Paris to Aix-en-Provence train with Trenitalia

Train Paris Aix-en-Provence

Taking a train from Paris to Aix en Provence is a comfortable and sustainable way to move between these cities and a top choice for many travellers concerned with lowering their carbon footprint. It's also a popular route to travel, so there are several trains from Paris to Aix en Provence every day. These services are all operated by the same company, SNCF, and run between the same stations. There are no direct routes, only routes with one or two stopovers along the way. The schedule is quite consistent throughout the week, with the same number of trains running on the same schedule every day, except Saturdays, when there is one less service. The travel time for these journeys depends on the length and number of stopovers but the average time taken to cover the 638 km (396 miles) is around 5 hours for single stopover routes and closer to 6 hours for trips with two stops.

Paris to Aix-en-Provence Train Times: Daily Departures

Thanks to the popularity of both of these cities, the train to Aix en Provence from Paris is a regular occurrence every day of the week. These routes start running in the morning and operate over the next 10 hours. The first route is typically around 7:40 a.m. every day, and the last trip of the day departs around 5:40 p.m. The train schedule from Paris to Aix en Provence is consistent throughout the week except for Saturdays when there is one less train. On every other day, there is a service that departs around 5:10 p.m. each evening, while on Saturdays there isn't a service between the 3:40 p.m. and 5:40 p.m. departures. The best way to see the daily schedule is to choose your departure and arrival points at the top of this page, select your travel dates, and click on the search button. You'll be redirected to the daily schedule with all of the results displayed on a single page and the ability to filter according to your wants.

Boarding your train Paris Aix-en-Provence

Paris Gare de Lyon is one of the six major railway stations in the city and, according to many, the most beautiful. If you're arriving by car or taxi, you'll be dropped off at the northwest door, which will be closest to Hall 1, where your train Paris - Aix en Provence is likely to depart from. Pay attention to the departure boards, as these will give you all of the information you need. Departures and arrivals are listed chronologically and will let you know which track your service departs from. keep your ticket handy and pay attention to the display boards. The platform for your train will be displayed about 20 minutes before its departure. As soon as this happens, everyone will start wheeling their luggage toward the platform.

Paris: view of La Defense building in the district business by night. Source: Shutterstock

Where do trains from Paris to Aix-en-Provence depart and arrive?

All trains from Paris to Aix en Provence depart from the same station and arrive at the same station. Only the routes along the way vary, slightly. The departure station for these trips is Paris Gare de Lyon, one of the six major stations in the city and the only calling point for services between these cities. It's located to the east of central Paris and served by high-speed TGV trains and regional services and is one of the most important stations in the city. There is level access throughout Gare de Lyon, making it easier for those with mobility issues, and it is home to a wide range of amenities designed to make your trip as comfortable as possible. These include luggage storage, ATMs, accessible and standard toilets, restaurants, cafes, and more.

The arrival station for trains from Paris to Aix en Provence is the TGV Aix en Provence station, located a few kilometres outside of the city centre, but well-connected through buses and taxis. It's only about a 10-minute trip. This station offers services to and from various cities inside and outside of the country, including Brussels, Lyon, Lille, Barcelona, and more.

When is the best time to book your train ticket Paris Aix-en-Provence?

If you're looking for the cheapest train from Paris to Aix en Provence, consider booking tickets over the weekend. Tickets during the week can be almost 50% more expensive than weekend tickets. If you're in a hurry and want to get to Aix en Provence as quickly as possible, the fastest route is usually the first service of the day departing around 9:10 a.m. On Sundays, the quickest route is often the one departing around 3:10 p.m., which has a travel time of close to 4h 10min. If you want to experience the most of Aix en Provence, consider going over the weekend, when the city is at its most lively. Book tickets for late on a Friday evening or early Saturday morning.

What to see between Paris and Aix-en-Provence?

If you're on a fast train from Paris to Aix en Provence, your trip will have at least one stopover en route, and it's in one of the best port cities in the country, Marseille. To explore another part of what it means to be in French, consider booking a ticket to Marseille, spending time exploring the city, and getting a later train from Marseille to Aix en Provence. Marseille is an interesting and vibrant city with a mix of French and African culture that bleeds into everything done in the city. Marseille is also home to a ton of ancient buildings including the Palais Longchamp, which houses the Art Museum and Natural History Museum. You can spend your time in the city perusing the art scene, from street art to graffiti, to edgier contemporary modern pieces housed in galleries on the street. One of the things the city is most well-known for is its Mediterranean cuisine, which includes a local delicacy called bouillabaisse, a local fish soup that typically includes a broth made from traditional herbs and sliced fish, alongside other types of seafood.

