Car Rental in Toulouse

Why rent a car in Toulouse?

Toulouse is the main city of southwestern France and also one of the country’s most interesting urban destinations. In addition to a well-preserved center and plenty of history, the city has seen a lot of fascinating redevelopment and is a hub of contemporary culture. Toulouse can also serve as a base from which to explore the rest of the historic Occitanie region and provides access to the French Pyrenees.

Top ways to enter Toulouse

• Toulouse–Blagnac Airport. The main gateway not just to Toulouse, but all of Southwest France, Blagnac Airport is about 8 km (5 miles) northwest of the city center. An important base for Air France, it is also popular with such low-cost carriers as Ryanair, easyJet, Transavia, and Volotea, and provides flights to and from many destinations in Europe and North Africa.
• Carcassonne Airport. Located about an hour’s drive southwest of Toulouse, this small airport serves flights to and from Belgium, United Kingdom, Portugal, and the Republic of Ireland. Other international airports 200 km (125 mi) or less from Toulouse include Tarbes–Lourdes–Pyrénées Airport, Beziers Airport, Perpignan Airport, Pau Pyrénées Airport, Bergerac Airport, and Brive Airport.
• By public transportation: If you’re arriving in Toulouse by train, you can conveniently pick up a rental car at the Toulouse Railway Station.

City facts

• With a metro area population of almost 1,000,000, Toulouse is the largest city and the capital of the Occitanie Region.
• Like other southern French cities, Toulouse experiences mild winters and very hot summers, but the precipitation is somewhat higher than on the Mediterranean Coast.

Top sights and activities

• Basilique Saint-Sernin. This church, first built in the 11th Century, is perhaps the largest building in the world built in the Romanesque style. Historically a stopover on important pilgrimage routes, it is noted for its bell tower and the impressive sound of the church organ.
• Saint Raymond Museum. From prehistoric and Iron Age artefacts to relics of Etruscans, Romans, and Visigoths, the collections of this museum tell the surprisingly diverse story of Toulouse’s history.
• Capitole de Toulouse. Located next to the main Toulouse square, this famous building is home to the City Hall with its awe-inspiring Salle des Illustres hall, as well as the city’s largest theater.
• Cité de l'Espace. With Toulouse being the center of French aviation and space research, it is only natural that one of the city’s main tourist attractions is related to these industries. Located a short drive southeast of the city center, Space City has a number of interactive exhibitions and real spacecraft for visitors to explore. If you like visiting it, you might also consider taking an Airbus tour and seeing the Aeroscopia Museum.
• Les Abattoirs. A testament to the imaginative capacities of native Toulousaine, the huge former abattoir has been turned into an art space and is now home to one of the most interesting contemporary art museums in France. Visit the museum’s official website to find out more about opening hours and admission.
• Cassoulet. Try Toulouse’s most famous dish, cassoulet. Made from beans, pork, and sausage, it’s a classic French country staple you must try! This hearty, warm meal always seems to be extra tasty on a cold day.
• Find more things to do in the city in this Toulouse guide.

Traffic and parking

• The speed limit in cities is 50 km/h, although in certain areas the speed limit may be reduced to 30 km/h. Unlike with inter-city roads, the urban speed limit is unaffected by weather.
• Outside cities, as of July 2018 the speed limit depends on the type of the road. Highways are limited to 130 km/h, 4-lane expressways to 110 km/h, and 2- or 3- lane roads to 80 or 90 km/h. During the rain the limits are respectively lowered to 110 km/h, 100 km/h, and 80 km/h. The general speed limit is lowered to 50 km/h during heavy fog or other cases of bad visibility.
• The insurance and car documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• As of 2018, hands-free mobile phone use is banned in France and the fines are hefty.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers.
• The emergency number is 112.

Toll roads

Most of the main highways in France (autoroute in French) are toll roads. Their names start with letter A and you can recognize them by a red number sign. The fare for taking a toll road depends on the specific route, the distance length, as well as the type of your vehicle - trailer cars and caravans have to pay more than regular cars. You can pay by a credit card or by cash. You’ll be given a ticket that you have to keep while on the toll road.

Some rental cars are equipped with toll road transporters and can use the automatic toll road payment booths (Télépéage). Ask your rental car provider to find out if they offer cars with toll road transporters.

See the official French toll road website for more information. Use the website's toll road calculator to find out exactly how much you’ll have to pay for using the toll roads on your planned route. 

Ideas for day trips

• Carcassonne. This fortified city is one of the most notable medieval destinations in the whole of France and the largest walled city in Europe. In addition to honoring its belligerent heritage, Carcassonne is also one of the gastronomic hubs of this part of the country. The drive from Toulouse takes an hour and 10 minutes.
• Pyrenees National Park. Named after the majestic mountain range that divides France from Spain, this is arguably the most famous national park in this part of the country. Located about a two hour drive from Toulouse, it has many hiking paths, and is also known as a great hub for winter sports. If you’re not short on time, it’s a fun idea to also explore the Spanish side of the mountains – but ask your rental car provider in advance if they are okay with you crossing the border.
• Andorra. Take a day to explore this micro-country, only two and a half hours from Toulouse. In the capital, Andorra la Vella, don’t miss the 12th-century cathedral, sculptures from Salvador Dali, shopping, dining, and fantastic views. The drive to and from Andorra is an experience in itself, with jaw-dropping mountain vistas.

Most popular cars

The most often picked rental cars in France are the Renault Twingo, the Volkswagen Polo and the Ford Fiesta. The most popular rental car types are economy, compact and mini.

Further destinations

• Perpignan and the Mediterranean Coast. Not as glamorous, but arguably more relaxing than Provence, the eastern portion of France’s Mediterranean Coast is a destination of lovely fishing villages and beaches that you can explore for days. Perpignan, the region’s historic largest city and a potential hub from which you can see the rest of it, is just slightly over a two-hour drive away from Toulouse.
• Basque Country. The historical region of Basque country, shared by France and Spain, is a fascinating destination not only because of its proud yet hospitable inhabitants, but also in terms of its unique culture, architecture, and cuisine and the wild beaches of the Bay of Biscay. Biarritz, a surfing mecca that’s just before the border, is about a three-hour drive from Toulouse. If you plan to also visit the Spanish side of the Basque Country, make sure to ask your rental car supplier in advance if they allow it.
• Catalonia. Sharing close ties with Toulouse and the rest of Occitanie, the proud and scenic Spanish region of Catalonia is many tourists’ favorite. Famous for its stunning capital, Barcelona, and some of the nicest beaches in Spain, but equally notable for the scenic, wine-growing countryside and many historical landmarks that date back to prehistory, it has all the right ingredients for many memorable road trips. The drive from Toulouse to Barcelona takes about four hours. As with the Basque Country, ask your rental car supplier in advance if they permit you to cross the Spanish border.

Car rental prices in Toulouse

• Vans - from $71 per day
• Small cars - from $25 per day
• SUVs - from $42 per day
• Premium cars - from $49 per day
• Station wagons - from $50 per day
• Medium cars - from $29 per day
• Large cars - from $31 per day
• Convertibles - from $72 per day

Money-saving and other tips

There are many things you can do to get a good car rental deal in Toulouse:

• Compare rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Toulouse is the cheapest in October when renting a car is about 60% cheaper than the yearly average and 67% cheaper than renting a car in July.