A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Marseille vs. Phoenix for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Marseille or Phoenix?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Phoenix, 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a laid back, sprawling, and desert city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Marseille and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Phoenix?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Marseille than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Marseille, Marseille has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Marseille is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Phoenix attracts visitors for its museums and hiking. Marseille is more touristy than Phoenix and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port. Phoenix is famous for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Marseille different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

Phoenix is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Phoenix. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Marseille have been singled out for their culinary prowess. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Marseille or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Marseille or Phoenix Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a city with good options for the beach. However, Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Marseille. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or Phoenix Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Marseille offers plenty to see. 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.

Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

Is Marseille or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Phoenix has hiking trails worth exploring. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Phoenix?

Marseille is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Marseille or Phoenix Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a city with good options for visiting Christmas markets. However, Phoenix does not offer Christmas markets.

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.

Phoenix does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Phoenix Better for Families?

Phoenix is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Phoenix is a family-friendly city. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

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 Phoenix Better for Couples?

Marseille is a great city for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Marseille is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Marseille or Phoenix Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

Marseille is a good city to visit for backpackers. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Marseille or Phoenix Better for Students?

Marseille is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix is not popular with students.

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

Phoenix is not popular with students.

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

Marseille is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

While Marseille offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Marseille or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Marseille is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

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

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Marseille and Phoenix. In our opinion, Marseille has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Marseille than Phoenix. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Marseille, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Phoenix. 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 Marseille than Phoenix 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 Marseille.

One day in Marseille or Phoenix?

In Marseille, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Phoenix. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Phoenix has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Marseille or Phoenix?

In Marseille, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Marseille has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the desert destination of Phoenix. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Marseille or Phoenix?

Marseille is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the sprawling city of Phoenix. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Marseille or Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Marseille. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Phoenix is a popular choice for travelers. 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 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marseille and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix 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 Phoenix Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Marseille. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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 Marseille or Phoenix in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Phoenix. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. Marseille is much colder than Phoenix in the summer. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix 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 Phoenix during summer. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Marseille usually receives less rain than Phoenix. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marseille or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Phoenix. Many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Phoenix in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Marseille is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Marseille in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Phoenix averages at about 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In the autumn, Marseille often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Phoenix in the Winter?

Both Phoenix and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Marseille in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Marseille is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 7°C (44°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Marseille usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marseille usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marseille or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Marseille during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Marseille is much colder than Phoenix in the spring. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the spring, Marseille often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Marseille