Hi friends! Hubby and I leave for France on April 27 flying direct to Toulouse from Montreal. We expect to spend at least 3-4 nights in Toulouse and then...? I'm intrigued by the Occitanie rail pass, as we enjoy exploring smaller villages and don't want the hassle of a car. (Please don't try to dissuade us about car rental.) Here are my questions: these are all local trains--are they relatively clean and decent? Some of the regional trains in Italy are worn and filthy. The itineraries on the website suggest hopping on and off the trains to explore, but are there places to leave baggage in the smaller towns? Usually we make hotel reservations in advance (have ours for Toulouse) but for the first week or so of May is that necessary, should we decide to stay in a popular place like Collioure? I'm excited about some of the routes through the Pyrenees. Any particular places covered by the Occitanie pass that we shouldn't miss? Thanks!
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France Southwest - Occitanie
3695 posts
Everything you need to know about the Rail Pass is in the link below:
https://www.visit-occitanie.com/en/rail-tour/
By clicking on "Discover the Map," you will find details of the train lines included in the pass. Clicking on the line name will give you more information, and by clicking on "All Stations," you can then select any station and see some other specific information.
Keep in mind that the pass does not include access to liO buses (the regional bus network).
I don't have extensive experience with liO trains, but they are perfectly adequate for anyone who uses them regularly. They are regional trains, so there are no reserved seats.
However, I'm sorry to say this, but don't expect to explore small villages by train. The small villages, which make up the majority of rural communities, don't have train stations. In rural areas, a car isn't a hassle, but the only way to get around, even if it's just to go to the nearest train station or do your grocery shopping.
That being said, you'll have enough to do & see in the large and medium-sized cities that have train stations without having to bother going to the small villages.
If you need specific information about a place, let me know. Regarding hotels, since I don't need to stay in any, I can't give an opinion based on my own experience, but I can provide information and my opinion on the surrounding area.
By the way, in your other thread, the NYT article about Toulouse is, let's say, not bad, but it's very much in the style of those airline magazines you find on planes. :)