How to Get to Cauterets
Practical guide to getting there and getting around
Nestled in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park, the charming resort village of Cauterets is easy to reach. Whether you're heading straight to the slopes or exploring the town, you'll find all the information you need to plan your trip with ease.
Taking the train to Cauterets is a great way to sit back, enjoy the scenery and watch the landscape change from the plains to the peaks of the Pyrenees. Lourdes SNCF train station is the main arrival point for rail travellers heading to Cauterets.
Let the Cauterets Skibus Take You to the Slopes
Looking for a safe and easy way to reach your favourite ski resort?
Find the Skibus that runs near you and let it take you all the way up to the mountains!
Driving gives you complete freedom to explore the beautiful Gave de Pau Valley at your own pace. The road access is straightforward: from the A64 motorway (La Pyrénéenne), take exit 11 (Soumoulou) or exit 12 (Tarbes Ouest), then follow the RN21 dual carriageway towards Argelès-Gazost.
Cauterets has several free and paid car parks. If you're heading to the slopes, the Courbet car park, next to the Lys gondola, is a convenient option. In the town centre, you can park in the supervised underground car park (paid) or use the designated areas for short stops.
Yes. Under France's Loi Montagne regulations, from 1 November to 31 March, vehicles must either be fitted with four winter tyres or carry removable snow chains or snow socks in the boot.
The Cauterets skibuses are paid services, but tickets are very reasonably priced. There are several options to choose from, including transport + ski pass, transport only and return journeys. It's a great way to enjoy a day on the slopes without having to worry about parking.
The nearest SNCF station is in Lourdes, which is served by TGV trains. From the station, regular regional bus services run directly to Cauterets bus station, with the journey taking around 50 minutes.
- Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport: the closest, around 45 km away. Shuttle services and taxis can take you to Lourdes or Cauterets.
- Pau-Pyrénées Airport: around 80 km away.
- Toulouse-Blagnac Airport: around 200 km away. This is a good option for international flights, with onward rail connections to Lourdes.
The quickest and easiest way is to take the Lys gondola from the centre of Cauterets. It takes less than 12 minutes to reach an altitude of 1,850 metres.
You can drive to Pont d'Espagne (there is a paid car park on site) or take the paid shuttle bus, which runs daily from Cauterets bus station during the winter and summer seasons.
