Getting There — The Toulouse-Blagnac international airport lies in the city’s northwestern suburbs, 10km (6 miles) from the center; for flight information, go to www.toulouse.aeroport.fr or call tel. 00-8-25-38-00-00 from abroad or 08-25-38-00-00 in France. Air France (www.airfrance.fr; tel. 09-69-39-02-15), has about 25 flights a day from Paris and flies to Toulouse from London twice a day in high season. easyJet flies from the UK to Toulouse. The regular shuttle bus from the airport to the bus station takes 20 min. and costs 9€ one way.
Seven TGV trains per day arrive from Paris Montparnasse (trip time: 5.5 hr.; from 25€ one-way), 14 trains (TGV and local) from Bordeaux (trip time from 2 hr., 4 min.; from 16€ one-way), and eight from Marseille (trip time: from 3 hr., 42 min.; from 20€ one-way). Train information and schedules are on www.sncf-connect.com or call tel. 36-35. The drive from Paris takes 6 to 7 hr. Take A10 south to Bordeaux, connecting to A62 to Toulouse. The Canal du Midi links many of the region’s cities with Toulouse by waterway.
Visitor Information — The Office de Tourisme is in the Donjon du Capitole in the Square de Gaulle (www.toulouse-tourisme.com; tel. 05-40-13-15-31).
City Layout — The old town contains the main sights, encircled by large boulevards which follow the city’s former defensive walls.
Getting Around — Toulouse has the most efficient public transportation system of any city in southwestern France. The heart of the city, the historic core of most interest to visitors, is served by a modern and efficient Métro (subway) system administered by TISSEO Réseau urbain, (tel. 05-61-41-70-70; www.tisseo.fr). The service operates daily from 5:15am to midnight (until 3am Fri-Sat), and tickets and maps are available at ticket booths. The average Métro fare is 1.60€ per ticket (tourist passes and multiple-trip tickets are also available). The most useful stops, which are within walking distance of all the main attractions, are Capitole, Jean Jaurès, and Esquirole.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.