Getting to Avignon: the main routes
Avignon has two railway stations. Avignon Centre is at the historic centre, while Avignon TGV lies outside the city, about 6 km away. They are not the same stop, so check which one your ticket names. A short rail link connects them. Paris is about 2 hours 40 minutes away by TGV.
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Marseille Provence (MRS). Avignon-Provence (AVN) has no scheduled passenger flights. Once you are there, a rental car gives you the most freedom for the villages, while a guided trip removes the driving. See our day trips from Avignon for the options.
Our pick: a tour with pickup in Avignon
The day starts at a meeting point in Avignon, so you can arrive by train and join without hiring a car.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Wine tours and day trips from Avignon
Tastings, villages and Roman sites without the driving, with live prices and availability.
Routes compared
What each way of arriving means in practice.
| Route | Suits | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| TGV to Avignon TGV | Arrivals from Paris and other cities | About 2 hours 40 minutes from Paris. Fares are dynamic, with offers advertised from €16 |
| Train to Avignon Centre | Staying in the old town | Station at the historic centre. The link from Avignon TGV takes about 5 to 6 minutes, from €4 |
| Fly to Marseille Provence (MRS) | International arrivals | Taxi rank at Terminal 1, bus and train connection, rental desks at Terminal 1 |
| Avignon-Provence (AVN) | Business aviation only | No scheduled passenger flights at present |
| Drive | Villages and flexible plans | Free park-and-ride lots for the city, height limits of 1.90 m in the centre |
For most visitors from abroad, flying into Marseille Provence and continuing by train works well if you stay in Avignon. If you plan to visit many villages, rent a car at the airport or book guided trips.
Avignon TGV and Avignon Centre by train
High-speed trains stop at Avignon TGV, outside the city. To reach the old town, change to the local train toward Avignon Centre. SNCF shows a journey time from 5 minutes, with a typical average of 6 minutes, and fares from €4. The frequency depends on the day, and it is not a free shuttle, so check the timetable for your arrival time.
Paris to Avignon takes about 2 hours 40 minutes by TGV. Fares change by date and demand, and SNCF advertises offers from €16. Check which stop your ticket names before you board.
Airports: Marseille Provence and Avignon-Provence
Avignon-Provence has the airport codes AVN and LFMV. It has no scheduled flights and only business aviation at present, so do not search for a flight to Avignon. Marseille Provence has the code MRS, and it is the airport to book. Do not mix up the two codes.
Daily flights from Marseille to Newark are announced from 5 June 2027. Until then, check which routes your airline operates.
Taxi and transfer from Marseille Provence Airport (MRS)
Three ways to continue from the airport to Avignon.
Taxi
The official taxi rank is in front of Terminal 1 and works around the clock. Ask the driver for an estimate of the fare to Avignon before you set off.
Bus and train
LeBus line 13 runs daily all year from the airport bus station, bay 5, to the station Vitrolles-Aéroport Marseille Provence. The ride takes about 5 minutes and the fare is €1.20, so check the current price. From there you take a regional TER train, which serves Avignon among other places. Check the timetable on the day for the total price and journey time of the whole route.
Rental car
The rental desks are in front of Terminal 1 in the car park area. Opening hours differ by company, so check yours if you land late.
Avignon car rental and parking
What to check before you drive in and around the city.
Car rental
Compare driver age rules, deposit and insurance terms before you book, because they differ by company. Pick up at Marseille Provence Terminal 1.
Parking in Avignon
The local advice is to park and then walk or use public transport. The park-and-ride lot Italiens is free and has a free shuttle. Piot is also free, with a free P1 shuttle to the Porte de l'Oulle. Other lines on the network charge normal fares. Around the ramparts and in the underground car parks in the centre the height limit is 1.90 m. Italiens takes day parking up to 1.90 m and Piot up to 2.40 m.
New traffic plan
Since 20 May 2026 the city has changed traffic directions and reopened some streets, in part with two-way traffic. Older route sketches may no longer fit. Follow current signs, and do not expect to reach every lane of the old town by car.
Driving after a tasting
The limit in France is 0.5 g/l blood alcohol, and 0.2 g/l during the probation period or when driving accompanied. No number of glasses is safe to calculate. Let the driver skip the tasting, or book a guided wine tour.
Compare rental car prices at Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) for the drive to Avignon and the wine villages on Economybookings.com.
By bus to the wine villages
A bus route from Avignon to Châteauneuf-du-Pape runs on line 902 to Sorgues and then line 922. In the village the stops are called Pierre de Luxembourg and Louis Pasteur. Check times and connections before you travel, and do not rely on it for a tight schedule.
For villages such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas and Vaison-la-Romaine, a car or a guided tour is simpler. Where you sleep also matters, see where to stay.
Plan the rest of your trip
After the journey.
Getting to Avignon: frequently asked questions
Does Avignon have an airport with flights?
Avignon-Provence (AVN) has no scheduled passenger flights at present, only business aviation. The airport to book is Marseille Provence (MRS).
How long does the TGV from Paris to Avignon take?
About 2 hours 40 minutes. Fares change by date, and SNCF advertises offers from €16.
What is the difference between Avignon TGV and Avignon Centre?
Avignon Centre is at the historic centre. Avignon TGV is outside the city, about 6 km away. A local train links them in about 5 to 6 minutes, with fares from €4.
How do I get from Marseille Provence Airport to Avignon?
Take a taxi from the rank in front of Terminal 1, or use LeBus line 13 to Vitrolles-Aéroport Marseille Provence and continue by TER train. Rental desks are also in front of Terminal 1.
Where can I park in Avignon?
The park-and-ride lots Italiens and Piot are free and have free shuttles to the centre. Heights are limited to 1.90 m in the centre and at Italiens, and to 2.40 m at Piot.