Updated in October 2026.

The short answer

The fastest way from Marseille to Avignon is the TGV to Avignon TGV station, under 40 minutes according to the regional tourism board. That station is 6 km (3.7 miles) south of the center, so add a short TER train or a bus. By car, Avignon Tourisme gives 1 hour from Marseille (the tour below schedules 1 hour 30 minutes each way). A guided day trip is another option (see below).

Marseille to Avignon by train, by bus and by car

By train

Take a TGV from Marseille to Avignon TGV station. The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur tourism board says the trip takes under 40 minutes (page updated in March 2025).

From Avignon TGV, the TER regional train toward Carpentras reaches Avignon Centre (Gare Centre) in just a few minutes, according to Avignon Tourisme. Buses also leave from outside the station for the center, about 15 minutes away according to the regional tourism board. Gare Centre is a 2-minute walk from the historic center and a 15-minute walk from the Palais des Papes.

Fares and journey times change by train and date, so we do not quote them: check SNCF Connect or TER Sud for the trains and stations on your travel date.

By bus

The coach station (5 Avenue Monclar) is next to Gare Centre. Avignon Tourisme lists regional coaches from there to Aix, Carpentras, Orange and other towns. For the trip from Marseille, check the current options on TER Sud or SNCF Connect.

By car

Avignon Tourisme gives 1 hour from Marseille; our tour schedules 1 hour 30 minutes each way. The difference is traffic, and above all getting into the city, which is the complicated part. Use the A7 and leave at the Avignon Sud exit. Vehicles taller than 1.90 m (about 6 feet 3 inches) cannot use the city-center underground car parks. Where to leave the car:

  • Park-and-ride Italiens (avenue des Italiens): 1,454 spaces, free parking, free CityZen Italiens shuttle.
  • Park-and-ride Piot (route de l’Islon): 1,100 spaces, free parking, free P1 shuttle to Porte de l’Oulle.
  • Palais des Papes underground car park (18 Place du Palais): 825 spaces, open 24 hours. As of October 2026, the first hour costs €2.80 and up to 2 hours costs €5.20 (€3.20 and €6 in July and August).

How much time do you need in Avignon?

The Palais des Papes website recommends about 2 hours for the palace and its gardens, and its last entry is 1 hour before closing. As of October 2026, it is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from March 1 to November 1 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November 2 to December 18. Renovation work runs until spring 2027, so check palais-des-papes.com for open rooms before you go.

The guided tour below is a 7-hour day. Three of those hours are the drive between Marseille and Avignon. Most days, your guide shows you the outside of the palace and a little of the city center. On the Avignon and Châteauneuf-du-Pape tour, guests can instead visit the inside with an audio guide in about 1 hour, because there is little time between the drives and the wine tastings.

What to see in Avignon

  • The Palais des Papes, the former residence of the popes. As of October 2026, tickets are from €16 for the palace and gardens and from €19.50 with the Pont d’Avignon (prices changed on August 1, 2026).
  • The Pont d’Avignon and the city ramparts.
  • The Festival d’Avignon, a performing arts festival held every July, which stages productions in the palace’s Cour d’honneur.
  • Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a village to walk through and have lunch in.
  • A hilltop village, Gigondas or Séguret, for a last walk before the drive back.

Marseille to Avignon with a local guide

Our Avignon and Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tour from Marseille, 7 Hours is led by a local guide, for 1 to 8 guests in an 8-seat minivan. Water is on board, and tolls, insurance, taxes and fuel are included. Drinks, an optional lunch and the entry tickets to the palace and the museums cost extra. The day runs in this order:

  • Transfer from Marseille to Avignon: 1 hour 30 minutes.
  • Palais des Papes: 1 hour.
  • Transfer to Châteauneuf-du-Pape: 30 minutes.
  • Walk through the village and lunch: 1 hour 30 minutes.
  • Transfer to a hilltop village: 30 minutes.
  • Walk through the hilltop village: 30 minutes.
  • Return to Marseille: 1 hour 30 minutes.

With the minivan, you do not have to choose between the two stations. For shorter days, see our guides to Cassis and Aix-en-Provence, or browse all our tours.

Questions about getting to Avignon

Does the TGV go to Avignon?

Yes. The Avignon TGV station opened in 2001. Avignon Tourisme gives about 2 hours 40 minutes from Paris and 1 hour from Lyon, and the regional tourism board gives under 40 minutes from Marseille. The station is 6 km (3.7 miles) from the center, so you need a TER train or a bus to reach the old town.

What airport do you fly into for Avignon, France?

Avignon Provence airport is 8 km (5 miles) from the center, about a 10-minute drive, but Avignon Tourisme says it has no scheduled flights, only business aviation. The nearest scheduled airports are Marseille Provence, Nîmes Grande Provence Méditerranée and Montpellier Aéroport Méditerranée. From Marseille Provence, the route to Avignon goes through Vitrolles Aéroport Marseille Provence station: a shuttle between the airport and the station, then a TER train.

What is the difference between Avignon TGV and Avignon Centre?

Avignon TGV is the high-speed station, 6 km (3.7 miles) from the center. Avignon Centre is the regional TER station, a 2-minute walk from the historic center. A TER train links the two in just a few minutes, and buses take about 15 minutes, according to the regional tourism board.