Train to Toulouse - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Destination station: Toulouse-Matabiau at allée Jean Jaurès 64.

• Best time to go: spring (April–May) and early autumn (September–October), when daytime temperatures are 15–22°C and tourist traffic remains moderate.

• Local transport: metro, trams and buses; a single ticket costs a few pounds and a daily ticket a little more.

• City character: "pink city" with brick architecture, a strong aerospace industry and a vibrant cultural and gastronomic scene.

• How long to stay: a weekend (2–3 nights) is enough for the main attractions in the centre, and 4–5 days allows you to add excursions around the Pyrenees or the Canal du Midi.

The best time to visit is April–May or September, when daytime temperatures are 15–22°C and queues to attractions are shorter than in summer.

Spring (March–May)

• Temperatures rise from 13 to 20°C; the Japanese gardens at Jardin Compans-Caffarelli and the park by the Canal du Midi are in full bloom.

• In early spring, the Fête de la Violette — the festival of the violet, symbol of Toulouse — takes place.

• You can enter the Basilica of St Saturnin and the Augustinian Museum more quickly than at the height of summer.

Summer (June–August)

• Daytime temperatures reach 25–28°C and evenings are perfect for dinner on the banks of the Garonne.

• The festival season is in full swing with outdoor concerts and cultural events throughout the city.

• You will meet the most tourists in the centre and around the Capitol, and accommodation prices are higher than in the low season.

Autumn (September–October)

• Temperatures drop to 18–23°C; ideal for walking along the Canal du Midi.

• The grape harvest is underway in the Languedoc region, easily combined with a day trip from Toulouse.

• Accommodation prices are lower than in summer and museums are less crowded.

Winter (November–February)

• Daytime temperatures are 8–12°C; museums and galleries operate normally.

• In December, the centre comes alive with Christmas markets at Place du Capitole.

• Restaurants serve seasonal duck and truffle dishes, making it a great time for a culinary city break.

You will travel from Poland to Toulouse with one or two changes, usually via Paris at Paris Montparnasse station. On the final leg you take a fast train from Paris or Bordeaux.

From Poznań to Toulouse

• You travel about 8–9 hours via Berlin to Paris, and then the fast train to Toulouse takes about 4.5 hours.

• The whole journey takes about 13–14 hours; the train to Toulouse departs from Paris Montparnasse station.

• The section from Poznań to Berlin is short, so it is easy to arrange a connection on this route.

From Warsaw to Toulouse

• You travel from Warsaw to Paris in about 8.5 hours, and then the fast train to Toulouse takes about 4.5 hours.

• Total journey time is about 13–14 hours with a change at Paris Montparnasse station.

• The route goes via Berlin or Vienna to Paris; the specific option depends on the connection chosen.

From Wrocław to Toulouse

• From Wrocław to Paris, you travel about 9–10 hours via Berlin or Prague, then change trains to Toulouse.

• The whole route takes about 13–15 hours with a change in Paris.

• Connections from Wrocław to Berlin connect well with the onward journey westward.

From Kraków to Toulouse

• From Kraków you travel to Paris via Vienna or Prague in about 10–11 hours, and then the fast train to Toulouse takes about 4.5 hours.

• The whole journey takes about 14–16 hours; you change trains at Paris Montparnasse station.

• With a longer total journey time, you can plan an overnight stay in Paris and continue in the morning.

Seat reservations are compulsory on the international leg. You can buy your ticket on Europodróże without creating an account — enter your email address and phone number and receive your ticket by email and SMS. Thirty minutes before departure you will receive an SMS reminder with a link to your ticket. The earlier you buy, the greater the choice of seats. For PKP Intercity tickets, refunds are possible up to 20 minutes before departure and exchanges up to 30 minutes before departure — see the refund and exchange rules for details. Check current connections on Europodróże — simply enter your route.

From Toulouse-Matabiau station, you can reach Place du Capitole by metro in just a few minutes or walk there in about fifteen minutes. The station is close to the city centre, so with hand luggage the metro is the most convenient option.

Toulouse has a network of metro lines, trams and city buses. A single ticket costs a small amount and a day ticket a little more. If you plan several journeys a day, a day ticket is better value.

The main attractions — the Capitol, the Basilica of St Saturnin, the Church of the Jacobins and the Augustinian Museum — are all within a 1–2 km radius of the station. You will mostly get around this part of the city on foot.

