Frédéric Neupont, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Toulouse

Pink-brick beauty on the Garonne

Toulouse stands out as a major city in southern France known for its aerospace industry and vibrant culture. The region called Occitanie is home to rolling vineyards, historic towns and Mediterranean beaches nearby. In Toulouse itself, visitors find wide boulevards lined with pink brick buildings, lively markets selling fresh produce and museums dedicated to art and science. The city’s canals attract cyclists and walkers alike. Local cuisine features hearty dishes like cassoulet, while festivals celebrate music, dance and regional traditions throughout the year.

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City in France

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 8.2

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	9
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	9

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions, especially in the city center and among younger locals. Most menus and signage are bilingual. A few French phrases are always appreciated.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Toulouse Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
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Great for historic architecture and food culture. Walk rose-colored old town streets, visit museums and churches and enjoy lively markets and cafés.

Place score

7.5

Best at:

Guided tours

Walkable

Spotless

Local cuisine

Wine

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

❤️ 8

Couples

France – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type E Type C: Type E: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted, especially in cities and tourist areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is optional but appreciated in restaurants (5-10%) and for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in designated areas, but restrictions apply in some cities.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in indoor public spaces but common in outdoor cafes.

Bastille Day (July)	Parades and fireworks occur nationwide.
Easter (March/April)	Cultural celebrations and closures.
Christmas (December)	Markets and festive events.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 112 (EU emergency), 15 (Ambulance), 17 (Police), 18 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt, Heetch
Other:	France offers diverse experiences, from art and culture to nature and cuisine. Be cautious in crowded areas.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Toulouse, France

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Jan

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Feb

🌤️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌤️

May

🌤️

Jun

☀️

Jul

🔥

Aug

☀️

Sep

☀️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

🌤️

Dec

High season:	May - June, Sep.
Shoulder season:	April, July - Aug., Oct.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

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Climate details

August: many small shops, bakeries and restaurants close as locals leave for holidays, especially in the city centre

Heatwaves with temperatures above 35°C are common in July and August

Don't miss

🏛️ Admire the pink-brick façade of the Capitole de Toulouse
🌇 Stroll along the Garonne River and watch the sunset
⛪ Visit the Basilique Saint-Sernin, a UNESCO-listed masterpiece
🚀 Explore aerospace history at the Cité de l’Espace museum
🛍️ Wander through the charming Carmes district and its markets
🍷 Enjoy cassoulet and fine wine at a traditional brasserie

You've been here?

Why travel to Toulouse?

Toulouse is perfect for anyone who loves a mix of history, culture and good living. Wander the grand Place du Capitole, explore the UNESCO-listed Basilica of St. Sernin and lose yourself in Renaissance courtyards and leafy parks. The city is a hub for aerospace fans, with the Cité de l’Espace and Airbus tours offering a unique twist on the traditional French city break. The Garonne’s quays are made for sunset strolls and the food scene is a treat – think cassoulet, markets and lively terraces. Downsides? Pickpocketing and petty theft can happen in crowded areas, especially at night and some neighborhoods near the train station are best avoided after dark. The city’s nightlife is lively, but take care late at night and stick to well-lit, central streets. Still, Toulouse’s warmth, beauty and energy make it a highlight of southern France.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Pont Neuf
2 Couvent des Jacobins - Administration
3 Musée des Augustins
4 Cité de l'Espace
5 Place du Capitole
6 Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu Saint-Jacques
7 Aeroscopia

🎡Places for activities

1 Cité de l'Espace
2 Patinoire Jacques Raynaud

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Jardin des Plantes
2 Canal de Brienne
3 Prairie des Filtres
4 Jardin Royal
5 Grand Rond
6 Canal du Midi
7 Port de la Daurade

🛍️Shopping

1 Tolosa Market
2 Galeries Lafayette
3 Marché des Carmes

🎈Events

Rio Loco Festival
Toulouse les Orgues (Organ Festival)
Printemps de Septembre (Art Festival)
Marathon de Toulouse
Fête de la Musique (June)
Christmas Markets
Toulouse Summer Festival
Jazz sur son 31
Carnaval de Toulouse
Night of the Museums

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Explore by bike or metro; the center is compact.
Plan golden-hour strolls along the Garonne quays; Toulouse’s pink brick glows beautifully at sunset.
Eat through Marché Victor Hugo at lunch; arrive early for best counters and shortest lines.
For a calm first hour, start at the Japanese Garden in Compans-Caffarelli before the city’s bustle.

How to travel to Toulouse

Toulouse-Blagnac Airport is about 20 minutes from the center by tram, shuttle or taxi, with direct flights across Europe. High-speed trains (TGV) connect Toulouse to Paris, Bordeaux and other French cities. Long-distance buses and regional trains link Toulouse to the Pyrenees, Mediterranean coast and Occitanie region. The main train and bus stations are central and well connected.

Access summary

From Toulouse–Blagnac Airport (TLS): shuttle bus or taxi about 15–25 min.
From Paris: high-speed TGV train to Toulouse usually about 4–4.5 hours.
From Barcelona: direct train or long-distance bus typically around 3.5–5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Toulouse

Toulouse offers everything from boutique hotels and historic guesthouses in the old town to modern chains and budget hostels near the train station. Most accommodations are within walking distance of main sights. Book ahead for festivals and major events. Some older buildings may have stairs or limited accessibility-check ahead if needed.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Odalys City Toulouse Blagnac Aéroport

9.2

Odalys City Toulouse Centre Compans Caffarelli

9.0

Plaza Hotel Capitole Toulouse

8.7

Toulouse Centre Gare

8.7

Le Grand Balcon Hotel

9.1

Le Clocher de Rodez Centre Gare

8.4

Residhotel Toulouse Centre

8.3

NH Toulouse Airport

9.0

Appart'City Confort Toulouse Purpan

8.5

Hotel Palladia

8.3

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Toulouse

Toulouse’s center is compact and walkable, with most sights close together. The metro, trams and buses connect neighborhoods, train stations and the airport. Cycling is popular along the Garonne and Canal du Midi. Taxis and rideshares are available, but parking is limited in the old town – use public transport or park outside the center. The Tourism Pass offers free or discounted entry to museums and unlimited public transport for 24, 48 or 72 hours.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-3 %

Daily expenses in Toulouse are around 3% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£62	£137	£365
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£23	£60	£135
🍝 Food per day	£32	£68	£201
🚕 Transportation per day	£8	£9	£29

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£24
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£13
🍟 Fast food combo	£10.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£10.50
☕ Cappuccino	£3.20
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£5.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.80
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£17
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.60

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£9.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£23
🤧 Cold medication	£5
💇 Basic haircut	£21

Safety information overview

General safety

Toulouse is generally safe, with low violent crime. Pickpocketing and petty theft can occur in crowded areas, especially at night. Avoid poorly lit areas near the train station after dark and keep valuables secure.

Health & Medical

Medical care is excellent, with clinics and pharmacies throughout the city. Tap water is safe to drink. Bring any needed medications, especially for allergies or chronic conditions. Summer heatwaves can cause dehydration — drink plenty of water.

Accessibility

Most main attractions, hotels and public transport are accessible, but cobbled streets and some old buildings can be tricky for those with mobility issues. The city is flat and easy to navigate overall.

Tap water

Tap water is safe, clean and widely available. Public fountains are found in parks and squares — refill your bottle as you explore.