Marseille is a principal Mediterranean port city in the south of France and is located 980km south from Amsterdam.
Let’s look at the options for travel between Amsterdam and Marseille by air, train or bus.
1. Amsterdam-Marseille by Train
Travel by train is possible between Amsterdam and Marseille and the journey can be done via Brussels in about 8 hours year round.
The standard Amsterdam-Marseille rail journey is comprised of 2 parts:
(1) Travel from Amsterdam to Brussels Zuid/Midi in the morning using either the high speed Eurostar (formerly Thalys) or the Eurocity Direct train. Eurostar normally runs up to 15x daily and takes 1 hour 50 minutes. Eurocity Direct runs 16x daily and takes 2 hours 8 minutes.
(2) Taking a TGV train which operates twice daily between Brussels Zuid/Midi and Marseille St Charles. It departs at 13:17 and takes less than 6 hours.
This train runs via Lille Europe, Paris Charles De Gaulle, Marne la Vallée-Chessy, Lyon Part Dieu, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence. It arrives at Marseille at 18:50.
For those who can overnight in Brussels there is also an early morning departure at 06:37, arriving in Marseille at 12:24.
Alternatively, it is possible to take the Eurostar from Amsterdam to Paris Nord then transfer across to Paris Gare de Lyon. From here there are more frequent TGV trains to Marseille St Charles. However connecting in Brussels is more convenient as no change of station is required.
Marseille-Amsterdam rail journey: Take the 06:34 TGV service departing Marseille which arrives at Brussels Zuid at 12:11. Then connect onto the 12:49 Eurocity Direct which arrives in Amsterdam Zuid at 14:56.
Later Marseille departures are also possible but connections need to be made in Paris.
One-way fares for the Amsterdam-Marseille trip with Eurostar+TGV start at €84 (2nd class) or €119 (1st class). To secure the lowest fares it is essential to book well in advance.
How to book train tickets online: Amsterdam-Marseille rail tickets can be booked at the NS International site or at the Trainline site.
As both France and the Netherlands are part of the Schengen Zone you do not need to go through a passport control check when travelling between Amsterdam and Marseille.
2. Amsterdam-Marseille by Air
Flights between Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) take around 2 hours. Flying is by far the quickest way to travel between the two cities.
KLM flies 3x daily non-stop from Amsterdam to Marseille using Cityhopper-branded Embraer aircraft or Boeing 737s. Prices start from around €200 return not including checked luggage.
3. Amsterdam-Marseille by Coach
Flixbus normally offers a regular coach service from Amsterdam Sloterdijk to Marseille, with a change of bus in either Brussels Noord or Paris Bercy. Travel time is around 17-22 hours and singles start at €46.
BlaBlaCar Bus normally has up to 2x daily connections for Amsterdam Sloterdijk to Marseille, also with a change in Paris Bercy. Singles start at around €47 and the total journey time ranges 19-23 hours.
The coach stop in Marseille is next to Marseille St Charles station.
Amsterdam Resources
Looking for a convenient hotel near Amsterdam Central station? Check out the stylish Kimpton-De Witt which is a short walk from the station. For those on a budget the Ibis Amsterdam Centre is literally on top of the western edge of the station platforms.
The Iamsterdam City Card (1-5 days) offers free entry and discounts to numerous Amsterdam museums and attractions. It also includes a free public transport pass, a canal cruise and bike rental as well. You can order your Iamsterdam City Card online here
Marseille Resources
For hotels in Marseille – the Hôtel Marseille Centre Gare Saint-Charles is just opposite the station; or consider the stylish and well-rated Alex Hotel & Spa or the charming Le Ryad Boutique Hôtel which is in Moroccan style.
The Marseille City Card (1-3 days) offers free public transport, tourist buses and mini trains, and free access to cultural activities. You can order your Marseille City Pass online here
This article was originally published in 2013 and has continuously been updated. Last update 5 June 2025.
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