There are four options for taking a train from Paris to Toulouse.
Both the (1_ regular TGV InOui services and low-cost, but more basic, (2) Ouigo services share a route which involves whizzing down the high speed line as far as Bordeaux
It's particularly worthwhile to click on the Train Guides below so that you can compare the two train services.
However, if you need to arrive at a specific time you will often have to take one train service or the other.
The Ouigo services can plug gaps between the TGV InOui departures.
There are also (3) Intercités trains to Toulouse from Paris which still take the older conventional route.
The plus of taking these trains is that they can be the cheapest option when booking tickets.
Users of Eurail and Interrail passes should take the InOui services, the reservation fees for the Intercités services are the same price, but the InOui services are faster.
There is also the option (4) of taking a night train.
When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.
4hr 22 min - 4hr 26min
Daily
Mon-Thurs = 5 x trains per day
Friday = 6 x trains
Sat/Sun = 4 x trains per day
Is the journey from Paris to Toulouse direct?
Yes, there is no need to make a connection when taking this route.
Is the journey scenic?
There are views of a river after Bordeaux - see the Journey Information
What other tourist locations are along the route from Paris to Toulouse?
Bordeaux and Agen
When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at Toulouse from Paris Montparnasse on this journey option?
How easy is it to travel on from the station in Toulouse?
Marengo station on the Toulouse Metro is connected to the rail station - See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in its neighborhood.
When is the usual approximate latest departure from Paris Montparnasse to Toulouse on this journey option
How easy is it to get to the station in Paris?
The Gare Montparnassse is served by four Metro lines including line 4 which provides a direct link from the Gare Du Nord and from the Gare de l'Est.
See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in the neighborhood.
Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for the Paris to Toulouse trains?
Yes, and they can be purchased from a choice of booking agents - see below.
Click on the 'Good to know info' to access a guide to how rail tickets are managed in France, plus step-by-step guides on how to make a booking.
How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for the Paris to Toulouse trains?
Typically up to 6 months, but it varies according to when /if SNCF has a promotion in place; see the Ticket Information
What are the child ticket terms for this Paris to Toulouse trains?
The adult rate is charged for all travellers aged 12 and over.
Children aged 4-11 pay half fare
Does the ticket for the Paris to Toulouse train include assigned seats?
Yes - See the Train Guide in the Journey Information for insights on how to board the train.
Do rail pass users need to book reservations for the Paris to Toulouse train?
Yes - See the rail pass guide for France for info on the multiple booking options.
Is catering available on the Paris to Toulouse train on this journey option?
Yes, there is a bar/bistro car.
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information.
What else is good to know about French rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in France.
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on SNCF Connect ticket sales. SNCF Connect doesn't charge booking fees and is the online booking service of the national rail operator in France. It also sells tickets for direct high speed trains between France and Belgium, Germany, Barcelona, London, Switzerland and The Netherlands.
SNCF is the national rail operator in France and not so long ago it recently simplified both the range of tickets and the term and conditions of using them.
Therefore the cheapest tickets also become more flexible too.
Other improvements included a simple integration of travelling with bicycles and rail pass users being able to book reservations for national journeys, without paying booking fees.
And it also recently launched SNCF Connect as replacement for its Oui.SNCF booking service.
You can set up a low price alert to let you know when the cheapest price is available for a future journey.
Something else to look out for is that simplest way of travelling with tickets is to use the SNCF Connect App, as booked tickets can therefore be stored on your mobile device, which can then be shown to the train conductors as proof of purchase.
SNCF Connect in the App (Apple) store
SNCF also operates RailEurope, which is in effect a dedicated online booking service for making bookings from outside of Europe.
If you reside outside of Europe you may discover that SNCF Connect rejects phone numbers or card numbers, but RailEurope won't do so.
Though RailEurope will add booking fees when making a purchase
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Rail Europe ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option when booking international journeys with connections and for travellers who don't reside in western Europe. Use the easy options on its home page if you will be booking tickets with a railcard: Or purchasing rail pass reservations.
Exclusive for New Customers: Receive a 10% discount by using the code 24NOV on any purchase with a maximum total price of £100, until 28 November 2024 (11:59 pm CET). Limit one coupon per qualifying booking. Cannot be combined, transferred or exchanged.
Omio is an online ticket agency which offers tickets for rail journeys in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.
The three key advantages of using Omio are
The disadvantage of booking with Omio is that it often adds a booking fee to the final price; therefore when it does so without offering a price advantage, SMTJ doesn't tend to offer Omio as a booking option.
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Trainline ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option for: Comparing different train services; Booking international journeys with connections; Travelling between the UK to destinations beyond Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris - and for international travellers who don't reside in western Europe.
