Transport
Getting around Bordeaux: city, train, ride-hailing and airport
How to buy tickets, TBM’s one-hour transfer rule, trains, ride-hailing apps and getting to the airport.
Edited by EMA
Checked on: · Source : Official sources of the venues and organisations mentioned
Choosing the right transport
| Destination | Transport and app |
|---|---|
| Within Bordeaux | TBM: tram, bus and the Le Bato river shuttle. The TBM app for routes and tickets. |
| Paris and other cities | Train from Bordeaux Saint-Jean. Search and book on SNCF Connect. |
| Luggage, or times when public transport does not run | Uber, Bolt or taxi. |
| Bordeaux airport | Tram F, direct shuttle to the station, taxi or ride-hailing. |
In town: the shared TBM ticket
TBM (Transports Bordeaux Métropole) serves Bordeaux by tram, bus and the Le Bato river shuttle, formerly Bat³.
- The ordinary “1 journey” ticket allows transfers within the hour after the first validation.
- You can change from tram to bus and boat. Validate again at each transfer.
- Example: first validation at 10:00, bus at 10:25, boat at 10:45: the transfers stay within the same hour.
- This ticket does not replace an SNCF ticket or the ticket for the direct airport–station shuttle. Check the ticket needed for each network.
Buying a ticket: machine or app
| Where to buy | How to use it |
|---|---|
| Machine at tram stops | Choose the ticket, then validate it when you travel. |
| TBM app, iPhone and Android | Buy and validate with your phone, including at stops without a machine. |
| From the bus driver | 1- or 2-journey tickets. TBM recommends having the exact change ready for cash payment. |
| TBM agencies | See the official points of sale if you do not want to use a machine or a phone. |
TBM app: buying is not enough
- 1. Install the app from the official page and prepare your account and payment method.
- 2. Buy the ticket you want in the app.
- 3. Turn on Bluetooth and location, then hold the phone near the reading area of the validator.
- 4. Check the confirmation on the screen. Do it again at each transfer.
- Check the battery and phone compatibility before you leave. The app also lets you search timetables and routes.
To other regions: Bordeaux Saint-Jean station
Compare TGV, OUIGO and TER according to your destination. A rail ticket is needed in addition to the TBM ticket.
- Paris: Bordeaux Saint-Jean → Paris Montparnasse. The fastest direct TGVs take about 2 h 10; some journeys are longer.
- The price depends on the date, time, when you book, the train and the class. Search for your travel date rather than relying on a fixed price.
- SNCF Connect: enter the stations and date, compare duration and price, then buy. Compatible e-tickets can be shown in the app.
- For OUIGO, check the type of train, the arrival station and the luggage conditions before booking.
Taxis and ride-hailing: Uber and Bolt
Uber and Bolt operate in Bordeaux. Check car availability and prices in the app at the time of your trip.
- 1. Check your pick-up point on the map and enter the destination.
- 2. Look at the category, the wait and the price before ordering. Fares may vary with demand.
- 3. Check the licence plate and the driver. At the airport and the station, use the pick-up point indicated.
- Uber also offers a taxi option. Price calculation may differ between taxi and ride-hailing: read the booking conditions.
- Early in the morning, at night or on the outskirts, plan a booking or an alternative rather than counting on a car being available at once.
Airport: tram F
Tram F links Bordeaux Airport to the centre and to Saint-Jean station. Check the current network, as older information mentioning tram A may be out of date.
- For an early flight or a late arrival, check the first and last departures.
- Allow for waiting, roadworks and traffic, as well as the check-in deadline set by the airline.
| Transport | Guide |
|---|---|
| Tram F | About 35 minutes between the airport and Hôtel de Ville. Check TBM to reach your station or accommodation. |
| 30’Direct shuttle | Airport Hall B ↔ Saint-Jean Hall 2. About 30 minutes announced, depending on traffic. Ticket and fare separate from TBM. |
| Taxi, Uber, Bolt | For a door-to-door journey. Check the price and pick-up point with the chosen service. |