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Planning a trip from the sunny Côte d’Azur to the capital of France? Sit back and relax as high-speed trains take you from Marseille to Paris – and don’t forget to enjoy the stunning scenery of the French countryside along the way.
The fastest journey from Marseille to Paris can take just 3 hours and 4 minutes on a high-speed TGV INOUI train.
Speed from Marseille up through Provence and into the “City of Lights”. If you fancy traveling in style, TGV First Class offers wider seating with headrests and footrests so you can really stretch out and enjoy the journey.
Once you arrive in Paris, check out the Eiffel Tower in all its glory, or simply enjoy a croissant by the Seine. Whether you want to get inspired by 26 films that feature Paris or you’re looking out for some of the capital’s most kid-friendly activities, our Parisian travel guides have got you covered.
Keen to find out more? Keep reading for:
TGV is the high-speed train service of the SNCF company. It connects the major cities of France at speeds of up to 200 mph (320 km/h). All TGV trains are equipped with a food carriage, a free WiFi connection, power sockets and fold-down tables. Two comfort classes are offered – First Class and Second Class, with flexible fare options available and access to the Grand Voyageur lounge in some stations.
OUIGO is the low-cost, high-speed train service operated by the French national train company SNCF. Despite having only one class on board, OUIGO trains offer the same comfort as Second Class seats on TGV trains, although OUIGO tickets are only available to purchase online. To make your journey as smooth as possible, arrive at least 30 minutes before departure and bear in mind that there's an additional fee for bringing a suitcase with you, having a seat with power sockets and travelling with a stroller/buggy.
Intercités is the classic service of SNCF. The Intercités lines are an important part of the French rail network. Trains make more stops and are cheaper than TGVs, and run at speeds of up to 100 mph (160 km/h). Two comfort classes are offered aboard Intercités – First Class and Second Class. Intercités by night allows you to travel at night on certain routes, in sleeper cars.
SNCF is the national train operator of France. It operates all domestic trains and routes across France, as well as international services to Spain and Germany. There are three different types of domestic trains that operate under the SNCF banner – TGV (high-speed, full-service trains that connect the major cities in France), Intercités (usually a more frequent stopping service, but with all the amenities), and TER (regional train services with basic onboard facilities).
In Second Class, TGV INOUI allows you to travel comfortably while enjoying the onboard services, such as free WiFi, power outlets and more.
Prefer to travel in style? Upgrade to First Class and you’ll enjoy all the benefits of Second Class as well as some additional extras.
OUIGO comes with only one class, Standard Class, which is the equivalent of TGV's Second Class. On board you'll find WiFi and a café-bar (on services in Spain). There may be a trolley service on Train Classique services in France. You can pay extra to guarantee a seat with a power outlet, as not all seats currently have one.
If you're travelling in Second Class, you'll enjoy at-seat power sockets, free WiFi and a catering service offering snacks and drinks.
In addition to all the amenities available in Standard Class, you'll find more legroom, adjustable seats and individual tables in First Class.
On board TGV INOUI trains, you can take up to 2 pieces of luggage measuring no more than 70 x 90 x 50 cm (27.5 x 35.4 x 19.6 inches), plus one hand luggage measuring no more than 40 x 30 x 15 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 inches). If you are bringing an XL baggage (maximum 90 x 130 cm or 35.4 x 51.1 inches), it will replace one of the two 70 x 90 x 50 cm (27.5 x 35.4 x 19.6 inches) pieces of luggage authorised.
All your luggage must be labelled before entering the train.
All TGV INOUI trains are equipped with a café-bar car offering a range of food and drink to suit you at any time of day. The Bar is always situated in car 4 or 14 of the train. There's a range of local and responsibly sourced products on offer.
TGV INOUI trains have free WiFi on board for you to use throughout your journey, allowing you to stay connected, reply to emails or even relax and enjoy what's offered on the TGV INOUI entertainment portal.
Children under 12 can get a half price ticket on TGV INOUI trains. Children under 4 travel free when they travel on your lap.
If you've got a foldable bicycle, you can take it on the train as hand baggage, so long as it's no larger than 130 x 90 cm once folded. Or, if you can dismantle your bike, you can transport it in a cover or case no larger than 130 x 90 cm. You can still travel with a bike that cannot be folded or dismantled - you'll need to reserve a bike space on the train when you buy your ticket. Bike tickets cost €10 per bike, per journey.
Small pets are allowed on board TGV INOUI trains provided they weigh less than 10kg. They must travel in a carrier no larger than 45 x 30 x 25 cm. Tickets for small pets cost €7. Larger dogs can also travel on TGV INOUI services, provided they are wearing a muzzle and are kept on a leash. Tickets for larger dogs cost €20. Guide dogs and assistance dogs travel free of charge on all SNCF trains.
For disabled passengers or those with reduced mobility, you can request assistance through 'Accès Plus'. With this service, a member of staff will meet you at the station and help you get to your seat on the train. To book assistance, contact Accès Plus after you book your tickets (and no later than 48 hours before your train is due to depart).
