Getting Around Montpellier
Montpellier is a compact city where walking across the city centre does not take long. For longer journeys or to explore beyond the immediate centre, the city offers an integrated public transport network including trams, buses, and a bike-sharing scheme.
The Tram Network
Montpellier's tram system is an efficient and pleasant way to travel across the city. The network consists of four lines serving large parts of the city, with all routes connecting at Montpellier-Saint-Roch railway station in the city centre.
- Line 1 runs west to east (Mosson to Odysseum)
- Line 2 runs south-west to north-east (Saint-Jean-de-Vedas to Jacou)
- Line 3 runs west to south-east (Juvignac to Perols/Lattes)
- Line 4 is a circular service around the city centre (Albert 1er to Saint-Denis)
Trams are clean and comfortable, offering better views of the city than buses. During peak hours they arrive every 3-5 minutes, and at night approximately every 15 minutes. A major advantage is that the tram service operates until midnight, making it easy to reach many areas after dark.
Buying Tickets and Passes
Tram and bus tickets are interchangeable and can be purchased from multilingual ticket machines at each tram stop or from the driver. One-way tickets cost €1.40 and can be used for transfers up to one hour from the first validation. Round-trip tickets are €2.50. A day pass is available and recommended if you plan to explore beyond the city centre. Longer-term passes can be purchased from the TaM office situated across from the train station.
Always validate your ticket in the machines on board the trams (located by the doors). Travelling without a valid ticket will result in an on-the-spot fine.
Bus Services
Montpellier has a comprehensive public bus network operated by TaM. Many buses depart from stops in front of the train station. Bus service is limited on weekends, with the last buses running before 09:00.
Notable bus lines for visitors include Line 28, which connects Port Marianne tram station to the beach at Palavas-les-Flots, and L'Amigo late-night bus, which runs from the main bus stop in front of the train station to nightclubs on the city's outskirts. Note that Line 28 is often crowded.
Cycling
Montpellier has an extensive network of cycle paths, many separated from traffic for added safety. A bike path runs all the way to the beaches at Palavas-les-Flots and Carnon, with the ride from the city centre taking approximately an hour.
Vélomagg' is a bike-sharing scheme offering bicycles for short and long-term rental. Bikes can be rented from machines at various locations in the city centre, including near the tourist office on Place de la Comédie and adjacent to the main train station. Daily rental costs €10. A smart card allows 24-hour access to the system, though only a limited number of kiosks operate on Sundays; manned offices near the train station or Opera offer more reliable access on weekends.
The tourist information office provides a map showing the best cycling routes and areas where cycling is unsafe. Note that some streets in the old centre are actually staircases and may be difficult to navigate by bike.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
The source material does not provide specific information about taxi or ride-hailing services in Montpellier. It is advisable to check with the tourist information office or your accommodation for current options.
Getting Around by Car
Driving in the city centre is not recommended. The centre becomes busy, traffic congestion is common, and signposting is poor. The city centre is also a traffic-free zone. If you arrive by car, park at a tram station at the end of a line, such as Odysseum on Line 1 or Sabines on Line 2, and use public transport to reach the centre. Alternatively, the Polygone shopping centre offers parking. Street parking in the city centre can be difficult and expensive.
Arriving by Air
Montpellier–Méditerranée Airport is located approximately 7 kilometres south-east of the city. Route 620 is a shuttle bus service connecting the airport to Place de l'Europe (taking 15 minutes) and stopping at the new Montpellier Sud de France TGV station. At the airport, signs point to "Navette," which is French for shuttle. The shuttle costs €1.60 by itself or €2.60 with an extension ticket for additional bus or tram travel. From Place de l'Europe, take the blue tram (Line 1) to Place de la Comédie to reach the city centre.
If flying from abroad, you will likely transfer through Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), which has direct TGV train services to Montpellier. Marseille Provence Airport, located 150 kilometres away, offers more international flight options than Montpellier.
Arriving by Train
Montpellier is well served by trains from across France and internationally. The main station is Montpellier-Saint-Roch, located in the city centre. High-speed services run from Paris (approximately 3 hours), with some services starting in Lille (approximately 5 hours) and passing through Lyon (approximately 1.5 hours). Regional and intercity trains connect Montpellier with most destinations in Southern France. International services operate to Barcelona and Madrid in Spain, and Brussels in Belgium.
Some high-speed and international services now stop at Montpellier Sud de France station, a dedicated high-speed station located south-west of the city, rather than at the historic Saint-Roch station. Tram 1 now terminates at this station. Train services are operated by SNCF.
Arriving by Coach or Bus
A coach station is located in the city centre, less than 500 metres from the main train station. Several bus companies operate services to Montpellier from other French cities, including Flixbus, BlablaCar Bus, and Alsa.
Public Transport Fares for Residents
Since December 21, 2023, public transport is free for all residents of Montpellier. This applies to the tram, bus, and bike-sharing services. Visitors and non-residents should use the ticket and pass options described above.