Toulouse rental car

Just returned from Toulouse last Wednesday, final destination on a 13 day trip. Drove into the city to drop off luggage at the hotel near Pl du Capitole. Heavy rush hour traffic at 5pm. Followed the hotel directions (not GPS - though it got me to the hotel fine!) to the airport. Follow signs to the 'burb Blagnac (NW of city center), where the airport is located. As I only overnighted in Toulouse, and had a 6:30am flight home, car definitely not needed. Europcar and other car rental companies easy to find at the airport. Sorry, not aware of other city pick up/drop off locations. The taxi fare from the airport to the hotel, and in the morning back to the airport ran between 20-25 euro. Hope this helps!

Janet-- how you liked Toulouse?

Unfortunately, I wasn't in Toulouse long enough to really explore. My previous overnight was in Albi (interesting Toulouse Lautrec Museum, impressive cathedral with the Last Judgment fresco). Last day of the trip was a back roads drive to Carcassonne (pouring rain all day), then Toulouse for my final night. So with the agenda to find the hotel, check-in, return the rental car to the airport in rush hour, then back to the hotel, my impressions of Toulouse are limited. It is a busy city with and I liked seeing the small residential barges along the river Garrone while driving to the airport, and had a delicious meal at a restaurant on the Pl du Capitole. Definitely need to revisit Toulouse and spend some time exploring it!

Thanks Janet. I assume the 20-25 euro was for one trip to or from the airport. I think there are car rental places downtown so I wouldn't have to hassle returning the car, or finding my hotel.
Where did you stay in Albi? Any other places, or restaurants you liked? We only have 5 days in the area so trying to find the pearls. thanks!

Toulouse is not a terribly difficult city to drive in - most French cities other than Paris, Lyon and Marseille are actually quite small. It can be busy, but fairly easy to navigate.

Because it's reasonably small, it's not a major trek to the airport. There is a bus (navette) from the train station that goes every 20 minutes and takes 20 minutes. Depending on the time of day, a taxi could probably get there in 10.

We love Toulouse, a great city for walking, with amazing churches, lovely squares, cafes, etc.

Toulouse is an excellent city for walking, but I have never had any problems driving there either.

Barbara - In Albi I stayed at the Hotel Saint-Antoine (17, rue Saint-Antoine), located in the historic center and only a few blocks from the square with Saint-Cecile Cathedral (exterior formidable, interior breath-taking!) and the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum (closed Tuesdays). Convenient secure parking behind hotel - 7euro. Didn't have breakfast, an extra 18euro - too expensive! Hotel room was modern, comfortable and reasonably priced (traditional room; 'privilege' rooms higher cost).
http://www.hotel-saint-antoine-albi.com/en.html
Enjoyed Albi, wish I had more time there. May be a good base to see the fortified towns and villages in the area. Also, Toulouse is a larger and busy city, but not a difficult city to drive in - good signage. Janet

Oops, forgot to add ... yes the 20-25 euro taxi cost was for individual trips to/from the airport from a city center hotel. The higher cost was during rush hour in the evening. Janet

Thanks all for the extra side discussion details on Toulouse.

Thank you Janet and everyone for your input. I think I'll rent the car from the airport and head to Albi as a base to explore the area. Merci!

Barbara - Just to give you a 'heads up,' yesterday I received a receipt from Europcar-Rouen (where I picked up the rental car at the railstation - Kemwel was the broker) for 87euro! Fine print on my initial contract, which I had skimmed over, included the Location (rail/airport pick up) charge estimate of 38.55euro, actual cost 32.20euro; plus daily Road Fee estimated at 3.15euro, actual cost 2.60euro; and on my car, gas fill up Service Fee for 12euro and cost of 2 liters at 4euro each. And, of course, there is TVA 19.60% tax on the total extra expenses! I had the gas receipt for the fill up prior to returning the car, and Kemwel credited my cc for the gas and service fee. In reading the fine print, I also noticed a daily fee for an automatic car estimated at 5euro per day - I had a manual, so didn't get charged this fee. I do think all car rental companies have similar fine print.

Bottom line, keep your gas receipts! And be prepared for a final car receipt in the mail a few weeks later. Albi is a good call for a base. Have a great trip - it's a beautiful area to explore, even with the extra little expenses!! Janet

Thanks for the update, Janet. I rented from Kemwel and have heard about the add-on charges. I'll keep my receipts.

If we only have 5 nights to spend in the area (flying in and out of Toulouse), do you think it will work to get one place in Albi, and just do day trips around the area? I figure we can drive 2hours in different directions and then head home at night. I'm feeling lazy about booking places all over and having to stick to a certain plan. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Yes, I think that works. I really like Albi as a base, but I think your focus will be north into the Lot and Lot et Garonne.

If you are dropping off at Blagnac, note that there is no gas station at the airport for a last-minute fill-up.

There is a big filling station at a huge shopping centre at the last road exit before Blagnac.

At the airport -- if you're lucky --you may spot signs for a gas station. This sign will lead you on a feeder road back to the huge shopping centre (including an overpass over a multi-lane section of freeway).

Tricky to find -- but it is then quite easy to find your way back to the airport.

May merit some advance online research.

Thanks for the gas station advice. Now I'm looking for accommodations. I found a Homeliday rental that looks pretty good in Albi. The hotels are pretty expensive and you get lots more space with apt. rentals. I know there have been some iffy reviews about renting apts but I've been pretty successful with this.

I'm a big fan of rentals, esp in France.

Rentals, this is what I do after using the things for business for years and I had a very fussy Financial Director.
1) make sure my camera has its date and time setting correct. When I pick up the car walk round taking a photo of the interior and (with the engine switched on) photo the dash board showing mileage and fuel setting.

When I return I do the same.

When hit with extra charges for scratches or unfilled fuel tanks I send the supplier the relevant photo and ask for explanation. Each time the invoice is credied by the supplier.

If you check the Toulouse airport website it tells you about the navette from memory it Euro12 but have a look. If you want more rental sites. Go to Google map, put Toulouse in the centre of the page, put car rental or if you want to be fancy "voiture location" in the search. All these little red dots appear.

Alt; try auto-europe and they offer you 3 choices, "downtown" POI annd something else. Go from there

Just checked on holiday autos and they have a downtown office in Toulouse via National - 33 Avenue De fondeyere - so no railway surcharge there