How Much Does Marseille Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Marseille offers a compelling blend of urban grit and Mediterranean elegance, with costs that remain more accessible than the nearby French Riviera. Budget-conscious solo travelers can experience the city for approximately $68 / €58 per day, while those seeking a mid-range balance of comfortable hotels and sit-down dinners should plan for roughly $135 / €115. For a high-end coastal escape featuring stays at historical landmarks like the InterContinental Marseille - Dieu, daily budgets can reach $565 / €480. Prices here are heavily influenced by the proximity to the water, with sea-view terraces often commanding a premium for even basic refreshments. Visitors can find exceptional value by focusing on the city's vibrant street food scene and expansive public parks.
Is Marseille expensive to visit?
Marseille is a moderately priced coastal destination where daily expenses typically range from $68 / €58 to $565 / €480 depending on your choice of accommodation and dining.
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Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Marseille
$68
per person /day
$135
per person /day
$565
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $205 | $406 | $1,695 |
| 5-Day Trip | $341 | $677 | $2,825 |
| 7-Day Trip | $478 | $947 | $3,955 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to include a 15% buffer to cover the Tourist Tax (Taxe de Séjour), which ranges from $0.94 / €0.8 to $5.18 / €4.4 per night depending on the hotel's star rating. This extra margin also helps manage the $0.12 / €0.1 transit card fees and the common $1.77 / €1.5 terrace surcharges for drinks in prime locations.
How Does It Compare?
See how Marseille stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Marseille
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Inexpensive Restaurant Meal Typical for a lunch menu or a local brasserie. | $19 €16 |
| Cappuccino (Regular) Expect to pay ~$1.77 / €1.5 extra to sit on a terrace in the Vieux-Port. | $3.68 €3.13 |
| Street Food (Chichi Frégi at L'Estaque) A local doughnut specialty. Best enjoyed by the sea in the L'Estaque district. | $5.3 €4.5 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| RTM Single Voyage Ticket Valid for 1 hour on metro, tram, and bus. Add ~$0.12 / €0.1 for the rechargeable ticket support. | $2 €1.7 |
| Lecar 91 Airport Shuttle (One Way) Connects the airport to Saint-Charles station in ~30 minutes. Round trip is ~$19 / €16. | $12 €10 |
| Taxi Airport to City Center (Day) Day rates apply 07:00–19:00. Night rates increase to ~$71 / €60. | $59 €50 |
| RTM Pass 24H Unlimited travel for 24 hours. Best value for a day of sightseeing. | $6.12 €5.2 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed at The People - Marseille Modern hostel in the République district. High-season prices can climb to ~$41 / €35 per night. | $26 €22 |
| Private Room at Hotel Azur A reliable mid-range option near the Palais Longchamp. | $46 €39 |
| Luxury Suite at InterContinental Marseille - Dieu Luxury hotel housed in a former 18th-century hospital overlooking the Vieux-Port. | $377 €320 |
Activities (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| MuCEM Museum Admission Access to the Fort Saint-Jean and outdoor walkways is free. | $13 €11 |
| Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica Entry The bus #60 up the hill costs ~$2 / €1.7 each way if you don't have a pass. | $0 €0 |
| Calanques National Park Boat Tour (Standard) Price for a 3-hour tour covering the main calanques between Marseille and Cassis. | $38 €32 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Local SIM Card (Orange Holiday) Includes 12GB of data and 30 minutes of calls. Available at relay shops at the airport. | $24 €20 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape is defined by its multicultural roots and fresh seafood, with an inexpensive restaurant meal at a local brasserie costing about $19 / €16. Iconic local snacks like Chichi Frégi at L'Estaque are a bargain at $5.3 / €4.5, though visitors should be aware that sitting on a terrace in the Vieux-Port can add a $1.77 / €1.5 surcharge to a $3.68 / €3.13 cappuccino.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Chez Étienne
$14–$21 / €12–€18Le Panier · Local chain
Cash only, no reservations. Famous for their anchovy pizza for ~$18 / €15.
Maison Geney
$9.42–$14 / €8–€12Le Panier · Bakery
Excellent quiches and daily salads for under ~$12 / €10.
L'Estaque Chichi Frégi Stands
$4.71–$7.06 / €4–€6L'Estaque · Street food area
Eat them hot with sugar for the ultimate local experience.
Le Comptoir de la Joliette
$11–$18 / €9–€15La Joliette · Food court
Gourmet food hall with various stalls near the cathedral.
