You are in Lourdes, without a car, and you want to spend the day (or a few nights) in Cauterets, at the foot of the Pyrenees? A regional bus links the two for a few euros. Here is everything you need to plan the trip stress-free.
At a glance
- Bus: liO, line 965
- Departure: Lourdes SNCF train station (where your train arrives)
- Travel time: about 58 minutes
- Runs: 7 days a week, all year round, including public holidays
- Fare: €2 per trip (liO regional fare)
- Booking: no seat reservation needed
Where to catch the bus in Lourdes
The bus leaves from Lourdes SNCF train station. If you arrive by train, there is no need to go into town: the bus leaves from where you already are. Allow a few minutes to find the stop, and check the route shown on the liO Occitanie website (in French) on the day.
Travel time and stops
The trip to Cauterets takes about 58 minutes. Line 965 runs via Argelès-Gazost (about 12 minutes from Lourdes) and Saint-Savin (about 20 minutes), then splits into three directions: Cauterets, Luz-Saint-Sauveur (about 48 minutes) and Barèges (about 58 minutes). In summer and winter, an extension also serves the Cirque de Gavarnie (about 1 h 10).
Make sure the bus shows Cauterets: all three destinations leave from the same station.
Timetables: how to check them (and not miss the last bus back)
Timetables change with the season and school holidays, so don’t rely on a fixed list. Use the journey planner and the line 965 timetables on the liO Occitanie website (Hautes-Pyrénées section), or the liO app.
Most important: check the time of the last bus back from Cauterets before you leave Lourdes. On a day trip, that is what sets your schedule.
Fare and ticket
A trip costs €2. A book of 10 trips costs €15. There is no seat reservation: buy your ticket in the liO app, or on board (bring the exact change). Full fares are on the official liO fares page (in French).
What to do in Cauterets without a car
Cauterets is a real base for hiking, even without a car. Easy walks start right from the village, and the Pont d’Espagne and Lac de Gaube area is one of the most beautiful in the valley: ask the Cauterets tourist office how to get there depending on the season.
And keep an eye on the weather: in the mountains it can be very different from Lourdes.
Stay in Cauterets or in Lourdes?
If you like early starts and quiet evenings, staying in Cauterets saves you from chasing the last bus. If your budget is tight, Lourdes is often cheaper. Compare both before deciding.
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Frequently asked questions
Is there a train to Cauterets?
No. The nearest station is Lourdes, where the liO bus leaves from.
Can I do a day trip?
Yes, from Lourdes, as long as you check the time of the last bus back. Leave yourself some margin.
Does the bus run on Sundays and public holidays?
Yes, the service is listed as running 7 days a week all year round. Still, check the timetable for your day.
Do I need to book?
No, there is no seat reservation. Buy your ticket in the liO app or on board.
