- Must visit
Musée des Beaux-Arts et d'Archéologie
Fine arts and archaeology museum with paintings, ancient collections and a notable modernist interior. A strong introduction to Besançon’s cultural heritage.
Cheapest price on 23 Sept
£62
Average ticket price on 23 Sept
£72
Fastest journey on 23 Sept
4 h 33 m
Average journey duration on 23 Sept
5 h 7 m
Trains on 23 Sept
5
Distance
442 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Marseille to Besançon is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Marseille to Besançon will cost around £72 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £62.
On Wed 23 Sept, we found 5 trains from Marseille to Besançon, including 5 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 442 km distance in an average of 5 h 7 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 33 m .
The slowest trains will take 6 h 23 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.










Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Marseille to Besançon among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £53 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 5h 7m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £53, while a flight costs an average of £497.
Distance: 442 km
| Train | Most popular Flight | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£107 Average Price | £497 Average Price | £53 Average Price Cheapest | £126 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 7m Average total duration Fastest 4h 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 12m Average total duration 3h 12m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 8h 28m Average total duration 7h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 41m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions | 0.4 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Marseille to Besançon:
A coach is £54 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Marseille to Besançon costing on average £107.
A coach is £444 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Marseille to Besançon costing on average £497.
Other travel options to Besançon take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 37m.
Coach takes on average 7h 58m.
The journey is about 1h 4m faster (4h 37m by train vs 5h 41m by car) and roughly £20 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£107 vs £126). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Marseille to Besançon trains for tomorrow, Wednesday 23 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:21 Marseille | 6h23 | 14:44 Besançon | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 8:45 Marseille | 4h45 | 13:30 Besançon | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 12:36 Marseille | 4h33 | 17:09 Besançon | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 13:56 Marseille | 4h56 | 18:52 Besançon | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 14:56 Marseille | 4h56 | 19:52 Besançon | 0 changesdirect |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, coach and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Marseille to Besançon run on average 8 times per day, taking around 4h 37m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £56 but you can travel from only £25 by coach.
The earliest train runs at 04:55, the last at 22:05. The fastest train covers the 442 km distance in 4h 3m.
Distance 442 km |
Average train duration 4h 37m |
Cheapest ticket price £56 |
Trains per day 8 |
Fastest train 4h 3m |
First train 4:55 |
Last train 22:05 |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 2 days |
Discover the best of Besançon — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Besançon trip today.
Fine arts and archaeology museum with paintings, ancient collections and a notable modernist interior. A strong introduction to Besançon’s cultural heritage.
Museum in Victor Hugo’s birthplace presenting the writer’s life and his commitments. Compact, thoughtful and easy to combine with a walk in the centre.
Museum devoted to timekeeping, watchmaking and local industry inside the citadel. It offers interactive displays and a distinctive regional story.
Grand riverside square lined with handsome buildings and terraces, often used for events. It is a natural starting point for exploring central Besançon.
Main shopping street through the old town with historic façades, arcades and everyday city life. Ideal for an easy stroll between major sights.
Popular viewpoint above the city with broad panoramas over the Doubs loop, roofs and citadel. A rewarding stop for walkers and photographers.
Smoked pork sausage from nearby Morteau, slowly cooked and often served with potatoes or lentils. It is a Franche-Comté staple with protected regional identity.
Air-dried smoked sausage from the Haut-Doubs, traditionally eaten cooked with warm dishes or cold in charcuterie platters. A classic local mountain product.
Rich cheese tart from Franche-Comté made with Comté, eggs and cream in pastry. It is a signature regional comfort dish often found in local brasseries.
Popular casual spot for crêpes and galettes with a warm, informal atmosphere. Good for a lighter meal in the old town.
Established restaurant serving refined French cuisine with regional produce in an elegant but relaxed setting close to the historic centre.
Traditional brasserie near the centre known for regional Franche-Comté dishes, generous portions and a lively classic dining room.
Moderate for France: hotels and dining are usually cheaper than Paris, while local transport and everyday cafés stay fairly manageable for visitors.
Service is included in restaurant bills. Locals may round up or leave 5-10% for excellent service. Round up taxi fares, and leave small change in cafés if service was good.
Official public transport app
Besançon Viotte -> Centre-ville, Besançon
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Marseille to Besançon by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Besançon, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Marseille to Besançon trains use the Marseille Saint-Charles to Besançon Viotte station pair. Use this guide to compare Marseille and Besançon train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Marseille Saint-Charles has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Caffe San Carlo, DAKAO, Espressamente Illy, EXKi, McDonald's, Monop'Daily, Starbucks, Casa Di Pasta, Chatime, PAUL
Free, unlimited Wi-Fi is available throughout the station. ATMs are located between track M and the bus station at the Honnorat exit.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sun: 09:00 - 18:00. Information desks are located on level -1 of the station, entrances via the station or via Bd Bourdet.
Luggage storage is the lockers are located on Boulevard Bourdet, on level 0 of the station. Service is provided by La Bag Mobile.
Available at Marseille Saint-Charles: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Marseille Saint-Charles: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Marseille Saint-Charles: Accès Plus is a service offered to passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility who need assistance at the station. For more information email [email protected] or call +33 890640650.
Nearby hotels include Adagio Access Marseille-Saint Charles, Holiday Inn Express Marseille-Saint Charles, Hotel Les Bords De Me.
Besançon Viotte has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Pain Soleil, Selecta
Free, unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi when you create a free account. ATMs are located in the front of the station.
The ticket office is open Mon - Fri: 09:00 - 17:10, Sat - Sun: 10:00 - 17:10. Information desks are located at the south entrance to the underground level. .
Available at Besançon Viotte: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Besançon Viotte: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Besançon Viotte: The station is fully accessible, including wheelchair ramps, a magnetic induction loop for people with hearing loss and a guidance system for people with visual impairments. Staff can provide additional assistance, and wheelchairs are available.
Nearby hotels include ibis budget Besançon Centre Gare, Victor Hugo Hotel and Spa, Le Viotte King Size.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need