Toulouse is a beautiful city in southwestern France, which I’ve been lucky enough to visit twice. My week-long visit last year gave me the opportunity to explore so much more of the surrounding area! A lot of places in the countryside in France can be tricky to get to without a car. Toulouse is a huge metropolis, with lots of transport options – so it’s the perfect place to base yourself to see more of Occitanie and the nearby regions! Here are my picks for the top daytrips from Toulouse using public transportation.
Carcassonne
Carcassonne is roughly divided into two sections: the modern city, and the historic Cité, the medieval walled fortress. La Cité is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was heavily restored in 1853. It’s very popular and the majority of tourists in Carcassonne stick to this area. Besides wandering around the pretty, cobblestone streets and admiring the architecture (my favorite thing to do in Europe!), I recommend visiting the Castle and walking the medieval ramparts here. There is an admission fee for this (currently €13 for adults), but you get to explore the castle and see so much more of La Cité. While you’re here, definitely stop inside Basilique Saint Nazaire. The stained glass windows and altar here are simply stunning.
Outside of La Cité, don’t miss the main square and the beautiful Neptune fountain. If you have a sweet tooth, be sure to visit Meery Cake – I’m still dreaming about all their sweet treats! The Canal du Midi is close to the train station if you’re looking for walking or cycling paths. You’ll get the best photos of La Cité from Pont Neuf (New Bridge).
Distance from Toulouse: approximately 45 minutes by train (1hr 15 min by bus)
Albi
This is one of my favorite places in France! Albi is a beautiful town, with an impressive cathedral that dominates the city center and a smattering of other interesting, historic attractions. Sainte-Cécile Cathedral should be your first stop in the town – it’s the largest brick cathedral in the world and dates back to the 13th century! Your jaw will drop as you see the painting and frescoes inside, but the real stunner is the Canons’ Choir, separated from the rest of the cathedral. There’s an admission charge (€6 per person) to access this part, but it was 100% worth it. I regret that I didn’t pay to see it on my first visit to Albi! There are over 200 intricately carved and painted statues around the stalls.
Sadly, you’ll need to drag yourself away from the cathedral to see the rest of what Albi has to offer. Musée Toulouse-Lautrec is highly lauded art museum dedicated to the French painter. Jardins du Palais are pretty gardens overlooking the Tarn River – stop at Pont Vieux for great photos! Saint-Salvy Cloisters are a peaceful oasis, tucked away in the heart of the city. Maison du Vieil Alby is a symbol of the historic center of Albi and now houses a small museum. There are great views of the cathedral from Place Savene and the surrounding streets. If you’re in Toulouse, you must plan a visit to Albi!
Distance from Toulouse: approximately 1hr 15 min by train
Foix
I loved my daytrip to Foix, a pretty town on the edge of the Pyrenees. There are two short (but steep!) hikes to do, which give insane views over the city. Château de Foix dominates the city, with the castle perched on top of a hill, towering over the rest of the buildings. It’s the main attraction, with a small museum sharing the history of the castle and local area. There’s not much in the castle itself, but you can walk through the medieval rooms as you head up the towers. Croix de Saint-Sauveur, the large cross you’ll notice on the hill, is well worth the climb to get to the top – the walk took me exactly 1 hour in total, up and down. Terraces du Pech de Foix is another excellent hike, which took me just over 1 hour from the starting point.
Distance from Toulouse: approximately 1hr 10 min by train
Mirepoix
I sadly didn’t make it to Mirepoix, but planned on a daytrip there. It’s a bit tricky with public transport, but doable: take bus 355 from Toulouse, which will take about 1 hour. Not all services stop at all of the Toulouse stops, so you’ll want to carefully check the timetable to know which service will stop at which bus stop. There are three Toulouse stops: the Gare Routièr (main bus station, next to the main train station), Borderouge, and Lycee Raymond Naves. You might need to take the Metro out or back from one of the other two stops.
Mirepoix is a charming small town, with pretty, historic buildings and a popular market – if you’re planning your visit on a Monday, be sure to stop by! The central square has the best architecture to see, and Mirepoix Cathedral is gorgeous – it dates back to 1297. This is a laid-back spot to visit, that might not have as many attractions to tick off, but has a lovely French atmosphere.
