Arrival & Departure

Travel during the program should be planned once abroad so as to not conflict with required field studies and optional/included excursions. Students have time and opportunity to book travel while abroad, and booking travel closer to the actual travel dates should not impact the cost prohibitively. In fact, booking travel closer to the actual date of travel for intra-European trips can be less expensive. 

ACM requires that all students register their travel plans with their Dean using the personal travel logistics form. This is to ensure that ACM can account for the entire student body at any given time. Students will also have an opportunity to share their cell phone number with the Dean during orientation. This is to allow for emergency contact when necessary. It is strongly recommended that students travel together rather than independently. Students must bring their passport when traveling outside of their host country and should always keep a copy of their passport with them. Students may travel during their term abroad but are strongly encouraged to spend time in their host city as well.

Arrival & Departure

It is best to fly into the Marseille-Provence airport (MRS), which is 25 minutes from Aix. For students already in Europe, it is also possible to travel to Aix-en-Provence by high-speed train (TGV) from Paris, and most other major cities. On arrival day, ACM staff will be meet students at the Marseille-Provence airport or the Aix-en-Provence TGV train station, at times and places specified in the sections below. 

Once travel is booked, e-mail your itinerary to admissions@acmfrance.org. 

Air Travel

If students arrive between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.on official arrival day at the Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) (dates listed above), ACM staff will be present at the airport to assist students in getting to their homestay. Students living independently will be responsible for getting to their housing. 

Train Travel

Students traveling via train must book their ticket to arrive at the Aix-en-Provence TGV station, NOT the Marseille St. Charles station. ACM staff does not coordinate arrivals at Marseille St. Charles.

If you plan to take the train (TGV) the same day that you fly into Paris: Book a ticket departing from the TGV Station at Charles de Gaulle Airport (Terminal 2). It is recommended that you leave at least 4 hours between your plane arrival time and your train departure time, as there are often long lines with customs and it can take a while to pick up luggage. 

If you do not plan to take the train on the same day that you fly into Paris: Your train will depart from the train station Paris Gare de Lyon. Therefore, book your ticket departing from the Paris Gare de Lyon and arriving at the Aix-en-Provence TGV station.

Be sure to book a ticket arriving at the Aix TGV station between 9AM and 5 PM on arrival day. Stay awake on the train and detrain at Aix TGV (about a 3-hour ride from Paris). Passengers have approximately three minutes to board and detrain which is difficult with heavy luggage on a crowded train. It might be necessary to carry luggage up/down staircases as not all French buildings are equipped with elevators.

The best rates for trains can be found on the French rail services website: https://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/.

Precise information about arrival day and what to do upon arrival will be sent via email to students approximately one week before arrival day.

Travel Changes

All travel changes, delays, or cancellations must be communicated to ACM by emailing admissions@acmfrance.org. If we are not informed about travel changes we will not be able to assist you when you arrive.

Students arriving after 10:00 p.m. will need to find a hotel in Aix (please see the lodging section below) and inform both the Housing Coordinator and their host (if staying in a homestay) in order to organize a meeting time the following day. 

Lost Luggage

If your luggage does not make it with you, report this immediately to the airline. Give the address of where you will be living and a phone number, which we urge to have with you. If you do not have it, you can give ACM's address: 8 rue Littera, 13100 Aix-en-Provence. (Please note that ACM's buildings are closed on the weekends and cannot receive delayed luggage then.)

If your luggage is lost or delayed, ask for an emergency toiletry kit and for authorization to buy necessary items upon arrival at your final destination, should your suitcase not reach you within 24 hours.

Early/Late Arrivals 

Students who arrive prior to or after the official arrival day, or who arrive outside of the 9am-5pm reception hours on the official arrival day, are responsible for finding their own lodging and transportation to Aix. They must also contact their host to organize a place and time to meet. Some hosts are willing to accommodate a late-night arrival on official arrival day, but students must check with them to do so. Review ACM's travel guide for additional information on what to do if you arrive early or late.

Public shuttle buses, called “Navettes,” provide regular service between the Marseille-Provence Airport, the Aix TGV station and the gare routière (bus station) of Aix-en-Provence. This is the best and most affordable way to get to Aix on your own. The cost is about 9 euros from the airport to Aix, and about 5 euros from the train station. Reservations are not needed and tickets are purchased upon boarding the bus with cash or card.

Taxis from the Marseille-Provence airport or the Gare TGV Aix to Aix-en-Provence are another option and cost approximately 60 euros (airport) or 40 euros (train station). Taxis from the Aix-en-Provence bus station to your host family will cost about 12-15 euros. Note that taxis do not accept credit cards. 

Departure from France

Once the program has ended, students who are living in a homestay should plan to leave their host's residence by noon on departure day. Students are responsible for their own transportation to the airport or train station on departure day, as ACM does not organize departures. Please plan to depart on the official departure date.

Lodging in Aix-en-Provence 

Hôtel Paul 10, avenue Pasteur 13100 Aix en Provence Tel : +33/4 42 23 23 89 https://www.hotelpaul.fr/en	Hôtel Cardinal 24, rue Cardinale 13100 Aix en Provence Tél : +33/4 42 38 32 30 www.hotel-cardinal-aix.com
Hôtel les Augustins 3, rue Masse 13100 Aix en Provence Tel : +33/4 42 27 28 59 www.hotel-augustins.com	Hôtel Roi Rene 24 Bd Roi René 13100 Aix-en Provence Tel : +33/4 42 37 61 00 HotelRoiRene
Hôtel Artea 4, boulevard de la République 13100 Aix en Provence Tél. : +33/4 42 27 36 00  www.hotel-artea-aix-en-provence.com	Hôtel Aquabella 2, rue des Etuves 13100 Aix-en-Provence Tél : +33/4 42 99 15 00 www.aquabella.fr
Hôtel des Quatre Dauphins 54 rue Roux Alphéran 13100 Aix-en-Provence Tél. : +33/4 42 38 16 39 www.lesquatredauphins.fr	Hôtel Saint Christophe 2 Avenue Victor Hugo 13100 Aix-En-Provence Tél. : +33/4 42 26 01 24 Hôtel Saint-Christophe

Contacts

We are here to help you, so do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns. 

Please take these phone numbers with you in your carry-on luggage. In case of any flight delays/cancellations, be sure to contact ACM as soon as possible.

Important Phone Numbers

Contact: Housing Coordinator
Number for arrival day from North America: 011.33.6.82.59.64.51 
Number for arrival day from France: 06.82.59.64.51
Number for arrival day from within Europe but outside of France: 00.33.6.82.59.64.51