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

Should you visit Volos or Marseille?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Volos and Marseille can help you decide which place is right for you.

Volos

Volos is a youthful, authentic, and vibrant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

Volos and Marseille: Pros and Cons

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


Is there more to do in Volos or Marseille?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Volos than Marseille. While Marseille is larger than Volos, Volos has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Volos is more popular for its museums, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities, while Marseille is known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Marseille is more touristy than Volos and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Volos is popular for its vibrant seaside setting and its access to nearby natural beauty. It is also home to The Archaeological Museum of Volos.

How is Volos different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Volos
Marseille

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

While most people don't head to Volos specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of museums in town including the Archaeological Museum of Volos.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Volos
Marseille

Marseille is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Marseille has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Dining out in Volos is an experience not to be missed. Greece cuisine is very regional specific, and this area has its own dishes that are very different from elsewhere in the country. Deep fried kolitsianoi (sea anemone), boubari (local sausage), and spetzofai (sausage, tomato, and peppers) are just some of the unique dishes in the area.

Is Volos or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Volos
Marseille

Marseille is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

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.

Volos is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The universities around town keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are a number of bars and clubs that are fun throughout the year.

Is Volos or Marseille Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Volos
Marseille

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

Volos has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are some snorkeling and dive shops in town that offer day trips.

Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.


Is Volos or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Volos
Marseille

Volos is an excellent place to visit for the beach. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Volos. If you're willing to travel out of town, this region has some of the best beaches in Greece. The summers are cooler than other parts of the country and the winters are milder, so this is both a beautiful and a comfortable place to explore.

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 Volos or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Volos
Marseille

Marseille is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Volos does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Marseille is revered around the world. 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.

Volos does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Volos or Marseille?

Volos
Marseille

Marseille is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Marseille is well-known for its shopping. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Many visitors go to Volos to go shopping. There are shopping malls and shopping centers around town that have a variety of retail options including clothing, jewelry, and home goods.


Is Volos or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Volos
Marseille

Marseille is very good for visiting Christmas markets. However, Volos does not offer Christmas markets.

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

Volos does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Volos or Marseille Better for Families?

Volos
Marseille

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

Volos is a family-friendly city. If your kids are adventurous, they'll enjoy horseback riding or exploring the area's beaches. There's also the Archaeological Museum of Volos and Agios Konstantinos Park.

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 Volos or Marseille Better for Couples?

Volos
Marseille

Marseille is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Volos is a good city for couples to visit. There are gardens and outdoor activities that couples can enjoy. There are also museums and beaches.


Is Volos or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Volos
Marseille

Marseille is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Volos is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Marseille is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Volos is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular backpacker destination and you won't find that many hostels in the area.

Is Volos or Marseille Better for Students?

Volos
Marseille

Marseille is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Marseille is very popular with students. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Volos is popular with students. You'll find several universities in town. The port city also offers access to different parts of the country.

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

Volos
Marseille

Visitors will find good public transit in both Volos and Marseille.

Volos has some public transit options. There is a bus system that travels around town.

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 Volos or Marseille a more walkable city?

Volos
Marseille

Volos and Marseille are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Volos is a very walkable city. The city is flat and there's a historic district that you can explore 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Volos?

How long in Volos or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Volos and Marseille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Marseille than in Volos. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Volos, and 2-3 days is enough time in Marseille.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Marseille than Volos 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 Volos or Marseille? Ideal Length of Stay
    Volos 1-2 
    Marseille 2-3

One day in Volos or Marseille?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the city of Volos. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Volos has to offer. 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.

A weekend in Volos or Marseille?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the authentic destination of Volos. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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.

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.


Five days in Volos or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic city of Volos. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Marseille is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Marseille. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Volos or Marseille?

Volos is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the energetic destination of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Athens, The Best 10-Day Tours from Athens, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.


Which place is cheaper, Marseille or Volos?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Volos is €95, while the average daily cost in Marseille is €148. 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 Volos and Marseille in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Volos 43
    Marseille 71
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Volos 86
    Marseille 142
Compare Hotels in Volos and Marseille

Looking for a hotel in Volos or Marseille? 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 Volos


Hotels in Marseille


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: Volos Hotel Prices and Marseille Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Volos 37
    Marseille 28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Volos

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

  • Volos to Athens, Athens Airport and Piraeus Port Private Transfer: $257
  • Volos to Athens Easy & Economy Transfer: $524
  • From Volos to Athens Airport / Athens / Piraeus Private Transfer: $280

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Marseille

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


  • Metro Pass
    3.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marseille

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

  • Transfert aéroport de Marseille -> Marseille centre/hôtels: $192
  • Transfert Aéroport Marseille vers : $225
  • Transfer from Marseille Provence Airport to Toulon Cruise Port: $117
  • Transfer from Marseille Airport to Train Station / Ports / Hotels: $164
  • Transfer between Marseille airport and Marseille city: $84
  • Transfer Marseille city center to Marseille Airport: $87
  • Transfer Marseille Airport to Marseille city center: $89
  • Transfer : $84
  • Taxi aéroport Marseille cassis transfer port Cruise: $150
  • Private transfer from Marseille Airport to Cavaillon: $279
  • Private transfer by car: Marseille airport to / from Cassis-La Ciotat: $184
  • Private transfer by car: Marseille airport from or to Avignon: $218

Is it cheaper to fly into Volos or Marseille?

