The Perfect Bordeaux Day Trip From Paris By Train

Is it Worth Taking a Day Trip From Paris to Bordeaux?

Considering the 600-kilometer distance between these two cities and the rich heritage of Bordeaux and its region, needless to say, a single day certainly won’t be enough time to visit everything in Bordeaux. But depending on your travel style and interests, taking a day trip from Paris to Bordeaux can be well worth it.
 

 
The first reason is that Paris and Bordeaux are only 2 hours away by TGV (French high-speed train), which means it’s quite possible to make the trip in a day. Yes, it does mean a 4-hour round trip in a day, but many trains are available from 6 am to 9.45 pm. In fact, lots of locals make this trip several times a week to commute to work!

Bordeaux is also well worth visiting for its attractions. The city features an incredible number of monuments, several of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and can be visited all year round. And if you’re a Bordeaux wine lover, a visit to this town is almost like a pilgrimage!

Clearly, this day trip isn’t for the slow-travelers. It’s for those who want to make the most of the day, explore beyond Paris, and catch a glimpse of another gem in France. By train of course, otherwise, it’s just not possible!
 

View of Bordeaux from Pey Berland Tower

How to Get From Paris to Bordeaux?

To make this one-day trip, there’s no better option but to take the train. Driving to Bordeaux is possible, but be ready for a minimum of 6 hours on the road!

Fret not; hopping on the train from Paris is a breeze, and I’ll walk you through it all right here.
 

Booking Your Paris to Bordeaux Train Tickets

Fares for Paris-Bordeaux trains are extremely variable, ranging from 20€ to over 150€, depending on when you book and when you travel. The key, much like booking flights, is no mystery: the sooner you purchase your train tickets, the cheaper they will be.

To buy your train ticket, head over to the SNCF website, the French train network’s online hub. Once there, enter your travel dates and times, and you’ll have a choice of around twenty direct trains running daily. All trains depart from Paris Montparnasse train station and arrive at Bordeaux Saint Jean train station.

Be careful when choosing your train, as travel durations can vary. Opt for the fastest route, the 2-hour one, which comes at the same price as the others.

Tickets will be sent to you by email after purchase. No need for a printer; your ticket is a QR code that you’ll flash for validation when boarding. So make sure you have it as a screenshot in case you have an internet connection issue.

Tip: I recommend choosing the 6.10 am or the 7.11 am direct train so you can get to Bordeaux by 9.15 am at the latest. This will give you enough time to wander the city at a reasonnable pace. For the return trip to Paris, you should opt for the 8.50 pm direct train so you can enjoy a local wine bar before leaving.

Arriving and Getting Around Bordeaux

At Paris Montparnasse station, you’ll have no trouble finding the train platform, as everything is well signposted in English. But make sure you’re there at least half an hour in advance, to give yourself plenty of time in case anything goes wrong.

Once you’ve arrived in Bordeaux, you’ll need to take a bus or tram into the city center, as the Bordeaux Saint Jean train station is about 10-15 minutes by public transport from the old town. The easiest solution is to take the tram line C, which takes you straight to Porte de Bourgogne, the entrance to downtown Bordeaux.

You have several options for using the public transport in Bordeaux for a day:

• Bordeaux City Pass: For 34€ or 19€ for 6-17-year-old kids, this pass not only gives you free use of public transport for 24 hours but also free access to some +20 attractions. 👉 Book your pass here.
• 24-hour ticket: This pass costs only 5€ and grants you free access to public transport for a day. You can buy it on the vending machines available at the tram stations or online on the TBM app
• Single ticket: The one-way ticket costs 1,8€ and is valid for one hour only. You can buy it on the vending machines available at the tram stations or online on the TBM app.

Porte Cailhau

Best Itinerary for a Day Trip to Bordeaux From Paris

Here’s a tailor-made itinerary for those who love to discover a new city by wandering and getting lost in the streets all day long. I’ve naturally included the best things to do in Bordeaux.

To make the most of your day and avoid wasting time, I recommend eating breakfast on the train. Grab something at Gare Montparnasse (you’ll have plenty of bakeries to choose from) and hop on the train!
 

Morning in Bordeaux

When arriving at Bordeaux train station, take the tram line C for 10 minutes to Porte de Bourgogne station. Then get off the tram and walk 10 minutes to reach the first attraction, La Grosse Cloche.

