Getting Around Toulouse
Toulouse is a big city, but its historical centre is compact, squeezed between the Garonne River and the Metro B line. That means you can walk to most of the attractions you have come to see, and use public transport for the rest. The city's buses, trams, metro lines and cable car are all operated by Tisseo, so a single ticket or pass covers the whole network.
Metro, Tram and Rail
The metro is the backbone of the system. Line A runs southwest to northeast, linking the university area with Arènes and the main railway station. Line B runs north–south, passing the main railway station and Palais de Justice. The two lines cross, so you can switch between them to reach most parts of the centre and the inner suburbs.
The tram network is useful for the western side of the city. Tram T1 starts downtown at Palais de Justice, crosses the river west to the Arènes interchange, then runs north towards Beauzelle and MEETT. Get off in Blagnac if you are heading for the airport bus. Note that the direct Tram T2 has been discontinued because of construction work on the new Metro Line C.
There is also a suburban train running west to Colomiers and Arènes, which you can use with a Tisseo fare.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Buses run along all the main streets, but they do not enter the pedestrianised core of the city. The exception is the free city-centre shuttle, which runs Monday to Saturday; there are no fixed bus stops for it, so just wave at the driver.
Metro services run late at night, and there is also an extensive night bus network for when the daytime services stop.
Tickets and Passes
Buying your ticket before you board saves money. A single ticket bought on the bus costs more than one bought from a machine or kiosk, and a book of ten tickets works out cheaper still. A one-day pass is also available if you plan to make several journeys.
Whatever ticket you buy, validate it on boarding. It is then good for transfers within one hour — or within 90 minutes if you are travelling to or from the airport.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available, with operators including Taxi Toulouse and Capitole. It is worth booking ahead to avoid a long wait for a ride. Ride-hailing services such as Uber and Bolt also operate in the city and should be considerably cheaper than a taxi.
Walking and Cycling
The compact historic centre is best explored on foot, and walking is the simplest way to get between the main sights. For longer hops, the city has a dense network of bike lanes and bicycle-friendly streets with little motorised traffic. A lot of people cycle, and it is generally safe and enjoyable to move around the city by bike. Along the Canal du Midi there is a pleasant bike lane connecting important locations such as the centre and the university campus.
Bike rental is organised by the Town Hall. You first need to buy a ticket at velo.toulouse.fr or at a bike station. A one-day ticket is cheap, and a seven-day pass is also available, with longer hires on offer too. You get unlimited journeys, with no extra charge for the first 30 minutes before the meter starts ticking.
If you are arriving by car, avoid driving downtown: parking is seriously limited and many streets are closed to motorised traffic. Instead, use a suburban, metro or tram station as a park-and-ride.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Toulouse–Blagnac Airport sits west of the city and has the usual facilities including car hire. There are several ways into town.
- Airport Navette: runs from Arrivals Gate C to the main railway station, taking about 25 minutes via four downtown stops. It runs every 15 minutes from early morning until midnight. The single fare is higher than a standard city ticket, but it is valid for 90 minutes for transfers onto city public transport.
- Tisseo buses: take whichever departs next. Bus 30 brings you to Odyssud-Ritouret and Bus 31 to Pasteur – Marie de Blagnac, both on Tram line T1. Ride the tram all the way to Palais de Justice (Metro B), or get off at Arènes for the west bank and Metro A. This connection runs every 10–20 minutes from 06:00 to midnight, takes about 50 minutes, and costs a standard single fare.
- Taxi: a taxi to central Toulouse costs more if your destination is in Zone 3 and less if in Zone 2 — most of the historic centre falls in Zone 3. Uber and Bolt are available and should be considerably cheaper than a taxi.
- Shuttles: can be arranged to other destinations such as Andorra, a good option if you are laden with ski gear.
Whichever option you choose, the airport shuttle bus terminates at the bus station just north of the main railway station, which is itself on the metro.