How to get to Avignon? Our tips

Do you know the charming city ofAvignon? In the heart of Provence, in the department of Vaucluse, this papal city surrounded by medieval ramparts welcomes millions of visitors every year from all over Europe and beyond. To get there, you have several options, depending on your starting point. Find out in this article how to get to Avignon, with all the practical information you need to plan your trip with peace of mind.

All our tips for getting to Avignon: flights, trains, transfers and transport options to reach your destination

This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.

Content

Summary: How to get to Avignon

Where is Avignon and Map

Getting around Avignon once you’re here

And once in Avignon…

Summary: How to get to Avignon

If you don’t want to read the whole article, here’s the gist:

Avignon is located in south-east France, 700km from Paris, 220km from Lyon and 100km from Marseille.
By train: 2h40 from Paris by TGV, 1h05 from Lyon, 35min from Marseille. Two stations serve the town: Avignon TGV and Avignon-Centre – see fares
By car: direct access via the A7 from Lyon or Marseille – rent a car
By plane: nearest airport Marseille (1h drive) – check flight times

How to get to Avignon - View of the city

WHERE TO STAY IN Avignon

Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels

Downtown Avignon, close to all the attractions
La Divine Comédie Hotel – check photos and availability
Cambis Hotel – Check photos and availability

Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, on the other side of the bridge
Le Prieuré Hotel – check photos and availability

See our selection of the best hotels in Avignon

See the top-rated accommodations in Avignon >

Where is Avignon and Map

Avignon is located in the Vaucluse department (84), in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. The town borders the Rhône river and lies at a central geographical crossroads in the south of France. This position makes it easily accessible, both from the north and from the Mediterranean.

Here are the distances from the main French cities:

From Paris: 7h30 drive (A6 and A7)
From Lyon: 3h10 drive (A7)
From Marseille: 1h30 drive (A7)
From Montpellier: 1h30 drive (A9)
From Nice: 3h drive (A8)

Map of Provence cities with rivers — Map of Avignon in Provence

OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence

Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
Remember to take outcomprehensive insurance (some roads are winding and narrow).
There is a lot of demand, book it early.

See the cars

See our tips

Option 1: by train

In our opinion, the train is the most convenient way to reach Avignon from major French cities. Frequencies are high, journey times are short, and arrival at the station puts you just a stone’s throw from the historic center. Two stations serve the city, each serving a different purpose.

To Avignon TGV station: 10min by car or shuttle bus (Linabus) from Avignon-Centre station. Cabs and VTC services are also available in front of the terminal. We recommend booking the shuttle in advance in high season, as connections can be short.

Book your train ticket on SNCF Connect.

To Avignon-Centre station: located in the city center, inside the ramparts, just a few minutes’ walk from Place de la République (not served by long-distance TGV trains).

Book your train ticket on SNCF Connect.

See the available schedules and book your train tickets now.

Option 2: by car

A car offers great flexibility, especially if you’re planning to explore the area around Avignon: the Lubéron, the Camargue, the Pont du Gard or the villages of the Vaucluse are all destinations within easy reach of the city. We like this option for multi-day stays, as it allows you to explore the region at your leisure.

From Paris: 7h30 drive (A6 and A7)
From Lyon: 3h10 drive (A7)
From Marseille: 1h30 drive (A7)
From Montpellier: 1h30 drive (A9)
From Nice: 3h drive (A8)

In summer, traffic on the A7 can be very heavy, especially on weekends when people go on vacation. We advise you to leave enough time or to leave outside the peak periods.

Rent a car to get to Avignon and explore the region

If you arrive in Marseille by plane or train, renting a car on site is a very practical way to continue your trip to Provence. Numerous agencies are available at Marseille-Provence airport and Avignon’s two train stations.

Compare and book your rental car.

Option 3: by plane

Avignon has no international airport of its own. The nearest airport is Marseille-Provence Airport (MRS), around 80km to the southeast, a 1-hour 10-minute drive. It is the main gateway for travelers arriving by air.

From Marseille-Provence Airport

Marseille-Provence airport is one of the busiest in France. It offers numerous direct connections from major European cities and a number of intercontinental destinations. There are several options for getting to Avignon from the airport:

By rental car: the most flexible solution. The journey takes about 1 hour on the A7. Many agencies (Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Europcar, as well as local rental companies) have counters in the arrivals hall.
By shuttle + TGV: a shuttle runs between the airport and Marseille Saint-Charles train station, from where TGV trains leave regularly for Avignon (35min journey).
By cab or private transfer: cab s are available at the terminal exit. Expect to pay between €120 and €160 for a direct trip to Avignon. A private transfer booked in advance can be more advantageous for groups or families.

Other airports to consider

Depending on your point of departure and available fares, there are two other airports worth considering:

Nîmes-Alès-Camargue-Cévennes airport: about 45km west of Avignon. It hosts low-cost flights from several European cities (notably Ryanair). Less well served than Marseille, but still more advantageous depending on departure destination.
Lyon-Saint-Exupéry airport: about 2h45 from Avignon on the A7. Another interesting option if your flight lands in Lyon: you can then take the TGV (1h05 to Avignon TGV).

Compare available flights on Skyscanner.

It’s time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.

Option 4: by bus

The intercity bus network links Avignon to several towns in the region and to a number of national destinations. This is a slower option than train travel, but often less expensive, especially for journeys from Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Nîmes or Montpellier.

FlixBus and BlaBlaBus offer regular connections from Paris, Lyon, Marseille and other major cities.
The Avignon bus station is located close to the Avignon-Centre train station, making connections easy (10min by shuttle bus).

If you have an alternative by train, we advise you to opt for the train rather than the bus. Indeed, journeys can be considerably longer if you’re coming from Paris, for example.

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Parking in Avignon

Parking in the historic center is limited. However, there are several parking lots close to the ramparts:

Parking des Halles (place Pie): underground parking lot right in the center, ideal for a day trip.
Allées de l’Oulle parking lot: conveniently located near the ramparts, on the Rhône side.
Parking de l’Île Piot: an economical option, accessible from the Daladier bridge.

During the Festival d’Avignon (July), traffic is very heavy in the center of town. We recommend you use public transport or park on the outskirts of the town. Find out more on the official Tourist Office website here.

A LITTLE MORE patience

All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in Provence a success, will soon be gathered in a single ebook!

Getting around Avignon once you’re here

Avignon’s historic center is compact and easy to explore on foot. The vast majority of monuments, museums and restaurants are concentrated in a limited area within the city walls. We found walking by far the most enjoyable way to explore the city.

For travel outside the center, several options are available:

ORIZO bus: the urban bus network serves the city and its suburbs. The main lines leave from Place de la République or the bus station. A shuttle bus links the two stations in around 10 minutes. Infos on the official website here
Hop-on hop-off bus: a sightseeing bus tour with multiple stops linking the main sites. Practical for a first visit. Book your hop-on hop-off ticket here.

Avignon - Practical advice for your arrival

DISCOVER Avignon

And once in Avignon…

Avignon has a lot to offer: the Palais des Papes, one of the world’s greatest Gothic palaces; the Pont Saint-Bénézet, with its four surviving arches over the Rhône; the Jardins du Rocher des Doms, for a panoramic view of the city and the river; and the Collection Lambert, a benchmark in contemporary art. In July, the Festival d’Avignon transforms the city into the world capital of theater.