How to Easily Day Trip to Carcassonne From Toulouse (2024)
If you’re in Toulouse for a few days and have run out of things to do in the city or are looking for a change of pace, consider day-tripping to Carcassonne. And if you have never heard of Carcassonne, let alone how to get there… don’t worry! In this post, I’ll be providing you with all the information that you need to easily day trip to Carcassonne from Toulouse, France!
Is It Worth It to Day Trip to Carcassonne from Toulouse? (2024)
In my biased opinion, I found it was well worth paying about $20 USD round trip for a day trip to Carcassonne from Toulouse. Not only was it a relatively easy and cheap excursion, but the city was an absolute delight to wander around. The city wall and towers of the medieval citadel are magnificent and well-preserved. At times, I felt like I was stepping back into the Middle Ages and found myself imagining what it was like to live during that time period — probably not great is my answer, but it’s still fun to imagine.
That being said, I can acknowledge that this city may not be exactly worth visiting for everyone. For example, if you are looking for somewhere that is bustling with people and attractions to visit and see like in Paris, then this is likely not the place for you. But, if you’re into seeing old medieval fortifications and don’t mind exploring at a slower pace, then Carcassonne is well worth visiting!
What is Carcassonne Known For?
For anyone who has never heard of the city, Carcassonne is a French fortified city located in the Occitanie region in the Southern part of France. According to historians, the city was originally settled around the 6th century BC, but it wasn’t until the 13th century that the famous strategic site on top of the hill gained its iconic double-walled ramparts.
Unfortunately, the medieval citadel was destroyed during the Cathar Crusade that took place in the early 13th century. As a result, the French State had Eugène Viollet-le-Duc restore the city of Cathar to its former glory. Restoration efforts were completed in 1911 and the Cité de Carcassonne was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
How to Pronounce Carcassonne
The correct way to pronounce Carcassonne is: “KahR-cass-own,” with an emphasis/accent on the R. I know it can be tempting to say Car-cass-oh-ne, but the word has three distinct syllables, not four. Also, something that helped me remember the pronunciation is that the first syllable is similar to the sound a bird/crow makes: “Ka-kah” — at least the latter part. But, if you’re struggling to get it, don’t stress! I wasn’t able to pronounce it properly until the end of the day trip. 🤷🏽♀️
How to Get to Carcassonne, France
With Carcassonne being located only 95 km or 60 miles from the center of Toulouse, there are a few different ways to get there: by car, by train, and by tour.
By Car
The first way to get to Carcassonne is by car. Understandably, this is a great option if already have a car, have access to one via a friend or acquaintance, or are keen on renting a car. You can pass through the idyllic French countryside, make a few pitstops in other small towns along the way, and travel at your own pace. And if you choose to drive directly from Toulouse to Carcassonne, you can comfortably get there in about an hour and 45 minutes. Thus, it’s more than doable to day trip to Carcassonne via car.
✅ 🚗 Check rates & availability for Rental Cars from Toulouse
That said, renting a car likely isn’t worth it if you’re just planning on going from Toulouse to Carcassonne. Again, it’s only worth your time and energy if you’re planning on doing some sort of tour through France or Europe. Instead, opt for easier ways of traveling through France. Both of which I’ll explain below! 😉
By Train
The first option is to take the train from Toulouse to Carcassonne, France. This option allows you to take advantage of the fantastic transportation network in France. All you have to do is book a ticket from the Toulouse Matabiau station to the Carcassonne station. There are several direct trains every day, and the train ride one-way takes approximately an hour.
Simply click the link below, input the dates you want to go, and then you’ll see the available time slots! I recommend purchasing a second-class ticket since it’s such a short train trip and costs less. And if you’re 25 years old or younger, make sure you purchase a youth ticket, not an adult ticket! It’ll save you an additional couple of dollars. 🙂
✅ Reserve your train ticket to Carcassonne via Omio
🚨 P.S. If you’ve never used Omio, you can sign up here and get $11 off
🏰 PRO TIP: Once you’ve bought your ticket, I highly recommend downloading the Omio app to have quick access to your ticket! It’s much easier to have all your tickets on the app rather than having to print them out! You can grab some more tips for using Omio here.
