Snuggled between the mountains of Massif Central to the north and the peaks of the Pyrenees to the south, Carcassonne has long made use of its strategic position. Formerly a popular stop on ancient trade routes, the hilltop medieval citadel no longer needs its sturdy fortifications – apart from for attracting tourists in their droves. The Cité de Carcassonne is one of the most visited places in France outside of Paris.

So, you’ve got a journey into the Middle Ages covered. What else does Carcassonne have to offer? There’s le Canal du Midi – one of the most picturesque of the canals Languedoc-Roussillon region, complete with its canal barge hotels. Wine connoisseurs will also love the many vineyards that stretch for miles around Carcassonne, dotted with gorgeous castles. It pays to hire a car in Carcassonne (and assign a designated driver!) to make the most of nearby attractions.

You can look for cheap car hire on TravelSupermarket after you’ve secured your place on one of the excellent-value flights to Carcassonne from the UK. 

Ryanair is the only airline with non-stop flights to the city year round. Its planes depart from London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Liverpool and East Midlands.

There are no connecting services even via Paris, although you can of course buy separate flights through any of the airports above or through Dublin, again with Ryanair.

Flights arrive at Carcassonne Airport (CCF), also known as Carcassonne Salvaza, following an average flight time of two hours.

For five euros per person, your party can hop aboard one of the shuttle bus services. There are a couple of central stops in Carcassonne, including the railway station and Gambetta Square.

It’s a 10-minute taxi ride from the airport to the city centre; the fare costs around 15 euros.

Car hire is good value in Carcassonne. Pre-book with TravelSupermarket and opt for collection at the airport, saving you the cost of a bus or taxi transfer to your final destination.

Comparing hotels with TravelSupermarket is the key to unlocking the perfect place to stay. Once you’ve booked your flights (or got an idea of when you want to go), check out hotels in the old Cité, which doubled as Nottingham Castle in the movie “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves”, or down the hill and across the river in La Ville Basse, the “lower city”.

This area boasts just as much history as its walled counterpart, with plenty of flower-filled squares and tempting restaurants to boot. Hotels up in the Cité naturally feature magnificent views and a special ambience, although you might have to fork out a little extra per night compared to stays in La Ville Basse. Book a hotel in either part of the city and you can walk between the two in only 20 minutes.

Our map, handy sliders and useful filters make it easy to search for hotels that tick all of your boxes.

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