Information on Gare d'Aix en Provence TGV

Gare d'Aix en Provence TGV is an SNCF mainline station designed to serve the TGV high-speed trains from Paris to Aix en Provence and other destinations. It's located a few kilometres from the city centre and connected to the city by taxis and local buses. The buses to the city tend to leave every 15 minutes or so. This station, despite being small in comparison to many other major stations, has around 3 million passengers a year, serviced across only four platforms. The station is open between 5:10 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. every day except Sundays and public holidays when it's open from 5:30 a.m. until 12:30 a.m. Aix en Provence TGV is home to basic facilities and services, such as luggage trolleys, ATMs, currency exchange desks, a snack kiosk, and more.

Night Trains Paris Aix-en-Provence

Night trains are becoming more and more popular with travellers, especially over the last few years, thanks to their focus on comfortable travel. It's hard to pass up a chance to sleep between destinations. Unfortunately, because of the distance and the high-speed connection, no night trains operate along these routes. You will, however, find a few trains that travel into the night. The last train of the day, around 5:40 p.m., typically arrives in Aix en Provence around 10:30 p.m. and usually has fewer passengers on it than other services.

SNCF Paris to Aix-en-Provence

SNCF is a major train company in Europe and the only operator of high-speed trains between these destinations. The SNCF TGV trains operated regularly throughout the day and have two different routes. The first is a single stopover route that goes via Marseille and has an average travel time of close to 5 hours. The second is a route that runs through Miramas and Marseille and has a travel time closer to 6 hours. There are at least 10 services every day between 9:30 a.m. and 5:40 p.m., except Saturdays, when there are only around 9 trains.

Trains from Paris to Aix-en-Provence: Sustainable Travel

When it comes to sustainability, many climate activists will suggest choosing more sustainable means of travel as one of the best ways to lower your carbon footprint. Train travel is second only to walking and biking when it comes to eco-friendly ways to move between destinations. Rail services only contribute around 3% toward global transport emissions and they produce less noise and offer more efficient use of space. Travelling by train can reduce your carbon emissions on a single trip by up to 70% compared to planes and cars.

Train Paris to Aix-en-Provence: Services on Board

All of these services are operated by the same company and have the same onboard services:

• There is only one ticket class available for these services. You'll get free plug points to charge your devices and access to Wi-Fi with your ticket.
• Food is available for purchase to all passengers on these trains.
• There is no weight limit but you must be able to carry your luggage on your own. You can bring two large cases and one piece of hand luggage that'll fit on your lap.
• You may travel with your pet on these services but will need to purchase a ticket for the animal.
• If you have a foldable bicycle, you may take it on board for free. If your bike isn't foldable, you'll need to pay to book a space for it in the holding compartment. Spaces are subject to availability.
• SNCF is committed to providing accessible travel to all passengers with disabilities. They offer a range of services and you only need to contact them ahead of time to arrange the help you need.
• Seat reservation is available when booking through Omio.

When to book your train tickets from Paris to Aix-en-Provence?

There are a few ways to make sure you get the best Paris to Aix en Provence train price, and the first is to book well in advance. These tickets are available 60 - 90 days before and gradually increase in price. SNCF also offer different deals on different days, so searching with flexible dates in mind might help you find better prices. Consider travelling over the weekend rather than during the week for the best ticket prices and take advantage of any discounts that may be offered, like student discounts or cheaper options for senior citizens. The routes with more than one stopover are typically more expensive than single-stopover trips.

To Aix-en-Provence by Train: Travel Tips

If you haven't explored Paris properly before heading to Aix en Provence, consider taking a gander at the Paris Window Seat article for some tips on things to do in the city, giving by locals. Then you can make your way to the charming university city of Aix en Provence in the south of France. Aix en Provence is well-known for its musical heritage, history, beautiful architecture and buildings, and the local and international art scene. The city is home to the main vein of designer fashion shops, squares that are home to beautiful fountains, and lovely places to kick back and watch the locals and visitors wander around. You can spend months in the city and not scratch the surface of things to do and see. Thanks to the university students, the nightlife is also banging in Aix en Provence. Have a look at a few of these sights while you're in the city, and make sure you head off the beaten track, make friends with the locals, and let them show you parts of the city no magazine could ever explain.

• Aix Cathedral – triptych
• Atelier Cézanne
• Hôtel de Caumont
• Église Saint-Jean-de-Malte
• Old Aix
• Montagne Sainte-Victoire
• Food markets on Place des Prêcheurs and Place de la Madeleine, as well as an everyday market on Place Richelme
• Camp des Milles
• Musée Granet

Aix en Provence: Town Hall square at dusk. Source: Shutterstock

What are the other cities you can go to from Aix-en-Provence?

Aix en Provence is a well-liked and well-visited city with links to various other places in and outside of the country. One of the most popular routes, aside from the one back to Paris of course, is from Aix en Provence to Marseille, which happens multiple times a day and takes just under an hour. Another well-travelled route in the country is from Aix en Provence to Lyon, which also happens several times a day and takes close to 4 hours. If you want to explore Germany, you can hop on a service to Berlin and be there in under 12 hours, or you could catch a quick train to Brussels in about 6h 50min and start exploring Belgium.