A car rental is the most comfortable and efficient way not only to explore the city of Toulouse, but also the surrounding region of Southern France. A car will let you tour the city's main attractions, including the Capitole and Saint-Sernin Basilica, at your own pace. It is also the perfect way to cruise freely to other destinations, such as the Pyrenees Mountains or the famous Languedoc Roussillon wine region.
All the big car rental agencies, including Hertz, Europcar, and Avis, can be found at Toulouse Blagnac Airport (TLS), which is located 3.6 miles northwest of the city center. Most of the car rental companies are situated in Hall C of the Arrivals terminal, while Sixt is located in Hall B. You can easily walk between the different halls.
Driving in Toulouse is very straightforward, just remember the signs will be expressed in kilometers rather than in miles. The freeway system in the region is also easy to navigate, and it connects major cities. Although you don't need an International Driving Permit (IDP), it's best if you carry one with you. It's easy to obtain and it might come in handy if you get involved in a fender bender.
Traffic in Toulouse is usually easy to cope with, but it does get a little heavier during rush hours, so avoid driving around between 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., and then again between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., so you don't add extra time to your travels – particularly if you're heading to the airport. Traffic also gets more congested during the holiday season, as the Pyrenees are quite popular among winter sports lovers.
25% of our users found rental cars in Toulouse for C$ 59 or less
Book your rental car in Toulouse at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Off-airport rental car locations in Toulouse are around 31% cheaper than airport locations on average
Economy rental cars in Toulouse are around 27% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Toulouse
Some car rental companies in Toulouse which have updated their car rental health and safety policies due to COVID-19 to make sure vehicles are clean and disinfected include Budget, Enterprise and Hertz
On average a hire car in Toulouse costs C$ 69 per day.
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at ADA (C$ 59/day), Sixt (C$ 69/day) and Dollar (C$ 74/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest rental car price was found at Sixt Hall d'Arrivées 31700 (6 kilometers from city center).
Yes, automatic cars are available in most car renting companies in Toulouse. As cars with manual transmission are more common in many countries, you might have to pay an additional charge for renting an automatic car.
The average gas price in Toulouse is C$ 9.98 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between C$ 120 and C$ 160, depending on the car size.
Economy (Peugeot 208 or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Toulouse.
A Economy car rental in Toulouse costs C$ 60 per day, on average.
A Compact car rental in Toulouse costs C$ 85 per day, on average.
A Mini car rental in Toulouse costs C$ 79 per day, on average.
In Toulouse, cars are most frequently rented at Virtuo Aéroport de Toulouse-Blagnac (7 km from city centre ).
On average a rental car in Toulouse costs C$ 486 per week (C$ 69 per day).
On average a rental car in Toulouse costs C$ 2,085 per month (C$ 69 per day).
For visitors who don't require much space, a small, compact car is ideal for driving through the streets of Toulouse. But if you're heading to the countryside, a sedan is best as it offers enough space and comfort for longer journeys. In case you're traveling with the whole family, a minivan is recommended.
The speed limit in urban areas across France is typically 50 kilometers per hour (31 miles per hour), but it may be lower in certain residential areas, so look for posted signs. Speed limit in two to three-lane roads is 90 km/h (55 mph), and 110 km/h (68 mph) on four-lane routes. Highways have a speed limit of 130 km/h (80 mph). The limits are lower in wet weather.
Street parking in the city center is plentiful, but usually time-limited. Meters cost about €1.59 ($1.81) per hour, but it is free on Sundays and also during the first two weeks of August. There are lots of public parking lots downtown, such as the one in Place du Capitole, which aren't time-restricted but are more expensive with hourly rates of €2.20 ($2.50).