DIY info from Marseille to either Aix En Provence, or Avignon

Sailing on Costa arriving in Marseille in October from 9-5. We visited Marseille last time so no plan to see the city again. Thinking of DIY from Marseille to either Aix En Provence, or Avignon, the ship also offers another excursion to "Arles and Saint Remy". Out of the 3, Aix En Provence seems to be the closest to Marseille. I remember last time (with MSC) we had to take a ship shuttle from the port to the Marseille and back, and it was $16 for the return shuttle trip per person. This time, Costa is charging $56 for a 5.5 hour excursion to Aix En Provence, $56 for to Avignon, for the same duration of excursion. Wonder if it is worth it to just go with the ship, since we might have to pay the $16 to go from the port to the town to start with, before getting on a bus or train to the other destination??? Having said that, once you get into Marseille city centre, how do you take a train or bus to either one of those 3 places mentioned above? Any ideas how much it would cost? I can't remember if there were any taxi right at the dock when you get off the ship. Would they take you to one of these other places instead of just driving you into Marseille? There are only 2 of us, so probably too costly to book a private tour just for the 2 of us.Any other DIY ideas of excursions from Marseille out of town are welcome. Thanks in advance.

Looks like there is a free shuttle at port from Friday thru Sunday

How is just walking around the city of Marsielle ?

The price to go to Avignon is actually pretty reasonable...and it is a fantastic city to visit (we have rented apartments there). As to "free shuttles on weekends" we are in the camp of "do not hold your breath" and hate to waste the time finding out if that bus even runs. And using a free shuttle (which would drop you at the Vieux Port like most shuttles) still leaves you a 20 min hike (or another bus or taxi) from the train station.

As to the post about exploring Marseille (we have done that a few times), while the city has some charms...it would be far down our list when compared to places like Aix en Provence, the Luberon, Les Baux, Avignon, Pont du Gard, etc. Or lets put it another way. You would have to look long and hard to find a French resident who chooses to vacation (or even spend a day) in Marseille. But their are often traffic jams (in the busy August vacation season) getting to and from Provence....which is as popular with the French as the tourists.

Hank

Is your question whether to do Aix DIY, Avignon by tour (cost $56), or Aix by tour (cost $56 also) the latter two with tours that would last 5.5 hours including transportation time? The first alternative (DIY to Aix) would be a ship in port from 9 to 5, cost of shuttle $16 pp, plus bus or train cost per person? Is also the question, with time needed to link the two ( shuttle and public transportation) would the time in Aix be about the same as the ship $56 option?

Just trying to sort through to make sure your options are clear to responders.

If you want to see the Palace of the Popes go to Avignon

https://southerneurope.shutterfly.com/pictures/661

Otherwise I would recommend Aix. We took the ship's tour to Aix. The price seemed reasonable and there was no hassle. Would do it again. We had a private tour to Avignon and Arles (with a quick stop in St. Remy).

https://southerneurope.shutterfly.com/pictures/661

Thank you everyone for replying my post. Might consider taking the ship tour to Aix En Provence, but good to have the DIY info just in case we have got a lot of energy and decide to do that on that day!

Thanks again.