One piece of hand baggage (36 x 27 x 15 cm) and one piece of cabin baggage (55 x 35 x 25 cm) can be taken onboard. You can take additional or larger bags with you (max. 30kg) for an extra fee or by paying for OUIGO Plus.
On OUIGO trains in France: an at-seat service of snacks is available on Train classique services. This service is not available on high-speed OUIGO trains.
On OUIGO trains in Spain: OUIBAR is located in car 4 of each train and offers a selection of hot and cold drinks, plus snacks.
WiFi (OUIFI) and an entertainment portal (OUIFUN) are available at an additional cost.
For OUIGO trains in France: Passengers under 12 years old pay a fixed price for tickets all year round - €5 for journeys on Train classique services, and €8 for high speed services.
For OUIGO trains in Spain: Passengers under 12 pay €5 for all journeys.
You can take your bicycle on board OUIGO trains if you add the 'Bike' option onto your ticket for an additional fee of at least €5. Your bike must be folded or dismantled and placed in a storage bag for transport.
Pets are only allowed on board OUIGO trains if the 'Pets' option is added to your ticket at the time of booking. (1 pet per adult, per booking, €10 per pet.)
For disabled passengers or those with reduced mobility, you can request assistance through 'Accès Plus'. With this service, a member of staff will meet you at the station and help you get to your seat on the train. To book assistance, contact Accès Plus after you book your tickets (and no later than 48 hours before your train is due to depart).
You can take as much baggage as you want on INTERCITÉS trains, whether that's a suitcase, overnight bag or a backpack - just make sure that each piece of baggage is no taller than 130cm and no wider than 90cm. You must be able to carry all your baggage yourself. All baggage must be labelled before you hop on board the train.
You can treat yourself without leaving your seat on INTERCITÉS trains, as there's an at-seat food and drink service. Discover the INTERCITÉS menu 'Nos Territoires Gourmands' and enjoy high-quality, local products. This service is only available on the following routes: Paris - Clermont-Ferrance, Paris - Toulouse, Bordeaux - Marseille, Paris - Briançon (night INTERCITÉS train), Paris - Toulouse (night train), Paris - Lourdes (night train), Paris - Nice (night train).
Free WiFi is available on some INTERCITÉS services. Kick back and relax with free WiFi on the following routes: Paris-Clermont-Ferrand, Paris-Limoges-Toulouse, Marseille-Bordeaux and Paris-Briançon. On overnight trains, you can connect to free WiFi on the Paris - Nice and Paris - Briançon routes.
Children under 12 can get a half price ticket on TGV INOUI trains. Children under 4 travel free when they travel on your lap.
If you've got a foldable bicycle, you can take it on the train as hand luggage, so long as it's no larger than 130 x 90 cm once folded. Or, if you can dismantle your bike, you can transport it in a cover or case no larger than 130 x 90 cm. You can still travel with a bike that cannot be folded or dismantled - you'll need to reserve a bike space on the train when you buy your ticket for an additional fee.
Small pets are allowed on board INTERCITÉS trains provided they weigh less than 10kg. They must travel in a carrier no larger than 45 x 30 x 25 cm. Tickets for small pets cost €7. Larger dogs can also travel on INTERCITÉS services, provided they are wearing a muzzle and are kept on a lead. Tickets for larger dogs cost €20. Guide dogs and assistance dogs travel free of charge on all SNCF trains.
For disabled passengers or those with reduced mobility, you can request assistance through 'Accès Plus'. With this service, a member of staff will meet you at the station and help you get to your seat on the train. To book assistance, contact Accès Plus after you book your tickets (and no later than 48 hours before your train is due to depart).
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Marseille to Paris by booking early.§
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
If you’d like to know how to get to central Marseille from the airport, keep reading for more details.
Welcoming more than nine million passengers each year, Marseille Provence airport is the main airport in the region, located around 15 miles from downtown Marseille.
If you’d like to take the train from Marseille Airport to the city center, first take a free shuttle bus (lebus L13) from the airport’s bus station to Vitrolles-Aéroport-Marseille-Provence station. From here, you can take a TER train to Marseille St-Charles station – exactly where you need to be for your train to Paris! In total, the journey takes around half an hour.
You can buy your ticket for the TER train on Trainline – check our Journey Planner for more details.
Although it takes a bit longer, the bus is the cheapest option to get from the airport to central Marseille. Operating every day between 4:10 am and 1:30 am, bus line 91 will take you from the airport’s bus station to Marseille Saint-Charles – dropping you off in the perfect place to catch your train to Paris. Generally, the journey takes between 30 and 50 minutes.
If you want to get from Marseille Airport to the city center with minimum fuss, you could take a taxi. The taxi rank at the airport is located in front of Terminal 1.
Please note that traveling in a taxi can be expensive, and likely will cost more than using public transport.
