on hop-off feature allows visitors to explore at their own pace, disembarking and re-boarding the buses as needed.
Bus Tour Routes
Two distinct circuits are available for the Marseille hop-on hop-off bus tour, each showcasing the city’s diverse landmarks and neighborhoods.
The red circuit features 14 stops, including the iconic Old Port, the imposing Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica, the charming Vallon des Auffes, and the scenic Corniche Kennedy.
The blue circuit, with 11 stops, highlights the city’s newer emblematic places.
Both routes provide 360-degree panoramic views and audio commentary in 8 languages, allowing visitors to explore Marseille at their own pace.
The flexibility of the hop-on hop-off system enables travelers to disembark and explore specific areas, then rejoin the tour whenever convenient.
Walking Tour Experience
Along With the hop-on hop-off bus tour, the Marseille experience includes an audio-guided walking tour of the Panier district.
Travelers can explore the narrow streets, colorful houses, and the Cathedral of the Major at their own pace. The walking tour is accessible via a smartphone app, which provides stories recorded by a guide and professional actors.
The app’s real-time map and geo-localization feature ensures visitors don’t miss any highlights. With the flexibility to pause for shopping or refreshments, the walking tour offers an immersive and personalized way to discover the historic heart of Marseille.
Walking Tour Audio Features
The Marseille hop-on hop-off bus tour’s smartphone app enables an immersive audio-guided walking experience in the Panier district.
Stories recorded by a guide and professional actors bring the neighborhood’s history and culture to life. The app’s real-time map and geo-localization feature ensure:
- Effortless navigation through the area’s narrow streets and colorful houses.
- Automatic triggering of audio narration as you explore.
- Flexibility to pause the tour for shopping or refreshments, then resume at your convenience.
This integrated technology transforms a typical walking tour into a captivating, personalized journey, allowing you to discover Marseille’s Panier district at your own pace.
Transportation and Meeting Point
With an unlimited hop-on hop-off bus pass for 24 hours, visitors can board the buses that run every 30-45 minutes from 10 AM to 5 PM.
The buses, which are open-top double-deckers and convertible minibuses, offer 360-degree panoramic views and audio commentary in 8 languages.
The tour covers two circuits – a red circuit with 14 stops and a blue circuit with 11 stops – highlighting Marseille’s iconic landmarks, including the Old Port, Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica, and Corniche Kennedy.
Participants should meet at the designated meeting point in front of Marseille City Hall, near the Old Port Bus stop, and wear comfortable shoes.
Restrictions and Considerations
Smoking or consuming food and drinks aren’t permitted inside the vehicles.
While the hop-on-hop-off bus tour offers a convenient way to explore Marseille, there are a few important considerations.
The tour isn’t suitable for wheelchair users due to the design of the buses. Plus, visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as the 1-hour walking tour in the Panier district involves navigating narrow streets and uneven terrain.
The audio guides for the walking tour are accessed via a smartphone app, so guests should ensure they have:
- A fully charged device
- Headphones or earbuds
- The app downloaded prior to the tour
Customer Ratings and Feedback
How do customers rate the Marseille Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour? According to the reviews, the overall rating is 3.8 out of 5 based on 187 reviews. The transportation aspect received a 4.1/5 rating, while the value for money scored 3.8/5. However, the service rating was a bit lower at 3/5.
| Metric | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3.8/5 |
| Transportation | 4.1/5 |
| Value for Money | 3.8/5 |
| Service | 3/5 |
Customers had positive experiences with the bus tour, but some expressed confusion regarding the walking tour requirements and routes.
Here's a few more nearby tours and experiences we think you'll like.
- Marseille Grand E-Bike Tour: The Fada Tour
- Private Quiz Game Session in Marseille
- Electric Bike Tour to the Calanques From Marseille
- Small Group Marseille Shore Excursion: Marseille and Aix-en-Provence
- Marseille Food Tour – Do Eat Better Experience
- Cabriolet Adventure From Marseille Port to Cassis La Ciotat
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Bring My Pet on the Tour?
The tour does not allow pets. According to the important information, there are restrictions on bringing food, drinks, and smoking in the vehicles, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.
Are Discounts Available for Seniors or Children?
The tour offers discounts for seniors and children. Seniors get a 10% discount, while children under 12 can purchase tickets at a reduced rate. Travelers should check the website or contact the tour provider for specific pricing details.
Is the Tour Available in Other Languages?
The tour provides audio commentary in 8 languages, including French, English, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese. This allows the tour to accommodate visitors from a variety of language backgrounds.
Can I Customize the Walking Tour Route?
The walking tour is an audio-guided experience that allows flexibility to start, pause, and resume at your convenience. However, the route is predetermined and cannot be customized by the traveler.
How Accessible Is the Bus for People With Disabilities?
The bus tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, as stated in the important information. However, the tour offers flexibility for those with other mobility needs, as passengers can hop on and off at their convenience.
Not for you? Here's more of our most recent tour reviews happening neaby
- Airport Transfer From Marseille -> Marseille Center/Hotels
- Marseille: Calanques Catamaran Cruise With Lunch and Swim
- Marseille: 24, 48, or 72-Hour Citypass With Public Transport
- Marseille: The Ultimate Digital Guide
- Marseille: Museum of Illusion Entry Ticket
- Marseille: Frioul Islands and Bay of Marseille Boat Tour
- Marseille: Frioul Calanques Sailing Day Trip With Swimming
- Marseille: Boat Rental for a Day Visiting Frioul Islands
- Full Day in Côte Bleue: Scenic Nature Walk and Boat Tour
- Marseille: Walking Tour Your Choice of Neighborhood
- Marseille: Ecopark Adventures Treetop Adventure
- Marseille Pub Crawl : Meet, Drink & Party
- Marseille: The Panier District 2-hour Guided Walking Tour
- Marseille: 24, 48, or 72-Hour Citypass With Public Transport
- Marseille: Christmas Markets Festive Digital Game
Sum Up
The Marseille Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and guided walking tour of the Panier district offer a comprehensive experience for visitors. Priced at £26.97, the 3-hour tour provides 360-degree views, audio commentary, and an immersive exploration of the city’s iconic landmarks and charming streets. Flexible and convenient, this tour caters to both sightseers and history enthusiasts, making it an excellent choice for experiencing the vibrant city of Marseille.