I am traveling to France in September with friends. We will be arriving at the Toulouse airport and need to get to Souillac where we are going to start a walking tour so we won't have a car. My research shows we can take a bus to the Toulouse Matabiau train station and take an SNCF Intercites train from there. Our flight is scheduled to arrive at 8:25am. It's a 20-25 minute bus ride to the train station and there are trains leaving at 10:27am, 12:59pm and 4:00pm. Obviously, we can't be sure when our flight will actually arrive or how long it will take to get our luggage, therefore it's hard to know which train we will want/be able to take. So... My question is what tickets should we buy? If we buy the very expensive "Tarif Flex Première" ticket at 57Euros can we really take any train that day, giving us peace of mind? Or at that price, is it possible to get a car service (there are 4 of us) for roughly the same total cost? What would any of the more experienced folks do? TIA. Kathy
Posted by
France Southwest
3072 posts
As long as your flight isn't delayed, you can take the 10:27, but you won't have a big safety margin.
At Toulouse airport, I don't know why, baggage claim is always delayed by 10 or 15 minutes compared to the time displayed above the baggage carousels, even when there are only two flights arriving at the same time. It always surprises me.
Since there are four of you, take a taxi to the Matabiau station and not the airport shuttle.
Forget a private transfer service by car from the airport to Souillac which will probably cost you between €400 and €500, much more expensive than the taxi to the train station + the train to Souillac
Sorry, but I'm not familiar enough with SNCF fares to give a reliable answer about the different ticket types.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thanks, @JoLui! Great idea re: the taxi vs. the bus to the train. And I think you're right the private car to Souillac would just cost too much....
Posted by
France Southwest
3072 posts
I recommend taxis over the airport shuttle, which costs €9.
Given that there are four of you, €36 is roughly the price you'll pay for a taxi that will get you to the Matabiau station faster.
If you have some free time in Souillac, visit the Roque family, but take it easy on the tasting.
https://www.visit-dordogne-valley.co.uk/offers/maison-louis-roque-souillac-en-401887
https://maps.app.goo.gl/eGjYaishbHp1jYhHA
My bottle of Vieille Prune is almost empty; I'll be going there soon to refill it. :)
Posted by
OP
6 posts
@JoLui -we are looking to do some wine (and now, maybe brandy!) tasting while in the area. I have book marked the Maison Louis Roque bwebsite....
Posted by
France Southwest
3072 posts
Good idea katkatf, I must warn you that "La Vieille Prune" is like jam, but in a liquid form, with a 42° alcohol level.
Avoid driving; the legal limit in France is roughly two glasses of wine.