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

Should you visit Sydney or Marseille?

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

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

Sydney

Sydney is a glamorous , diverse, and energetic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Sydney and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sydney or Marseille?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sydney than Marseille. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Sydney is very popular for its museums, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Marseille attracts visitors for its food, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Sydney is famous for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants. It is also well known for the Sydney Opera House. Marseille is famous for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity.

How is Sydney different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Sydney 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, Sydney has many famous sights for visitors. The city is filled with iconic and world famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's also the famous Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Tower Eye.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Sydney is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Sydney. There are international restaurants offering impressive dishes from around the world. You'll also find some local Australian favorites around town. Seafood is abundant, as are a number of Asian cuisines. Barramundi is a local fish that you'll find on many menus. Oysters, prawns, and John Dory (a local fish) are also popular.

Is Sydney or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Sydney and Marseille.

The nightlife in Sydney is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city is filled with nightclubs and DJ hosted dance parties. There's a huge young crowd that brings together residents, students, and backpackers in a vibrant nightlife scene. Some of the best areas for nightlife are Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Surry Hills or Darling Harbour.

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.

Is Sydney or Marseille Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Sydney has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There's some good snorkeling and diving nearby with a diversity of marine life and interesting ecosystems. Some of the best snorkeling spots are at Palm Beach, Shelly Beach, and Clifton Gardens.

Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sydney or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Sydney is a world-class destination for the beach. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

The beaches in Sydney are among the best in the world. There are more than 100 beaches near the city with everything from hidden coves to world famous destinations. Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in town and it has all of the tourist sights and activities that you could need. Surfers often head to Bronte Beach, which isn't too far away. Divers and snorkelers love Gordons Bay. Manly is also a nearby suburb with family-friendly beaches that can be reached by ferry.

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.

Is Sydney or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Sydney 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.

Sydney does not have a historic old town.

Is Sydney or Marseille Better for Hiking?

Sydney is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Sydney. The city offers a number of coastal and inland trails that are easily accessible from town. There are short paths as well as multi-day routes not far and pass by stunning landscapes and viewpoints.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sydney or Marseille?

Sydney is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Sydney specifically to go shopping. There's a wonderful mix of shopping streets, modern malls, and boutique vendors who sell local fashions. For souvenirs or local art, go to The Rocks, which is not far from Sydney Opera House. The Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade are also popular shopping areas.

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.

Is Sydney or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for its Christmas markets. However, Sydney 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.

Sydney does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Sydney or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Sydney is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. The city has great beaches where kids can learn to surf, zoos and aquariums with local wildlife, and outdoor activities that take advantage of the city's waterfront location. There's everything from whale watching to visiting the Olympic Park, all of which will fascinate kids of all ages.

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 Sydney or Marseille Better for Couples?

Sydney is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Sydney has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a romantic city that's filled with iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. There are also award winning restaurants and world class beaches. Wander around the botanical gardens or take a sailing cruise on the harbor. There is an endless supply of romantic activities to choose from.

Couples visit Marseille frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Is Sydney or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Sydney, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. It's popular for its adventure sports, active beaches, and vibrant nightlife. While it's not a particularly cheap city to visit, there are plenty of hostels around town and no shortage of backpackers to hang out with.

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

Is Sydney or Marseille Better for Students?

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

Sydney is a great destination for students. Students love the energy and plethora of outdoor activities in this beautiful city. Many international students come not only for the excellent universities but also for the diverse environment and many things to do.

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

Sydney 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 Sydney can get you around easily. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

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 Sydney or Marseille a more walkable city?

Sydney and Marseille both are superb when exploring on foot.

Sydney is a very walkable destination. The city center and nearby suburbs are relatively easy to walk around. On the western side of the city, the suburbs are much less walkable.

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 Sydney Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Sydney?

How long in Sydney or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sydney and Marseille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sydney than in Marseille. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Sydney, and 2-3 days is enough time in Marseille.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sydney 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 Sydney.

One day in Sydney or Marseille?

People visit Sydney because there is so much to do. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

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.

A weekend in Sydney or Marseille?

People visit Sydney because there is so much to do. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

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.

Five days in Sydney or Marseille?

People visit Sydney 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. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

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.

A week in Sydney or Marseille?

Sydney is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sydney, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sydney and Marseille, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Marseille much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sydney is in Pacific and Marseille is in Europe, 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive? and Is Marseille Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sydney or Marseille?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Marseille. When comparing the sizes of Sydney and Marseille, 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 Sydney or Marseille?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sydney is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Marseille has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sydney or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Marseille. The summer months attract visitors to Sydney because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

Sydney is around the same temperature as Marseille in the summer. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. In the summer, Sydney often gets less sunshine than Marseillein July. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Sydney receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sydney usually gets more rain in January than Marseillein July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Sydney this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Sydney is a little warmer than Marseille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sydney in April average around 19°C (65°F), and Marseille averages at about 16°C (61°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Marseille. Sydney usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille during autumn. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Sydney. In April, Sydney usually receives more rain than Marseillein October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sydney or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Sydney during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sydney for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Marseille in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In July, Sydney is generally much warmer than Marseillein January. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 12°C (53°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

It's quite sunny in Sydney. In the winter, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Marseillein January. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Sydney usually gets more rain in July than Marseillein January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Marseille. Many visitors come to Sydney in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Sydney is a little warmer than Marseille in the spring. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sydney usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille during spring. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Sydney usually receives more rain than Marseillein April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Sydney