Occitanie is a vast region in southern France stretching from the Atlantic Pyrenees to the Mediterranean coast, encompassing the historic cities of Toulouse, Montpellier, Carcassonne, and Nîmes. It blends medieval heritage, Roman ruins, UNESCO World Heritage sites, sandy beaches, and the soaring Pyrenees mountains into one of France's most diverse travel destinations. The region is also France's leading wine producer and home to world-famous culinary traditions including cassoulet and Roquefort cheese.
- Public
- Excellent city transit in Toulouse (metro + bus) and Montpellier (tram + bus). Regional trains and liO buses connect major towns. Rural areas require a car.
- Taxi
- Available via Uber, Bolt, and local taxi companies in all cities; metered and reliable
- Rental
- Essential for exploring the Pyrenees, Corbières, Aveyron, and Gorges du Tarn. Available at both airports and major train stations.
- Walking
- Historic city centres in Toulouse, Montpellier, Carcassonne, Nîmes, and Albi are compact and pedestrian-friendly
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- €35–50, 25–35 minutes to central Toulouse from TLS
- Taxi Info
- Fixed rate from Toulouse-Blagnac; metered from Montpellier airport. Accessible from the taxi rank outside arrivals.
- Shuttle
- €9.50, airport express bus (navette) from Toulouse-Blagnac to city centre
- Shuttle Info
- Toulouse airport express runs every 20 minutes 5AM–midnight to Compans-Cafarelli and Gare Matabiau
- Bus
- €1.80, Bus 620 from Montpellier airport to city tram network
- Bus Info
- From Montpellier airport take Bus 620 to Place de l'Europe, then Tram 1 into city centre
- Private
- €50–80, pre-booked private transfer in a comfortable saloon car
- Private Info
- Book in advance via local companies or through hotel concierge for the best rates
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Toulouse: Tisséo network — metro + bus, €1.80/ride or monthly pass €60. Montpellier: TAM tram + bus, €1.80/ride or monthly pass €55. Both cities have app-based journey planners.
Alternatives
Vélomagg bike-sharing in Montpellier (€1/30 min), Vélô Toulouse (€1.20/30 min), scooter sharing (Lime, Bird) in both cities
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- €2–3 base fare + €1–1.20/km; night rates (after 7PM) approximately 30% higher
- Apps
- Uber, Bolt, G7, LeCab
- App Names
- Uber, Bolt
- Typical Fare
- €8–15 for a typical city centre ride in Toulouse or Montpellier
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
FlixBus and Ouibus coaches between major cities from €5–20; liO regional coaches €2–15
Shared
BlaBlaCar ride-sharing widely used; Toulouse–Montpellier from €10–15
Flights
Domestic flights Paris–Toulouse from €50; limited inter-regional flights
Private
Rental car from €30/day at airports; long-distance taxi hire from €200 per journey
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Occitanie is well connected by high-speed TGV and intercity trains between its major cities, with two international airports at Toulouse-Blagnac and Montpellier-Méditerranée. The liO regional transport network of buses and trains covers smaller towns throughout the region. A rental car is highly recommended for exploring the Pyrenees, the Corbières wine country, the Causses, and the Gorges du Tarn.
Airports
Toulouse-Blagnac Airport
Montpellier Méditerranée Airport
Perpignan-Rivesaltes Airport
Béziers-Cap d'Agde Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
SNCF Connect
Official app for booking French trains; best for advance TGV bookings
Tisséo (Toulouse)
Metro, bus, and tram journey planner and mobile ticketing for Toulouse
TAM (Montpellier)
Tram and bus journey planner and mobile ticketing for Montpellier
Uber
Available in Toulouse, Montpellier, Nîmes, Perpignan, and Carcassonne
Komoot / Outdooractive
Best apps for planning hiking and cycling routes in the Pyrenees and on the Canal du Midi
Via Michelin
Comprehensive French road trip planner including toll cost calculator
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Book SNCF train tickets at least 30 days in advance to access Prem's discounted fares
The T+ single ticket in Toulouse and Montpellier is valid for 1 hour including tram/metro/bus connections
The A75 motorway from Clermont-Ferrand to Montpellier through the Massif Central is toll-free and offers spectacular scenery via the Millau Viaduct
Park in P+R (park and ride) on the edge of Toulouse and Montpellier to avoid expensive central parking and use cheap transit to the centre
Many Pyrenean passes and mountain roads are closed November–May — check conditions before driving mountain routes
Cycling the Canal du Midi towpath is one of France's great cycling experiences — rent bikes in Toulouse, Carcassonne, or Béziers