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Marseille to Paris by train
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From Marseille-Saint-Charles to Paris Gare de Lyon/Paris Lyon
Journey Summary
3hr 2min - 3hr 25min (approx)
Daily
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: 4 months ahead of the travel date on these TGVInOui services - but bookings can open sooner when SNCF is running a promotion.
The train service between Marseille and Paris is now split between these TGV-InOui services and alternative Ouigo services.
Both services can be compared and booked on Trainline and Oui.SNCF - though those Ouigo services are usually more than 50% cheaper on this route.
Our step by step guide to booking tickets on the PC version on Oui.SNCF (French national railways) website is available HERE.
There's also a guide to booking with an independent ticket agent.
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Booking these InOui services:
Discounted 'Prems' tickets are made available on these TGV InOui trains, but you need to book ahead to obtain these 'Non-Modifiable' tickets at the cheapest possible price
They need to be booked at least 10 days in advance - if you're happy to travel with a ticket which can't be refunded or exchanged, if you subsequently have to change your travel plans.
Seat reservations are complimentary on these TGV InOui services - but you can choose the location of your seat and in what part of the train you want to travel by - including opting for the lower or upper decks.
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Booking those alternative Ouigo services:
As explained on our guide to booking French train tickets, how tickets can be booked and used for a journey by a Ouigo train, differs from booking tickets on a TGV (InOui) service.
What is particularly worth being aware of when booking tickets for journeys by Ouigo train services is:
(1) 1st class/Premiere tickets are not available.
(2) Reservations are included when booking, as they are on TGV InOui trains, but you cannot choose a seating area, you have to sit in the seat(s) you are assigned when booking - and double deck trains are used for Ouigo services.
(3) You cannot book or collect tickets for Ouigo trains at stations.
(4) Additional fees apply if you want access to a power socket, or to travel with additional luggage - click the yellow Ouigo button to access more info on the luggage allowances on Ouigo trains - they're more restrictive than on TGV InOui trains.
(5) A higher price is charged to travel in 'Quiet Zones' on Ouigo trains - and children aged 11 and under cannot travel in these quiet zones.
Though these factors, and more, are why you can make big savings by opting to travel by these Ouigo trains - and not on the standard TGV InOui trains.
---------------------------------------------------------
Travelling with Eurail and InterRail passes:
Rail pass users will need to pay a rail pass reservation fee before boarding these trains.
Rail passes cannot be used on the Ouigo trains, but if you will be travelling with a 2nd class pass, our guide to using rail passes in France, explains why taking a Ouigo train can be worth considering.
Or if you have a rail pass and want to avoid paying the reservation fees or booking separate tickets, the alternative routing is:
Train 1:
Depart: Marseille St Charles at 11:10
Arrive: Lyon Part-Dieu at 14:40
Train 2:
Depart: Lyon Part-Dieu at 15:16
Arrive: Paris Bercy at 20:24
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Trainline | from €39 | |
| Oui.SNCF | from €39 | |
| Download the Oui.SNCF app | from €39 | |
| Omio | from €39 | |
| SaveATrain | from €39 | |
| Happyrail | from €39 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
Final Destination: Paris Gare De Lyon
Most trains also call at: Avignon TGV, Aix-en-Provence TGV
When making a train journey from Marseille to central Paris, you now have a choice of travelling by these standard TGV InOui services or by alternative low-cost, but more basic Ouigo services.
Also if you want to set off from Marseille in the late morning, a Ouigo train plugs a three hour gap in the departures of these InOui services between 09:06 and 12:04.
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The train journey from Marseille to Paris:
These TGV InOui trains travel on to the high speed line around 10 mins into the journey and then don't leave it until it reaches the outskirts of Paris.
Most of the wow factor comes from travelling at more than 285 km/h for most of the journey, but the first 45 mins of the journey is the most scenic.
If you are new to travelling by train in France, we recommend taking a look at our French Train Travel Guide.
It is packed with info and useful links to help ensure you’ll have a stress-free trip.
These TGV InOui trains travel on to the high speed line around 10 mins into the journey and then don't leave it until it reaches the outskirts of Paris.
Most of the wow factor comes from travelling at more than 285 km/h for most of the journey, but the first 45 mins of the journey is the most scenic.