For longer journeys between neighbourhoods, the VélôToulouse city bikes are useful. Docking stations are located at the main attractions and near the station.

Taxis and ride-hailing apps are available at the station, useful when you have heavy luggage or are travelling late at night.

You get around central Toulouse on foot and by public transport; parking in the centre is paid and can be difficult to find.

Where to stay:

• City centre near Place du Capitole — hotels and apartments within walking distance of the main attractions.

• Saint-Cyprien district — accommodation close to the centre, within walking distance of the main sights.

• Rangueil and Les Minimes — more affordable accommodation in student neighbourhoods, with metro access to the centre.

Capitol (Capitole de Toulouse)

The heart of the city. The square, surrounded by cafés, is free to visit, and inside the town hall there is a hall of honour with murals — entrance is charged. A visit to the hall takes 20–30 minutes.

Basilica of Saint-Sernin (Basilique Saint-Sernin)

An 11th-century Romanesque basilica on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Inside you will see the saint's tomb and reliquaries. The visit takes 30–45 minutes and there is an entrance fee.

Church of the Jacobins (Couvent des Jacobins)

A Gothic church featuring a palm vault, one of the finest examples of Southern French Gothic architecture. Inside are the relics of St Thomas Aquinas. The visit takes 30–40 minutes and there is an entrance fee.

Augustinian Museum (Musée des Augustins)

A collection of sculpture and paintings from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, housed in a former Augustinian monastery. The cloisters alone are worth a visit. The visit takes 60–90 minutes and there is an entrance fee.

Cité de l'Espace (Space City)

An interactive museum dedicated to astronautics and space exploration, located on the outskirts of the city. You will see a full-scale replica of the Ariane 5 rocket and the Mir space station. The visit takes 3–4 hours and there is an entrance fee. Get there by tram or bus.

Canal du Midi

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996; it connects Toulouse to the Mediterranean Sea over a length of about 240 km. Walking along the canal in the centre is free. Canal cruises are available seasonally.

One-day plan

Start the morning at Place du Capitole and visit the hall of honour in the town hall. Before noon, head to the Basilica of Saint-Sernin, a few minutes north of the square. In the afternoon, visit the Church of the Jacobins and the Augustinian Museum, which are close to each other in the centre. In the evening, stroll to the Garonne and have dinner in the Saint-Cyprien district on the other side of the river.

Weekend plan (2 days)

Day 1: Follow the one-day plan above.

Day 2: Head to the Cité de l'Espace in the morning; the visit takes 3–4 hours. In the afternoon, return to the centre for a walk along the Canal du Midi. Alternatively, spend the second day in Carcassonne — the train takes about 50 minutes and you can explore the UNESCO-listed medieval citadel.

What to eat

Cassoulet - the flagship dish of the region. It's a stew of white beans, pork, duck and Toulouse sausage (saucisse de Toulouse). You'll find it in almost every traditional restaurant in the centre. Portions are large, so it is best ordered on a hungry stomach.

Saucisse de Toulouse - thick pork sausage, served grilled or as an ingredient in a cassoulet. You can buy it at the markets and butchers in Halles Victor Hugo.

Foie gras and duck products - the Gascony region lies right next door. You'll find a wide range in restaurants and delicatessens, from foie gras to confit de canard, or confit duck leg.

The Toulouse violet (violette de Toulouse) - a local symbol of the city. Violet liqueur, sweets and cosmetics with violet are among the most popular souvenirs from Toulouse.

Where to eat:

• Halles Victor Hugo - an indoor market in the centre, open in the morning. You'll buy local cheeses, cured meats, fruit and ready-made dishes here. There are several restaurants upstairs serving lunch from products bought downstairs.

• Saint-Cyprien district and Place Wilson area - local bistros, wine bars and cafes away from the main tourist routes. There is a lively atmosphere here in the evenings and you will meet many students.

• Place du Capitole - markets with regional food are held regularly in and around the square.

Souvenirs

• Toulouse violet - liqueurs, sweets and cosmetics with violet are the most popular souvenirs from Toulouse.

• Local wines from the Languedoc region - available in the shops on Place du Capitole.

• Regional products - you'll find them on Rue d'Alsace-Lorraine and around Place du Capitole.

The amounts below are indicative ranges in PLN for a weekend (2 nights, 3 days). They do not include the train ticket.

The currency in France is the euro (EUR). You can pay by card in most restaurants, hotels and shops.