Why I Decided to Compare Trains and Flights
When planning my journey from Toulouse to Montpellier, I found myself stuck in a familiar traveler’s dilemma: should I take the train or hop on a short flight? Both cities are in southern France, and while they’re only about 240 kilometers apart, the way you travel between them can change your entire experience.
For this trip, I booked both a TGV train and a budget-friendly flight to see how they stacked up in terms of time, comfort, and cost. What follows is a detailed breakdown of my journey—with one train ride described in depth, plus additional insights on other options.
My Train Journey: Toulouse to Montpellier on the TGV INOUI
Booking the Ticket
I decided to book my train ticket on SNCF Connect (the official French rail platform). The interface is simple, and the app is useful for real-time updates. I purchased a ticket for the TGV INOUI 4657, which departed from Toulouse-Matabiau at 09:28 AM and arrived at Montpellier Saint-Roch at 12:04 PM.
• Ticket type: Second Class (I wanted to see if it was comfortable enough without splurging).
• Price: €39.00 for a one-way ticket booked two weeks in advance.
• Discounts available: Had I booked earlier, I might have gotten it for around €25 with SNCF’s Prem’s offers.
• Return ticket price: A flexible return added about €42, so a round trip was roughly €81.
I noticed that buying via platforms like Trainline or Omio showed the same prices, but Trainline’s interface is more user-friendly for non-French speakers.
Toulouse-Matabiau Station Experience
Toulouse-Matabiau is the main railway station, located just northeast of the city center. Getting there was easy—I took the Metro Line A to Marengo-SNCF station, which is directly connected.
The station itself is functional but crowded in the mornings. There’s a Paul bakery inside where I grabbed a croissant (€1.50) and a coffee before boarding. I recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before departure since boarding usually begins about 20 minutes prior, and the station can feel overwhelming for first-timers.
Onboard: Second-Class Seat Experience
I boarded TGV INOUI 4657, and my carriage was modern, with bright interiors and ergonomic seats. Here’s what stood out:
• Legroom: Adequate for my 1.80m frame, though not luxurious.
• Seat layout: 2+2 rows, some facing each other with a small table. I was lucky to get a window seat with a forward-facing view.
• Wi-Fi: Available but patchy when passing through rural areas. Free in all classes.
• Power outlets: One per pair of seats, which is enough if you plan to charge a phone but not ideal if both passengers need it.
• Noise level: Calm, though a group of students nearby made it lively.
I spent most of the ride gazing out at the Occitanie countryside. Rolling vineyards, sunflower fields, and little medieval villages made it one of the most scenic train rides I’ve had in southern France.
Arrival in Montpellier
At 12:04 PM, the train pulled into Montpellier Saint-Roch station, located right in the city center. This is one of the biggest advantages of taking the train—no shuttle buses, no long taxi rides. Within 15 minutes, I was walking in the historic Écusson district, suitcase in hand.
My Honest Impression of the Train Journey
• Pros: Convenient, scenic, city-center to city-center, relatively eco-friendly.
• Cons: Wi-Fi reliability, second-class seats can feel cramped on busy days.
• Rating: 8.5/10. For trips under 3 hours, trains beat flights in my book.
Comparing Flights: Toulouse to Montpellier
I also researched flights, though it’s important to note that there are limited direct flights between the two cities nowadays, as the distance is short. Still, low-cost carriers occasionally offer connections. My experience was with Air France Hop, flying via Lyon.
• Flight time: Toulouse to Lyon (55 minutes), then Lyon to Montpellier (45 minutes).
• Total journey time (including layover and airport transfers): Nearly 4.5 hours.
• Cost: €115 one-way, booked three weeks ahead.
• Class: Economy.
The plane itself was comfortable, but the layover and travel to/from airports made it less efficient than the train. By the time I reached central Montpellier, I had spent more time and money than if I had simply stayed on the train.
Recommended Train Options
Here are four good train options I researched and/or experienced:
- TGV INOUI 4657
o Depart: 09:28 Toulouse-Matabiau
o Arrive: 12:04 Montpellier Saint-Roch
o Price: From €25–€45
o Best for: Morning travelers who want to arrive before lunch. - TGV INOUI 4661
o Depart: 14:28 Toulouse
o Arrive: 17:03 Montpellier
o Price: From €29–€50
o Best for: Afternoon trips with time for a relaxed morning. - Intercités 4669
o Depart: 18:28 Toulouse
o Arrive: 21:13 Montpellier
o Price: From €22–€40
o Best for: Budget travelers, slower but often cheaper. - Ouigo Train Classique (budget option when available)
o Prices as low as €15.
o Journey: Around 3h30–4h.
o Best for: Price-conscious travelers willing to trade speed for savings.
Nearby Train Stations Information
• Toulouse-Matabiau:
o Connected via Metro Line A.
o Facilities: Restaurants, small shops, baggage storage (€5–€9/day).
• Montpellier Saint-Roch:
o Located in the heart of Montpellier.
o Direct tram connections (Lines 1, 2, 3, 4).
o Plenty of cafés nearby for a post-journey coffee.
