Toulouse to Paris train with SNCF Intercités

Traveling From Toulouse to Paris by Train

Introduction

When I was traveling around Europe, I decided to take the Toulouse to Paris night train. That way, I could use my time more efficiently and even save on a night’s accommodation! There are also day trains from Toulouse to Paris, which take less than five hours to complete. The daytime journey is more scenic, but either option is easy to book on Omio. Here’s how to book and enjoy both experiences.

Route Overview

Starting at Toulouse Matabiau station, the route from Toulouse to Paris travels northwards toward Paris Gare Montparnasse. The night train takes around 10 hours. It goes slower to give passengers a chance to sleep, whereas the fastest day trains take just 4 hours and 45 minutes.

I think the best way to get from Toulouse to Paris is by taking the night train, especially if you can afford a private cabin, as it saves spending a day traveling. However, for those who prefer to travel during the day, the daytime train is also an excellent option.

Transportation Experience

You can book both daytime and sleeper trains on Omio. Just enter your travel details, choose your preferred journey, make a secure payment, and receive your ticket with a QR code, either in the app or by email.

Before the trip, I had considered other ways to get from Toulouse to Paris. However, I found that buses to Paris take 6 to 9 hours during the day, and flights from Toulouse were limited and generally more expensive than the train. Even though I opted for the pricier sleeper option, I actually saved money by not having to book a night’s accommodation.

Route Details

Departure & Arrival Stations:

If you’re traveling from Toulouse to Paris by train, you’ll start at Toulouse-Matabiau station, which is around 1.6 km from the city center.

The station is split into two parts, with a café, vending machine, and small shop, but if you’re taking the night train, these may all be closed. My train departed at around 9:00 PM, so everything was already closed for the day. Also, there aren’t many restaurants in the area, so I recommend making your purchases in the city center before leaving.

After showing my train ticket to the conductor on the platform, the crew directed me to my cabin.

I arrived at Paris Gare Montparnasse at around 7:00 AM. This is a large Parisian station with plenty of eateries and connections to other spots in the city. The station is around 4.75 km from Trocadéro, which you can reach by taking Metro Line 6 (a 15-minute journey).

Schedule & Frequency

There are around 17 trains per day between Paris and Toulouse (most of them are direct). These services are operated by TGV, SNCF, and Ouigo. The night trains, known as Intercités de Nuit, are run by SNCF as well.

Onboard Experience & Services

I traveled in a shared sleeper cabin with three other women (women-only compartments are available on request). The bed was comfortable, with fresh linens and enough space to store my bag. I also had a personal reading light and power outlet.

Toilets were located at the end of the carriage and remained clean throughout the trip, thanks to the friendly and attentive onboard staff. I slept very well: we turned the lights off at 10 PM, and I didn’t wake up until around 6:30 AM as we approached Paris.

In the morning, there was the option to buy a simple breakfast, typically coffee and a croissant, though I decided to eat once I arrived in the city. Since I was heading to Gare du Nord, I decided to visit Café Tranquille, my favorite coffee shop in the area.

You could also travel in a couchette on a night train, which consists of six slightly less comfortable berths in a shared compartment and costs less than a sleeper cabin. Cheaper still is the option to sit in a regular seat all night, though I wouldn’t recommend this unless you’re really trying to save!

If you’re planning a similar trip, keep in mind that on SNCF trains from Toulouse to Paris, you can usually bring two bags and one smaller hand item. Things like strollers are also allowed as long as they fit in the designated storage areas. Wi-Fi can be patchy on this route, so consider downloading some movies or games while you’re still in Toulouse.

Job Title: Travel Journalist and Content Creator Bio: I’m a full-time travel journalist, blogger, and videomaker who specializes in train and ferry travel around Europe.