A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Marseille vs. Boston for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Marseille or Boston?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Boston, 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.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Boston

Boston is a loyal, historic, and traditional city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Marseille and Boston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Boston?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Boston than Marseille. While Marseille is larger than Boston, Boston has more sights and attractions for tourists. Boston is better known for its museums, theatre productions, music, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Marseille is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Marseille is well known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Boston is well known for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities. Also, Boston is famous for The Freedom Trail.

How is Marseille different from Boston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Boston and Marseille. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Marseille or Boston?

Boston is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Boston has many famous sights for visitors. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Marseille or Boston Better for Theater?

Boston is an excellent place to visit for its shows and theatre. However, Marseille is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Boston. The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.

Marseille is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Marseille or Boston? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Marseille, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Boston has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.

Is Marseille or Boston Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Marseille is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Much of the city's nightlife is centered around being outdoors. Whether you're on the beach or hanging out at a rooftop bar, Marseille is a magical place.

Boston has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.

Is Marseille or Boston Better for Music?

Boston is a nice place to visit for its music scene. However, Marseille is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep Boston active and fun. Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.

Marseille is not a live music destination.

Is Marseille or Boston Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a good destination for its beaches. However, Boston is a mediocre city for the beache.

Marseille offers a nice beach destination. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

You can check out the beach in Boston. There are a few urban beaches in the greater Boston area that you can explore on a nice day.

Is Marseille or Boston Better for its Old Town?

Marseille and Boston both have world-class historical old towns that attract visitors.

The historic old town of Marseille is revered around the world. The Old Port is filled with shops and boutiques, and is the most scenic part of the city. It dates back to the Middle Ages and is filled with history and character.

With a famous historical old-town, Boston offers plenty to see. Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Boston?

Marseille is notable for shopping. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Marseille is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Boston. Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.

Is Marseille or Boston Better for Christmas?

Boston is an excellent place to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Marseille does not offer Christmas activities.

Since it has plenty to do, Boston is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. Christmas comes to life in the city with its Christmas Trees, holiday shows, and festivals.

Marseille does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Marseille or Boston Better for Christmas Markets?

Boston is an excellent place to visit for visiting Christmas markets. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its Christmas markets.

Boston offers plenty of Christmas markets. There are a number of European style Christmas markets that pop up during the holiday season around town.

Marseille is a nice place to see Christmas markets. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Is Marseille or Boston Better for Families?

Boston is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Boston is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. It's filled with history, but there are also many activities for kids who need a break from all of the historical stuff. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the waterfront, gardens, and parks around town.

Marseille doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.

Is Marseille or Boston Better for Couples?

Marseille is notable for romance. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Marseille is a very popular place to visit for couples. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Boston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history will enjoy exploring the city. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Garden and wander the unique route along the Freedom Trail. There are also many sporting and entertainment options around town.

Is Marseille or Boston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille and Boston are both notable destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Marseille. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Boston is a good city to visit for backpackers. Like most larger American cities, the city has a handful of hostels to choose from.

Is Marseille or Boston Better for Students?

Boston is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Boston is a great destination for students. It is a city of students, with a number of world renowned universities located here including Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT. Many neighborhoods are filled with students and there are many student-centered activities around town including festivals and an active nightlife scene.

Students come from all over to stay in Marseille. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Is Marseille or Boston Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Boston is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Boston can get you around easily. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation system.

You'll find some public transit in Marseille, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Marseille or Boston a more walkable city?

Boston is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Boston. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are best explored on foot.

Marseille is very walkable. The Old Port (Vieux Port) is particularly walkable and is one of the best areas to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Marseille Worth Visiting? and Is Boston Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boston or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Boston?

In either Marseille or Boston, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Boston than Marseille because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Marseille, and 3-5 days is enough time in Boston.

Families should spend more time in Boston than Marseille. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Boston, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Boston. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Marseille that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boston than Marseille if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Boston.

One day in Marseille or Boston?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

People visit Boston because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Marseille or Boston?

Marseille is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

People visit Boston because there is so much to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Marseille or Boston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

People visit Boston because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Marseille or Boston?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the energetic destination of Marseille. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Boston is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marseille and Boston, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Marseille much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Marseille is in Europe and Boston is in North America, 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 Marseille would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Marseille 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston than you might in Marseille.

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

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Boston?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Boston. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Boston, 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 Boston?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Marseille or Boston in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Boston. Many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Boston in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Marseille is around the same temperature as Boston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Marseille in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Boston averages at about 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boston. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In the summer, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Boston. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in July than Boston. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Boston in the Autumn?

Both Boston and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Marseille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Boston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Marseille is generally a little warmer than Boston. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 16°C (61°F), and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Boston during autumn. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Marseille usually receives around the same amount of rain as Boston. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marseille or Boston in the Winter?

Both Boston and Marseille during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Boston because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

The weather in Boston can be very cold. Marseille is much warmer than Boston in the winter. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Boston fluctuates around 29°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Marseille often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Boston. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in January than Boston. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Boston in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Boston. The spring months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Boston this time of year.

In the spring, Marseille is a little warmer than Boston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Marseille in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Boston averages at about 48°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boston this time of the year. In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Boston during spring. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marseille usually receives less rain than Boston. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Boston and Marseille