Occitanie is served by TGV: Paris-Toulouse in 4h08 (TGV Atlantique), Paris-Montpellier in 3h15 (TGV Méditerranée), Paris-Perpignan in 4h45, Paris-Carcassonne in 6h (with change at Narbonne). Regional TER trains link the main cities (Toulouse-Carcassonne 50 min, Toulouse-Albi 1h, Montpellier-Nîmes 35 min, Perpignan-Collioure 25 min).
A car is essential for rural Languedoc, central Pyrenees, Cévennes, Cathar castles. Rental from €30-50/day. Motorways A9 (Mediterranean Orange-Spain), A75 (Béziers-Clermont-Ferrand via Millau viaduct), A61 (Bordeaux-Narbonne) cross the region.
Airports: Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS, France's 4th airport), Montpellier-Méditerranée (MPL), Perpignan-Rivesaltes (PGF, low-cost), Béziers-Cap d'Agde (BZR, seasonal low-cost), Carcassonne-Salvaza (CCF, Ryanair). Many European flights.
In Toulouse, the metro (2 lines A and B, 1 line C under construction), tramway (2 lines) and an efficient bus network. Montpellier has a modern tram network (4 lines). Bike-share schemes (VélôToulouse, Vélomagg' Montpellier).
Cycling: Canal du Midi UNESCO-listed (Toulouse-Sète, 240 km, flat, follows the canal under plane trees), Vélomaritime which runs along the Mediterranean coast.
Read also
- Carcassonne, Europe's largest medieval city — 3 km of UNESCO ramparts, 52 towers, double wall: the medieval dream restored by Viollet-le-Duc.
- France — Complete country guide: entry rules, regions, budget, gastronomy.
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur — Provence, Marseille and Riviera just east of Occitanie.
- Nouvelle-Aquitaine — Bordeaux, Basque Country and Pyrenees-Atlantiques west of Occitanie.