Getting To Toulouse

This city in the southwest of France is one of the major hubs in the region. Most international travellers will arrive by plane at Toulouse Blagnac International Airport, located 11kms from the city centre. However, there are several other ways to reach this popular city.

High-speed TGV trains arrive each day from Paris, Marseille and Bordeaux at the Gare Matabiau railway station. An ample number of buses arrive at the city’s main bus terminal from cities all over France as well as from many Spanish towns. You can even arrive by boat, as the Canal du Midi is connected to several regional towns. Toulouse is located along France’s main motorway network, making it easy to drive from virtually any point in the country.

By car

Getting to Toulouse by car is easy, since the city is situated right on France’s major motorway system. If you are arriving from Paris or any other northern destination, you will want to take the A10 south towards Bordeaux and then connect with the A62, which runs straight to Toulouse. The drive from Paris takes between 6 and 7 hours.

Visitors coming from Spain or farther south in France can use the A61 and those arriving from the east will come in via the A68 motorway. There is a ring road which circles Toulouse, so whatever direction you arrive from, you will have to get on the ring road to access the side of the city you want to visit.

By rail

One of the easiest and most convenient ways to get to Toulouse is by train (tel: +33 08 9235 3535). The French high-speed TGV trains run regularly into the city from several points around the country every day. There are nine daily trains from Paris (5 hours), eight from Bordeaux (1 hour, 50 minutes) and 11 from Marseille (3 hours, 30 minutes). From these three major cities, you can reach virtually any other town in France.

All trains arrive at the city’s Gare Matabiau station, which is located  just northeast of the city centre. From the train station, you can reach the city centre in about 5 minutes by using the metro or in 20 minutes on foot.   

By bus

Toulouse is a major stopping point for the bus companies that operate across France. Dozens of buses arrive each day from main French cities and a handful of Spanish towns. The city’s modern bus station (tel: +33 5 6161 6767) is located on boulevard Pierre Semard, just to the north of Gare Matabiau railway station, along the Canal du Midi. This area is the main transport hub for every method of travel, so however you arrive in Toulouse, you will probably end up here.

The city’s main bus company, SEMVAT, also runs local buses (Arc-en-Ceil) from this terminal to towns in the region. Eurolines (tel: +33 5 6126 4004) and Intercars (tel: +33 5 6158 1453) also provide bus service to French cities and other major European destinations from this station. 

By air

Toulouse Blagnac International Airport is located just 11kms from the city centre and handles dozens of incoming flights each day from French cities and other European destinations. The Navette Aeroport shuttle bus (tel: +33 5 3460 6400) runs between the airport and Gare Routiere bus station in the city centre every 20 minutes. The trip into town takes about 20 minutes and is reasonably priced. The last shuttle trip into town leaves the airport at 23:30. Taxis are also readily available outside the Arrivals Hall to whisk you to your destination.  

By boat

It is completely feasible to arrive in Toulouse by water if you are coming from another city in the region of southwestern France. The Canal du Midi is linked to many of the region’s cities and offers an interesting and different way to travel. Boats arriving by canal will land at the quay next to the Matabiau train station, providing easy access to other forms of transportation within the city.

Toulouse Airport

Toulouse Blagnac International Airport is situated just a few kilometres northwest of the city. Its single terminal handles both departures and arrivals for dozens of daily flights from most destinations in France and many major European and UK cities. Air France and easyJet operate numerous flights each day from Paris and back. British Airways and easyJet both fly between Gatwick and Toulouse at least twice a day and Air France operates services to Heathrow. Flybe and BMI service many regional UK cities with direct flights to Toulouse.

The airport’s terminal has a full range of facilities including ATMs, a bureau de change, bank and a post office. The airport information desk is located in Hall 2 of the terminal (tel: +33 5 6142 4400).

Toulouse airport transportation

The easiest way to get from the airport to the city centre is to take the Navette Aeroport shuttle bus, which runs services into the city every 20 minutes. The shuttles depart from Door C, outside the Arrivals Hall, for the 20-minute journey into town. The shuttle’s main stops are the central bus station, Jean Jaures, Jeanne d’Arc and Compans Caffarelli. The last bus leaves the airport at 23:30 every day. Taxis are also ready and waiting outside the Arrivals Hall and there are several car hire companies located in the terminal.