From Marseille-Saint-Charles to Paris Gare de Lyon/Paris Lyon
Journey Summary
3hr 24 min - 3hr 38min
Daily
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 6 months ahead* of the travel date - usually
*Tickets for the alternative service of TGV InOui trains are usually made available 3 months ahead, so if you look up this journey more than 3 months ahead on Oui.SNCF, you will only see these Ouigo services - but they are not the only option on this route.
As explained on our guide to booking French train tickets, how tickets can be booked and used for a journey by a Ouigo train, differs from booking tickets on a TGV (InOui) service.
What is particularly worth being aware of when booking tickets for journeys by Ouigo train services is:
(1) 1st class/Premiere tickets are not available.
(2) Reservations are included when booking, as they are on TGV InOui trains, but you cannot choose a seating area, you have to sit in the seat(s) you are assigned when booking - and double deck trains are used for Ouigo services.
(3) You cannot book or collect tickets for Ouigo trains at stations.
(4) Additional fees apply if you want access to a power socket, or to travel with additional luggage - click the yellow Ouigo button to access more info on the luggage allowances on Ouigo trains - they're more restrictive than on TGV InOui trains.
(5) A higher price is charged to travel in 'Quiet Zones' on Ouigo trains - and children aged 11 and under cannot travel in these quiet zones.
Though these factors, and more, are why you can make big savings by opting to travel by these Ouigo trains - and not on the standard TGV InOui trains.
Eurail and InterRail Pass Users:
Rail passes cannot be used on Ouigo trains, but if you will be travelling with a 2nd class pass, our guide to using rail passes in France, explains why taking a Ouigo train can be worth considering.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Oui.SNCF | from €16 | |
| Ouigo | from €16 | |
| Trainline | from €16 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
Final Destination: Paris
When making a train journey from Marseille to central Paris, you now have a choice of travelling by standard TGV InOui trains or by these Ougio trains.
So you can now opt to save money, but have a much more basic on board experience, and travel on a Ouigo.
Also if you want to set off from Marseille in the late morning, a Ouigo train plugs a three hour gap in the departures of those InOui services between 09:06 and 12:04
If you do opt to travel from Paris to Marseille by these Ouigo trains, you should aim to be at St.Charles station, 30 mins before the train is due to depart.
And that's because you need to pass through 'reception' before boarding a Ouigo train - staff need to verify that all passengers are abiding by the 'rules' of travelling on a Ouigo train, no additional un-booked luggage, no bikes etc.
The train journey from Marseille to Paris:
These Ouigo trains travel on the same high speed line between Marseille and Paris which those alternative TGV InOui trains services take.
So you should be travelling at more than 270 km/h for more than 90% of this journey.
The train will head on to the high speed line around 10 mins into the journey and won't leave it until it reaches the outskirts of Paris
If you are new to travelling by train in France, we recommend taking a look at our French Train Travel Guide.
It is packed with info and useful links to help ensure you’ll have a stress-free trip.
Final Destination: Paris
When making a train journey from Marseille to central Paris, you now have a choice of travelling by standard TGV InOui trains or by these Ougio trains.
So you can now opt to save money, but have a much more basic on board experience, and travel on a Ouigo.
Also if you want to set off from Marseille in the late morning, a Ouigo train plugs a three hour gap in the departures of those InOui services between 09:06 and 12:04
If you do opt to travel from Paris to Marseille by these Ouigo trains, you should aim to be at St.Charles station, 30 mins before the train is due to depart.
And that's because you need to pass through 'reception' before boarding a Ouigo train - staff need to verify that all passengers are abiding by the 'rules' of travelling on a Ouigo train, no additional un-booked luggage, no bikes etc.
The train journey from Marseille to Paris:
These Ouigo trains travel on the same high speed line between Marseille and Paris which those alternative TGV InOui trains services take.
So you should be travelling at more than 270 km/h for more than 90% of this journey.
The train will head on to the high speed line around 10 mins into the journey and won't leave it until it reaches the outskirts of Paris
If you are new to travelling by train in France, we recommend taking a look at our French Train Travel Guide.
It is packed with info and useful links to help ensure you’ll have a stress-free trip.
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