Getting to Quillan – Travel & Transport Information
Quillan is located in the Upper Aude Valley in southern France, at the foothills of the Pyrenees. The town is approximately 53 km south of Carcassonne and can be reached easily by air, train, bus or car.
Whether you are arriving from the UK, Europe or elsewhere in France, Quillan is well connected to several regional airports and transport networks.
✈ Airports Near Quillan (Flights to the Aude Valley)
Several airports serve the Quillan and Pyrenees region, with regular international and domestic flights.
✈ Carcassonne Airport (Closest Airport to Quillan)
Carcassonne Airport
Distance from Quillan: 53 km – approximately 1 hour by car
Carcassonne Airport (officially Aéroport Sud de France Carcassonne) is the nearest airport to Quillan and serves a number of European destinations.
The airport is primarily served by Ryanair, with direct flights from several UK and European cities.
Typical destinations include:
London Stansted
Manchester
Dublin
Brussels
Porto
Address
Route de Montréal
11000 Carcassonne, France
Phone
+33 820 67 34 11
Website
aeroport-carcassonne.com
Travel Tip
Many visitors flying into Carcassonne choose to hire a car at the airport, as this is the easiest way to reach Quillan and explore the Cathar region.
✈ Toulouse Airport
Toulouse–Blagnac Airport
Distance from Quillan: 140 km – approximately 1 hour 45 minutes
Toulouse Airport is the largest airport in the region and offers a wide range of international and domestic flights from major European cities.
Airlines include:
Air France
EasyJet
British Airways
Lufthansa
Because of the greater number of routes, Toulouse is often the best option for international travellers.
✈ Perpignan Airport
Perpignan–Rivesaltes Airport
Distance from Quillan: 90 km – approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Perpignan Airport serves southern France and the Mediterranean coast, with seasonal flights from several European destinations.
It is a convenient option for travellers visiting both the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean coast.
✈ Béziers Airport
Béziers Cap d'Agde Airport
Distance from Quillan: 130 km – approximately 1 hour 50 minutes
Béziers Airport offers several low-cost flights to and from the UK and northern Europe, mainly operated by Ryanair.
🚆 Train and Bus Travel to Quillan
Although Quillan once had a railway station, train services have been replaced by regional bus connections operated by Lio Occitanie Transport Network.
These buses connect Quillan with nearby towns and train stations.
Timetables and ticket information can be found here:
🚌 Regional Bus Routes Serving Quillan
Route 402 – Carcassonne ⇄ Axat
This route connects Quillan with Carcassonne and Axat.
Frequency
Approximately every 4 hours depending on the day.
This route is particularly useful for travellers arriving at Carcassonne train station.
Route 500 – Quillan ⇄ Perpignan
This route connects Quillan with Perpignan, providing access to the Mediterranean coast and additional rail services.
Route 409 – Quillan ⇄ Chalabre
This service connects Quillan with Chalabre, passing through several villages in the region.
🚗 Driving to Quillan
For most visitors, travelling to Quillan by car is the most convenient option.
The town is easily accessible from major regional cities.
Typical driving times:
Carcassonne – 1 hour
Toulouse – 1 hour 45 minutes
Perpignan – 1 hour 30 minutes
Narbonne – 1 hour 30 minutes
Driving through the Upper Aude Valley is particularly scenic, passing through vineyards, gorges and small mountain villages.
🚘 Car Hire Near Quillan
Hiring a car is recommended if you plan to explore the Cathar castles, Pyrenees hiking trails and surrounding villages.
Local Car Hire
Mallet Location
ZI Route d’Alet
11300 Limoux
Phone
04 68 31 88 98
Limoux is located approximately 25 minutes from Quillan.
Car Hire at Carcassonne Airport
Major rental companies operate directly from Carcassonne Airport, including:
Europcar
Hertz
Sixt
Enterprise
Hiring a car from the airport is often the simplest option for visitors arriving by plane.
🚖 Taxi Services in Quillan
Several taxi services operate in Quillan and the surrounding villages.
A.M.T Taxi
55 Avenue François Mitterrand
Phone: +33 6 11 92 82 34
Quillan Taxi Services
Avenue François Mitterrand
Phone: +33 6 31 96 58 11
Allo Jacky Taxi
11 Rue Antoine Armagnac
Phone: +33 4 68 20 01 92
📍 Directions to the Property
Property address
23 Rue Félix Armand
11500 Quillan
France
The property is located in the historic centre of Quillan, within walking distance of restaurants, markets and the Aude river.
FAQ – Travel & Transport
How far is Quillan from Carcassonne Airport?
Quillan is about 53 km south of Carcassonne Airport, with a driving time of around one hour by car.
Can you reach Quillan by train?
Regular train services between Limoux and Quillan were suspended in recent years and replaced by regional bus connections; rail services may resume in the future. Key bus routes link Quillan with Carcassonne and other towns.
Is there still a train station in Quillan?
Yes — Quillan has a historic station on the Carcassonne–Rivesaltes line, but today it’s served mainly by buses as part of the regional network.
What is the nearest major rail hub for Quillan?
The nearest major rail connection is Carcassonne, which connects to the French national rail network; from there you can take regional buses to Quillan.
What is the closest airport to Quillan?
The Closest airport is Carcassonne Airport (Aéroport Sud de France Carcassonne) — about 53 km away — with direct flights from several UK and European cities.
Are there other airports suitable for reaching Quillan?
Yes — alternative airports with wider flight options include Toulouse–Blagnac, Perpignan–Rivesaltes and Béziers Cap d’Agde, each within roughly 1–2 hours by car or combination transport.
Is public transport available from Perpignan or Carcassonne to Quillan?
Yes — regional buses (network Lio Occitanie) connect Quillan with places like Perpignan and Carcassonne; schedules and fares are at mestrajets.lio.laregion.fr.
Is car hire recommended for exploring the region?
Hiring a car is strongly recommended if you want to explore Cathar castles, hiking trails and rural areas around Quillan, as many scenic destinations are easier reached by road than by public transport.
Can you take a taxi to/from Quillan?
Yes — local taxi services operate in Quillan and surrounding villages, providing flexible transport especially when public buses are limited.
