I am on a budget and still not sure if I will get a railpass or not. Flix bus tickets seem cheap. Does anyone know how to get to Rennes le Chateaux and Lourdes from Carcassonne in a budget friendly way? I am trying also to check out blablacar/bus but it does not want me to sign in, perhaps because I am in USA. Thanks.
There are no trains or buses going to or passing through Rennes-le-Château, whether from Carcassonne or elsewhere, so no need to search with Flix Bus or Blabla Bus or take any rail pass.
From Carcassonne you can take:
A TER train to Limoux then a bus from Limoux to Couiza,
Or a bus line 402 to Couiza-Montazels.
Since you are on a budget these are the best options, the journey costs 1€ or 2€
There are no trains or buses on Sunday and bus timetables depend on school timetables and school holidays
Once in Couiza you will have to find a way to travel the remaining 5 km to go to Rennes-le-Château (hitchhiking?).
And above all you will have to return to Carcassonne.
To go to Lourdes from Carcassonne take a train to Toulouse then a Toulouse → Lourdes train
thanks. i have taken your advice about lourdes and bought a train ticket. Still not sure about Rennes le Chateaux. I took a bus to nearest village and was able to get a ride before so i might try again.