Distance from Toulouse: approximately 1 hour by bus
Cordes-sur-Ciel
This is one of the most beautiful places in the South of France. While I visited on my first trip with a car, it is possible to go as a daytrip from Toulouse! Take the train to Cordes-Vindrac or Albi, and then bus 707 to Cordes-sur-Ciel. Be sure to check the timetable carefully, as it doesn’t appear the train/bus times conveniently link up – so you may have to wait a while for the bus to Cordes-sur-Ciel. You could also take the train to Albi, bus to Cordes-sur-Ciel, then take the bus to Cordes-Vindrac station and hop on the train back to Toulouse from there (or vice versa, taking the train to Cordes-Vindrac first). There’s no bus service on Sundays, so don’t plan on a daytrip on this day.
Cordes-sur-Ciel really is like a fairytale: historic timber-framed buildings, cobblestone streets, local artisans, and a few museums and churches. The fortified town was built in 1222! This is such a picturesque village to visit in France – if it’s possible, I definitely recommend visiting.
Distance from Toulouse: approximately 2-3 hours by train and bus
Lourdes
This market town in the Pyrenees is a famous pilgrimage site: in 1858, the Virgin Mary is claimed to have appeared to a local woman at Grotte de Massabielle. Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lourdes is a stunning cathedral, and another pilgrimage site. There’s a number of other churches and basilicas in town. Don’t miss the mountain views from the château fort de Lourdes, a castle which is over 1000 years old and has never been conquered!
Distance from Toulouse: approximately 2 hours by train
Andorra
I don’t really recommend visiting Andorra as a daytrip from Toulouse. First of all, it’s 4 hours each way to get there – so you’ll spend most of your day on the bus! Secondly, there is SO much to see and do in Andorra. You just can’t do it justice with one day. However, if you’re desperate to visit a new country or do some duty-free shopping, hop on the bus and spend a few hours in Andorra la Vella. There are only a few departures each day between Toulouse and Andorra la Vella, and on a daytrip you wouldn’t have enough time to get out of the city and see anything else. But you can see the Pont de Paris and Dali sculpture, St Esteve of Andorra Church, and Casa de la Vall (the old parliament). Plus get in some shopping!
Distance from Toulouse: approximately 4 hours by bus
All of these daytrips from Toulouse are possible by public transport. But if you do have a car, there are two other places I’d highly recommend visiting as a daytrip from Toulouse:
- The Pyrenees – Aulus-les-Bains: I went on a group hiking excursion to this part of the Pyrenees and absolutely loved it! We did an 11km hike up into the mountains around Coumebière which incredible. Aulus-les-Bains is approximately 2 hours’ drive from Toulouse.
- Saint-Papoul, Montolieu, and Saissac: I loved visiting Abbaye de Saint Papoul, a Romanesque abbey in a tiny village. Montolieu is another pretty, but very small, village. Saissac is home to a ruined Cathar castle with great views. It’s approximately 1.5 hours’ drive from Toulouse to Saissac via these stops.
Planning Your Trip to Toulouse
Toulouse is the fourth-largest city in France, so it’s a major destination and easy to get to and around, with local and international flights from Toulouse airport, train services from Toulouse Matabiau station, and a Metro with two lines. You probably won’t need a car in Toulouse itself, as there’s plenty of public transport options around the city. I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
If you’re looking for tours from the city to some of these daytrip destinations, check out the options below!
Where to Stay in Toulouse
I didn’t stay overnight in Toulouse on my first trip, and was lucky to stay with friend on my recent week-long visit. If you’re planning on lots of daytrips, I suggest staying somewhere central, that isn’t too far from the main train/bus station. Here are some recommendations on where to stay in Toulouse!
- Budget: La Petite Auberge de Saint-Sernin – a simple, central hostel with friendly staff; the best budget option in Toulouse
- Mid-range: Mama Shelter Toulouse – boasting a cinema, rooftop bar, and trendy rooms, the fun atmosphere here makes this a top choice
- Mid-range: Hôtel Héliot – a lovely boutique hotel, with a prime location on a quiet street close to the train station
- Luxury: Boutique Hotel SOCLO – this luxe property has chic rooms, a lush garden, a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, and an on-site restaurant
You can check out more accommodation options using the map below!
Toulouse is popular city and a highlight of any trip to the Occitanie region in this part of France. It’s an excellent base for exploring more of the area, and making daytrips to see the surrounding destinations. From Carcassonne and Albi to Foix and Lourdes, there are plenty of options for daytrips that don’t require a car! I hope this post helps planning your daytrips from Toulouse with public transportation.
Have you taken any of these daytrips from Toulouse? Which one was your favorite?
You might also like my posts:
What to See in Beautiful Drôme Sud Provence, France
10 Tips for Traveling Southern France
Carcassonne, Toulouse, and More: What to See in the Mid-Occitanie Region of Southern France
Like this post? Pin it for later!