Pâtisserie Sylvain Depuichaffray
$5.3–$9.42 / €4.5–€8Opéra · Bakery
Some of the best high-end pastries in France for less than ~$7.06 / €6.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Getting around is affordable via the RTM network, where a single voyage ticket costs $2 / €1.7 plus a $0.12 / €0.1 fee for the rechargeable card. The RTM 24H Pass at $6.12 / €5.2 is the most cost-effective option for active explorers, especially when compared to the $59 / €50 daytime taxi fare for airport transfers.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging ranges from social hubs like The People - Marseille, offering dorm beds for $26 / €22, to mid-range hotels like Hotel Azur at $46 / €39. Luxury suites at the InterContinental Marseille - Dieu cost approximately $377 / €320, providing a premium experience in a converted 18th-century hospital overlooking the harbor.
Accommodation Budget in Marseille
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase the RTM 24H Pass for $6.12 / €5.2 to get unlimited access to buses, trams, and the metro for a full day of sightseeing.
- 2 Visit L'Estaque for affordable local treats; the Chichi Frégi stands offer a filling specialty doughnut for just $5.3 / €4.5.
- 3 Explore the outdoor walkways and the historic Fort Saint-Jean at the MuCEM for $0, avoiding the $13 / €11 museum gallery fee.
- 4 Take the RTM bus #60 to reach Notre-Dame de la Garde for $2 / €1.7 instead of paying for a more expensive commercial tourist train.
- 5 Look for the 'formule midi' or lunch specials at local brasseries to secure a full meal for approximately $19 / €16.
- 6 Save the $1.77 / €1.5 terrace supplement at Vieux-Port cafes by standing at the bar or choosing a cafe a few blocks inland.
- 7 Retain and reload your 'ticket sans contact' to avoid paying the $0.12 / €0.1 issuance fee for every new transit trip.
- 8 Travel during May or September when temperatures are 22–25°C (72–77°F) and hotel rates are roughly $47 / €40 cheaper than in August.
- 9 Fill water bottles at the Wallace fountains located throughout the city to avoid paying for bottled water at tourist kiosks.
- 10 Use the free municipal ferry boat to cross the Vieux-Port, which saves time walking around the entire harbor basin.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jul, Aug
+30–50%
Jan, Feb, Nov
-25–35%
May, Jun, Sep
May and September offer warm 22–25°C (72–77°F) weather and ~$47 / €40 cheaper nightly rates than the August peak.
Events to Watch
- ● Delta Festival (late August): +40% hotel rates
- ● Rugby matches at Stade Vélodrome: +50% hotel rates
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Enter the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde for $0 to see the ornate mosaics and panoramic city views.
- 2 Walk the high-altitude footbridges and explore the gardens of Fort Saint-Jean at the MuCEM site for free.
- 3 Visit the Cathédrale de la Major to admire its stunning neo-Byzantine architecture and striped limestone exterior.
- 4 Relax at the Plages du Prado, Marseille's largest stretch of public Mediterranean beaches.
- 5 Stroll through the 17-hectare Parc Borély, which features a botanical garden and a lake.
- 6 Explore the street art and creative atmosphere of the Cours Julien district on foot.
- 7 Wander the narrow, historic alleys of Le Panier, the city's oldest neighborhood.
- 8 Visit the Palais Longchamp to view its spectacular fountains and formal gardens (museum entries are extra).
- 9 Watch the sunset from the Vallon des Auffes, a traditional and picturesque fishing harbor.
- 10 Hike the coastal trails of the Calanques National Park, which offer stunning limestone cliffs and turquoise water views for $0.
- 11 Visit the Abbey of Saint-Victor to see the upper basilica, which is free to the public.
- 12 Walk along the Corniche Kennedy for 5km of unobstructed Mediterranean views.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Traditional Bouillabaisse at L'Épuisette
Authentic multi-course fish stew in a Michelin-starred setting directly over the water.
Private Rib-Boat Rental for Calanques
Allows access to hidden coves inaccessible to tour boats. Split between 6 people, it is ~$71 / €60 each.
Sunset Aperitif Tour
Magical views of the Frioul Islands and Château d'If with drinks and snacks included.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Marseille
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Marseille and what they cost
Aix-en-Provence
$22 / €19 by train
Free
$71 / €60
Cassis
$15 / €13 by train
Free
$65 / €55
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
No
Excellent in cafes, hotels, and museums. Only small market stalls or old-school bakeries might require cash.
Service is included in the bill. Rounding up the bill or leaving ~$2.35–$5.89 / €2–€5 for excellent service in mid-range restaurants is standard.
Use bank-affiliated ATMs (BNP Paribas, Société Générale) for better rates. Avoid 'Euronet' machines which charge ~$4.71–$8.24 / €4–€7 fees.
Connectivity
eSIM: $18–$24 for 10GB (Orange or Airalo) (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $24 / €20 for 12GB at Relay shops at the airport.
WiFi: Widely available in cafes, museums, and major public squares like the Vieux-Port.
The 'Orange Holiday' eSIM offers the best 5G speeds for tourists.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Marseille.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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