7 Best Day Trips From Bordeaux By Train Or Bus (2024)
Are you visiting southwest France and looking for the best day trips from Bordeaux by public transport? You came to the right place!
I have been living in Bordeaux, France, for over a year, and I do not own a car.
I lived abroad without a car many times before. Yet, this was the first time I felt as if I was missing out because I did not have a car.
It seemed like all of the best day trips from Bordeaux were only accessible by car.
Luckily, I was wrong. After a lot of research on my part, I am happy to report I found and took the best day trips from Bordeaux by public transport!
I am so excited to share with you this list of beautiful destinations that you can easily reach by public transport from Bordeaux.
Keep reading for the best day trips from Bordeaux by train or bus and elevate your Bordeaux itinerary!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. I hope you find the information here helpful!
day trips from Bordeaux by train
Here is the list of the best day trips from Bordeaux by train, in no particular order.
1. Day trip from Bordeaux to Saint-Emilion
A day trip from Bordeaux to St Emilion is the quickest and the most charming Bordeaux day trip you can take on this list.
Saint-Emilion is one of my favorite destinations in this region. It can hardly be described as a hidden gem. It is one of the most popular towns in the region, famous for its long winemaking tradition.
The town is particularly popular among wine lovers due to the high number of Chateaux you can visit and try wine directly from the wineries.
However, it still feels like a hidden gem! Why? Because numerous Chateaux wineries are relatively far from each other, you do not feel like the town is too crowded.
You do not need to be a wine lover to enjoy this fairytale, medieval town.
Even if you do not drink any wine, you will love the narrow cobblestone streets and the views from the viewpoints on either side of the town. You can easily get lost in the streets and discover the hidden gems in the city.
If you want some structure to your visit, I suggest you go to the Tourism office and take a paper map. The map has all the main sights marked, and you can just follow along!
There are a lot of vineyards around Saint-Emilion, and the region is particularly enjoyable to walk and bike around. Going on a bike tour is an excellent way to discover this picturesque region and get to more distant chateaux for wine tasting.
Keep in mind that the area is pretty hilly, so I suggest an electric bike!
You can even join an e-bike tour of St Emilion vineyards with wine tasting and lunch!
How to get to St Emilion from Bordeaux?
The best way to get from Bordeaux to Saint-Emilion is by train, it takes only half an hour!
The ticket will cost you 5€ in one direction if you book in advance, and around 10€ if you want to take a spontaneous trip. For obvious reasons, I recommend you book in advance.
If you want a cheaper alternative, you can also reach it by regional bus 304. The trip will take around an hour, and you can buy a ticket from the driver as you enter the bus for about 2,5€ in one direction.
If you are in a rush, join an organized half-day tour from Bordeaux to St Emilion, with wine tasting included!
2. Day trip from Bordeaux to Arcachon by train
Arcachon is a seaside town on the Atlantic coast. It is a particularly popular Bordeaux day trip in the summer, as it is the closest beach to Bordeaux.
The most popular thing to do in Arcachon is go to the beach!
Beaches in Arcachon are Atlantic coast types of beaches. That means that you can expect to find long strips of sandy beaches all along the coast.
The sea is pretty shallow, and changes in tides are intense. Along the coast, you will find numerous restaurants bustling in the summer.
If you are looking to spend a day on the beach, here are all the best beaches near Bordeaux accessible by public transport.
However, Arcachon is not only a summer destination. There is so much more to the town than its beaches.
The best way to discover Arcachon and its surroundings is to rent a bike.
I rented a bike from Beach Bikes. Their bikes are the best value for money, and they are super cute and comfortable!
You can also take your own bike to Arcachon! TER trains have specific bike slots, and they do not charge extra for taking your bike.
There are kilometers of bike lanes along the coastline in either direction of the city!
Make sure to stop for ice cream in Olala Arcachon, they have one of the best vegan ice creams in Bordeaux!
If you have time, you can combine your day trip to Arcachon with a visit to Dune du Pilat or Cap Feret!
How to get to Arcachon from Bordeaux?
To get to Arcachon, you will have to take a train from Bordeaux central train station. The train takes approximately an hour to reach Arcachon (if there are no delays).
The ticket will cost you 5€ in one direction if you book in advance, and 12,50€ if you want to take a spontaneous trip. For obvious reasons, I recommend you book in advance.
Trains get very crowded in the summer, so be at the train station at least 15 minutes before the departure if you don’t want to stand.
3. Day trip from Bordeaux to Dune du Pilat by public transport
A couple of kilometers outside of Arcachon, you will find Dune du Pilat.
The largest natural sand dune in Europe. It is an impressive and unexpected sight in this part of the world and it should be on your European bucket list.
A visit to Dune du Pilat is one of the most popular Bordeaux day trips.
You can climb the dune using the stairs on the official entrance side – highly recommended, it is much harder walking up the dune than it might seem!
Dune the Pilat is a popular spot to have a picnic and watch the sunset over the ocean.
It is completely free to visit Dune du Pilat, and it is one of the best free activities around Bordeaux.
How to get to Dune du Pilat from Bordeaux by public transport?
To get to Dune du Pilat, you will first need to take a train to Arcachon.
Once you reach Arcachon train station, you have a couple of options to get to Dune du Pilat from Arcachon:
a) You can rent a bike and cycle to Dune du Pilat (great bike lanes, highly recommended!)
b)You can take a local bus
Two bus lines go from Arcachon Train station to Dune du Pilat: Line 3 and Express Line 101.
