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Paris to Aix-en-Provence by train
How to take the train from Paris to Aix-en-Provence
You can only take high speed trains from Paris to Aix-en-Provence TGV station, but both the regular TGV InOui services and low-cost, but more basic, Ouigo services share the route.
It's particularly worthwhile to click on the Train Guides below so that you can compare the two train services.
However, if you need to arrive at a specific time you will often have to take one train service or the other.
The Ouigo services can plug gaps between the TGV InOui departures.
Also note that the TGV station is some distance from Aix-en-Provence.
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Routes
Option 1: Travel on a standard InOui service
Journey Summary
2hr 56min - 3hr 8 min approx
Daily
Travel Information
Note that these trains depart from the Gare De Lyon in Paris.
Final Destination: Marseille or Nice or Menton
Connecting to Aix-en-Provence town centre
Note that the TGV from Paris will arrive at Aix-en-Provence TGV station.
This station is 16 km from Aix-en-Provence town centre and there are no direct trains from the TGV station to Aix-en-Provence Ville station; which lives up to its name with a central location in the town.
If you'll want to head to the town centre by public transport , you'll have two options -
(1) Buses link the station and the town.
(That link connects to a page on the Marseille-Provence Aeroport website because Bus Line 40 runs on a route between the Aeroport and the bus station (Gare Routiére) in Aix-en-Provence town centre - and that route calls at the TGV station).
For more info you can click the 'Download Schedules' link and be taken to a PDF brochure which gives more info on the line 40 route (the info is in French, but the fares and schedule are easy to ascertain).
(2) OR book a ticket from Paris to Marseille St Charles station online; and then on arrival in Marseille purchase a separate ticket for a TER train from Marseille St-Charles to Aix-En-Provence Ville.
Mon - Thurs 9 x trains per day
Friday up to 11 x trains
Saturday 6 x trains
Sunday up to 10 x trains
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: 4 months ahead of the travel date - but bookings can open sooner when SNCF is running a promotion.
When looking for tickets on Oui.SNCF tick the 'direct trains' box, on Trainline tick the 'fastest journeys' box.
Seats will automatically be assigned when booking tickets for this journey, but rail pass users will need to be pay a reservation fee prior to boarding -more info is available on our guide to using rail passes in France.
Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Trainline | from €41 | |
| Oui.SNCF | from €41 | |
| Download the Oui.SNCF app | from €41 | |
| Saveatrain | from €41 | |
| Happyrail | from €41 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
The low-cost, but more basic, Ouigo trains, now provide a direct alternative to these InOui trains for a journey from Paris to Aix-en-Provence.
That's because there are now 3 x Ouigo trains per day from Paris Gare De Lyon to Aix-en-Provence TGV station.
Also if you'll need or want to arrive there between around 15:00 and 18:30, you'll have to take those Ouigo trains.
That's because from 11:39 to 15:37 they now plug a 4 hour gap between the departures of these TGV InOui trains.
The train will head on to the high speed line around 10 mins into the journey and will remain on it until the train arrives in Aix-en-Provence.
You should be travelling at more than 270 km/h for more than 90% of this journey.
The fastest trains are non-stop between Paris and Aix-en-Provence TGV station.
Option 2: Save money by taking the more basic Ouigo services
Journey Summary
3hr 8min - 3hr 11min
Daily
Travel Information
Final Destination: Nice or Marseille
When making a train journey from central Paris to Aix-en-Provence TGV station, you can now opt to save money, but have a much more basic on board experience, and travel on a Ouigo service.
4 x trains per day
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 4 months ahead, so if you look up this journey more than 4 months ahead on Oui.SNCF, you may only see these Ouigo services - but they are not the only option on this route.
What is particularly worth being aware of when booking tickets for journeys by Ouigo train services, is that:
(1) 1st class/Premiere tickets are not available.
(2) Reservations are included when booking, as they are on TGV InOui trains, but you can opt to pay a surcharge to select a specific seat (more info is available on the Ouigo 'Train Guide').
(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 Ouigo 'Train Guide' to access more info on the luggage allowances on Ouigo trains; they're more restrictive than on TGV InOui trains.
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 €19 | |
| Trainline | from €19 | |
| RailEurope | from €19 | |
| RailEurope | from €19 | |
| SaveATrain | from €19 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
If you do opt to travel from Paris to Aix-en-Provence by these Ouigo trains, you should aim to be at the Gare De Lyon, 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.
These Ouigo trains travel on the same high speed line between Paris and the south which the TGV InOui trains take.
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