Happy Rail is a Netherlands rail ticket agency which sells tickets for both national and international journeys within a range of countries including Belgium France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland.
HappyRail doesn't charge booking fees in the conventional sense, but if you're not Dutch you can expect to pay additional transaction fees, which will be added to the total cost.
That's because the most common form of online payment used in The Netherlands is 'iDEAL' and HappyRail doesn't charge a transaction fee for 'iDEAL' payments, but only Dutch residents can sign up to 'iDEAL'.
Other forms of payment include Visa debit cards will incur a fee.
Two TGV trains will be usually be joined together for the part of the journey between Paris and Bordeaux; the coach number on your ticket will for a coach in the part of the train heading to Toulouse
Also don't be surprised to see a train, heading to a destination other than Toulouse, departing at the same time AND from the same voie (platform/track) as your train.
This will be the destination of the other TGV train, which will be attached to the train heading to Toulouse.
Note that these trains and those Ouigo services depart from the Gare Montparnasse in Paris.
The alternative, slower, but occasionally cheaper, service of Intercités trains from Paris to Toulouse depart from Paris Austerlitz.
Final Destination: Toulouse
All Trains Also Call At: Bordeaux and Agen
Some Trains Also Call At: Montauban
There are now also 2 x daily low-cost, but more basic Ouigo services from Paris to Toulouse.
On Mondays to Saturdays the Ouigo train which usually departs 08:45 plugs a gap of more than four hours between the departures of these TGV InOui services.
On Sundays that 08:45 departure is the first train of the day.
Though when looking up this journey, if you don't opt to see only direct trains, there will be more journey options to choose from, but they will involve making a connection between trains in Bordeaux.
These trains comprise the fastest ever Paris - Toulouse service because they use the full length of the relatively LGV Sud Europe Atlantique high speed line, so are non-stop between Paris and Bordeaux.
There isn't a high speed line between Bordeaux and Toulouse, but the train will travel through some charming French scenery on this part of the trip.
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date - but bookings can open sooner when SNCF is running a promotion.
When booking 2nd class tickets only one type of ticket will be available per departure, discounted 'Prems' tickets or 'Seconde' tickets; though the price of Seconde tickets are also typically cheaper when they are first placed on sale.
When booking 1st class tickets there will be a choice of Premiere tickets and Business Premiere tickets.
The two key T&Cs of booking Prems, Seconde, or Premiere tickets are:
Though if you book Business Premiere tickets, the key T&Cs are that tickets can be exchanged and refunded free of charge up to 30 minutes after departure, so if you get to the station just too late to miss the train you were originally booked on to, you won't lose out financially.
Seats will automatically be assigned when booking tickets for this journey, but rail pass users will need to be pay a reservation fee prior to boarding these TGV trains.
The price is dictated by demand per departure, so book ahead and try and be flexible re: your departure and arrival times, as trains leaving earlier or later can be cheaper.
4hr 22min - 4hr 45min
Daily
2 x trains per day
Is the journey from Paris to Toulouse direct?
Yes, there is no need to make a connection when taking this route.
Is the journey scenic?
There are views of a river after Bordeaux - see the Journey Information
What other tourist locations are along the route from Paris to Toulouse?
Bordeaux and Agen
When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at Toulouse from Paris Montparnasse on this journey option?
How easy is it to travel on from the station in Toulouse?
Marengo station on the Toulouse Metro is connected to the rail station - See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in its neighborhood.
When is the usual approximate latest departure from Paris Montparnasse to Toulouse on this journey option
How easy is it to get to the station in Paris?
The Gare Montparnassse is served by four Metro lines including line 4 which provides a direct link from the Gare Du Nord and from the Gare de l'Est.
See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in the neighborhood.
Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for these Paris to Toulouse trains?
Yes
How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for the Paris to Toulouse train for this journey option?
Typically up to 6 months ahead, but it varies according to when /if SNCF has a promotion in place; see the Ticket Information
What are the child ticket terms for these Paris to Toulouse trains?
The adult rate is charged for all travellers aged 12 and over.
A price of €8 is charged for children aged 11 and under.
Does the ticket for these Paris to Toulouse trains include assigned seats?
Yes, more info on the seat selection is available on the 'Train Guide' within the Journey Information guide below
Do rail pass users need to book reservations for these Paris to Toulouse trains?
Rail passes are not valid on Ouigo services.
Is catering available on the Paris to Toulouse train on this journey option?
No
What else is good to know about French rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in France.
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on SNCF Connect ticket sales. SNCF Connect doesn't charge booking fees and is the online booking service of the national rail operator in France. It also sells tickets for direct high speed trains between France and Belgium, Germany, Barcelona, London, Switzerland and The Netherlands.
