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

Should you visit Marseille or Pittsburgh?

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

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

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is a under-rated, industrial, and authentic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Marseille and Pittsburgh: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Scenic old town
  • Known for Christmas markets
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Impressive beauty
  • Quaint atmosphere
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Marseille or Pittsburgh?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille than Pittsburgh. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Marseille is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Pittsburgh attracts visitors for its museums and big city activities. Marseille is more touristy than Pittsburgh and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port. Pittsburgh is famous for its many bridges, its steel industry, and being the home of "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood".

How is Marseille different from Pittsburgh?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Marseille
Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Pittsburgh can be an interesting and educational experience. The museums range from science and nature focused, like the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden, to quirky and artsy, like the Mattress Factory. The Warhol Museum is dedicated to the works of Andy Warhol and it's not to be missed. Also worth a visit is the Heinz History Center, Randyland, and the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Marseille
Pittsburgh

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Pittsburgh is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Marseille is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Pittsburgh offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city is known for its working class roots, and the food is hearty and filling, which is great for those on a budget. Popular local dishes include pierogis, deli sandwiches, Pittsburgh salads (complete with French fries), and hotcakes.

Is Marseille or Pittsburgh Better for Nightlife?

Marseille
Pittsburgh

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Pittsburgh is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Marseille is a world class party destination. 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.

Pittsburgh has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's an active music and dance scene in town. For the best bars and clubs, head to the Strip and South Side and for live entertainment and casinos check out the North Shore.

Is Marseille or Pittsburgh Better for Beaches?

Marseille
Pittsburgh

Marseille is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Pittsburgh is not a beach destination.

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

Pittsburgh is not a beach destination.


Is Marseille or Pittsburgh Better for its Old Town?

Marseille
Pittsburgh

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Pittsburgh does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Marseille can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Pittsburgh does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Pittsburgh?

Marseille
Pittsburgh

Marseille is great for its shopping areas. Also, Pittsburgh 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.

Pittsburgh is a great destination for shopping. You'll find local fashion boutiques and shopping centers in the city's downtown. Other great shopping neighborhoods include Shadyside, Station Square, and Fifth Avenue Place.

Is Marseille or Pittsburgh Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille
Pittsburgh

Marseille is a nice place to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, Pittsburgh does not offer Christmas markets.

Marseille has Christmas markets worth visiting. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Pittsburgh does not offer Christmas markets.


Is Marseille or Pittsburgh Better for Families?

Marseille
Pittsburgh

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

Pittsburgh is a family-friendly city. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities packed into this city. Check out the National Aviary or visit the popular Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. There are also kid-focused museums and science centers as well as parks and playgrounds. Also make sure you take the cable car up Duquesne Incline or enjoy a boat ride on one of the rivers as well.

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 Pittsburgh Better for Couples?

Marseille
Pittsburgh

Marseille is great for couples. However, Pittsburgh is not a good destination 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.

Pittsburgh is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are a few good date night activities like taking river cruises, enjoying dinner and show, or going to a Pirate's game.

Is Marseille or Pittsburgh Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille
Pittsburgh

Marseille is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Pittsburgh is not a good destination for backpackers.

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

Pittsburgh is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's usually overlooked by backpackers, but there is some cheap accommodation in town.


Is Marseille or Pittsburgh Better for Students?

Marseille
Pittsburgh

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

Marseille is a great city to visit as a student. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Pittsburgh is not popular with students.

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

Marseille
Pittsburgh

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Marseille and Pittsburgh.

Marseille has some public transit options. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

You'll find some public transit in Pittsburgh, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are bus and lightrail options through the city's downtown. There's also the unique incline, which is an experience worth doing.

Is Marseille or Pittsburgh a more walkable city?

Marseille
Pittsburgh

Marseille is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Pittsburgh is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Pittsburgh is somewhat walkable. Some of the attractions are spread out, but if you're willing to do a bit of walking, it's possible to get around on foot.


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

Should I spend more time in Pittsburgh or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Pittsburgh?

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

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


  • How many days in Marseille or Pittsburgh? Ideal Length of Stay
    Marseille 2-3 
    Pittsburgh 2-3

One day in Marseille or Pittsburgh?

With shopping and nightlife around the vibrant city of Marseille, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Marseille, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the under-rated destination of Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh?

Marseille, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic city of Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh?

Marseille is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Pittsburgh 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.