• Montpellier Sud de France Station:
o Sometimes used for Ouigo services.
o Located outside the city (6 km away).
o Requires shuttle or tram transfer. Not as convenient as Saint-Roch.
Booking Tips & Platforms
I’ve experimented with nearly every platform out there to book my train journeys across France, including the Toulouse–Montpellier route. Each platform has its strengths and quirks, and I’ve learned a few tricks that can save both money and stress. Here’s my detailed breakdown:
- SNCF Connect
• Why I Use It: This is the official booking site/app of the French national railway system (SNCF). It gives you the most up-to-date schedules, exclusive discounts (such as OuiGo low-cost tickets), and the widest choice of seat classes.
• Perks:
o Access to all ticket types (Prem’s, Second, First).
o Ability to change or refund tickets more easily than third-party sites.
o Integrated with SNCF loyalty programs, such as SNCF Grand Voyageur.
• Downside: The interface can be slightly overwhelming if you’re not used to French.
👉 Pro Tip: If you’re flexible with times, use the “Calendar View” to compare ticket prices across several days—it’s the best way to spot hidden bargains. - Trainline
• Why I Use It: Perfect for international travelers. The app is sleek, available in multiple languages, and allows you to pay with almost any card, PayPal, or even Apple Pay.
• Perks:
o Very user-friendly interface with clear comparisons of times and prices.
o You can combine different operators (SNCF + Ouigo + buses).
o Digital tickets stored directly in the app—no need to print.
• Downside: Small booking fee, and you sometimes miss out on special SNCF promotions.
👉 Pro Tip: Trainline is excellent if you want to check real-time seat availability and get reminders for platform changes. - Omio
• Why I Use It: I often use Omio when I’m not sure whether to travel by train, bus, or flight. It shows side-by-side comparisons, which is invaluable when planning a route with multiple legs.
• Perks:
o Perfect for creating multi-modal itineraries (e.g., train to Montpellier, then bus to a nearby village).
o Option to store all bookings in a single app—even flights and buses.
o Transparent about total journey time, including transfers.
• Downside: Service fees can add up, and sometimes the cheapest SNCF-only deals don’t appear.
👉 Pro Tip: Great for last-minute decisions—especially if you want to double-check whether a bus or low-cost flight is cheaper than a train. - Rail Europe
• Why I Use It: As someone who sometimes books tickets for friends and clients abroad, Rail Europe is incredibly convenient. It allows you to pay in your home currency and avoids foreign transaction fees.
• Perks:
o Smooth payment options (USD, GBP, CAD, etc.).
o Designed for travelers planning long trips across multiple European countries.
o Helpful customer service in English.
• Downside: Sometimes slightly higher than official SNCF prices.
👉 Pro Tip: If you’re planning a multi-country European itinerary (Paris → Toulouse → Barcelona → Rome), Rail Europe makes the entire process seamless.
Other Useful Tips
• Book Early: The sweet spot for Toulouse–Montpellier trains is about 3–4 weeks in advance. Prices start around €15–€20 for second-class tickets but can jump to €50+ if you book last minute.
• Travel Off-Peak: Avoid Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons, when trains are busiest and most expensive.
• Discount Cards: If you’re under 28 or over 60, look into SNCF’s Carte Avantage, which can save you 30% or more on fares.
• Seat Selection: Paying a small fee for a window seat (especially on TGV INOUI) is worth it—the views of the rolling countryside are breathtaking.
• Mobile Tickets: Always download your ticket to your phone in advance—sometimes train stations have weak Wi-Fi.
• Station Flexibility: When searching, compare both Toulouse-Matabiau and Toulouse-Saint-Agne departures, as smaller stations occasionally have cheaper tickets.
Choosing the Smarter Journey
Traveling between Toulouse and Montpellier reminded me why I fell in love with travel in the first place—it’s not just about the destination, but the choices we make along the way. Taking the TGV INOUI gave me a seamless, scenic, and surprisingly affordable journey. Flying, while comfortable in the air, ended up being less practical and more stressful with layovers and transfers.
For me, the train offered freedom: I could sip coffee, watch the landscapes of Occitanie roll by, and arrive directly in the heart of Montpellier without worrying about airport shuttles or baggage claim. It felt less like a chore and more like part of the adventure.
If you’re traveling this route for the first time, here are my key takeaways:
• Book early. A ticket booked a month in advance can cost you half the price of a last-minute one.
• Pick your station carefully. Saint-Roch is central; Sud de France is cheaper but less convenient.
• Weigh time vs. money. Budget flights might look tempting, but once you add transfers and hidden costs, the train often wins.
• Travel light. Whether on a train or plane, packing smart makes the whole experience easier.
Ultimately, I believe the train is not only the most budget-friendly and time-efficient choice, but also the most human one. You connect with landscapes, with local commuters, and with the rhythm of southern France.
So next time you find yourself wondering how to get from Toulouse to Montpellier, remember this: sometimes the smartest option is also the simplest. Let the train carry you across sunflower fields and vineyards straight into the city’s vibrant heart—it’s a journey you’ll remember, not just for where you arrive, but for how you got there.