Door-to-door time not modelled. Fastest train 3h03 (Paris-Gare de Lyon → Marseille Saint-Charles (some OUIGO from Marne-la-Vallée; night train Paris-Austerlitz → Marseille-Blancarde)), 22-27 trains/day. 3.5 g CO₂e per passenger-km by train vs 125 g by plane. Checked 2026-11-01.
The comparison
| Fastest train | 3h03Paris-Gare de Lyon → Marseille Saint-Charles (some OUIGO from Marne-la-Vallée; night train Paris-Austerlitz → Marseille-Blancarde) |
|---|---|
| Trains | 22-27 trains/day (SNCF Connect, varies by page/date)SNCF TGV INOUI, OUIGO, Intercités de nuit |
| Flight | – |
| Door to door | Door-to-door time not modelled |
| CO₂ | 3.5 g CO₂e per passenger-km by train vs 125 g by planegCO2e per passenger-km incl. use, manufacturing and maintenance. Train = SNCF TGV average (TGV INOUI/OUIGO in France, 2024 values); plane = ADEME Base Empreinte short-haul 500-1000 km without contrails. SNCF's headline France comparison. Same SNCF document gives 161 g total for f |
| Air & rail | Air France 'Train + Air' from Marseille Saint-Charles (and Aix-en-Provence TGV, Avignon TGV) to Paris-CDG; since 16 Oct 2025 also bookable on OUIGO trains. Flying Blue Miles + XP earned. |
| Points | Flying Blue Miles → SNCF Voyageurs vouchers (EUR 25-100) on TGV INOUI. |
Intercités night train runs Paris-Austerlitz ↔ Marseille-Blancarde (e.g. 21:31 → 06:55, 9h24, per SNCF Connect timetable). Fastest TGV 3h03-3h04 nonstop.
Questions
Is the train faster than flying from Paris to Marseille?
Door-to-door time not modelled. The fastest train takes 3h03 city centre to city centre.
How often do trains run from Paris to Marseille?
22-27 trains/day (SNCF Connect, varies by page/date)
Can I earn or use points on this train?
Flying Blue Miles → SNCF Voyageurs vouchers (EUR 25-100) on TGV INOUI.
Can I book the train with an airline?
Air France 'Train + Air' from Marseille Saint-Charles (and Aix-en-Provence TGV, Avignon TGV) to Paris-CDG; since 16 Oct 2025 also bookable on OUIGO trains. Flying Blue Miles + XP earned.
Which emits less, train or plane?
3.5 g CO₂e per passenger-km by train vs 125 g by plane.
Sources: sncf-connect.com, sncf-connect.com, sncf-connect.com, wwws.airfrance.us, corporate.airfrance.com, sncf-voyageurs.com
Points or cash, or the train?
Tell Points or Cash where you are going. On short European trips it checks whether the train beats the flight before you spend a point.
Get an invite