Which place is cheaper, Pittsburgh or Marseille?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Marseille is $158, while the average daily cost in Pittsburgh is $181. 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 Pittsburgh in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Marseille $76
    Pittsburgh $106
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Marseille $152
    Pittsburgh $212
Compare Hotels in Marseille and Pittsburgh

Looking for a hotel in Marseille or Pittsburgh? 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 Pittsburgh


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 Pittsburgh Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Marseille $30
    Pittsburgh $22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Marseille

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


  • Metro Pass
    $3.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marseille

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

  • Private Transfer Between Marseille Airport and Nice Airport: $1,184
  • Private Transfer from Nice to Marseille: $931
  • Cannes Private Transfer to Marseille Airport: $646
  • Marseille or Aix ⟷Transfer to Nice 7 pax: $537
  • Marseille Airport private Transfer to Cannes: $451
  • Marseille Airport Transfer From/to Avignon: $377
  • Private transfer from Marseille Airport to Cavaillon: $280
  • Private Transfer from Marseille Airport to Avignon: $273
  • Marseille Provence Airport transfer ↔ Avignon: $269
  • Private Direct Transfer From Marseille to Nice: $263
  • Marseille Airport: VIP transfer to Baumaniere: $253
  • Marseille Provence One Way Airport transfer to Gordes: $252

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pittsburgh

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

  • Pittsburgh City to Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
  • Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) to Pittsburgh hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
  • Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) to Pittsburgh City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $97

Is it cheaper to fly into Marseille or Pittsburgh?

Prices for flights to both Pittsburgh 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 $45
    Pittsburgh $54
Typical Food Prices in Marseille

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


  • Orangina
    $2.68

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
  • Sunset Sailing Dinner in the Frioul Archipelago: $102
  • Evening Food Tour with Tastings: $102
  • Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $102
  • Marseille Miam Miam Food tour: $104
  • Marseille Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $108

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pittsburgh

For Pittsburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Pittsburgh's Strip District Food Tour: $70
  • Pittsburgh's Strip District Food Tour: $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Marseille $41
    Pittsburgh $38

Tours and Activities in Marseille

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

  • "Old Marseille" district tour and treasure hunt: $27
  • 2H: City-Tour Marseille: $274
  • 3h Kayak Tour at Calanques National Park: $68
  • A Day in Provence Small Group Tour from Marseille: $181
  • Accrobranche - Ecopark Adventures Marseille Saint-Jérôme: $26
  • Aix-en-Provence: Half-Day Shore Excursion Tour: $646
  • All Inclusive Food & History Tour of Marseille with Local Guide: $144
  • Beer tasting experience in Marseille: $43
  • Bookbinding experience in the Vieux Port: $93
  • Calanques National Park Guided Hiking Tour: $51
  • Calanques National Park Kayak Day Tour: $113
  • Calanques Trilogy Electric Bike Tour from Marseille: $66

Tours and Activities in Pittsburgh

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pittsburgh.

  • Best of the Burgh Walking Tour of Pittsburgh: $33
  • Bike the Burgh Tour: $50
  • Black & Ghost Tour: $33
  • Discover Oakland Tour: $33
  • Eastbound Pennsylvania Turnpike: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $6.22
  • Entrance Ticket to AT BLAQK House Collections: $7.00
  • Essential Pittsburgh Experience - The One Tour to Take: $75
  • HOP ON-HOP OFF TOUR PASS- All Day Sightseeing Tour Pass: $40
  • JUST THE TOUR - Double Decker bus sightseeing tour of Pittsburgh.: $35
  • New! Art & Artists Tour: $33
  • New! Bikes & Brews Tour: $75
  • Pittsburg 101 Tour: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Marseille $29
    Pittsburgh $33

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
  • Luberon: Full-Day Wine Tour from Marseille: $144
  • Bandol and Cassis: 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: $147
  • Marseille Shore Excursion - Full Day Wine Tour in Provence: $164
  • Small Group Marseille Shore Excursion : Avignon & Chateauneuf du Pape Wine Tour: $164
  • Aix en Provence Wine tour "Cézanne and the winegrowers": $164

Sample the Local Flavors in Pittsburgh

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Pittsburgh:

  • Pittsburgh Bar Hunt: Party Through Pittsburgh Bar Crawl: $13
  • Wigle Whiskey Rebellion Distillery Tour: $22
  • New! Bites & Brews: Pittsburgh Brewery Walk: $50
  • Bike and Brewery Tour: $69
  • Pittsburgh Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105


When comparing the travel costs between Marseille and Pittsburgh, we can see that Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh is in North America, 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 Pittsburgh Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Marseille or Pittsburgh?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Pittsburgh. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Pittsburgh, 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.