Marseille Saint-Charles station is located at Square Narvik and is open every day from 4:30 am to 1:05 am, except on Friday when it closes at 1:30 am. The following public transport services stop at or near Marseille Saint-Charles station:
You can also walk to the station from various parts of the city. For example, it takes around 20 minutes to walk from Marseille’s Old Port to Marseille Saint-Charles train station.
Not all trains serve the same stations – and some trains may even travel from Marseille to Paris without any stops! The train stations you’re most likely to stop at on your journey from Marseille to Paris are:
Top tip: If you’ve booked a journey with a transfer along the way, you may have to switch trains at Avignon TGV station, Lyon Part-Dieu station or Valence TGV station. You can check which trips have changes and which are direct in our Journey Planner. We’ll also give you all the information you need about transfers in our app once you’ve booked a ticket.
Whether you’re looking to save on a night’s accommodation in Marseille, or perhaps you're just looking for a new experience – why not take the night train from Marseille to Paris?
Did you know that you can take a night train from Marseille to Paris? Save on the cost of a night in a hotel, travel through the night and wake up in a brand-new city, ready to explore!
You can either book a seated ticket or a couchette ticket.
INTERCITÉS night trains do not depart or arrive at the same stations as regular trains. The INTERCITÉS night train from Marseille to Paris leaves from Marseille Blancarde train station and arrives at Paris Austerlitz train station.
You can board the night train in Marseille 20 minutes before its scheduled departure time.
Most trains from Marseille arrive at Paris Gare de Lyon station, though some OUIGO trains may arrive at Marne-la-Vallée - Chessy train station instead. Find out more here.
Once you’ve arrived at Paris Gare de Lyon, you can use the following forms of public transport for onward travel around the city:
What if my train doesn’t arrive at Paris Gare de Lyon?
Some OUIGO trains from Marseille to Paris arrive at Marne-la-Vallée - Chessy station. This station isn’t in the city center, so to get to central Paris from this station, you can take an RER train (line A). Hop on line A (towards Rueil-Malmaison) and get off at Paris Gare de Lyon. From here, you can transfer onto metro lines 1 and 14, as well as other train services.
For more information on this trip, check out our guide on how to get to Paris from Marseille by train.
If you want to get around Paris quickly and conveniently, you can use the city's public transport system.
From the Louvre Museum to Montmartre and the Eiffel Tower, here are our recommendations for 5 of the best attractions to visit when in Paris. Prepare for an unforgettable trip!
If you’ve enjoyed your time in Paris and want to explore more of France, you can easily reach nearby towns and cities by train. The real question is: where should you go next?
Once you’ve finished exploring Paris, why not continue exploring Europe by train? With a Eurail Pass, you can travel across 33 European countries as much as you want on participating European train networks for a set amount of travel days.
If you’re an American or Canadian citizen, you can use a Eurail Pass. If you're a European citizen or a non-European who is an official legal resident of a European country, you can use an Interrail Pass instead.
Heading home? Perhaps you’ll be flying from France’s capital. If you need to know how to get from central Paris to the airport, keep reading for more details.
In Paris, there are three major airports:
Each airport offers a bus and taxi service, but only Charles de Gaulle and Orly have their own dedicated train stations (the nearest train station to Beauvais Tillé is nearby Beauvais).
Sure, you might have had a good time in Paris, but your European adventure doesn’t have to stop there. Why not check out some of these trips?
It’s easy to travel from Paris to London with Eurostar. The train leaves from Paris Gare du Nord (easily accessible from the rest of central Paris on public transport). It can take just 2 hours and 16 minutes, and there’s no waiting around for your luggage once you’re in the UK – you can just grab your bags and go!
Find out more about what Eurostar offers, including its Standard Premier and Business Premier classes, and book your tickets with Trainline.
If you’re looking to explore more of Europe by train, why not head south from Paris to Barcelona? TGV INOUI trains run directly from Paris to Barcelona and can take just 6 hours and 29 minutes to reach the Catalonian capital. Plus, there’s no need to wait around at the airport for hours before boarding – simply turn up at Paris Gare de Lyon and hop on the train!
Want to visit another of Europe’s bustling capitals? Brussels might be the place for you. Home to beer, waffles, fries and much more, there’s plenty to see and do in the Belgian capital.
The journey from Paris to Brussels can take just 1 hour and 23 minutes on the fastest Eurostar services, which means less time spent waiting around and more time to explore! So, what are you waiting for?
The average journey time by train between Marseille and Paris is 3 hours and 46 minutes, with around 26 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
The fastest journey time by train from Marseille to Paris is 3 hours and 1 minute.
Train tickets from Marseille to Paris can start from as little as $18.36 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending the time of day, route and class you book.
Yes, it is possible to travel from Marseille to Paris without having to change trains. There are 16 direct trains from Marseille to Paris each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
The first train from Marseille to Paris leaves at 05:16. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
The last train from Marseille to Paris leaves at 21:33. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
Trains travelling from Marseille to Paris cover a distance of around 410 miles (660 km) during the journey.
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Paris to Marseille.