You are here: Marmot tours > Transport information > Hotel Terminus

Travel to the Hotel Terminus,
31 Avenue Theophile Delcasse, 09110 Ax-Les-Thermes Tel: 0033 (0)5 61 64 20 55.

By air: 

The nearest airport to the Hotel Terminus is Toulouse and Marmot Tours provides transfers at specific times (see individual trip details for times). However, depending on where you live in the UK, it may be more convenient for you to fly to Carcassonne or Barcelona and catch the train. Full details are listed below. 

TOULOUSE AIRPORT
Direct flights: 

	Heathrow (2 or 3 flights per day). Connections to UK regional airports possible.
	Gatwick (2 or 3 flights per day), Bristol
	Manchester (1 flight per day)
	Leeds Bradford (summer - Tuesday / Saturday only) Edinburgh (summer - Wednesday / Saturday only) Belfast (summer - Tuesday / Saturday only)
FIRST CHOICE	Charter flight for Andorra skiing. Sundays in winter only.  Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham

Indirect flights: 

	Via Frankfurt or Munich from: Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Newquay, Teeside
	Via Paris from: Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Heathrow, Southampton, Dublin, Belfast.
	Via Amsterdam From: Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Durham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Humberside, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich

Airport Transfers: Airport transfers from Toulouse Airport (Blagnac) are included in the cost of the holiday, running at specific times depending on your trip. James or Cathy will meet you in the arrivals hall by the Stade du Toulouse Cafe, next to the baggage reclaim 'belt 4'; they will have a Marmot Tours sign.

Please see the transport section of each trip page for the exact transfer time, which is usually the most sensible / reasonably priced flight of the day.  If this flight is late arriving, then the transfer will be delayed accordingly.

If you miss your flight or choose to fly after the arranged meeting time, you will be unable to join the group transfer and you will be responsible for catching up with the group (see: Independent travel from Toulouse Airport to the Hotel Terminus). If you do not use the transfer for any reason, there is no refund available. 

If you end up with time at the airport either before or after the group transfer, you may like to explore the interesting city of Toulouse.  Occasionally you may be able to leave you bags with us, otherwise there is a left luggage facility at the train station (there is no left luggage at the airport). There is a Navette (shuttle bus) that leaves from just outside the arrival hall of the Airport to the railway station in Toulouse. The bus departs every 20 mins and takes 20 mins. You pay for your ticket in the booth opposite the bus stop (5 Euros). The railway station (Toulouse Matabiau) is the final stop and is a 10 mins walk from the main town square.

Overnight stay in Toulouse
Toulouse is France’s fourth-largest metropolis and not only has a rich architectural heritage, but the intellectual verve that comes from being at the heart of Europe’s aerospace industry and space programme. The 'Ville Rose' has a Mediterranean feel about it  with tree lined boulevards and street cafes; it is certainly worth a visit.  For more information on what to do in the city have a look at this City Guide (external website)

Independent travel from Toulouse Airport to the Hotel Terminus: [Time: 2.5hrs, Cost: 23 Euros, one way] There is a Navette (shuttle bus) that leaves from just outside the arrival hall of the Airport to the railway station in Toulouse. The bus departs every 20 mins and takes 20 mins. You pay for your ticket in the booth opposite the bus stop (5 Euros). The railway station (Toulouse Matabiau) is the final stop. There are then trains every hour (except at lunch times) direct to Ax-les-Thermes (on the line to Latour-de-Carol). The journey takes about 2hrs and costs 17 Euros. On Sundays some of the services are replaced in part by buses. The final train of the day leaves Toulouse at about 2015.  

Please contact us or go to www.sncf.com for an up-to-date timetable.

On arrival in Ax, you will see the Hotel Terminus directly opposite the train station.

Car hire: Have a look at carrentles.co.uk and the excellent AA European route planner for details of the journey. Directions and information on parking can be found in the by road section below. 

CARCASSONNE AIRPORT
Direct flights:

Stansted, Liverpool, Nottingham East Midlands, Dublin, Shannon, Cork, Bournemouth, Edinbourgh.

There are lots of indirect flights possible via Stansted.

Airport Transfers: There are no airport transfers unless stated on the trip notes or special arrangements have been made.

Overnight stay in Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a very interesting fortified city and it is well worth a visit. We get a lot of clients extending their holiday by spending a night or two exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site. For more information on what to do in the city have a look at this City Guide (external website)

Independent travel from Carcassonne Airport to the Hotel Terminus: [Time: 3.5hrs, Cost: 38 Euros, one way] There is a Navette (shuttle bus) that waits by the steps of the airport for every flight (it does not depart until all bags have been picked up from the carousel - timetable)  The railway station is the first stop and the 15 mins journey costs 5 Euros. From here there are trains approximately every 30mins direct to Toulouse Matabiau - this 1 hr journey costs 16 Euros. From here you can either take the Navette to Toulouse Airport to join the group transfer or continue onto Ax by train. 

