Overview
Toulouse's public transport system is operated by Tisséo Voyageurs under the authority of Tisséo Collectivités. The network comprises two automatic metro lines, two tramway lines, an extensive bus network, a suburban rail service, and an urban cable car. As a visitor, you can buy a single ticket or a tourist pass valid across all modes, validate it on boarding, and travel seamlessly between the metro, tram, and buses. The system is modern, frequent during peak hours, and extends late into the night with a night bus network.
The network
Metro
Toulouse has two fully automatic metro lines built with VAL technology. Both lines are primarily underground, with trains running from approximately 05:15 to midnight (or 03:00 on Friday and Saturday).
- Line A: runs 12.5 kilometres on a southwest-northeast axis from Basso-Cambo to Balma-Gramont, with 18 stations. It passes through major stops including Marengo-SNCF (the main railway station), Capitole, and Arènes. The original section opened in 1993; an extension to Balma-Gramont opened in 2003.
- Line B: runs 15.7 kilometres on a north-south axis from Borderouge to Ramonville, with 20 stations. It opened on 30 June 2007 and is entirely underground. It passes through Jeanne-d'Arc, the railway station area, Palais de Justice, and serves park-and-ride facilities at Borderouge and Ramonville.
The two lines intersect at Jean-Jaurès station. During rush hours, trains run at frequencies of 1–3 minutes. Both lines feature platform screen doors and automated announcements of the next station.
Tramway
Toulouse operates two tramway lines integrated into the Tisséo network:
- Line T1: runs from Palais de Justice (where it connects with Metro Line B) northwest through Blagnac to MEETT, passing through 25 stops including Arènes (interchange with Metro Line A and the suburban Arènes-Colomiers railway). The line opened in phases: the initial Arènes–Aéroconstellation section in December 2010, extended to Palais de Justice in 2013, and further extended to MEETT in 2020.
- Line T2: formerly connected Palais de Justice to Toulouse-Blagnac Airport via the Ancely junction with Line T1. It opened in 2015 but was closed in 2023 due to construction of the future Aéroport Express metro line, scheduled to begin operations in 2026.
Suburban rail
The Arènes-Colomiers line (formerly called Line C) provides suburban rail service and integrates with the metro and tramway. It connects with Metro Line A at Arènes and with Tram T1 at the same interchange.
Other services
The network includes 84 bus services, nine on-demand services, and Téléo, an urban cable car line opened in May 2022 that connects Oncopole, Université Paul-Sabatier, and CHU Rangueil in the south of the city. All services are part of the unified Tisséo ticketing system.
Tickets & fares
Ticket types and prices
All fares below are approximate and subject to change; verify current prices with Tisséo before travel.
- Single journey: approximately €1.60–€1.80 (€1.80 from a machine or kiosk; €2.50 if purchased on the bus).
- Carnet (book of 10): approximately €15.40.
- One-day pass: approximately €6.90.
- Pass Tourisme (tourist pass): includes unlimited transport on metro, trams, buses, and the airport shuttle, plus museum discounts. Prices are approximately €15 for 1 day, €22 for 2 days, and €29 for 3 days.
Validity and zones
A single ticket is valid for one journey and transfers within one hour on any Tisséo service (metro, tram, bus, cable car). Tickets to or from the airport are valid for 90 minutes to allow for transfers. The Tisséo network covers more than 80 communes in the metropolitan area.
Purchasing tickets
You can buy tickets at automatic machines at metro stations and tram stops, at Tisséo agency counters, at partner outlets, via mobile app, or by contactless card payment. Single tickets purchased on the bus cost more than those bought in advance.
Smartcards and tap-to-ride
Contactless card payment is accepted; tap your bank card or digital wallet on the reader to pay per journey or to load a pass.
Airport shuttle
A ticket for the Airport Navette (airport shuttle bus) costs approximately €9 and is valid for 90 minutes for transfers onto city public transport.
From the airport
Toulouse-Blagnac Airport lies 8 kilometres west of the city centre. Several public transport options connect you to downtown.
- Airport Navette (shuttle bus): Departs from Arrivals Gate C every 15 minutes from 06:00 to 00:00, taking approximately 25 minutes via four downtown stops to reach the main railway station. A single ticket costs approximately €9 and is valid for 90 minutes to transfer onto other Tisséo services.
- Tisséo buses: Bus 30 goes to Odyssud-Ritouret on Tram T1; Bus 31 goes to Pasteur-Mairie de Blagnac, also on Tram T1. Both run every 10–20 minutes from 06:00 to midnight and cost €1.80 per ride. From these stops, you can ride Tram T1 to Palais de Justice (interchange with Metro Line B) or to Arènes (interchange with Metro Line A and the Arènes-Colomiers suburban line).
- Taxi: Approximately €25 to Zone 2 (central Toulouse) or €35 to Zone 3 destinations as of 2024. Uber and Bolt are also available and may be cheaper than licensed taxis.
Note that Tram T2, which formerly provided a direct connection to the airport, has been discontinued from 2023 due to construction of the future Aéroport Express metro line (planned for 2026).
Etiquette & customs
Toulouse's public transport etiquette follows standard French conventions. Queue in an orderly fashion when boarding, particularly at busy times. On escalators in metro stations, stand on the right to allow those in a hurry to pass on the left. Priority seating near doors is reserved for elderly passengers, pregnant women, and those with reduced mobility; give up your seat if needed. Eating and drinking are generally not permitted on the metro and tram, though water is usually acceptable. Loud conversations and phone calls are discouraged on quiet transport. Validate your ticket by touching it to the reader on boarding; inspectors board regularly and fines are issued for fare evasion. During rush hours, expect crowding on Lines A and B and arrive early for less busy travel.
Official links
- Tisséo (Toulouse public transport operator)
- Toulouse Tourism (tourist passes and visitor information)
Survival terms
- Métro / Mètro – metro, subway
- Ticket / Bilhet – ticket
- Ligne / Linha – line
- Entrée / Entrada – entrance
- Sortie / Sortida – exit
- Correspondance / Correspondéncia – transfer
- Tarif simple / Tarif simple – single fare
- Ticket journée / Bilhet de jorn – day pass
Always validate your ticket on boarding by touching it to the fare reader, as inspectors regularly check for valid tickets and will issue fines for those without one.