Should you visit Marseille or Cannes?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Cannes, 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.
Cannes
While Cannes was once little more than a small fishing village, today it is a popular, glamorous seaside town frequented by celebrities. It's the place to see and be seen, particularly during the Cannes Film Festival in the month of May. During this time the city comes alive with celebrities from all over the world. While Cannes has its share of exclusive clubs, bars and restaurants, there are alternatives for budget travelers, so don't shy away. There's a beautiful area, Le Suquet, which is nice to visit with its cobblestone streets and stunning views. It's also fun to pass some time people watching by the marina. You never know who you'll spot. At night, the city comes to life with casinos and luxurious restaurants and clubs that give the area a vibe of exclusivity.
Which city is cheaper, Cannes 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 Cannes is €110. 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 Cannes 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.
Cannes's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is €120. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is €60.
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.
On average, meal and food prices in Cannes cost around €36 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around €14.
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Food
Meals for one day
Marseille €34
Cannes €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:
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3-Hour Shore Excursion Walking Food Tour:
$85
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Cool Food Tour and Street art Marseille:
$106
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Great Marseille Food Tour Experience:
$107
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Walking Food Tour with Tastings:
$108
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Food Tour Excursion in Provence !:
$771
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cannes
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cannes.
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Summer Fireworks and Dinner Catamaran Cruise from Cannes:
$135
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Small-Group Evening Tour and Dinner in Monte Carlo from Cannes:
$223
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Unforgettable night photos of the French Riviera and dinner in Monaco:
$622
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.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around €13 per day to get around in Cannes.
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:
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Ultra - Marseille Private Transfer from City Centre to Marseille Cruise Port:
$9.41
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Ultra - Marseille Private Transfer from Marseille Cruise Port to City Centre:
$9.41
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Ultra - Marseille Private Airport Transfer from Cruise Port to Marseille Airport:
$9.41
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Ultra - Marseille Private Airport Transfer from City Centre to Marseille Airport:
$9.41
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Private Arrival Transfer from Marseille Cruise Port to Marseille City Center:
$29
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Private Departure Transfer from Marseille City Center to Marseille Cruise Port:
$29
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Private Business Car Arrival Transfer: Marseille Cruise Port to Marseille city:
$41
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Private Business Car Departure Transfer: Marseille city Marseille Cruise Port:
$41
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Private Airport Transfer: from Marseille to Marseille Airport (MRS):
$50
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Private Transfer from Marseille Cruise Port Terminal to Marseille Airport (MRS):
$51
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Private Business Van Departure Transfer: Marseille city to Marseille Cruise Port:
$55
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Private Business Car Transfer: Marseille city or Port to Marseille Airport MRS:
$60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cannes
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cannes:
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Ultra - Private Airport Transfer from Cannes City Centre to Nice Airport:
$9.41
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Transfer from Cannes to Nice airport:
$111
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Round-Trip Ferry Transfer to St Tropez from Cannes:
$80
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Private transfer from Cannes to Nice City or Nice Airport:
$80
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Private airport transfer Mandelieu to Cannes:
$53
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Private Transfer: Cannes to Cannes - Mandelieu Airport (CEQ):
$89
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Private Transfer: Cannes - Mandelieu Airport (CEQ) to Cannes:
$89
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Private Departure Transfer from Cannes to Nice Airport:
$55
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Private Departure Transfer from Cannes to Nice Airport:
$148
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Private Airport Transfer: Cannes to Cote D'Azur Airport (NCE):
$59
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Nice Airport departure private transfer from Cannes - Mónaco - Cap d Antibes in Luxury Van:
$114
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Nice Airport departure private transfer from Cannes - Mónaco - Cap d Antibes in Luxury Car:
$140
Is it cheaper to fly into Marseille or Cannes?
Prices for flights to both Cannes 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.
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.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around €24 per person, per day in Cannes. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Tours and Activities in Marseille
For Marseille, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Marseille Walking Tour - The Other Side:
$1.24
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Marseille Walking Tour - La Panier:
$1.24
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Mucem Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket:
$12
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Le Panier - Walking Tour of Marseille's Historic Neighborhood:
$15
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City Segway Tour - Explore the Panier neighborhood in an unexpected way:
$25
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Marseille Segway Tour - Explore the Panier neighborhood in an unexpected way:
$25
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Panier Neighborhood 1-Hour Segway Tour:
$34
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City Segway Tour - Discover the beauty of the Pharo Palace and its neighborhood:
$37
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Marseille Segway Tour - Discover the beauty of the Pharo Palace and its neighborhood:
$37
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Marseille Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$39
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Marseille Smalll Group Electric Bike Tour:
$41
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Calanques Picnic Cruise:
$44
Tours and Activities in Cannes
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cannes are as follows:
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4-Hour Private Sightseeing Tour of Nice from Cannes:
$547
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All French Riviera For One Day Sightseeing Tours From Cannes:
$1,011
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Antibes, St. Paul-de-Vence, St. Jeannet, and Gourdon Private Tour from Cannes:
$675
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Best of Riviera Tour: Coastal Day trip from Antibes (Nice, Monaco, Cannes):
$747
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Cannes 2.5-Hour E-bike Tour:
$67
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Cannes Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$43
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Cannes Private Walking Tour:
$338
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Cannes Private Walking tour:
$214
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Cannes Shore Excursion: French Riviera Private Tour of Nice - Eze - Monaco - Monte Carlo:
$827
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Cannes Shore Excursion: Private Half-Day Tour to Saint-Paul de Vence, Cannes and Nice:
$658
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Cannes Shore Excursion: Private Luxury Motorboat Cruise with Personal Skipper:
$2,009
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Cannes Shore Excursion: Private Tour of the French Riviera:
$783
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Marseille spend on average €22 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
The average person spends about €14 on alcoholic beverages in Cannes per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Marseille
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Marseille:
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Aix en Provence Full-Day Wine Tour from Marseille:
$137
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Full-Day Wine Tour around Luberon from Marseille:
$137
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Full-day Wine Tour around Bandol & Cassis from Marseille:
$137
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Marseille Shore Excursion - Full Day Wine Tour in Provence:
$137
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Marseille Shore Excursion - Private Full Day Wine Tour in Provence:
$348
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Provence wine tour of vineyards & the best foods & wine of Provence private tour:
$404
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Provence Private Wine Tasting Tour from Marseille:
$435
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Wine tour of Châteauneuf du Pape, gastronomy, wines & joie de vivre private tour:
$435
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Aix en Povence Private Half Day Tour including Wine Tasting from Marseille:
$523
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Coteaux d'Aix: Ste Victoire Wine Tour & Cezanne Mill Visit:
$567
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Bandol Wine Tour - 4 hour Private tour:
$650
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Coteaux D'Aix : Half Day Wine Tour:
$650
Sample the Local Flavors in Cannes
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cannes:
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Grasse, Valbonne & Gourdon: Day Tour with Wine Tasting:
$132
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Provence Wine Tour - Private Day Tour from Cannes:
$342
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Private Day Trip: Wine Tasting Tour Including Pinic Lunch From Cannes:
$559
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5-Hour Private Cannes Shore Excursion: Eze, Nice, Wine Tasting:
$658
When comparing the travel costs between Marseille and Cannes, we can see that Marseille 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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