Which city is cheaper, Marseille or Paris?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Paris or Marseille? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Paris is a energetic, beautiful, and iconic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.
Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food.
Local dishes are fun to try in both Paris and Marseille.
For foodies, Paris is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. There are countless local restaurants, markets, and patisseries to explore. Make sure you try the steak tartare, pate, and macarons.
Known for it's food 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.
The vibe at night is comparable in Paris and Marseille.
Paris is a must-see party destination. Head to Pigalle or the Latin Quarter for some of the city's best nightlife. There are all-night parties, cabarets, and exclusive night clubs that you can experience.
People head to Marseille just to party. 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.
If you're looking to go shopping, Paris and Marseille both offer plenty of spots.
People travel from around the world to go shopping in Paris. Some of the best areas for shopping are Boulevard Haussmann and the Grands Boulevards, the Marais, and Avenue Montaigne and the Champs-Elysées.
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.
There's generally more to do with your family in Paris than Marseille.
Paris is a very family-friendly destination. Check out Jardin du Luxembourg, or one of the city's many playgrounds. Also grab a treat at one of the city's many patisseries. And of course, there's Disneyland Paris.
Marseille is not always a place people visit with their families. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.
With fun activities for couples, both Paris and Marseille make for a good place to visit.
Paris makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. A city filled with romance, you really can't find a more ideal destination for a European honeymoon or a couple's getaway.
Marseille makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.
Travelers usually think of Paris as a better destination for backpackers than Marseille.
Paris is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. It's a big city, so it's easy to get lost in the chaos, but there are many hostels and other backpacker hangouts around town.
Plenty of backpackers visit Marseille. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.
For students, both Paris and Marseille are fairly comparable places to visit.
Many students frequent Paris. The city is one of the most popular destinations for international and study abroad 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.
Paris has better public transit to get you around.
The thorough and effecient public transit system of Paris can take you anywhere. The city's metro system is very comprehensive. There's also a bus system that you can use to get around.
Marseille has some public transit options. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.
Paris and Marseille are similar when it comes to walkability.
Paris is very walkable. Some streets can feel a bit overwhelming, but there are many parts of the city that are easily explored on foot.
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.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Paris and Marseille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Paris than Marseille.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Paris is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Marseille is 2-3 days.
People visit Paris because there is so much to do. 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.
In Marseille, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this vibrant destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
People visit Paris because there is so much to do. 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.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
People visit Paris 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. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.
Marseille is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
Paris is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Paris, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
You'll find nightlife and food around the vibrant destination of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered around the area. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Paris is €184, while the average daily cost in Marseille is €117. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Paris and Marseille in more detail.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Paris are as follows:
Also for Paris, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Marseille:
Also for Marseille, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Marseille and Paris 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Paris:
For Paris, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Marseille, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Marseille, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Paris, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Paris.
For Marseille, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Paris are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paris:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Marseille:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paris and Marseille, we can see that Paris is more expensive. And not only is Marseille much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Paris would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paris than you might in Marseille.
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