Marseille to Nice by train
Direct trains take about 2 hours 40 minutes from Marseille Saint-Charles to Nice Ville, with ZOU! trains roughly hourly and a few TGV INOUI a day.
Direct trains run all day from Marseille Saint-Charles to Nice Ville, and the trip takes about 2 hours 40 minutes on either type of train.
ZOU! or TGV INOUI
Two kinds of direct train run between the cities. ZOU! regional trains, run by Transdev for the Région Sud, leave Marseille Saint-Charles roughly every hour from early morning into the evening. A few TGV INOUI trains a day also run through, arriving from Paris, Lyon or eastern France and continuing to Nice.
The journey time barely differs. ZOU! trains take about 2 hours 40 minutes, the TGVs about 2 hours 35 to 2 hours 50 minutes. Take the next ZOU! train unless a TGV leaves at a better time or costs less on your date.
Stations and stops
Board at Marseille Saint-Charles, the city's main station. ZOU! trains call at stations including Toulon, Les Arcs Draguignan, Saint-Raphaël Valescure, Cannes, Antibes and Nice Saint-Augustin, and some also stop at Carnoules. TGVs call at Toulon, Cannes and Antibes, most also at Saint-Raphaël Valescure, and some at Les Arcs Draguignan.
Nice Saint-Augustin comes first on a ZOU! train. For the city, stay on to Nice Ville, the main station, where every direct train from Marseille ends.
Tickets, reservations and passes
ZOU! trains have no seat reservations. You buy a ticket and find a seat. TGV INOUI seats are always reserved, and the reservation comes with the ticket. ZOU! fares are fixed, while TGV INOUI fares vary with demand, and advance second-class tickets on selected trains and dates start from €21, subject to availability.
An Interrail pass covers both. On a ZOU! train the pass is all you need. A TGV INOUI needs a compulsory pass-holder reservation, typically €10 to €20, which the ZOU! train spares you on a journey of the same length.
Works from 8 to 15 November 2026
From 23:00 on Sunday 8 November until midday on Sunday 15 November 2026, no trains run between Marseille Saint-Charles and Marseille Blancarde. ZOU! trains to Nice start from Marseille Blancarde, east of the centre, instead of Saint-Charles, and the direct TGVs do not run. Some direct TGVs are already cancelled on 8 November, and trains return to Saint-Charles from midday on 15 November, so check your train if you travel on either of those Sundays.
Where to book
Train service
- Check times & prices
SNCF operates France's TGV and regional trains. SNCF Connect books domestic and many international journeys, with fares ranging from flexible to non-refundable.
Official website - Check times & prices
ZOU! Intermétropole is the Marseille to Nice train branded ZOU!, run by Transdev since 2025 on Région Sud's public fares.
Official website
Find places to stay in Nice
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Marseille to Nice?
Yes. ZOU! regional trains run direct from Marseille Saint-Charles to Nice Ville roughly every hour, and a few TGV INOUI trains a day run through as well.
How long is the train from Marseille to Nice?
About 2 hours 40 minutes on a ZOU! train, and roughly the same on a TGV. The difference is small, so pick whichever departure suits you.
Which station do trains from Marseille arrive at in Nice?
Nice Ville, the city's main station, where every direct train from Marseille ends. ZOU! trains also stop at Nice Saint-Augustin just before.
Can I use an Interrail pass from Marseille to Nice?
Yes. ZOU! trains are covered with no reservation needed. TGV INOUI trains are covered too, but you pay a compulsory pass-holder reservation, typically €10 to €20.
How much does the train from Marseille to Nice cost?
TGV INOUI advance second-class one-way fares start from €21 on selected trains and dates, subject to availability. ZOU! regional fares are fixed and do not change with demand.
More routes
