Trains from Paris to Marseille St-Charles

My journey begins on the Metro. Gare de Lyon station is served by lots of public transport options in Paris, including bus and metro, and I decided to try my luck getting there via line 14 of the Paris Metro. You can also take line 1, or RER A and D. The exit signs to get to the station were a little confusing at first but it only took me a few moments to find the exit.

Departing from Gare de Lyon

I arrived at the station a few minutes before the departure of the TGV train taking me to Marseille, as travellers can arrive up to two minutes before. I arrived into hall 1, and the billboard just above the Brioche Dorée told me my train was in fact in hall 2 – so I quickly make my way down the long corridor to my actual departure hall. Once I was in the right place, there were several waiting areas, toilets (you need to pay though), a pharmacy and some cafes to enjoy a bite to eat.

Before you board the train, you should normally get your paper ticket validated, but since I had an e-ticket (print it out at home or just show a staff member on your phone), I was able to board straight away. Seat reservations are made when you purchase your ticket, so I was able to see my carriage and seat number. You’ll find the number of your carriage on the doors of the TGV, which can include up to 16 cars depending on the number of people who booked. You can also find your chair by looking at the number on the inserts located above the seats.

On board the train

This particular TGV train was a double decker – so you’re directed to either the ground or first floor depending on your seat number. There are dedicated luggage areas at both ends and the middle of each carriage on both floors. If you’re travelling with large pieces of luggage, it’s best to store them in these spaces and keep any smaller bags or items on the shelves above your seat. The seats are comfortable in both First and Second Class and have fold-down tables, footrests and a net to store things (ideal for keeping your tickets in for when the ticket inspectors come around). There are small rubbish bins located along the carriage as well. If you fancy settling down with your favourite book during the journey, there’s a handy reading light just above your seat.

There’s plenty to see out of the window during your trip - the country landscape unfolds right before your eyes, changing to vineyards as you descend to the south of France. Along the route from Paris to Marseille, the train stops at Avignon, Aix-en-Provence TGV and finally Marseille Saint-Charles – pay special attention to the window as you travel near Avignon as the view is incredible!

I was very happy to see that this TGV train had WiFi access, available by connecting to the “_SNCF_WIFI_INOUI” network and logging into the “wifi.sncf” portal using your name and six-letter ticket code. Once you’re logged in, you can see exactly where you are on your journey and how fast the train is travelling. The portal also lets you view the bar menu (normally found in carriages 4 and 14), so you can decide which sandwiches, snacks and drinks you’d like before you even leave your seat.

Arriving in Marseille

After travelling for around 3h 20m, we arrive into Marseille Saint-Charles station, located in the hills of Marseille, just a few minutes' walk from the old port and the Mediterranean Sea. If you need to take a connecting train to a different location, the station is served by TGV, Intercités and TER trains to other French cities and Ouigo to Disneyland Paris. If you’re thinking about cross border travel, TGV Lyria trains run to Switzerland Thello trains run into Italy.

If you plan on exploring Marseille, don’t head straight down to the city centre before you’ve stopped to admire the view from the stairs outside of the station.  Take a look at the charming Notre-Dame de la Garde (Basilica of Our Lady of the Guard) on the opposite hill, before descending to discover more of the city.

About Estelle

Estelle is one of our trusted, hand-picked travel writers. The information for this article was recorded first-hand, based on her own genuine experience of the journey.