Bus 13 runs from Vitrolles Gare to Airbus Helicopters
This local bus link shows on maps as “Vitrolles Gare - Pierre Plantée - Airbus Helicopters” and connects the Vitrolles train station area with the Airbus Helicopters site near Marseille Provence Airport. You first reach Vitrolles Aéroport Marseille Provence station, about 5 minutes by shuttle from T1 and T2, then connect to this bus for the industrial zone around Airbus.
The stop name includes “Vitrolles Gare,” which refers to Vitrolles Aéroport Marseille Provence rail station on the Marseille–Miramas line, not the terminals. From the terminals, use the free airport shuttle to the station, which usually runs every 10–15 minutes during the day, then look for local bus stands signed for Vitrolles routes.
Timetables for this route change seasonally, and no reliable headway or journey time data shows in current public sources, so treat it like a standard local bus in the Marseille Provence Métropole network and allow at least 20–30 minutes of slack. For early shifts at Airbus Helicopters before 07:00 or very late returns after 21:00, check the exact day’s schedule on the regional transport site before you commit.
Tickets for local buses around Vitrolles typically use the RTM or regional tariff, with single rides in the €1.50–€2.00 range when bought at machines or tobacconists. If you arrive by TER train at Vitrolles Aéroport Marseille Provence, you pay the train separately; the bus is not included in a standard SNCF ticket unless it is clearly sold as a combined “+ bus” fare.
This route mainly serves airport-area workers heading to Airbus Helicopters, so peak usage centers around shift changes rather than flight banks. Outside weekday commuter times, buses may thin out to one per hour or less, and Sunday service in the Marseille region can drop to only a handful of departures on some lines.
For a tight flight schedule at T1 or T2, build a buffer of at least 45–60 minutes between your planned bus arrival at Vitrolles Gare and your check-in cutoff. The practical move: check the exact “Vitrolles Gare - Pierre Plantée - Airbus Helicopters” timetable before you leave, screenshot the times, and plan one bus earlier than you think you need.