SNCF is the national rail operator in France and not so long ago it recently simplified both the range of tickets and the term and conditions of using them.
Therefore the cheapest tickets also become more flexible too.
Other improvements included a simple integration of travelling with bicycles and rail pass users being able to book reservations for national journeys, without paying booking fees.
And it also recently launched SNCF Connect as replacement for its Oui.SNCF booking service.
You can set up a low price alert to let you know when the cheapest price is available for a future journey.
Something else to look out for is that simplest way of travelling with tickets is to use the SNCF Connect App, as booked tickets can therefore be stored on your mobile device, which can then be shown to the train conductors as proof of purchase.
SNCF Connect in the App (Apple) store
SNCF also operates RailEurope, which is in effect a dedicated online booking service for making bookings from outside of Europe.
If you reside outside of Europe you may discover that SNCF Connect rejects phone numbers or card numbers, but RailEurope won't do so.
Though RailEurope will add booking fees when making a purchase
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Trainline ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option for: Comparing different train services; Booking international journeys with connections; Travelling between the UK to destinations beyond Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris - and for international travellers who don't reside in western Europe.
Final Destination: Toulouse
These Ouigo services are usually scheduled to depart Paris at 08:52 and 12:21.
So you can now opt to save money, but have a much more basic on board experience, and travel on a Ouigo.
If you do opt to travel from Paris to Toulouse by these Ouigo trains, you should aim to be at the Gare Montparnasse 30 mins before the train is due to depart.
And that's because you need to pass through 'reception' before boarding a Ouigo train, staff need to verify that all passengers are abiding by the 'rules' of travelling on a Ouigo train, no additional un-booked luggage, no bikes etc.
Online bookings usually open: up to 9 months ahead of the travel date
Tickets for the alternative service of TGV InOui trains are usually made available 4 months ahead, so if you look up this journey more than 4 months ahead on SNCF Connect, you may only see these Ouigo services, but they are not the only option on this route.
What is particularly worth being aware of when booking tickets for journeys by Ouigo train services, is that:
Though these factors, and more, are why you can make big savings by opting to travel by these Ouigo trains and not on the standard TGV InOui trains.
Eurail and InterRail Pass Users:
Rail passes cannot be used on Ouigo trains, but if you will be travelling with a 2nd class pass, our guide to using rail passes in France, explains why taking a Ouigo train can be worth considering
6hr 42min - 6hr 54min
Daily
Mon- Saturday = 3 x trains per day
Sunday = 2 x trains
Is the journey from Paris to Toulouse direct?
Yes, there is no need to make a connection when taking this route.
Is the journey scenic?
Is isn't exceptional, but the route through rural France is more picturesque than the high speed route.
What other tourist locations are along this route from Paris to Toulouse?
Orleans (change trains at Les Aubrais) and Limoges and Cahors
When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at Toulouse from Paris on this journey option?
How easy is it to travel on from the station in Toulouse?
Marengo station on the Toulouse Metro is connected to the rail station - See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in its neighborhood.
When is the usual approximate latest departure from Paris to Toulouse on this journey option
Before 14:30 daily
Source = European Rail Timetable
How easy is it to get to the station in Paris?
The Gare Austerlitz is served by two Metro lines including line 5 which provides a direct link from the Gare Du Nord and from the Gare de l'Est.
See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in the neighborhood.
Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for the Paris to Toulouse trains?
Yes, and they can be purchased from a choice of booking agents - see below.
Click on the 'Good to know info' to access a guide to how rail tickets are managed in France, plus step-by-step guides on how to make a booking.
How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for the Paris to Toulouse trains?
Typically up to 4 months, but it varies according to when /if SNCF has a promotion in place; see the Ticket Information
What are the child ticket terms for this Paris to Toulouse trains?
The adult rate is charged for all travellers aged 12 and over.
Children aged 4-11 pay half fare
Does the ticket for the Paris to Toulouse train include assigned seats?
Yes - See the Train Guide in the Journey Information for insights on how to board the train.
Do rail pass users need to book reservations for the Paris to Toulouse train?
Yes - See the rail pass guide for France for info on the multiple booking options.
Is catering available on the Paris to Toulouse train on this journey option?
Yes, there is a bar/bistro car.
See the Train Guide in the Journey Information.
What else is good to know about French rail travel?
Check out the guide to travelling by train in France.
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on SNCF Connect ticket sales. SNCF Connect doesn't charge booking fees and is the online booking service of the national rail operator in France. It also sells tickets for direct high speed trains between France and Belgium, Germany, Barcelona, London, Switzerland and The Netherlands.
