Contents
This post will be sharing my Montpellier travel guide, including all the details that made the trip affordable.
Although I take an international city break at least once a month, this was my first holiday from work. So, I made sure I combined my off days with the two days I had chosen for holidays for an extended trip. After booking, I forgot that this was a pre-Easter weekend and the prices of flights would skyrocket. I tried to get my manager to swap my holidays till the end of April when prices would have dropped after the Easter break, but it was impossible. So, I had to find somewhere to go for cheap. Between the Ryanair website and Kiwi.com, I tried to find the most affordable and convenient flight possible. The only option Ryanair gave me was a return flight to Beziers, France. After contemplating back and forth, I had no choice but to buy it and plan a trip around that location.
While I was initially disappointed by the options available, this trip turned out to be fabulous, and I’m going to share all the details.
Here’s How To Plan A Budget-Friendly Trip To Montpellier, France
Montpellier is a city in the Occtaine region of the South of France. True travellers know that Paris is generally overrated, and the magic of France is in the South. I didn’t even realise that I was heading down south because I had never seen that Ryanair route before. It wasn’t until I was checking the weather to pack my outfits that I realised how warm it would be. That was when it finally clicked.
So, let’s get into it!
Flights
Cost: £33.98/€41.04 – return
I had already planned to go on Monday to have three full days to spend, but unfortunately, this flight to Beziers was for Tuesday afternoon, so I had no choice. After researching Beziers and the airport where we would be landing, I learned that it is a small town. So I needed to find a city nearby to transfer to. For safety reasons, I try to stay in the cities if I’ll be staying overnight and take day trips to the towns.
But on my way back, it turned out that Beziers might be an old town, but it was not the tiny town I had imagined. This means that I’ll be using this route to explore Beziers and other cities in the South of France in the future. The flight took about two hours, and passport control was super quick. This gave me ample time to find my way to Montpellier.
Airport Transfer to Montpellier Saint Roch via Beziers Station or Gare d’Agde
Cost: £2.65/€3.20 – return
I applaud whoever is in charge of the management of Beziers airport. Although the airport is about 30 minutes away from the train stations, they realise that a shuttle service will be needed. Again, I researched on the Beziers Airport website about the schedule of the shuttle buses. I learnt that due to the few flights operating from this airport, the shuttle schedule is tied to the arrival and departure of the flights. This means that a shuttle bus was waiting for us as we landed. The only problem is you need to pay with coins. Luckily, I got a free one-way ticket because I didn’t have enough cash. On my way back, some lovely ladies crowdfunded some coins for me to buy a ticket because the bus driver was so adamant.
It is worth remembering that you might find two shuttle buses at the airport entrance. Just let the bus driver know what station you’re going to. Depending on the schedule, you might be transported to either Gare de Béziers or Gare d’Agde. Agde is another old town beside Beziers that is also about 25-30 mins away from the Aiport. Also, as this is the South of France, English isn’t spoken as much here, so brush up on your French or use Google Translate. The journey from the either train station to Montpellier Saint Roch takes about 30 to 45 mins. It is also pretty quick as well.
Accommodation
Cost: £76.74/€92.68 – for two nights
Booking accommodation in Montpellier was super tricky. I couldn’t find any hostel, and the cheapest hotel was pricey for a single person. But I didn’t have a choice but to go with the Ibis Budget Hotel. While I’m not fond of hotels, I found this one pretty decent and safe, which was my biggest fear. I find hostels to be generally safer than hotels for solo travellers. I had an entire room that could accommodate three people to myself with ensuite facilities. Best believe I stayed till the last minute of checkout at noon. It’s affordable when you split the cost between three people, but I couldn’t because it was just me. Asides from a few improvements here and there, the staff were friendly, the ambience was excellent, and I made sure I gave them a lovely review on Google.
Transportation
Unlike major cities with metro systems, the primary transportation mode in Montpellier was via the tramway and the buses. While I initially found the tramway confusing with Google Maps, I eventually found my way around it. This turned out to be much more convenient than the buses. As for the tickets, you can use the TAM mobile ticket app, where you can either buy a one-way ticket for €1.60, a 1-day ticket for €4.30 or a 10-trip ticket for €10 for the buses and trams. I found the app super convenient instead of looking for ticket outlets. If you don’t want to use the app, you’ll find a TAM office opposite the Montpellier Saint Roch station. Learn more about Montpellier’s transport system.
Meals
I initially didn’t want to pay for the hotel’s buffet breakfast which was €6.50. But when I realised that there weren’t that many cafes around the hotel, I had no choice. I paid for both days, and the breakfast was so fresh, lovely and delicious with a decent selection. I was able to eat to my satisfaction which sustained me till lunchtime. I always stayed away from overpriced tourist restaurants and instead patronised street vendors and the supermarket for essentials. You can get some cheap crepes and sandwiches that will keep you. Whatever you do, try not to buy food around the tourist areas. They’re usually more overpriced.
Attractions
I found Montpellier as a city dazzling. It manages to have its unique charm, which you’ll find in its narrow streets, architecture and culture. I haven’t been to that many French cities asides from Paris, so I can’t compare. All I can say is that Montpellier is a charming city that will leave you satisfied on a city break.
Here are some unmissable attractions that are must-visit;
- Place de la Comédie is a magnificent square that is more or less the city’s centre. Great to relax, grab a meal or just chill. Reminds me so much of the Grand Place in Brussels.
- Musee Fabre – a museum nearby that displays an extensive collection of paintings from the 17th to 19th century, including ceramics and sculpture.
- Jardin des Plantes de Montpellier – the oldest botanical garden in France, where you’ll find about 2,680 plant species
- Montpellier Cathedral – a 14th-century cathedral that seats the Archbishops of Montpellier with unique Gothic architecture.
- Porte du Peyrou – Similar to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Stunning as always.
- Promenade du Peyrou – While the UK has public parks, France has gorgeous promenades. This one features the statue of Louis XIV on horseback and a water tower. The panoramic view of the city from here is simply breathtaking.
- Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle – Another promenade/central park with scenic views.
- Place de L’Europe – One thing about French people is that they’ll always find a park with a scenic view to chill.
Shopping
Honourable shopping centres that are worth visiting include;
- Polygone Montpellier
- Odysseum Shopping Centre
As always, I don’t shop much on my trips because there’s no way for me to carry them as I only always travel with a backpack. But it was nice to stroll around these shopping centres, particularly the pharmacies and weep about the number of French Pharmacy Skincare products I can’t buy.
Finally,
I’m so glad how well this last-minute trip to Montpellier turned out. I certainly did not have the South of France on my cards, and now I’m so excited about the possibilities when I return. Best believe I’m already planning any potential itineraries for the future. So, if you see that Ryanair flight to Beziers, which is always cheap, don’t be afraid to book it. It is your entryway to the South of France, and you’ll not regret it.