Bordeaux International Airport is the chief aviation facility serving the city and can be found just six miles (10kms) from the downtown area. The airport is the main gateway to the southwest of France and is a busy two-terminal facility serving visitors from across France, Europe and beyond. There are regular flights from the UK and Spain provided by carriers such as Air France, British Airways and easyJet.

Terminals A and B at the airport are both equipped with essential facilities such as ATMs and bureaux de change as well as a good selection of shopping and dining outlets. There are information desks in the Arrivals areas of both terminals also.

Getting from the airport to the city is easy, with shuttle buses running from outside of the terminals to Place Gambetta and the Gare St-Jean train station. Taxis are also on hand at stands outside of the terminals’ Arrivals areas.

Bordeaux is easily reachable by road, as it’s served by a number of major highways. From Paris, the A10 motorway provides the principle access, with the journey from the capital taking about five hours. While getting around the city by car is not recommended, a hire car can be useful for visiting the nearby vineyards, and vehicles can be hired in the city centre.

There are regular buses and trains from Paris also and from other major cities in the country. Buses terminate at the Halte Routeire station, while trains terminate at Gare St-Jean station.

Once in the city, the local public transport network makes getting around easy. Bus services cover a large part of the main city area and the suburbs, and visitors can buy tickets aboard. For discounts and multi-trip deals, you should purchase tickets ahead of travel at a TBC agency or tourist office. Ten-ticket booklets are available, as are unlimited travel tickets valid for one to six days.

A tram service also serves the city and has three lines (A, B and C) that operate between 05:00 and 01:00. It is also possible to cycle around the city.