How to travel by train from Marseille to Nice

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Marseille to Nice by train

There is only a 'classic' conventional railway line between Marseille and Nice, so both the TGV and TER trains between the two locations share the exact same route.
The TGV trains are slightly faster because they make fewer station calls and if you book in advance online they can can be cheaper too.
Though when booking tickets last minute at the station, the TER trains become the cheaper option and users of Eurail and InterRail passes can also save money by travelling on them.
However, despite the two train services operating on this route, there are fewer departures overall than you might expect.

Routes you can take to go from Marseille to Nice

When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.

Choose one of the following options:

Looking for connections?

Journey guides for travel to Marseille

Route Information

Station Guides

Marseille St Charles station viewed from the terrace, a great area in which to wait for a train

Marseille-Saint-Charles Rail Station Guide

Nice-Ville Rail Station Guide

Travel Time (approx)

2hr 36min - 2hr 43min

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

TER trains:
Mon - Thurs = 7 x trains per day
Friday = 8 x trains
Saturday = 7 x trains
Sunday = 9x trains

TGV trains:
6 x trains per day

Is the journey from Marseille to Nice direct?
Yes, there is no need to make a connection when taking this route.

Is the journey scenic?
Before Toulon and between Les Arcs and Nice, some of the best coastal views from any European train can be enjoyed - see the Journey Information below

What other tourist locations are along the route from Marseille to Nice?
Toulon and St Raphael and Nice

When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at Nice from Marseille-St Charles on this journey option?
Before 08:40 daily - by TER train
Before 11:00 daily by TGV InOui train
Source = European Rail Timetable

When is the usual approximate latest departure from Marseille-St Charles to Nice on this journey option

Before 19:00 on Monday to Thursday and Sunday by TER train
Before 21:00 on Friday and Saturday by TER train
Around 20:20 daily by TGV InOui train

Source = European Rail Timetable

How easy is it to get to the station in Marseille?
Marseille St-Charles is served by both of the Metro lines in Marseille, lines A and B.
See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay by Marseille-St Charles.

Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for these Marseille to Nice trains?
Yes for travel by the TGV InOui trains, and they can be purchased from a choice of booking agents - see below.
No, for travel by the TER trains
Click on the 'Good to know info' to access a guide to how rail tickets are managed in France, plus step-by-step guides on how to make a booking.

How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for these Marseille to Nice trains?
For travel by the TGV InOui trains - Typically up to 4 months, but it varies according to when /if SNCF has a promotion in place; see the Ticket Information

What are the child ticket terms for these Marseille to Nice trains?
The adult rate is charged for all travellers aged 12 and over.
Children aged 4-11 pay half fare

Does the ticket for these Marseille to Nice trains include assigned seats?
Yes for travel by the TGV InOui trains - See the Train Guide in the Journey Information for insights on how to board the train.~
No when travelling by the TER trains

Do rail pass users need to book reservations for these Marseille to Nice trains?
Not when travelling by the TER trains
Yes, when travelling by the TGV InOui trains - See the rail pass guide for France for info on the multiple booking options.

Is catering available on the these trains?
Not on the TER trains.
Yes on the TGV InOui trains - there is a bar/bistro car
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information.

What else is good to know about French rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in France.

Travel Information

Final Destination: Nice (or Menton)

All trains also call at: Toulon; St Raphael-Valescure; Cannes and Antibes

Most trains also call at calls at: Les Arcs-Draguignan

Between Marseille and Nice the French national operator SNCF provides a mix of TGV InOui trains and TER services.

There is little difference in journey time between the two services, as there is no high speed line between these towns.
The TER trains are around 5 - 10 mins slower because they call at more stations.

This is a direct journey

You will be travelling on one of these trains...

TGV InOui (Duplex) Train Guide

A relatively new TER train with large windows

TER (France) Train Guide

Journey Features

Scenic - YesHigh Speed (partial journey)

Good to Know

Though there are fewer trains operated by SNCF between Marseille and Nice than you might expect.
During the day the TER trains typically depart at two hourly intervals, so when no TGV trains are scheduled within these intervals there can be lengthy intervals between trains.
For example, there is a two hour gap between departures on these TGV or TER trains from around 09:57 to 11:57.

So even if you will be booking tickets last minute at the station, definitely look up the departure times, before heading off to Marseille St Charles.

Journey description:

An advantage of taking the TER trains on this scenic route, is that seat reservations aren't an option on these trains, so you're free to choose a seat when you board.

If you'll be taking a TER train, SMTJ's advice is to be at Marseille St-Charles in time for when the voie (platform/track number) is confirmed.
Then when you board head up to the upper deck and sit on the right of the train (when facing the direction of travel).
Do that and you'll be able to take in the wonderful views of the Cote D'Azur between Marseille and Toulon.

and from St Raphael to Antibes...

... and after departure from Antibes

All of the images and video were captured from the right of the train

Take a TGV and your reserved seat may be on the left of the train, and if it is you won't be able to see the best of the views from your seat.

Between Marseille and Toulon

Between St Raphael and Cannes

Between Cannes and Antibes

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Le viaduc de Chamborigaud from a Nimes - Clermont Ferrand train

The general guide to French rail travel Discover what's good to know about riding the trains, using the major stations, booking tickets and travelling with Eurail and InterRail passes.

Tickets

Book early and save: Yes on the InOui (TGV) trains; No on the TER trains

Online bookings usually open: up to 4 months ahead of the travel date - see the ticket guide for more info.

Booking Online:

If you're booking ahead, the discounted ' the InOui (TGV) trains will be cheaper than those for the TER trains - the TER trains will typically be available online from 3 months ahead.
So when booking in advance, and if the departure times suit, target the InOui services - they're faster, usually cheaper, more comfortable and seat reservations will automatically be included when booking.

Plus the T & Cs for the Seconde / Prems tickets for travel by the InOui trains around exchanges and refunds, are more flexible than the TER trains - book for an InOui service and:

Exchanges and refunds are free up to 7 days before departure.
If you want to amend your booking in the 6 days before departure you must pay an amendment fee of €19 per person per person for an exchange or a refund.
In the 30 minutes before departure, refunds cannot be requested and exchanges are only allowed for the same journey later that day. The same amendment fees apply to the exchange.
If you arrive at a station too late to make a train you were booked on to, you won't get your money back on your original purchase and will have to book an entirely new ticket, which will be at the most expensive last minute price.

In contrast to the InOui services, the TER trains have a fixed price, so you won't save by booking the TER trains online.
The 'Voyage Zou' tickets for travel on the TER trains can be refunded up until the day of departure, but there is a €5 fee for doing so,
But if you have to abandon your trip on your travel date, you won't get any of your money back.

Booking at the station:

If you will be booking last minute at the station, the InOui trains can still be cheaper.
Although, as the difference in price compared to the TER trains can be only be a couple of euros - it makes sense to take the next available train, no matter the type of train.

Using rail passes:

Rail pass users should take the TER trains and thereby avoid paying any rail pass reservation fees, taking the InOui services becomes the comparatively expensive option, when there is such a small difference in journey times.s.

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