Marseille never really sleeps – not even during the holidays! Between the Christmas markets and the illuminations, many Marseilles residents and visitors travel by public transport during the vacations . To avoid unpleasant surprises (waiting for a bus that doesn’t come or missing the last metro train), this guide gives you all the keys you need to plan your journeys on December 24 and 25.
The RTM network goes green during the school vacations
Marseille’s bus, tramway and metro networks are adapting their timetables for the Christmas vacation period. From December 20, 2025 to January 4, 2026 inclusive, the transport network will switch to green timetables. This means a reduced frequency compared with the blue timetable during the school holidays. On weekdays, for example, expect to wait 7 to 8 minutes between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the T1 tramway line, compared with 6 to 7 minutes on the blue line.
As December 25 is a public holiday, the timetables used are those for Sundays and public holidays.
The metro will run normally in the evening
As promised by RTM, the metro will operate normally during the festive season. From December 24 to 28 inclusive, and from December 31 to January 4 inclusive, lines M1 and M2 will run to their usual times. Relay buses will run from 9.30pm on the remaining days.
Dry runs continue
As the year draws to a close, the Marseilles network is also preparing for the future. The T3 tramway line is entering its final stretch before its complete extension. New trains are already running on the entire line, including future extensions to the north and south. These are full-scale tests, known as “white runs”, designed to check that the new trams are working properly before they are officially put into service. If you see these brand-new streetcars on your travels, don’t bother trying to get on board: they’re not yet carrying passengers. The full opening of the T3 extension, linking Gèze to La Gaye, is scheduled for early 2026 and promises to make getting around Marseille even easier.