The 'Navette Airport' leaves from the bus station which is a 1 minute walk from the railway station from the bus station (turn right out of the railway station), you buy your ticket on the bus. There is a bus every 20 mins and the journey takes 20 mins, costing 5 Euros.  It drops you off near the 'arrivals' part of Toulouse Airport. You will then be able to meet up with James or Cathy in the arrivals hall by the Terminal Cafe, opposite the baggage reclaim 'belt 4'; they will have a Marmot Tours sign.

There are then trains every hour (except at lunch times) direct to Ax-les-Thermes (on the line to La-tour-de-Carol). The journey takes about 2hrs and costs 17 Euros. On Sundays some of the services are replaced in part by buses. The final train of the day leaves Toulouse at about 2015. 

Please contact us or go to www.sncf.com for an up-to-date timetable.

Car hire: Have a look at carrentles.co.uk and the excellent AA European route planner for details of the journey. Directions and information on parking can be found in the by road section below. 

BARCELONA AIRPORT
Direct flights:

	Heathrow
	Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Bristol, Liverpool, East Midlands, Newcastle, Belfast
	Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen
Fly Monarch	Manchester
	Birmingham
	Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Belfast

There are lots of indirect flights possible via London

Airport Transfers
There are no airport transfers unless special arrangements have been made.

Overnight stay in Barcelona
Barcelona is a very vibrant Catalonian city and needs no introduction. Its mixture of art, culture and history make it an interesting place to spend a few days either before or after you holiday. For more information on what to do in the city have a look at this City Guide (external website). 

Independent travel from Barcelona Airport to the Hotel Terminus: [Time: 5hrs, Cost: 20 Euros, one way] It is best to take the RENFE train (line 10) from the airport direct to Saints (3rd stop). This service runs at least every 15 mins and takes about 20 mins, costing 2.50 Euros. 

From Saints there are trains to the French border at La Tour de Carol via Vic which take just over 3 hours and cost about 10 Euros. The line gauge changes at La Tour de Carol (which also becomes Latour-de-Carol) so you need to change to a French train operated by SNCF. From here there are direct trains to Ax-les-Thermes every 2 hours and the journey takes 1 hr, costing 6.90 Euros. 

We have found the DB rail (German rail network) website is actually the easiest way of finding the timetable for this journey. Alternatively please contact us or the RENFE (Spain) and the SNCF (France) for an up-to-date timetable. 

On arrival in Ax, you will see the Hotel Terminus directly opposite the train station.

Car hire: Have a look at carrentles.co.uk and the excellent AA European route planner for details of the journey. Directions and information on parking can be found in the by road section below. 

By road: 

Driving to the start point can be a great way of extending your holiday. We have found that hotels listed on the Logis de France website are of a reliable quality.  Cheap ferry deals can be picked up by visiting ferryprice.com. If you want help in planning the best route, have a look at the fantastic AA European route planner, which even gives you an indication of how long your journey will take. 

There is ample parking at the Hotel Terminus which is locked at night. Alan or Elizabeth will show you the best place to park on arrival. 

From the North/West: Pick up the N20 heading south from Foix. Keep following the N20 following signs for Andorre until you get to Ax-Les-Thermes. Just after passing into Ax (you will pass by the town sign), look out for the train station on your left, and the Hotel Terminus opposite this, on your right.  

From the South/East: Enter Ax-les-Thermes on the N20 direction Foix. In the centre of Ax there is a roundabout.  Take the 2nd exit to drive down the main street in Ax.  You will pass the fire station on your left, shortly before the Hotel Terminus, also on your left. The train station is after the hotel, on your right. 

By Rail:

Lessen your carbon footprint and take the train - it could even save you a few pounds! It is a very easy journey from London Waterloo to Paris Nord with Eurostar, an easy underground ride to Paris Austerlitz and then a train direct to Ax-les-Thermes (some services change at Toulouse).  There is even an overnight sleeper train direct from Paris that arrives in Ax at 0630 in the morning. This connects well with the Eurostar service to Paris leaving Waterloo at about 1830 the night before and you even have time for dinner in Paris!

On arrival in Ax, you will see the Hotel Terminus directly opposite the train station. If you take the night sleeper (which arrives at about 0630) we can make arrangements for you to get into your room on arival.

The hardest part of this journey is buying a ticket! We have found the DB Rail (German rail network) website is actually the easiest way of finding the timetable for this journey, but you will need to ring them up to book a ticket (english speaking). Both the SNCF and Rail Europe websites don't seem to acknowledge that this route exists. The other option is to ring Rail Europe on 08708 371 371 (UK number).

Bikes on trains:

Depending on which French train company you are travelling with, you may have to pay for your bike. 

For TER trains: if your bike is boxed then you are able to travel with it on any train, but if it is assembled and travelling as a bike, then you will be restricted to certain trains (marked on individual timetables).

For other train lines you will need a bike ticket, available to purchase over the phone from Rail Europe on 0844 848 5848.  There is a flat rate booking fee of £8 (2010 price) regardless of number of bikes or journeys.