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

Should you visit Marseille or Basse-Terre?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Basse-Terre, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Marseille or Basse-Terre?

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.

Basse-Terre

In Guadeloupe there is Basse Terre the city and Basse-Terre the island - the city is the capital of Guadeloupe, and the island is Guadeloupe's western half of the main island. As a whole, the place is very green, featuring lush vegetation and a mountainous landscape with a sulfuric volcano.

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


Which place is cheaper, Basse-Terre or Marseille?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Marseille is €148, while the average daily cost in Basse-Terre is €151. 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 Marseille and Basse-Terre in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Marseille 71
    Basse-Terre 90
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Marseille 142
    Basse-Terre 180
Compare Hotels in Marseille and Basse-Terre

Looking for a hotel in Marseille or Basse-Terre? 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 Marseille


Hotels in Basse-Terre


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: Marseille Hotel Prices and Basse-Terre Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Marseille 28
    Basse-Terre 8.00
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Marseille

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


  • Metro Pass
    3.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marseille

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

  • Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal to Marseille Arrival Transfer: $34
  • Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal to Marseille - Arrival Private Transfer: $34
  • Marseille Terminal to Marseille Airport Departure Transfer: $35
  • Marseille to Marseille Airport (MRS) - Departure Private Transfer: $35
  • Marseille Port (MPCT) to Marseille Airport (MRS) - Departure Private Transfer: $35
  • Private Transfer from Marseille Airport (MRS) to Marseille Port: $35
  • Private Transfer to Gare St Charles: $54
  • Private Airport Transfer in Marseille from Marseille Provence airport, Marignane: $65
  • Private Transfer: Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) to Marseille: $70
  • Marseille Airport (MRS) to Marseille- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $70
  • Private Transfer from Marseille Airport to Aix-en-Provence: $75
  • Marseille Airport transfers: $75

Is it cheaper to fly into Marseille or Basse-Terre?

Prices for flights to both Basse-Terre and Marseille 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
    Marseille 42
    Basse-Terre 46
Typical Food Prices in Marseille

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


  • Orangina
    2.50

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.
    Marseille 38
    Basse-Terre 47

Tours and Activities in Marseille

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

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Marseille:Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $4.31
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.31
  • Marseille Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $4.37
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
  • Marseille Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Self-guided Like a Local Highlights Day Tour: $9.58
  • Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt Game & Sightseeing: $9.94
  • Panier District Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $11
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Humorous and Informative Tour of the Historic Center of La Ciotat: $11
  • Mucem Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket: $12

Tours and Activities in Basse-Terre

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Basse-Terre are as follows:

  • Full day tour: the best of the island w/photos drone sunset: $215

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Marseille 27
    Basse-Terre 13

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 comparing the travel costs between Marseille and Basse-Terre, we can see that Basse-Terre 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. Even though Marseille is in Europe and Basse-Terre is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Marseille or Basse-Terre?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Basse-Terre. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Basse-Terre, 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 Marseille or Basse-Terre?

Marseille has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Basse-Terre experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Basse-Terre in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Basse-Terre. Many visitors come to Marseille in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Basse-Terre throughout the year.

In the summer, Marseille is cooler than Basse-Terre. Typically, the summer temperatures in Marseille in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Basse-Terre averages at about 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Basse-Terre. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In the summer, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Basse-Terre. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basse-Terre receives 245 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Basse-Terre. Marseille usually gets less rain in July than Basse-Terre. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Marseille 24°C (75°F) 
    Basse-Terre 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Marseille or Basse-Terre in the Autumn?

Both Basse-Terre and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Basse-Terre because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Marseille is generally much colder than Basse-Terre. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 16°C (61°F), and Basse-Terre fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Basse-Terre. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Basse-Terre during autumn. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Basse-Terre receives 217 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Basse-Terre. In October, Marseille usually receives less rain than Basse-Terre. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Marseille 16°C (61°F) 
    Basse-Terre 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Marseille or Basse-Terre in the Winter?

Both Basse-Terre and Marseille during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Basse-Terre year-round.

Marseille is much colder than Basse-Terre in the winter. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Basse-Terre fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

In Basse-Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Marseille often gets less sunshine than Basse-Terre. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basse-Terre receives 236 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in January than Basse-Terre. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Marseille 7°C (44°F) 
    Basse-Terre 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Marseille or Basse-Terre in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Basse-Terre. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Basse-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Marseille is much colder than Basse-Terre. Typically, the spring temperatures in Marseille in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Basse-Terre averages at about 26°C (78°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Basse-Terre this time of the year. In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marseille usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Basse-Terre during spring. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Basse-Terre receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

Basse-Terre receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Marseille usually receives less rain than Basse-Terre. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Marseille 13°C (56°F) 
    Basse-Terre 26°C (78°F)

Typical Weather for Basse-Terre and Marseille

Marseille Basse-Terre
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 7°C (44°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Feb 8°C (46°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 10°C (50°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Apr 13°C (56°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)
Sep 20°C (69°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in)
Nov 11°C (51°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in)
Dec 7°C (45°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)