A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Islamabad vs. Marseille for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Islamabad or Marseille?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Islamabad and Marseille can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Islamabad or Marseille?

Islamabad

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.

Marseille

Marseille is the second largest city in France and is the largest Mediterranean port in the region. For visitors, Marseille offers an authentic glimpse at France. It has many colorful markets, natural beauty such as the Calanques with its large, beautiful cliffs, and the old harbor area, which offers a glimpse at the areas working class history.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.


Which place is cheaper, Marseille or Islamabad?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, while the average daily cost in Marseille is $158. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Islamabad and Marseille in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Islamabad $20
    Marseille $76
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Islamabad $40
    Marseille $152
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Marseille

Looking for a hotel in Islamabad or Marseille? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Islamabad


Hotels in Marseille


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Marseille Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Islamabad $7.67
    Marseille $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad

Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110
  • Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
  • Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
  • Islamabad Round Trip Airport Transfer & Customizable Day Trip: $95
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
  • Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Marseille

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Marseille:


  • Metro Pass
    $3.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marseille

Also for Marseille, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer Between Marseille Airport and Nice Airport: $1,184
  • Private Transfer from Nice to Marseille: $931
  • Cannes Private Transfer to Marseille Airport: $646
  • Marseille or Aix ⟷Transfer to Nice 7 pax: $537
  • Marseille Airport private Transfer to Cannes: $451
  • Marseille Airport Transfer From/to Avignon: $377
  • Private transfer from Marseille Airport to Cavaillon: $280
  • Private Transfer from Marseille Airport to Avignon: $273
  • Marseille Provence Airport transfer ↔ Avignon: $269
  • Marseille Airport: VIP transfer to Baumaniere: $253
  • Marseille Provence One Way Airport transfer to Gordes: $252
  • Marseille Provence Airport transfer ↔ Arles: $241

Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Marseille?

Prices for flights to both Marseille and Islamabad change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Islamabad $15
    Marseille $45

Typical Food Prices in Marseille

For Marseille, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Orangina
    $2.68

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marseille

For Marseille, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Web-cooking workshop / French cuisine or French pastry: $35
  • No Diet Club - Unique food tour in Marseille! (Cours Julien): $64
  • Sunset Boat Cruise with Dinner and Drinks: $73
  • Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $74
  • Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner and Drinks: $86
  • Bakeries, Chocolate & Patisseries Food Tour: $94
  • Marseille Sunset Apéro Food tour: $97
  • Evening Food Tour with Tastings: $102
  • Sunset Sailing Dinner in the Frioul Archipelago: $102
  • Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $102
  • Marseille Miam Miam Food tour: $104
  • Marseille Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $108

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Islamabad $9.48
    Marseille $41

Tours and Activities in Islamabad

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.

  • Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
  • From 15 Day Trekking Tour of Thalay and Nangma: $3,070
  • From 9-Day Colors of Hunza Valley Cultural Tour: $2,065
  • From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150
  • From Full Day Historical Peshawar Guided City Tour: $160
  • From Skardu and Baltistan Cultural Tour with Food: $2,339
  • Full Day Private City Tour Of Islamabad: $99
  • Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
  • Full-day Essential Islamabad Tour: $150
  • Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
  • Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
  • City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95

Tours and Activities in Marseille

For Marseille, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • "Old Marseille" district tour and treasure hunt: $27
  • 2H: City-Tour Marseille: $274
  • 3h Kayak Tour at Calanques National Park: $68
  • A Day in Provence Small Group Tour from Marseille: $180
  • Accrobranche - Ecopark Adventures Marseille Saint-Jérôme: $26
  • Aix-en-Provence: Half-Day Shore Excursion Tour: $646
  • All Inclusive Food & History Tour of Marseille with Local Guide: $144
  • Beer tasting experience in Marseille: $43
  • Bookbinding experience in the Vieux Port: $93
  • Calanques National Park Kayak Day Tour: $113
  • Calanques Trilogy Electric Bike Tour from Marseille: $66
  • Canyoning Half Day Tour from La Ciotat : $68

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Islamabad $2.88
    Marseille $29

Sample the Local Flavors in Marseille

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Marseille:

  • Marseille Bar Crawl Party with Free Shots and VIP Entry: $22
  • Marseille Riviera Bar Crawl Party with Free Shots and VIP Entry: $27
  • Marseille Pub Crawl : Meet, Drink & Party: $43
  • New Year's Eve Bar Crawl Marseille France: $65
  • Short Day Tour around Aix en Provence and Wine Tasting : $119
  • Bandol and Cassis: Full Day Wine Tour from Marseille: $144
  • Luberon: Full-Day Wine Tour from Marseille: $144
  • Full-day Wine Tour around Bandol & Cassis from Marseille: $146
  • Full-Day Wine Tour around Luberon from Marseille: $146
  • Marseille Shore Excursion - Full Day Wine Tour in Provence: $164
  • Small Group Marseille Shore Excursion : Avignon & Chateauneuf du Pape Wine Tour: $164
  • Côtes du Rhône Wine tour: Avignon, Palace of the Popes: $165


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Islamabad and Marseille, we can see that Marseille is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Islamabad is in Asia and Marseille is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Marseille would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marseille than you might in Islamabad.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Islamabad Expensive? and Is Marseille Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad and Marseille, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Islamabad or Marseille?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Islamabad or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Marseille. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Islamabad can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Islamabad is generally a little warmer than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 32°C (90°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In Islamabad, it's very sunny this time of the year. Islamabad usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Islamabad gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

Islamabad gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Islamabad usually receives more rain than Marseille. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Islamabad 32°C (90°F) 
    Marseille 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Marseille. Additionally, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

Islamabad is much warmer than Marseille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 26°C (80°F) in October, and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamabad this time of the year. In the autumn, Islamabad often gets more sunshine than Marseille. Islamabad gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Islamabad usually gets less rain in October than Marseille. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Islamabad 26°C (80°F) 
    Marseille 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Islamabad are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In the winter, Islamabad is much warmer than Marseille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Islamabad in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Marseille averages at about 7°C (44°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. Islamabad usually receives more sunshine than Marseille during winter. Islamabad gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Marseille. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Islamabad 14°C (57°F) 
    Marseille 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Islamabad during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Marseille in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Islamabad is generally much warmer than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 27°C (80°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Islamabad. In the spring, Islamabad often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille. Islamabad gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Islamabad usually gets less rain in April than Marseille. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Islamabad 27°C (80°F) 
    Marseille 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Marseille and Islamabad

Islamabad Marseille
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 7°C (44°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Feb 16°C (61°F) 50 mm (2 in) 8°C (46°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) 13°C (56°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
May 32°C (89°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 17°C (63°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Jun 35°C (94°F) 52 mm (2 in) 21°C (69°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 32°C (90°F) 237 mm (9.3 in) 24°C (75°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Aug 31°C (89°F) 221 mm (8.7 in) 23°C (74°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 31°C (87°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 20°C (69°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 26°C (80°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 7°C (45°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)