How to Take the Train to Carcassonne from Toulouse
On the day of departure, I recommend arriving at the Toulouse Matabiau station 25 minutes in advance. The reason you will want to do this is that if you’re riding second class, there are no seat reservations. Everything is on a first-come-first-serve seat basis. As a result, you’ll want to be at the station as soon as the platform number is posted, and platform numbers are posted anywhere from 15 – 25 minutes before departure.
You can find out what platform your train is departing from by looking at the departure boards. Simply find your departure time, verify the train number on your ticket with the one on the departure board, and wait for a giant number to appear. It’s sometimes posted under the column listed as “Voie.”
As soon as the platform is posted, follow the signs to the platform. When the train arrives or if it’s already there, go ahead and board. But make sure you are boarding a carriage that is meant for second class if you have a second class ticket. From there, you can pick any available seat.
🏰 PRO TIP: I always pick seats that face the electronic boards that display the next stop. This makes it easy to know when it’s time to get off!
After you have selected your seat, you can sit back and relax until you reach the Carcassonne station. Just know that a ticket officer may walk down the aisle to scan your ticket. They also may never come to scan your ticket — it’s a bit of a random process. Either way, as long as you purchase a ticket, you’ll have nothing to worry about!
Once In Carcassonne
Once you arrive, you can walk over to Carcassonne and roam around on your own time. However, if you want to explore the medieval city with a knowledgeable guide who can impart their unique insights, there are private tour options. This is a good option for people who don’t mind taking the train and who want to dive a little deeper into the city’s incredible history!
✅ 🏰 Check rates & availability for private tour options of Carcassonne
By Tour
Now, the second option is to day trip to Carcassonne from Toulouse is to go on a tour. What happens with a tour is that you will arrive at a pre-determined meeting point in Toulouse, take a coach to Carcassonne, and then you’ll be able to explore the city at your leisure.
After exploring the city, you’ll meet back at a pre-determined location at a certain time to ride the coach back to Toulouse. As you can likely tell, I went with the train option. However, several people in my hostel opted to do a tour and spoke very highly of the experience. The tour they took and recommended is below!
✅ Check rates & availability of this highly-rated tour to Carcassonne from Toulouse
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars — taken by 345+ people! | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 day
The Toulouse: Carcassonne Day Trip Tour includes:
- Transportation to and from Toulouse in a Comfortable Coach
- Departure from at 9:30 AM
- Arrival in Carcassonne at 10:30 AM
- Exploring the Cité de Carcassonne
- Priority access to the Château Comtal
- Self-guided tour of the castle, archaeological museum, & ramparts
- Departure from Carcassonne at 4:30 PM
- Arrival back in Toulouse at 5:30 PM
🏰 This is the highest-rated as well as most affordable tour available from Toulouse to Carcassonne! During this awesome tour, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the castle at your own pace, taste the local food (unfortunately not included in the price), and see other sites around the city. Plus, with this tour, you don’t have to worry about navigating the local train stations and the stress of finding a seat. This is the best option if you are someone who is inexperienced in using the local transportation network.
“Super worth it – ticket also includes priority access to the Castle which is a great advantage as queues to buy tickets were really long and there’s no shelter for those waiting. Bus was on time for departure and arrival.“
– Malta (see more reviews)
✅ Check rates & availability for this highly-rated tour to Carcassonne from Toulouse
7 Things to Do During Day Trip to Carcassonne
Now that you know how to get to Carcassonne, you may be wondering what there is to do there! Well, I’ve got you covered on that front too! Here are my top 7 recommendations for things to do during your day trip to Carcassonne.
NOTE: If you opt to take the train from Toulouse to Carcassonne, I have listed the activities in the order that I did them and recommend doing them. You’ll save time in terms of walking and energy! 🙂 And if you want, there’s a private tour option that begins in Carcassonne.