Prices for flights to both Marseille and Volos 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
    Volos 30
    Marseille 42

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Volos

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

  • Cooking Session "Pelion Flavours": $71
  • Cook like a local Greek Cooking lesson in Mt Pelion Greece: $109

Typical Food Prices in Marseille

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


  • Orangina
    2.50

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): $63
  • Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $74
  • Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner and Drinks: $86
  • Sunset Boat Cruise with Dinner and Drinks: $86
  • Bakeries, Chocolate & Patisseries Food Tour: $93
  • Sunset Apéro Food tour: $95
  • Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $97
  • Marseille Sunset Apéro Food tour: $97
  • Evening Food Tour with Tastings: $102
  • Sunset Sailing Dinner in the Frioul Archipelago: $102
  • Marseille Miam Miam Food tour: $104

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Volos 17
    Marseille 38

Tours and Activities in Volos

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

  • BIKING PELION Private Guided Full or Half Day Tour: $211
  • East Pelion - Sea Kayak Tour "Short Paddle": $38
  • From Hidden Sights of Meteora Private Tour: $214
  • HIKING PELION - Private Guided Full or Half Day Tour: $197
  • Half-Day Sea Kayak Tour "The Secret Cave": $49
  • Kayaking Adventure around Pelion Coastline : $33
  • Volos Pelion Full Day Tour : $240
  • Pagasetic Gulf Full-Day Sailboat Experience: $735

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: $29
  • 2H: City-Tour Marseille: $274
  • 3h Kayak Tour at Calanques National Park: $67
  • A Day in Provence Small Group Tour from Marseille: $180
  • Aix-en-Provence: Half-Day Shore Excursion Tour: $642
  • 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: $50
  • Calanques National Park Kayak Day Tour: $112
  • Calanques Trilogy Electric Bike Tour from Marseille: $65
  • Canyoning Half Day Tour from La Ciotat : $67

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Volos 7.86
    Marseille 27

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: $21
  • Marseille Riviera Bar Crawl Party with Free Shots and VIP Entry: $22
  • Marseille Pub Crawl : Meet, Drink & Party: $43
  • New Year's Eve Bar Crawl Marseille France: $96
  • Delicious Food and Wine Tour: $117
  • Bandol and Cassis: Full Day Wine Tour from Marseille: $143
  • Luberon: Full-Day Wine Tour from Marseille: $143
  • Full-day Wine Tour around Bandol & Cassis from Marseille: $146
  • Full-Day Wine Tour around Luberon from Marseille: $146
  • Côtes du Rhône Wine tour: Avignon, Palace of the Popes: $164
  • Small Group Marseille Shore Excursion : Avignon & Chateauneuf du Pape Wine Tour: $164
  • Marseille Shore Excursion - Full Day Wine Tour in Provence: $164


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Volos and Marseille, we can see that Marseille is more expensive. And not only is Volos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Volos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Volos 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 Marseille would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marseille than you might in Volos.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Volos Expensive? and Is Marseille Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Volos or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 42% larger than the population of Volos. When comparing the sizes of Volos 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 Volos or Marseille?

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 Volos or Marseille in the Summer?

Both Marseille and Volos are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Volos this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Volos is around the same temperature as Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Volos in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Marseille averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Volos. Volos usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Volos gets 330 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Volos usually receives more rain than Marseille. Volos gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Volos 26°C (78°F) 
    Marseille 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Volos or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Volos during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Volos for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Marseille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Volos is generally around the same temperature as Marseille. Daily temperatures in Volos average around 17°C (62°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Volos often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Volos gets 165 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Volos usually gets less rain in October than Marseille. Volos gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Volos 17°C (62°F) 
    Marseille 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Volos or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Volos and Marseille. Many visitors come to Volos in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Volos is cooler than Marseille in the winter. The daily temperature in Volos averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Volos usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during winter. Volos gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Volos usually receives less rain than Marseille. Volos gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Volos 6°C (42°F) 
    Marseille 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Volos or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Volos as well as Marseille. Most visitors come to Volos for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Volos is around the same temperature as Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Volos in April average around 14°C (56°F), and Marseille averages at about 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Volos this time of the year. In the spring, Volos often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Volos gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Volos usually gets less rain in April than Marseille. Volos gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Volos 14°C (56°F) 
    Marseille 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Marseille and Volos

Volos Marseille
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (42°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 7°C (44°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Feb 7°C (45°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Mar 10°C (49°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 14°C (56°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 13°C (56°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Jun 23°C (74°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 21°C (69°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 26°C (78°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 23°C (74°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 22°C (71°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 20°C (69°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 17°C (62°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 16°C (61°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 11°C (52°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 52 mm (2 in) 7°C (45°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)