- Must visit
Louvre-Lens
Flagship art museum in a glass pavilion by a former mining site. Its Galerie du Temps makes world-class art accessible in a unique setting.
Cheapest price
$88
Average price
$97
Fastest journey
5 h 33 m
Average duration
6 h 1 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
817 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Marseille to Lens is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Marseille to Lens will cost around $97 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $88.
Of the 2 trains that leave Marseille for Lens on Thu, Aug 06, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Aug 06 the direct trains cover the 817 km distance in an average of 6 h 1 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 33 m .
On Thu, Aug 06 the slowest trains will take 6 h 29 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 train as it is the most popular option from Marseille to Lens among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $40. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 45m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $40, and a train costs an average of $88.
Distance: 507 miles (817 km)
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$138 Average price | $97 Average price | $84 Average price Cheapest | $307 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 43m Average total duration 5h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 45m Average total duration Fastest 1h 45m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 19h 45m Average total duration 19h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 30m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Marseille to Lens:
A bus is $13 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Marseille to Lens costing on average $97.
A bus is $54 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Marseille to Lens costing on average $138.
Other travel options to Lens take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 13m.
Bus takes on average 19h 15m.
The journey is about 4h 17m faster (5h 13m by train vs 9h 30m by car) and roughly $169 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($138 vs $307). 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 Lens trains for today, Wednesday, August 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:03 AM Marseille | 6h29 | 2:32 PM Lens | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, 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 Lens run on average 6 times per day, taking around 5h 13m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $88 but you can travel from only $24 by flight.
The earliest train runs at 04:27, the last at 22:06. The fastest train covers the 507 miles (817 km) distance in 5h 33m.
Distance 507 miles (817 km) |
Average train duration 5h 13m |
Cheapest ticket price $88 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 5h 33m |
First train 4:27 AM |
Last train 10:06 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Discover the best of Lens — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Lens trip today.
Flagship art museum in a glass pavilion by a former mining site. Its Galerie du Temps makes world-class art accessible in a unique setting.
Exhibition gallery in Lens used for rotating contemporary and heritage displays. It offers a smaller cultural stop beyond the major museum.
Underground history center beneath Notre-Dame-de-Lorette. Multimedia displays explain World War I in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region.
Iconic mining landscape and walking area above Loos-en-Gohelle. The summit views over Lens and the plain are especially rewarding.
Companion spoil heap to Terril 74A with marked paths and broad views. Together they create the region’s most memorable urban panorama.
Main square in central Lens lined with civic buildings and terraces. It is the city’s everyday meeting point and a good orientation stop.
Carbonade flamande is a hearty beef and onion stew simmered with local beer, a Northern classic prized for its sweet-savoury flavor and comfort in mining country.
Welsh is a rich regional dish of bread, ham and mustard covered with melted cheddar and beer, then baked. It is a beloved brasserie staple in French Flanders.
Potjevleesch is a traditional terrine of white meats set in jelly and served cold with fries. It reflects Flemish farmhouse cooking long eaten across the region.
Well-known restaurant in Lens with polished French cooking and a comfortable bistro feel, popular for quality local ingredients.
Established traditional venue serving regional northern dishes and brasserie classics in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere near central Lens.
Refined restaurant at the Louvre-Lens area known for modern French cuisine in an elegant setting, suitable for a higher-end meal.
Lens is moderate for France, with fairly affordable dining and local transit, while hotels can rise during football matches and peak periods.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave 5-10% for great restaurant service; round up taxi fares; small change is fine in cafes.
Official public transport app
Gare de Lens -> Lens Centre-Ville, Lens
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Marseille to Lens 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 Lens, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Marseille to Lens trains use the Marseille Saint-Charles to Lens station pair. Use this guide to compare Marseille and Lens 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.
Marseille-Blancarde is 2 km from Marseille city centre. Public transport options include:
Marseille-Blancarde has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Le Café de la Banque, La Table de l'Ours
Free.
Ticket office support is available at Marseille-Blancarde. Information desks are located near the main entrance.
Luggage storage is available at Marseille-Blancarde. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Marseille-Blancarde: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Marseille-Blancarde: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Marseille-Blancarde.
Nearby hotels include Kyriad Marseille Blancarde Timone, Ibis Marseille Timone, Hotel Azur.
Lens has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Restaurant Le Pain de la Bouche, Le Tassili
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Lens. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Lens. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Lens: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Lens: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Lens: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Louvre Lens, Hotel Bollaert, Hotel de France.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need