Should you visit Marseille or Bordeaux?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Bordeaux, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is the place to go for fine wines. It's a very mellow, cultural city where you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a quaint cafe or restaurant without being rushed. The city is the capital of Gironde, and the entire metropolitan area has over one million residents. The city also has a rather large and vibrant university and the population is known to be very tolerant and liberal. There is a very strong artistic vibe in the city and, due to it's history of English rule, there is an English flair to the area. The large student population means that there is no shortage of opportunities to see shows, hear music, or visit a museum.
Which city is cheaper, Bordeaux or Marseille?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Marseille is €117, while the average daily cost in Bordeaux is €95. 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 Marseille and Bordeaux in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Marseille can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is €56, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around €112.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €51. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Bordeaux the cost is €102 on average.
Local Transportation
Marseille's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend €23 per person, per day on transportation in Marseille.
The average price of local transportation around Bordeaux is €12 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Marseille
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Marseille:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marseille
Also for Marseille, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Airport transfer Marseille Airport to Barcelone:
$1,991
-
Avignon to Marseille Airport Private Departure Transfer:
$195
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Marseille Provence Airport to Marseille City - One Way:
$97
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Marseille Provence Airport to Martigues City - One Way:
$93
-
Marseille Airport (MRS) Departure Transfer (Marseille Hotels to Airport):
$161
-
Marseille Airport Private Arrival Transfer:
$205
-
Marseille Airport Private Departure Transfer:
$205
-
Marseille Airport Transfer to Cruise Port by Minivan:
$113
-
Marseille Airport Transfer to Nimes:
$498
-
Marseille Airport Transfer to Orange:
$379
-
Marseille Airport Transfer to les baux de Provence:
$332
-
Marseille Airport Transfers : Marseille City to Airport MRS in Business Car:
$100
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bordeaux
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bordeaux:
-
Ultra - Private Transfer from Bordeaux to Pessac - Château Haut-Brion Winery:
$9.54
-
Ultra - Private Transfer from Bordeaux to Pauillac - Chateau Lafite Rothschild:
$9.54
-
Ultra - Private Transfer from Bordeaux to Margaux - Chateau Margaux:
$9.54
-
Ultra - Private Transfer from Bordeaux City Centre to Saint Emilion:
$9.54
-
Ultra - Bordeaux Airport Private Transfer City Centre to Bordeaux Airport BOD:
$9.54
-
Private Transfer: Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport (BOD):
$68
-
Private Transfer: Bordeaux Airport to Bordeaux:
$111
-
Private Transfer from Airport to Bordeaux City:
$149
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport (BOD):
$42
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Bordeaux Airport (BOD) to Bordeaux:
$42
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Bergerac-Roumanière Airport to Bordeaux City - One Way:
$358
-
Departure Private Transfers : Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Luxury Van:
$108
Is it cheaper to fly into Marseille or Bordeaux?
Prices for flights to both Bordeaux 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
The average traveler spends about €34 per day in Marseille for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
The average traveler spends about €36 per day in Bordeaux for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Marseille €34
Bordeaux €36
Typical Food prices in Marseille
For Marseille, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marseille
For Marseille, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
3-Hour Shore Excursion Walking Food Tour:
$85
-
Cool Food Tour and Street art Marseille:
$106
-
Great Marseille Food Tour Experience:
$107
-
Walking Food Tour with Tastings:
$108
-
Food Tour Excursion in Provence !:
$771
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bordeaux
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bordeaux.