1. Enjoy the View from Pont Vieux
The walk from the Carcassonne train station to the Cité de Carcassonne is about a 23-minute walk. Along the way, you’ll cross over the Aude River via the Pont Vieux or Old Bridge. This beautiful bridge links the new town with the Old town. It’s definitely worth taking a moment to enjoy the view and surrounding scenery. Plus, there are a few lookout points, perfect for capturing a stunning picture of the Cité de Carcassonne!
🏰 PRO TIP: Make sure to bring comfortable walking shoes! The streets in Carcassonne are sometimes cobblestone, dirt, and often very uneven!
2. Wander around the Cité de Carcassonne
After you cross the bridge, you’ll be a short walk away from the hill that leads up to the Cité de Carcassonne. For anyone unsure what the Cité de Carcassonne is, it’s a medieval citadel or fortress. Anytime someone says the Cité de Carcassonne, they are referring to everything that is contained within the medieval walls on top of the hill. Within the Cité de Carcassonne, you’ll find lots of small vendors selling artisanal goods, ice cream shops, restaurants, and souvenir shops.
3. Tour Through Château Comtal
And of course, no day trip to Carcassonne from Toulouse is complete without seeing Château Comtal up close. To do this, you will need to purchase an entrance ticket, which can be bought online or on-site.
If you aren’t coming to Carcassonne via a tour that includes an entrance ticket to the castle, I highly recommend booking your ticket in advance. You don’t need to do it super far in advance, but I would do it the morning you leave for Carcassonne.
This is because the lines to purchase a ticket on-site can become extremely long and move at a snail’s pace. And, instead of waiting for 30+ minutes in a line, you can just show your ticket to the staff at your designated time slot and walk right in!
✅ Purchase your skip-the-line entry ticket to Château Comtal
With your ticket, you’ll be able to walk through the two levels of the castle, view the archaeological museum inside the castle, and stroll along the western ramparts!
4. Admire the Basílica Saint-Nazaire
When you finish touring Château Comtal and walking along the ramparts, you’ll end up near the Basílica Saint-Nazaire. Since you’ll already be in the area, I recommend taking a moment to admire the mesmerizing Gothic and Romanesque architecture.
The basilica features a Roman nave with a Gothic apse and was originally built between 1096 and 1321. And, along with most of the medieval city, it was restored during the mid-19th century by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, who added the exterior carved decorations, such as the gargoyles.
5. Eat Cassoulet or Crepes
By this point, you’ll probably be hungry and want something to eat. The Occitanie region is known for its cassoulet. This is essentially a slow-cooked stew that contains various types of meat and some beans.
Personally, I’m not the biggest fan of it since it’s a bit heavy for me, but it’s worth trying at least once. I recommend the cassoulet at Meli et Zeli or Le St. Jean as the service is great at both places and the prices are fair.
And if that doesn’t sound appetizing or you merely prefer something lighter, you can find pretty cheap crepes within the city walls. I grabbed a simple sugar crepe for 2 euros at a place right next to the Basílica Saint-Nazaire!
6. Musee de Beaux Arts de Carcassonne
If you have spare time and have done all the exploring that you want to do inside the Cité de Carcassone, I recommend stopping by Carcassonne’s Museum of Fine Arts. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the Château Comtal and on the way back to the Carcassonne train station. The museum is on the smaller side but features a decent range of paintings and statues dating from the 17th to 19th century. Oh, and the museum is completely free. Thus, it’s a nice way to kill time and see some regional artwork!
7. Walk down Main Street
For the final stop of the day, I recommend strolling down the main street in Carcassonne – Rue Georges Clemenceau. The street is filled with lots of shops and you’ll notice the hundreds of colorful umbrellas hanging from above. You can also pick up a snack for the ride home at Monoprix, which is like the American equivalent of Target. Or, if you just want to sit down and relax, there’s a park that’s right in front of the train station. It has a few benches and a couple of lovely fountains and is great for people-watching before heading back to Toulouse.
🏰 NOTE: You can also visit the Canal du Midi, which runs through the city. It takes a bit more walking, but is worth it in my opinion if you have the time!
When to Visit Carcassonne
In terms of the time of the year, the best time to visit Carcassonne is during April, May, June, September, or October. This is when the weather is at its best and average temperatures are in the 60s and 70s °F.
