Is Marseille expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Marseille is one of France's more affordable big cities: noticeably cheaper than Paris or Nice for hotels and casual food, though a real bouillabaisse and summer boat trips are expensive. A budget traveller needs about €85 a day, mid-range about €175 and comfort about €365 per person. Most of the money goes on rooms, dinners and the Calanques boat tours.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €40 | €80 | €170 |
| Food & drink | €30 | €55 | €110 |
| Sights & tickets | €10 | €30 | €60 |
| Local transport | €5 | €10 | €25 |
| Per person, per day | €85 | €175 | €365 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Marseille day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Espresso at a café counter | €1.50–2.50 |
| Pastis on the Vieux-Port | €3–5 |
| Panisse (chickpea fries) | €3–6 |
| Pizza in a Corniche bar | €12–15 |
| Real bouillabaisse, per person | €60–90+ |
| RTM metro or tram ticket (1 hour) | about €2 |
| MuCEM ticket | about €11–13 |
| Mid-range double on the Vieux-Port | €120–200 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Hotels take the largest share, from €70–110 near Saint-Charles to €120–200 on the Vieux-Port, plus a tourist tax of about €1–5 per person per night. Eating is good value at North African, Lebanese and pizza places, but restaurants on the Vieux-Port and the classic bouillabaisse (€60–90 or more per person) push the bill up. Boat trips to the Calanques (about €30–45) and the Château d'If (about €12–15 return plus about €7 entry) are the main extras; public transport is cheap.
When it is cheaper
Hotels are generally cheaper from November to March, often by a quarter or more compared with July and August. May, June and September sit in between.
How to spend less
- Buy a 24-hour RTM pass (about €5–6) if you will take several rides, or tap per ride.
- Hike into the Calanques from Luminy or Les Goudes for free instead of taking a boat tour.
- Eat in Noailles and Cours Julien, where North African and Lebanese meals cost €10–20.
- Take the city's ferry-boat across the Vieux-Port for a token fare instead of walking around.
- Have a pastis aperitif rather than cocktails on the harbour.
- Use the airport shuttle bus to Saint-Charles (about €10) rather than a taxi.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
Is Marseille expensive?
Less than Paris or Nice. Expect about €85 a day on a budget and €175 mid-range; bouillabaisse and boat trips are the main splurges.
How much is a real bouillabaisse in Marseille?
Roughly €60–90 or more per person at the traditional restaurants. Much cheaper versions are usually not the authentic dish.
How much does public transport cost in Marseille?
About €2 for a single ticket valid one hour with transfers, or about €5–6 for a 24-hour pass.