-
Bordeaux Traditional Food Tour:
$106
-
Bordeaux and La Cité du Vin Day Tour with French Cuisine Cooking Class:
$514
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Marseille can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €30 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Bordeaux's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €6.31 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Marseille
For Marseille, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
Marseille Walking Tour - The Other Side:
$1.24
-
Marseille Walking Tour - La Panier:
$1.24
-
Mucem Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket:
$12
-
Le Panier - Walking Tour of Marseille's Historic Neighborhood:
$15
-
City Segway Tour - Explore the Panier neighborhood in an unexpected way:
$25
-
Marseille Segway Tour - Explore the Panier neighborhood in an unexpected way:
$25
-
Panier Neighborhood 1-Hour Segway Tour:
$34
-
City Segway Tour - Discover the beauty of the Pharo Palace and its neighborhood:
$37
-
Marseille Segway Tour - Discover the beauty of the Pharo Palace and its neighborhood:
$37
-
Marseille Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$39
-
Marseille Smalll Group Electric Bike Tour:
$41
-
Calanques Picnic Cruise:
$44
Tours and Activities in Bordeaux
Here are a few actual costs in Bordeaux for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
1-Hour Bordeaux Electric Scooter Tour:
$31
-
1-Hour Electric Bike Tour of Bordeaux:
$31
-
2-Hour Bordeaux Electric Scooter Tour:
$56
-
2-Hour Bordeaux Segway Tour:
$106
-
2-Hour Bordeaux Segway Tour:
$68
-
Architectural splendors of Bordeaux Walking Tour:
$286
-
Bordeaux City Custom & Private Guided Walking Tour with a Local:
$44
-
Bordeaux City Sights Walking Tour:
$17
-
Bordeaux City Sightseeing Citroën 2CV Classic Car Private Guided Tour:
$61
-
Bordeaux City Wine & Cultural Guided Walking Tour with 4 Tastings:
$86
-
Bordeaux Countryside Farm to Table Tour:
$179
-
Bordeaux Electric Bike Rental Self Guided City Tour:
$31
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Marseille spend on average €22 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Bordeaux may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €21 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Marseille
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Marseille:
-
Aix en Provence Full-Day Wine Tour from Marseille:
$137
-
Full-Day Wine Tour around Luberon from Marseille:
$137
-
Full-day Wine Tour around Bandol & Cassis from Marseille:
$137
-
Marseille Shore Excursion - Full Day Wine Tour in Provence:
$137
-
Marseille Shore Excursion - Private Full Day Wine Tour in Provence:
$348
-
Provence wine tour of vineyards & the best foods & wine of Provence private tour:
$404
-
Provence Private Wine Tasting Tour from Marseille:
$435
-
Wine tour of Châteauneuf du Pape, gastronomy, wines & joie de vivre private tour:
$435
-
Aix en Povence Private Half Day Tour including Wine Tasting from Marseille:
$523
-
Coteaux d'Aix: Ste Victoire Wine Tour & Cezanne Mill Visit:
$567
-
Bandol Wine Tour - 4 hour Private tour:
$650
-
Coteaux D'Aix : Half Day Wine Tour:
$650
Sample the Local Flavors in Bordeaux
Also in Bordeaux, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Bordeaux Wine and Trade Museum Admission Ticket with Wine Tasting:
$8.71
-
Soussans: Guided Winery Tour with Wine Tasting near Margaux:
$9.08
-
Saint Emilion: Guided Winery Tour & Wine Tasting:
$14
-
La Cité du Vin Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket & Wine Tasting:
$24
-
Discover Bordeaux vineyard : special wine tasting with two cellar men brothers:
$37
-
Bordeaux Cheese & Wine Tasting Walking Guided Tour:
$49
-
Chateau du Taillan and Park including Wine Tasting Tour:
$50
-
Bordeaux Morning Wine Tasting Class:
$56
-
Bordeaux Small-Group Wine Tasting & Workshop with a Professional Sommelier:
$61
-
Bordeaux Vineyards Wine Tasting Half-Day Trip:
$61
-
Morning & Breakfast Wine tour in Saint-Emilion:
$74
-
From St. Emilion Village Half-Day Wine Tour:
$85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marseille and Bordeaux, we can see that Marseille is more expensive. And not only is Bordeaux much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bordeaux would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux.
Related Articles for Marseille
Related Articles for Bordeaux