With regards to the time of day to visit, I recommend visiting early in the morning! My friend went early in the morning and said there were hardly any people. She got to enjoy the Cité de Carcassonne all to herself and found it quite peaceful. Meanwhile, I arrived mid-day and found myself battling swaths of tourists and hundreds of little children inside the castle. It wasn’t awful, but it definitely could’ve been better haha.
How Long Should I Spend in Carcassonne?
I recommend giving yourself at least 3 hours to explore Cité de Carcassonne. I spent about 5.5 hours exploring the medieval citadel and surrounding sites. However, I would argue that’s because I spent a good chunk of time reading all the informational signs in Château Comtal… But, if you are someone who just likes to walk through and take a couple of pictures here and there, you can probably see the main highlights of Carcassonne in about 3 hours.
Where to Stay in Carcassonne
Now you might be wondering why I’m including information on where to stay when the majority of the post is detailing how to day trip to Carcassonne from Toulouse. The reason is that Carcassonne has a completely different vibe during the evening. At night, 95% of the tourists leave and the floodlights turn on, illuminating the Cite de Carcassonne against the backdrop of the nighttime sky. It can feel a bit haunting, but it’s a delight if you’re somewhat of a history buff or into photography.
So, if you want to experience the magic of this city at night, you can explore housing accommodations in Carcassonne with the interactive map below. Prices are up-to-date, but you’ll want to input your travel dates for the most accurate information.
Or, here are some specific recommendations I have for you on where to stay in the Carcassonne area.
Low-Cost Hotel Stay
📍Hôtel du Pont Vieux
Location: This excellently rated 3-star hotel that costs less than $100 a night is centrally located in the Old Town portion of Carcassonne, right outside the fortified Cité de Carcassonne. It’s a 2-minute walk from the Pont Vieux and a 7-minute walk from Château Comtal.
Amenities: Along with comfortable rooms, the hotel has a main sundeck, outdoor rooftop terrace, and bar. Some other services provided include a breakfast buffet, walking tours, and bike tours.
Why it’s worth staying at: At the Hôtel du Pont Vieux, guests are able to easily explore both the Cité de Carcassonne as well as the surrounding area. In addition, the staff is extremely hospitable and provides great service. Considering the nightly price, this hotel is where you’ll get the best value.
✅ Check rates & availability for Hôtel du Pont Vieux in Carcassonne
Luxury Stay
📍Hôtel de la Cité Carcassonne
Location: This 5-star hotel is situated on top of the hill within the historic Cité de Carcassonne.
Amenities: The hotel’s amenities include beautiful gardens, an outdoor swimming pool with a view of the Basílica Saint-Nazaire, a Michelin-starred restaurant, a bar, and a spa and wellness center.
Why it’s worth staying here: At the Hotel de la Cité Carcassonne, guests are not only able to enjoy the best views of the city right from their room but also experience the medieval citadel from a new perspective after most of the tourists have gone home.
✅ Check rates & availability for Hôtel de la Cité Carcassonne
Wrap-Up: Day Trip to Carcassonne from Toulouse (2024)
France is a country with so many delightful cities to visit, and Carcassonne is undoubtedly one of the places you shouldn’t miss. With its fair share of history and culture, it’s no surprise that this destination is becoming increasingly popular among tourists.
Whether you’re interested in exploring the Cité de Carcassonne or just want to take in the gorgeous scenery, a day trip to Carcassonne from Toulouse is the perfect way to do it. And with this guide in hand, I hope you’re able to confidently explore Carcassonne and have a memorable time! Happy traveling! 🤠
Explore France
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- 🍷 Lyon: Are you a wine enthusiast passing through Lyon? A must-do activity is tasting the prestigious crus of the prolific Beaujolais wine region right outside of Lyon!
- 🏰 Toulouse: Wondering whether Toulouse is worth visiting? Here are other excursions and things to do in Toulouse to fill your itinerary!
- 🏄♀️ Biarritz: Want to avoid the throngs of people in Nice and Paris? Head to Biarritz, a small yet adorable seaside town on France’s western side that’s perfect for a holiday getaway!
