Should you visit Arles or Aix-en-Provence?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Arles and Aix-en-Provence can help you decide which place is right for you.
Arles
Arles is a city (and commune) in the south of France, in the Bouches-du-Rhone department. A large part of the Camargue is located on the territory of the commune, making it the largest commune in Metropolitan France in terms of territory. The city has a long history, and was considerably important in the Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis. The Roman and Romanesque Monuments of Arles were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1981. The Dutch post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh lived in Arles from 1888 to 1889 and produced over 300 paintings and drawings during his time there. The Arles area is full of culture and rich in history. It has many treasures, points of interest, and colorful sunbaked houses and is a great introduction into the Camarguais culture.
Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence is a city in the south of France about 20 miles north of Marseille. It was the birthplace of Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cezanne. A walking trail links sites including his childhood home, Jas de Bouffan, and his former studio, Atelier Cezanne. The white limestone mountain Sainte-Victoire overlooking the city as well as the surrounding countryside were frequent subjects of his works. The city is all class with its flourishing boulevards and public squares are lined with 17th- and 18th-century mansions, punctuated by gurgling moss-covered fountains. Haughty stone lions guard its grandest avenue, cafe-laced cours Mirabeau, where fashionable Aixois relax on terraces sipping espresso. While Aix-en-Provence is a student hub, its upscale appeal make it more unique and charming to visit than some university towns.
Which city is cheaper, Aix-en-Provence or Arles?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Arles is €113, while the average daily cost in Aix-en-Provence is €111. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Arles and Aix-en-Provence in more detail.
Accommodation
Arles's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is €114. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is €57.
A hotel room in Aix-en-Provence is about €130 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
In Arles travelers spend around €41 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
Food in Aix-en-Provence costs travelers about €26 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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Food
Meals for one day
Arles €41
Aix-en-Provence €26
Typical Food prices in Arles
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arles:
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Cooked Clams
€4.50
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Ice Cream
€1.00
Typical Food prices in Aix-en-Provence
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Aix-en-Provence:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aix-en-Provence
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aix-en-Provence.
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Fresh market food tour:
$31
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Small-Group Walking Food Tour in Aix-en-Provence:
$106
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around €18 per day to get around in Arles.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around €26 per day to get around in Aix-en-Provence.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arles
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arles:
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Airport transfer from Arles to Marseille Airport:
$415
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Transfer les baux de Provence to Marseille Airport:
$332
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aix-en-Provence
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aix-en-Provence:
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Private Transfer Airport:
$100
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Private Transfer Gare TGV to Aix-en-Provence:
$75
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Private Transfer to Cassis & Calanques:
$361
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around €24 per person, per day in Arles. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around €18 per person, per day in Aix-en-Provence. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Typical Entertainment prices in Arles
Here are a few typical costs in Arles for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Castle Entrance Fee
€5.50
Tours and Activities in Arles
Here are a few actual costs in Arles for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Family Tour in the Footsteps of Van Gogh (Self-drive, plan 1 full day):
$35
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Half-Day Stone Monuments of Provence Tour:
$81
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Lavender Tour Full day from Arles:
$130
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Provence in a Day Full-Day Tour from Arles:
$143
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Classic old town Arles from Romans to Vincent Van Gogh - half day private tour:
$168
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Arles private walking tour: Van Gogh and Roman routes:
$249
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Arles 2-Hour Private Walking Tour:
$261
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2-Hour Private Walking Tour:
$285
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Marseille Shore Excursion: Private Arles and Les Baux de Provence Tour:
$454
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Private Tour of Avignon, Orange and Chateauneuf du Pape from Arles:
$460
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Private Tour of Aix-en-Provence and Marseille from Arles:
$469
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Half day Private Tour of Nimes:
$498
Tours and Activities in Aix-en-Provence
Here are a few actual costs in Aix-en-Provence for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Highlights from the capital of Provence on an audio tour:
$5.99
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Aix en Provence City Walking Tours. English Language:
$37
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Aix en Provence Gourmet Walking Tour:
$42
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Aix en Provence Walking Tour with Author:
$44
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Guided Tour in Historical Old City:
$62
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Lavenders in Valensole Small Group Afternoon Tour from Aix-en-Provence:
$63
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From Aix en Provence: Lavender Tour to Valensole:
$68
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Lavenders in Valensole Small Group Half Day Tour from Aix-en-Provence:
$70
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Provence Lavender Fields Tour from Aix-en-Provence:
$70
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E-Bike tour of Sainte Victoire Mountain, Aix-en-Provence:
$74
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Arles Self-Guided Tour from Aix-en-Provence:
$74
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Aix en Provence Big tour by e-bike + Wine and cheese tasting break:
$77
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Arles may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €19 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Aix-en-Provence may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €11 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Arles
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Arles:
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Full private day Avignon Chateuneuf du pape wine tasting:
$829
Sample the Local Flavors in Aix-en-Provence
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Aix-en-Provence:
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Food Tasting, Wine Tasting & Farmers Market in Aix en Provence:
$86
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Cotes de Provence Wine Tour from Aix-en-Provence:
$89
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Half day Wine Tour in Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire from Aix en Provence:
$89
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Half day Wine Tour in Coteaux d'Aix and Luberon from Aix en Provence:
$89
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Half day Wine Tour in Bandol & Cassis from Aix en Provence:
$101
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Full day Wine Tour around Luberon from Aix en Provence:
$139
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Private Full Day Wine Tour in Provence:
$360
When comparing the travel costs between Arles and Aix-en-Provence, we can see that Arles is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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