SNCF is the national rail operator in France and not so long ago it recently simplified both the range of tickets and the term and conditions of using them.
Therefore the cheapest tickets also become more flexible too.
Other improvements included a simple integration of travelling with bicycles and rail pass users being able to book reservations for national journeys, without paying booking fees.
And it also recently launched SNCF Connect as replacement for its Oui.SNCF booking service.
You can set up a low price alert to let you know when the cheapest price is available for a future journey.
Something else to look out for is that simplest way of travelling with tickets is to use the SNCF Connect App, as booked tickets can therefore be stored on your mobile device, which can then be shown to the train conductors as proof of purchase.
SNCF Connect in the App (Apple) store
SNCF also operates RailEurope, which is in effect a dedicated online booking service for making bookings from outside of Europe.
If you reside outside of Europe you may discover that SNCF Connect rejects phone numbers or card numbers, but RailEurope won't do so.
Though RailEurope will add booking fees when making a purchase
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Trainline ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option for: Comparing different train services; Booking international journeys with connections; Travelling between the UK to destinations beyond Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris - and for international travellers who don't reside in western Europe.
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Rail Europe ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option when booking international journeys with connections and for travellers who don't reside in western Europe. Use the easy options on its home page if you will be booking tickets with a railcard: Or purchasing rail pass reservations.
These Intercités services from Paris to Toulouse are much slower than the TGV InOui and Ouigo services; particularly as those other trains now use the relatively new high speed line between Paris and Bordeaux.
Note that these trains depart from the Gare Austerlitz in Paris - the other trains from Paris to Toulouse depart from Gare Montparnasse.
Final Destination: Toulouse
All trains also call at: Limoges and Brive-la-Galliarde.
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 4 months ahead of the travel date - usually (the booking window can be shorter in Oct-Nov).
If tickets aren't on sale yet for your travel date, you can sign up to the ticket availability notification service on Oui.SNCF.
If you don't choose a specific Paris station on Oui.SNCF, the search results will still feature both services from Austerlitz and Montparnase for easy comparison.
If you're booking far enough ahead the discounted tickets for the TGVs from Paris Montparnasse are cheaper; despite those trains being much faster.
When the discounted tickets for the alternative TGVs are sold out, these Intercités trains are cheaper - but only by around €10.
Seats will automatically be assigned when booking tickets for this journey.
Rail Pass Users:
If you will be travelling with a valid Euaril or InterRail pass you will need to pay a reservation fee to travel on both these Intercités trains AND the alternative faster TGV train).
The same rail pass users pricing policy is applied to both trains , but it's probable that you'll be more likely to find the €10 fee is available on these Intercités trains.
from 8hr25min
Daily
1 x train per night
ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on SNCF Connect ticket sales. SNCF Connect doesn't charge booking fees and is the online booking service of the national rail operator in France. It also sells tickets for direct high speed trains between France and Belgium, Germany, Barcelona, London, Switzerland and The Netherlands.
SNCF is the national rail operator in France and not so long ago it recently simplified both the range of tickets and the term and conditions of using them.
Therefore the cheapest tickets also become more flexible too.
Other improvements included a simple integration of travelling with bicycles and rail pass users being able to book reservations for national journeys, without paying booking fees.
And it also recently launched SNCF Connect as replacement for its Oui.SNCF booking service.
You can set up a low price alert to let you know when the cheapest price is available for a future journey.
Something else to look out for is that simplest way of travelling with tickets is to use the SNCF Connect App, as booked tickets can therefore be stored on your mobile device, which can then be shown to the train conductors as proof of purchase.
SNCF Connect in the App (Apple) store
SNCF also operates RailEurope, which is in effect a dedicated online booking service for making bookings from outside of Europe.
If you reside outside of Europe you may discover that SNCF Connect rejects phone numbers or card numbers, but RailEurope won't do so.
Though RailEurope will add booking fees when making a purchase
Note that these overnight trains typically depart from a different station in Paris the high speed services (options 1 and 2)
Final Destination: Toulouse or La Tour De Carol
The train also calls at: Montaubahn
The train is typically scheduled arrive in Toulouse at around 06:30, on Monday to Friday it departs at around 21:40 and on Sat / Sun it departs at around 22:00.
Before opting to travel by the Intercités De Nuit train, it can be good idea to take a look at the 'Train Guide' info in the Journey Information.
These trains are atypical of European overnight train services.
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings usually open: 4 months ahead of the travel date, but bookings can open sooner when SNCF is running a promotion.
The ticketing for these overnight trains is fairly uncomplicated, when looking up a departure on SNCF Connect, the prices you will see for each accommodation option is the total cost.
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