Why go
Knowing the city’s two levels makes arrival simpler. The station and canal sit near the lower-town side; the Cité rises beyond the river. Central landmarks can be linked on foot, but the hilltop climb and an airport transfer are different travel decisions. Check present rail and shuttle schedules before committing to connections.
The full story
Carcassonne’s station is on the lower-town side, close to the Canal du Midi. The main historic sights can be explored on foot, but the Cité is above the Aude rather than beside the platforms. Allow for the river crossing and uphill approach when carrying luggage or planning a tight connection. Carcassonne Airport is outside the center; its transfer needs its own current timetable. Rail services connect the city to larger regional routes, yet operators, stopping patterns and fares change. Use the station and Cité as separate map anchors, then verify the train or airport leg for your date. Once in the center, walking between the bastide and the fortified town makes the city’s layout clear. For a first orientation on foot, pass through the lower town and cross the Aude on Pont Vieux. The bridge brings the Cité into view, but the uphill approach still lies ahead.