Getting To Bordeaux

There are several ways to get to Bordeaux, which is the main city in the southwestern part of France. From Paris, follow the A10 motorway south through Orleans, Tours and finally Poitiers until you reach Bordeaux. The drive takes about 5 hours. France’s national train system makes a stop right in the centre of the city and a number of buses run regularly into Bordeaux. The city’s international airport is located just 10kms from the city in Merignac and services a number of domestic and international flights.

By car

Bordeaux is easy to reach by car. As it’s the main city in this part of southwestern France, several major roads run through it. If you are arriving from Paris, take the A10 motorway south through the towns of Orleans, Tours and Poitiers into Bordeaux. The drive from Paris takes about 5 hours. The A62 runs from the southeast of the region, while the A63 runs from Arcachon and other cities in the southwest. Anyone arriving from the east of France will need to use the N80-E70. All of the major highways connect with Bordeaux’s ring road, from which you can enter the city at whatever point you wish. You can always fly into Bordeaux’s airport or arrive by train and rent a car at either of the terminals, but it’s advisable to book your car hire online ahead of time to avoid any problems and save money on the rental rate.

By rail

Bordeaux is one of the most important railway transit points in France, making it easy and convenient to travel to the city by train. The main train station, Gare St-Jean, is located about three kilometres from the city centre, on the west bank of the river at the southern end of the cours de la Marne. From the train station, it is a 30-minute walk or five-minute taxi ride into the city centre. Between 12 and 15 TGV trains arrive daily from Paris’s Gare Montparnasse. These trains also stop at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport to pick up passengers for the 3 hour ride into Bordeaux. Trains also arrive from Bayonne, Nantes, Poitiers, La Rochelle and Toulouse. For train information and schedules, call: +33 08 92 35 35 35.

By bus

Buses from all over France arrive each day at the main bus terminal in Bordeaux, Halte Routeire, which is located in the northeast corner of the Esplanade des Quinconces. Citram Aquitaine (tel: +33 05 56 43 68 43) operates most of the buses that service destinations around the Gironde region. There is an information booth at Halte Routiere. Eurolines also runs buses to and from destinations all over Europe. Their offices are located opposite the train station.

By air

Bordeaux’s international airport is located in Merignac, about 10kms west of the city. The airport is served by flights from around France as well as from a number of international destinations. A shuttle bus connects the airport with Bordeaux’s central train station. Shuttles depart every 45 minutes from 07:45 until 22:45 each day and the trip takes around 40 minutes. Children can ride the shuttle bus for free. Taxis are also available outside the Arrivals area of the terminal.  

Bordeaux Airport

Conveniently located just 10kms from the city centre, in Merignac, Bordeaux International Airport is the gateway to southwestern France’s charming wine country. The airport’s two modern terminals - A and B - are connected by a covered walkway and serve both arrivals and departures for 18 airlines. In addition to regular domestic routes, the airport handles international flights, primarily to the UK and Spain, with London, Dublin, Madrid and Barcelona being the main destinations. Budget airlines such as easyJet as well as the larger carriers of Air France, Lufthansa and British Airways service passengers. There are ATMs located in both the Arrivals and Departures areas of Terminal B and a bank and Travelex bureau de change in Terminal A. Airport information desks are located in the Arrivals areas of both terminals (tel: +33 05 5634 5050). 

Transportation from Bordeaux Airport

There are shuttle buses that run from the airport to the Gare St-Jean train station and Place Gambetta from 05:30 until 22:45 every day. Jet’Bus (tel: +33 05 56 34 50 50) operates shuttles, which depart every 35 minutes during the week and every 45 minutes on weekends. The trip into town takes around 45 minutes. Another shuttle bus service connects the airport with the city’s train station from 07:45 until 22:45 every day. These shuttles depart every 45 minutes from outside the Arrivals area and the trip takes about 40 minutes. 

Taxis are available 24 hours from outside the Arrivals areas of both terminals. Always negotiate the price of your fare before getting into a taxi, as they are not metered. Seven car hire companies have offices at the airport. It is a quick and easy drive into the city by taking the ring road around Bordeaux, which has several exits leading into the city.