Public Transport

The bus company Réseau Mistral operates in Toulon and its surrounding areas, with tickets available at the kiosk on place de la Liberté. Réseau Mistral tickets are also valid for the company’s four boat services in the bay, and bicycles can be carried free of charge, space permitting. Note that much of the Old Town’s centre is pedestrian-only. Toulon’s compact centre is easily explored on foot, particularly if you arrive by cruise ship at the city centre terminal. Follow the brass plaques embedded in the ground to discover the main sights. For unlimited travel on Toulon’s buses, boat shuttles, and cable car, the modestly priced “1 Jour téléphérique” ticket is a great option. If you don’t plan to use the cable car, the even cheaper “1 Jour ticket” covers buses and boats only. Both tickets are available at the Toulon Tourist Office, local newsagents, tobacconists, and on the Réseau Mistral website. Toulon’s “petits trains” mirror the charming, toy-town style found in other French cities. Two 45-minute routes are available. One includes commentary in English and French, taking you past many of the city’s key attractions.

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Passport/Visa

Citizens of European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter France, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle-East, African or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.

Best Time to Visit

Toulon enjoys a subtropical Mediterranean climate, marked by plenty of sunshine, dry summers, and occasional heavy rainfall. Summers are warm, while winters remain mild, with temperatures moderated by the city’s seaside location. This makes Toulon a year-round destination worth exploring. The best time to visit Toulon for proper sunshine-filled vacations may be the season between April and August, as both temperature and humidity are at their most pleasant. Visiting in off-season times has its benefits, too, as the beaches and the narrow streets are less crowded, and you can take advantage of lower prices when it comes to hotel reservations and flights.

Boat Trips

Bateaux-bus (boat-bus) shuttles crisscross the bay, connecting Toulon with La Seyne-sur-Mer, Les Sablettes, and Saint-Mandrier. These services are part of the Réseau Mistral public transport network and are popular with both commuters and tourists. All routes depart from Toulon’s Gare Maritime (Station Maritime) on Quai Cronstadt, near the Town Hall. For a guided boat or catamaran tour of the bay, several companies operate just a few metres away on Quai de la Sinse, opposite place Louis Blanc — where the Tourist Office is located. During the summer, boat tour operators also run excursions to the secluded island of Porquerolles, perfect for a day trip.

Pharmacy

Pharmacies are spread throughout the city and are easily identified by their green cross signage. If a pharmacy is closed, a note on the door will typically provide details of the nearest on-duty pharmacy. One central option is located at Centre Commercial Mayol, though many others are available across the city. In France, for urgent medical care, dial 15 to contact the SAMU (Service d’Aide Médicale Urgente) — the national medical emergency service.

Electricity

In France, the electrical supply operates at a voltage of 230V and a frequency of 50Hz. The country employs two main types of electrical plugs: type C and type E. Type C plugs feature two round pins. Type E plugs, on the other hand, also have two round pins but include an additional hole for the earth (ground) pin.

Public Transport

Toulon