• 9.45 am at the latest: Discover La Grosse Cloche, an iconic clock tower and entrance to the old town of Bordeaux.
• 10 am: Stroll Rue Sainte-Catherine, Europe’s longest pedestrian street and popular shopping hub.
• 10.45 am: Enter the UNESCO site of Saint-André Church and climb Pey Berland Tower to discover Bordeaux from above.
• 12 am: Wander around the maze of streets in the old town and stop for lunch. This is the time to take a well-deserved break in a good restaurant. I recommend Berthus or Pacific, but don’t hesitate to go in anywhere – there’s loads to choose from!

Afternoon and Early Evening in Bordeaux

After lunch, let’s continue discovering the wonders of Bordeaux’s old town.

• 2 pm: Head to Place de la Comédie to check out the stunning architecture of the Opera.
• 2.20 pm: Keep walking to the Monument aux Girondins located on the largest square in Bordeaux, Place des Quinconces.
• 2.50 pm: Head towards the Garonne River banks to discover Bordeaux’s most iconic landmark, the Miroir d’Eau.
• 3.20 pm: Visit my favorite gate in Bordeaux, Porte Cailhau. You can enter if you like, which I recommend as it’s a quick tour for 5€ only.
• 4 pm: Have a coffee break in town to try some Canelé, the local vanilla, and rum-flavored little cakes. Cassonnade is one of the best coffee shops to sample Canelés.
• 5 pm: End the day with an unforgettable 1-hour wine-tasting session on a cruise along the Garonne River. You’ll be back on the ground by 6 pm, just in time for a light dinner in the city center or to catch your train back to Paris.

Book the best Garonne River cruise with wine tasting session here.

Alternative Itinerary in Bordeaux for Wine Lovers

If you’re passionate about wine and prefer exploring the Bordeaux region over the city, I suggest going to Saint-Emilion, one of the most popular day trips from Bordeaux and the most famous wine town in the area.

You’ll first need to get to Bordeaux city center as most of the wine tours to Saint-Emilion start from there. Make sure to catch the right train from Paris Montparnasse in the morning to be on time for the tour.

Here are the 2 best-rated wine day tours to Saint-Emilion, book one or the other:

• Saint-Émilion Food and Wine Tour From Bordeaux: A van will take you to Saint-Emilion for the whole day, including a tour of the village, wine tasting, a picnic, and visits to 3 chateaux.
• Saint-Emilion and Medoc Full-Day Wine Experience From Bordeaux: A bit longer than the previous one, this tour not only takes you to Saint-Emilion but also to Médoc, another great wine region. Picnic, wine tasting, and winery visits are included.

These tours will take you back to the starting point in Bordeaux city center at the end of the day. A quick tram ride will then take you to Bordeaux Saint Jean train station to take your train back to Paris.
 

Saint Emilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

FAQ About the Paris to Bordeaux Day Trip

Still have some unanswered questions about this day trip to Bordeaux from Paris? Hope this section will make things clearer to you.
 

How far is Bordeaux from Paris?

The distance between Bordeaux and Paris is 600 kilometers! This means no less than 6 hours drive.
 

How long is the train from Paris to Bordeaux?

The fastest train takes you from Paris to Bordeaux in 2 hours only.
 

How much is a train ticket from Paris to Bordeaux?

Train tickets from Paris to Bordeaux vary a lot according to the season you’re traveling and how far in advance you make your booking. You can find tickets as low as 20€ or go up to over 150€!

In general, prices are cheaper if you visit Bordeaux in winter than in summer. Exception made for the Christmas season, when prices can really take off. Also, prefer booking at least a month or 2 in advance to find interesting rates.
 

What can I do next if I have extra time?

If you find yourself with more time in Bordeaux, you should definitely take advantage of it! If you want to discover more of the city, check out my 2-day or 3-day in Bordeaux guide to put this extra time to good use.

If you’re looking to explore beyond Bordeaux and your visit falls between April and October, then head to the Atlantic coast to discover Arcachon and the Dune du Pilat. Only an hour train ride from Bordeaux, it’s a destination that’s truly worth experiencing at least once in your lifetime!
 

The Garonne River in Bordeaux

 
I hope you enjoy your Paris to Bordeaux day trip; if you have any questions, let me know in the comments below.

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