Major city · France
Arles
Give Arles 2 nights: one full day for the Roman sites and the arena, one for the Camargue or the Alpilles. Skip it as a day trip from Avignon if you want the market.
Arles is a small Provençal city on the Rhône with a Roman amphitheatre, a Roman theatre and a UNESCO-listed old town that fits in a walk of under 20 minutes. Van Gogh painted here but no Van Gogh hangs here. Two nights covers the monuments, the Saturday market and one nature day south into the Camargue; one night is enough if you only want the Roman core.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and crowds), and the mistral in winter
- Airports
- MRS · NCE · AVN
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Arles112 ▾
- European emergency (police, fire, ambulance)112
- Ambulance (SAMU)15
- Police17
- Fire18
- By text for deaf callers114
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Arles, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyArles is a safe small city; the real risks are summer heat, mosquitoes near the marshes…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers112 European emergency (police, fire, ambulance) · 15 ambulance (samu) · 17 police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckMRS Marseille Provence (About 1 h by car or shuttle-train link to Arles; check current connections).
- Getting aroundThe historic centre is walkable end to end in about 20 minutes; you do not need a car inside Arles.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café€1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4)
- Sit-down mealDinner, mid-range restaurant€25–45 (≈ US$30–55)
- Street or quick mealSandwich or fougasse from the market€4–8 (≈ US$5–10)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–25 (≈ US$12–30)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum or monument entry€5–9 (≈ US$6–11)
- Budget bedHostel or shared-room bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, small hotel or guesthouse, a night, per room€140 (≈ US$170)
- High-end bedDouble room, small hotel or guesthouse, a night, per room€280 (≈ US$350)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MRS Marseille Provence (About 1 h by car or shuttle-train link to Arles; check current connections) · NCE Nice Côte d'Azur (About 3 h by car; train via Marseille, check timetables) · AVN Avignon (Small airport, seasonal routes; about 45 min by car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Feb
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Mar
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (6 rain days), driest Jul (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Arles: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
Feb
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
5 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The historic centre is walkable end to end in about 20 minutes; you do not need a car inside Arles. Bicycles are the practical way to reach Alyscamps, Montmajour and the Camargue edge; rentals sit in front of the station. Local buses and taxis cover the rest, and Zou! regional buses link the Bouches-du-Rhône towns.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Camargue and Réserve des Marais du Vigueirat
goDoor to door: Half to full day
Car or bike south from Arles; about 20–30 km (12–19 mi) to the delta edgeCar or bike south from Arles; about 12–19 mi (20–30 km) to the delta edge
Flamingos, wetlands and horses; go early, bring water and repellent.
Abbaye de Montmajour
goDoor to door: About 2–3 h round trip
Bike or car, a few km northeast of Arles
Former Benedictine monastery; pair it with a Camargue afternoon.
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
goDoor to door: Half day
Bus or car, about 25 km (16 mi) eastBus or car, about 16 mi (25 km) east
Van Gogh's asylum and the Alpilles; market day is Wednesday.
Avignon
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Train from Gare d'Arles, about 20–25 min
Papal palace and bridge; easy half day if you are based in Arles.
Aix-en-Provence
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Train or bus, about 1 h
Better as its own base than a rushed day from Arles.
Marseille
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Train from Gare d'Arles, about 50 min–1 h
Old port, MuCEM and calanques access; a full day if you add the coast.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Inside the old town (La Roquette, Hauts de Arles)
Walk to every Roman site and the market; book early for festival weeks.
Around Boulevard des Lices and the tourist office
Central, flat, close to cafés and the arena; easiest for a short stay.
Near the train station (Avenue Paulin Talabot)
Cheapest and best for early departures; 10–15 min walk to the centre.
Camargue edge and Mas de Veran area
Car needed; good for families and nature days, mosquitoes in summer.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–95 (≈ US$70–120) excl. bed
- Mid
- €95–160 (≈ US$120–190) excl. bed
- High
- €160 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, small hotel or guesthouse1 × 2 nights × €140 | €280 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €110 | €440 |
| Combined monument ticket (4 sites plus Réattu)2 × €15 | €30 |
| Bike rental, full day2 × €13 | €26 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €81 |
| Trip total≈ €222 per person per day, bed included | €887≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate in euros; travel to Arles and day-trip car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | €1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Sandwich or fougasse from the market | €4–8 (≈ US$5–10) |
| Lunch menu (plat du jour) | €14–22 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Dinner, mid-range restaurant | €25–45 (≈ US$30–55) |
| Glass of local wine or pastis | €4–8 (≈ US$5–10) |
| Museum or monument entry | €5–9 (≈ US$6–11) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €10–25 (≈ US$12–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat: plan monuments before 11:00 and after 17:00; the arena has almost no shade.Summer heat: plan monuments before 11:00 AM and after 5:00 PM; the arena has almost no shade.
- Mosquitoes around the Rhône, the marshes and campsites from June to September.
- The mistral can drop temperatures and close outdoor terraces; bring a windproof layer.
- Some restaurants close one or two days a week and in January; check the door before you plan around them.
- Zou! buses may not take cards: carry cash for the driver.
Emergency numbers
- European emergency (police, fire, ambulance)
- 112
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 15
- Police
- 17
- Fire
- 18
- By text for deaf callers
- 114
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ArlesArles
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- European emergency112
- Ambulance (SAMU)15
- Police17
- Fire18
Embassy
No embassy in Arles; the US consulate-general is in Marseille, and most other countries keep embassies in Paris (check addresses).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Arles → Avignon: about 20–25 min
- Train Arles → Marseille: about 50 min–1 h
- Bike rental, full day: about €10–13 (≈ US$12–16)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello / Good day (bon-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- C'est combien ? — How much is it? (say kom-byen)
- L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please (la-dee-syon seel voo pleh)
- Je peux payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (zhuh puh pay-yay par kart)
- Où sont les toilettes ? — Where is the toilet? (oo son lay twa-let)
Tourist office: Boulevard des Lices; hours vary by season, check before you go.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Arles. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and crowds), and the mistral in winter · month by month →
- 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MRS: last train and shuttle options field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: the arena and theatre, Saint-Trophime and the cryptoporticos, Alyscamps, Luma and the river.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (arena, theatre, cryptoporticos, Musée de l'Arles antique, Réattu, Museon Arlaten) and eat pages with last orders.
- Camargue and Alpilles day-trip fixtures with seasonal closures so gates A–D can go green.