Travel 

Address : Palais des Congrès et des Expositions, Rond Point du Prado / 13008 Marseille

Travel information

Here you will find information on how to get to Marseille and then to the Marseille Chanot exhibition center.

Transport accounts for almost 80% of an event's total emissions.

Choosing low-carbon modes of transport to travel to an event is not just an individual gesture, but a collective contribution.

Travel Advisory: New EU Border Rules for Non-Schengen Attendees

If you are traveling to the 26th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID 2026) in Marseille from outside the Schengen Area, please note that the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is now in effect as of April 10, 2026.

This system replaces manual passport stamping with a digital border registration process.

What you need to know

  • Digital registration: Entry and exit are now recorded electronically instead of passport stamps.
  • Biometric data: First-time entry under the EES includes facial image capture and fingerprint scans.
  • Biometric passport required: Travelers must hold an electronic passport (e-passport with chip symbol).
  • Visa rules unchanged: If you require a Schengen visa, it must still be obtained in advance.

Travel tips

  • Use the EU “Travel to Europe” app to pre-submit passport details and reduce processing time.
  • Follow signs for automated e-gates and self-service kiosks where available.
  • Allow extra time for border control and connecting flights, especially during the initial rollout period.

For the most up-to-date requirements, please consult your airline or local French consulate before travel.

We look forward to welcoming you to ICID 2026 in Marseille!

Getting to Marseille

International participants

We know that some of you will have no choice but to fly to join us. If this is the case, please know that we greatly appreciate your commitment to participating in our event.

 

Choose direct flights with the shortest routes, in economy class. Do not overload your luggage unnecessarily.

 

However, we would like to make you aware of the environmental impact of your trip. Once you arrive in France, we strongly encourage you to use low-carbon modes of transportation for your local travel: trains, carpooling, public transportation, or even bicycles.

European participants

We encourage you to choose low-carbon travel options for your journey to the event. Practical solutions like trains, carpooling, or buses are available to reduce your environmental impact. You can easily book your train tickets on trainline.

Find here travel times by train to Marseille Saint-Charles Station:

  • Barcelona: ~4 hours 30 minutes (direct AVE)
  • Madrid: ~7 hours (Renfe-SNCF, with connection in Barcelona)
  • London: ~6 hours 30 minutes (Eurostar + TGV, with connection in Paris)
  • Brussels: ~5 hours 30 minutes (Thalys + TGV, with connection in Paris)
  • Amsterdam: ~6 hours (Thalys + TGV, with connection in Paris)
  • Frankfurt: ~7 hours (ICE + TGV, with connection in Paris)
  • Cologne: ~7 hours (ICE + TGV, with connection in Paris)
  • Zurich: ~5 hours (TGV Lyria, with connection in Lyon)
  • Geneva: ~3.5 hours (TGV Lyria)
  • Milan: ~6 hours (TGV/Thello, with connection)
  • Rome: ~9 hours (Frecciarossa + TGV, with connection in Milan or Lyon)
  • Berlin: ~12-14 hours (night train or ICE/TGV, with connection in Paris)
  • Vienna: ~10 hours (night train + connection)
  • Prague: ~12 hours (several connections, often via Zurich or Frankfurt)
  • Copenhagen: ~14 hours (several connections, often via Hamburg or Paris)
  • Budapest: ~14 hours (several connections, often via Zurich or Vienna)
train

National, regional and local visitors:

Choose train, France boasts an extensive rail network spanning thousands of kilometres, including both high-speed and conventional lines. Book your tickets on SNCF :

  • Paris: ~3 hours (direct TGV)
  • Lyon: ~1 hour 40 minutes (direct TGV)
  • Bordeaux: ~4 hours (TGV)
  • Toulouse: ~4 hours (TGV)
  • Nice: ~2 hours 30 minutes (TER/TGV)
  • Montpellier: ~1 hour 30 minutes (TGV)
  • Lille: ~4 hours 30 minutes (TGV, with connection)
  • Strasbourg: ~5 hours (TGV, with connection)
  • Nantes: ~4 hours 30 minutes (TGV, with connection)

 

You can also opt for carpooling, which is an effective way to reduce CO₂ emissions, lower travel costs, and foster connections between participants. Use our dedicated platform to offer or search for a ride:

Getting around Marseille

Promote sustainable mobility for your travel during your stay and to/from the Congress by using public transportation (subway, tram, regional trains), carpooling, cycling, and walking.

subway

Subway

From Saint Charles Station to Marseille Chanot: line 2 towards Sainte Marguerite Dromel – 5 stops without changing – Stop: Rond Point du Prado

 

From the Old Port to Marseille Chanot: line 1 towards La Fourragère, change at Castellane then take line 2 towards Sainte Marguerite Dromel – Stop: Rond Point du Prado

More information here
BUS

Bus

Rond-Point du Prado stop - Buses 19-21-22-23-41-44-45-72-83

 

From the airport: Bus A1 to Marseille Saint-Charles train station (30-50 mins) - 7 days a week from 3:30 a.m. to 1:15 a.m. The bus station is located between terminals T1 and T2.

Buying your ticket: At the ticket office (credit card, cash), from ticket machines, or from the driver outside ticket office opening hours.

More information here
car

Car

Three motorways connecting Spain, Italy, and Northern Europe pass through Marseille: the A7, A55, and A50.  

 

Direct connection to the A55 Littoral and A50 East motorways via the Prado Carénage Tunnel and the Prado Sud Tunnel with quick access in front of Marseille Chanot.

 

1,800 parking spaces in Marseille Chanot: €7.00 with credit card payment and contactless only.

Carpooling platform
bike

Bike

In addition to public transportation, Marseille offers self-service bicycles so you can get around freely!

   

Bike stations are available around the Prado roundabout. Marseille Chanot now has a secure bike path connected to the rest of the city via a route between the Rond-Point du Prado and Rue Raymond Teisseire.

 

Use the Geovelo app to find safe routes.

Rent a bike

Walk

Walk from your hotel: several establishments are located within reasonable walking distance of the exhibition center. This is a great opportunity to enjoy Marseille's mild climate in October.

 

Choose hotels with a label such as the Green Key label, which certifies responsible management. One night in a hotel releases nearly 7 kg of CO² into the atmosphere (35% of which is attributed to heating or air conditioning, 23% to breakfast, and 17% to laundry) and an average of 200 liters of water (the equivalent of a bath).

Book a hotel