Languedoc Roussillon France Travel Guide
Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport (MPL): This is the principal airport. It sits about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) southeast of the city center, providing convenience for direct access. Nîmes-Garons Airport (FNI): A smaller airport, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) to the northeast part of Montpellier. Ryanair principally provides for this airport, with budget flight options to various European cities. Marseille Provence Airport (MRS): A more substantial international airport located about 120 kilometers (75 miles) east. It offers more flight options, including direct train connections to Montpellier, making it a viable another option for wider international connections.
MPL: Air France operates flights to Paris, providing connections to its global network. Ryanair and EasyJet offer routes to various European cities, including London, Dublin, and Rome. Volotea serves domestic routes and some European destinations. Transavia connects to the Netherlands and Portugal. MRS: Major international carriers and low-cost airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet, and Vueling provide extensive connections throughout Europe and some intercontinental flights.
Montpellier-Méditerranée The airport provides shops, restaurants, duty-free, information desk, currency exchange, ATMs, VIP lounge, and free Wi-Fi.
Navette (shuttle bus) Line 620 links the airport directly to the Place de l'Europe tram station (Line 1). From that point, the tram goes to the city center.
Taxis are available outside the terminal (€20-€30). Uber operates. All major car rental companies maintain desks at the airport.
Routine border checks happen generally absent when traveling by land from another Schengen country into France. Always carry identity documents.
Montpellier is a major rail hub featuring two main stations: Gare de Montpellier Saint-Roch (central) and Gare de Montpellier Sud de France (newer, TGV-focused).
Long-distance buses from FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus offer a cheaper alternative, operating from Gare Routière next to Saint-Roch.
You need a valid driving license from your home country. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is strongly recommended, and legally required for some nationalities. France has an excellent network of well-maintained motorways (autoroutes) and secondary roads. Motorways usually have tolls, payable by cash or card. Drive on the right-hand side of the road. Traffic can be congested in and around Montpellier during peak hours.
Parking in the city center can be challenging and expensive. Use underground parking structures (e.g., Parking Comédie, Parking Corum, Parking Foch). Park-and-ride (P+Tram) facilities are available on the outskirts of the city, allowing you to park and capture the tram into the central area. This is a convenient option. Montpellier operates a Zone à Faibles Émissions (ZFE) or Low Emission Zone in parts of the city center. Vehicles must exhibit a Crit'Air vignette (emission sticker).
Major international companies have branches at Montpellier Airport and in the city center. These consist of Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Budget, and Enterprise. Booking in advance is recommended, especially during peak season, to reserve your preferred automobile and potentially better rates. Consider DiscoverCars.com for car rental comparisons.
Montpellier does not serve as a major ferry or cruise port. The nearest major port is Sète, roughly THIRTY kilometers (18 miles) southwest. Sète has ferry connections to North Africa, like Nador and Tangier, and serves as a stop for certain smaller cruise companies. River transportation is not a common mode of intercity travel to Montpellier.
Montpellier is a major rail hub in The southern part of France, served because of high-speed (TGV) and regional (TER) trains. Gare de Montpellier Saint-Roch is central. Gare de Montpellier Sud de France is newer, located outside the city, mainly for TGV trains on the new high-speed line. SNCF operates all train services. Direct TGV trains connect to Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, and Barcelona. TER regional trains connect to Nîmes, Sète, Béziers, Carcassonne, and Avignon.
Long-long-haul buses offer a cheaper, though slower, alternative to trains. FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus are main operators connecting Montpellier to other French plus European cities. The main bus station (Gare Routière) is next to Gare de Montpellier Saint-Roch. Buses offer connections to towns like Barcelona, Marseille, Lyon, and Toulouse, providing budget-friendly travel.
The Ecusson (Historic Center) is largely pedestrianized and excellent for walking. Place de la Comédie and Promenade du Peyrou offer scenic strolls.
Montpellier has an expanding network of cycle lanes. Exclusive lanes make cycling safer in newer parts of the city.
Generally, no strictly "no-go" areas exist for pedestrians and cyclists. Be careful in quiet or dimly lit streets late at night.
Plan your departure from Montpellier as carefully as your arrival at ensure a stress-free the end of your trip. Be certain you have adequate time for check-in, security screening, and passport control at the airport.
