Collect your vehicle at Marseille Provence Airport and drive directly to Aix, Provence or the coast.
Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) sits at Marignane, 25 km north-west of Marseille city centre. The airport operates two terminals - Terminal 1 (MP1) and Terminal 2 (MP2) - linked by a shuttle bus, with rental desks located in the arrivals hall of each terminal. From here you have direct access to the A7 autoroute running south into Marseille or north toward Avignon and Lyon, and the A51 autoroute heading east to Aix-en-Provence.
This page covers rentals collected at the airport after your flight lands. The rental company meets you in the arrivals area or you head to their desk, sign the agreement, and drive out. If you prefer to collect a car in the city itself rather than at the terminal, see our Marseille page, which details downtown pick-up points and urban driving. Here we focus on the airport pickup process, terminal layout, and routes leaving MRS.
We list cars available for collection at Marseille Airport with transparent deposit and payment terms. Eligible vehicles show "no deposit" and accept debit card or cash payment for the balance at pickup. You pay a booking advance online by card when you reserve, then settle the rest when you collect the keys. Winter tyres or chains may be needed for Alpine routes between December and March, and cross-border travel to Italy or Spain requires advance approval from the rental company.
The process from landing to driving away takes between twenty and forty minutes, depending on baggage claim and queues at the desk. In the search widget above, use the "Specify location" field to select Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) and set your arrival time to match your flight schedule.
Collect your bags from the carousel in Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. If you arrive at MP2, a shuttle bus runs every few minutes to MP1 where most rental desks are located.
Check your voucher for the company name and desk location. Most counters sit in the arrivals hall; some companies operate a meet-and-greet service where a representative holds a sign with your name.
Present your driving licence, voucher, and payment card or cash for the balance. The agent inspects the car with you, notes existing damage on the contract, and hands you the keys and paperwork.
Follow signs to the car park, load your luggage, and exit onto the airport access road. The A7 slip road appears within two kilometres, marked for Marseille south or Aix and Lyon north.
MRS lies between Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, putting both cities and the Provencal hinterland within easy reach. Below are typical routes and the vehicles suited to each.
20 km east via A51, 25 minutes. Exit at Aix-Centre and follow signs to the historic quarter. A compact like the Peugeot 208 or Fiat 500 handles narrow streets and limited parking in the old town.
25 km south via A7 and tunnel, 30 minutes. Take the A7 south, then the A55 spur into the city; follow Vieux Port signs through the road tunnel. Any sedan or crossover fits urban traffic; the Volkswagen Golf or Nissan Qashqai offer boot space for shopping or luggage.
40 km south-east via A50, 45 minutes. Drive through Marseille on the A50 coast road to Cassis. A crossover such as the Hyundai Kona or Skoda Kamiq provides clearance for gravel access tracks leading to trailheads.
80 km north-west via A7, 55 minutes. Join the A7 northbound and exit at Avignon-Nord or Avignon-Sud. A small car like the Toyota Aygo X saves on autoroute tolls and navigates the walled city with ease.
60-80 km north-east via A51 and D roads, 75 minutes to Gordes. Take the A51 to Aix, then D943 and D2 into the Luberon hills. A compact crossover balances fuel economy on autoroutes with stability on winding hill roads.
The table below shows typical models collected at MRS. Availability and deposit terms vary by date and company; use the search above to see real-time inventory and conditions.
| Model | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Citroen C3 | Compact | City driving in Aix and Marseille, low fuel consumption |
| Fiat 500 | Mini | Narrow lanes in Provencal villages, tight parking |
| Hyundai Kona | Crossover | Higher seating, boot space, gravel tracks to Calanques |
| Nissan Qashqai | Crossover | Family luggage, longer trips to Luberon or Camargue |
| Peugeot 208 | Compact | Urban and autoroute mix, efficient on tolls |
| Skoda Kamiq | Crossover | Generous cabin and boot, comfortable on hill roads |
| Toyota Aygo X | Mini | Solo or couple, minimal toll and fuel costs |
| Volkswagen Golf | Compact | Balanced handling, stable at autoroute speeds |
| Volkswagen Polo | Compact | Reliable for short city hops and day trips |
Models listed are examples. The actual choice depends on what the local company has on your dates. Each listing in the search shows the exact deposit requirement, payment methods accepted, and any mileage or cross-border restrictions.
A few practical points make the MRS collection and drop-off smoother, particularly if you are connecting from an international flight or returning during peak hours.
Certain cars available at MRS carry no deposit requirement and accept debit card or cash payment for the balance. Deposit and payment terms are set by the local rental company for each individual vehicle, not by category or brand.
Run a search in the widget above with your MRS pickup date and time. Each result displays payment icons below the model name: a green "No Deposit" badge means the company will not block funds on your card, and a "Debit Card / Cash" badge confirms you can settle the balance without a credit card. These conditions apply to that specific car and booking; they are not universal across the fleet.
Excess cover remains separate. Even when no deposit is blocked, you remain liable for the excess stated in the rental agreement if the car is damaged. The absence of a deposit block does not remove or reduce the excess amount.
When you confirm a booking on our site, you pay a booking advance by card online; we do not accept cash for the advance. The remaining balance is paid when you collect the keys at Marseille Airport. The method accepted for that balance - debit card, cash, or credit card - is shown on each listing and repeated in your voucher.
If a car requires a credit card for the final payment or for a deposit block, that requirement will be clearly marked in the search results and in the terms before you confirm. For detailed rules on which cards and methods apply, visit our payment and advance page.
Common questions about collecting and returning a car at MRS.
Yes. Cars marked "Debit Card / Cash" in the search accept a debit card or cash for the balance when you collect at MRS. You still pay the booking advance online by card, but the final payment at the airport desk can be made without a credit card on eligible vehicles.
Most rental desks are in the arrivals hall of Terminal 1 (MP1). If you land at Terminal 2, a free shuttle bus runs every few minutes to MP1. Your voucher states the exact desk location and whether the company offers a meet-and-greet service.
Enter your flight number when booking. The rental company monitors arrivals and will hold the car if your flight is late. You do not need to call; the desk adjusts pickup time automatically based on actual landing.
Aix is 20 km east via the A51 autoroute, typically 25 minutes. Exit at Aix-Centre and follow signs to the historic quarter. Traffic builds around Aix during summer and morning commute hours.
Some companies at MRS offer out-of-hours drop-off with a key drop box. Check the terms on your voucher. If the desk must inspect the car with you present, arrange a return time during the company's operating hours.
If you head into the Alps or high Provence between December and March, winter tyres or chains are legally required on mountain roads. Request them as a paid extra when you book; availability depends on the rental company and season.
Search above to compare cars available at MRS, filter by deposit and payment terms, and book in two minutes. Each listing shows real inventory, transparent conditions, and free cancellation. For a broader look at rentals across the country, return to our France car rental overview, or compare airport options at Nice Airport and Lyon Airport.