Nice to Marseille by train
About 2 hours 40 minutes from Nice Ville to Marseille Saint-Charles on direct trains: ZOU! regional trains roughly hourly and a few TGV INOUI.
Direct trains link Nice Ville and Marseille Saint-Charles all day, and the trip takes about 2 hours 40 minutes on either type of train.
ZOU! or TGV INOUI
Two kinds of direct train share this line. ZOU! regional trains, run by Transdev for the Région Sud, leave Nice Ville roughly every hour from early morning into the evening. A few TGV INOUI trains a day also stop in both cities on their way to Paris, Lyon or eastern France.
Speed is no reason to choose one over the other. ZOU! trains take about 2 hours 40 minutes, and the TGVs anything from about 2 hours 35 minutes to just under 3 hours. For most trips, take the next ZOU! train. Book a TGV when its departure time or fare suits you better.
Stations and stops
Board at Nice Ville, the city's main station. ZOU! trains call at stations including Nice Saint-Augustin, Antibes, Cannes, Saint-Raphaël Valescure, Les Arcs Draguignan and Toulon, which makes them handy from the Riviera towns as well. TGVs stop at Antibes, Cannes, Saint-Raphaël Valescure and Toulon, and some at Les Arcs Draguignan too.
You arrive at Marseille Saint-Charles. It is the main station, and the TGVs carry on north from there.
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 about €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, so the ZOU! train saves you that fee for the same journey time.
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 Blancarde and Marseille Saint-Charles. ZOU! trains from Nice end at Marseille Blancarde, east of the centre, and the direct TGVs do not run. Trains return to Marseille Saint-Charles from midday on 15 November, so check your train if you travel on that Sunday.
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 Marseille
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Nice to Marseille?
Yes. ZOU! regional trains run direct from Nice Ville to Marseille Saint-Charles roughly every hour, and a few TGV INOUI trains a day are direct too.
How long does the train from Nice to Marseille take?
About 2 hours 40 minutes. ZOU! trains and TGVs take almost the same time, so choose by departure time and fare rather than speed.
Do I need to reserve a seat from Nice to Marseille?
Not on ZOU! regional trains, which have no seat reservations. TGV INOUI seats are always reserved, and the reservation is included when you buy a TGV ticket.
Can I use an Interrail pass from Nice to Marseille?
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 is the train from Nice to Marseille?
ZOU! regional fares are fixed. TGV INOUI fares vary, and advance second-class tickets on selected trains and dates start from about €21, subject to availability.
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