I am a first time France traveller arriving in Marseille after a 20+ hrs flight. And I have to catch a train to Beziers the next day. I am wondering whether it makes sense logistically to stay in Aix en Provence or Marseille, given I will be very tired and arriving in the early evening. If Aix was recommended, would it make sense to hire a driver vs a shuttle bus to train station, etc.
Thanks,
Jackie in Alaska
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10623 posts
Aix is actually closer to the airport than downtown Marseille. Knowing both towns, I'd stay in Aix because it's smaller, calmer. I can't advise you on cab vs. shuttle because I've always driven to Aix (lived in the region and had a kid studying at the university there), but you can get an idea on prices on rome2rio.com or the airport website. Personally, after twenty hours, I'd want to be carried to my door.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Most of the direct trains from Marseille to Beziers don't stop at Aix, so you would start with a train from Aix to Marseille (or bus back to the airport station for departures that stop there). However, the 8:00 AVE departure from Marseille to Beziers and Madrid does serve Aix TGV station; you would connect by shuttle bus from the more central station in Aix, like this:
Aix-en-Provence Th, 10.09.15 dep 07:40 Bus59218 Bus (Direction: Marseille Provence Aeroport)
Aix-en-Provence TGV Th, 10.09.15 arr 08:09
Aix-en-Provence TGV Th, 10.09.15 dep 08:20 AVE 9731 AVE (Direction: Madrid-Puerta de Atocha)
Beziers Th, 10.09.15 arr 10:16
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks to Laura and Bets for these helpful replies.
Jackie