You can get the bus ticket on a machine next to the station, on Baia mobile application or buy it from the driver as you board the bus. Check the hours and prices here!
4. Day trip from Bordeaux to Cap Ferret by public transport
Cap Feret is a popular place to visit and admire powerful waves crashing on endless sand beaches on the Atlantic side and a charming seaside town on the Arcachon Bayside.
The most popular spot to visit in Cap Ferret is the iconic red and white lighthouse.
The southernmost point of Cap Ferret offers a stunning view of Dune du Pilat, and it’s probably the best way to see how impressive it truly is.
How to get to Cap Ferret from Bordeaux by public transport?
There are two ways to reach Cap Ferret from Bordeaux by public transport. Both are long.
The first one is to take a train to Arcachon, walk to the port of Arcachon, and take a boat to the other side. Repeat for the way back.
This route is perfect if you visit both Arcachon and Cap Ferret on the same day trip.
The route I actually recommend if you have time is to take a regional bus 601 directly from Bordeaux to Cap Ferret.
It is a long bus ride, about 2 hours. But it is just 2,30€ in one direction!
If both of those options sound too complicated, you can join a guided tour from Bordeaux to Cap Ferret!
5. Day trip from Bordeaux to La Rochelle by public transport
La Rochelle is a beautiful, historic port city. It is a popular summer holiday destination for French people. You will notice there are many summer houses along the coast decorated in a “beach house” style.
La Rochelle is more than just a beach town. The city’s history is impressive, and you can see traces of its famous past all over the city.
The city is rather small and easily walkable, with the main points of interest located fairly close to each other.
Walk around the Old Port of La Rochelle, and read about the history of what used to be the greatest French port on the Atlantic Ocean. Climb the towers for the gateway into the Old port.
Get lost in the alleys of the Old Town and notice the unique architecture. The Arcades along the roads date from medieval times. In the past, they used to shelter merchants, and nowadays they provide an aesthetic shelter to numerous residents and visitors of La Rochelle.
A fun way to discover La Rochelle is to rent a bike and cycle along the coast to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of life by the Atlantic Ocean.
There are many different places where you can rent a bike. You can find most of them close to the Quai du Gabot.
La Rochelle also has city bikes that you can rent! They are available to rent all over the city, and you will easily spot them due to their bright yellow color.
How to get to La Rochelle from Bordeaux?
To get to La Rochelle, you can take a train or a bus. However, a train will be the best option, and I will explain why.
There is a couple of daily Flixbus lines from Bordeaux to La Rochelle. However, they are not the best choice if you want to visit La Rochelle on a day trip and return to Bordeaux for the night.
If you check the bus schedule, you will see the bus departs rather late from Bordeaux, making it problematic for a day trip.
If you’re not returning to Bordeaux on the same day, a bus is an affordable alternative.
So, to get to La Rochelle for a day trip you will want to take a train.
The ride takes around 2 and a half hours. The trip will cost anywhere between 15€ to 50€ in one direction, depending on when you book the ticket.
As usual, I recommend booking in advance to get the best price.
6. Day trip from Bordeaux to Toulouse by public transport
Toulouse is the capital of the Occitanie region and the biggest city in the region.
Ideally, you could visit Toulouse as a weekend city break destination. However, you should be able to see the main sights on a day trip as well!
Even though it is the fourth biggest city in France, Toulouse does not feel like a big city. The city center is walkable, and you will quickly find yourself lost in the maze of cobblestone streets and red facades.
Toulouse is also an incredibly bike-friendly city. As it is a University town, you will see that bikes are a very popular mode of transport in the city. You can rent a bike at one of many self-service stations around the city and bike along the river.
You will quickly see why Toulouse is known as La Ville Rose or a pink city. Buildings in the city center are all built from the same type of reddish bricks that glimmer beautifully in the sun.
Do not miss out on visiting Le Capitol. It is free to visit and the interior is magnificent. The architecture in Toulouse is truly unique.
Did you know that Toulouse is also a European center of aeronautics and the space industry?
You can learn everything you ever wanted to know about aeronautics at the Aeroscopia museum and Airbus factory. The aeronautics centre is outside the city center, but you can easily reach it by tram line T1.
The best place to be in Toulouse on a sunny day is along the Garrone with the locals.
You will find the river banks filled with people enjoying the sun, so grab a drink or a little snack and enjoy the view of the Pont Neuf. The New Bridge is funnily the oldest bridge in Toulouse.
How to get to Toulouse from Bordeaux?
To get to Toulouse, you can take a train or a bus. The difference between the two is the price and the duration of the ride. However, I think both are feasible choices!
There are a few daily buses from Bordeaux to Toulouse. You can choose between Flixbus and Blablacar Bus, use this website to easily compare the schedule and prices.
The bus ride will take 3 hours. The price can be anything between 6€ and 50€ in one direction, depending on when you book the ticket. However, it is usually up to 15€ in one way.
Alternatively, you can take a train. It takes 2 hours from Bordeaux to Toulouse, and the trip will cost you between 15 € and 40€ in one direction, depending on when you book the ticket. As usual, I recommend booking in advance to get the best price.
7. Day trip from Bordeaux to Biarritz by train
Biarritz is one the most popular summer Bordeaux day trips on the Atlantic coast, adored by families, tourists looking for a luxurious holiday, and surfers equally! It is incredible how all these cultures blend seamlessly in this small seaside town!
You will love Biarritz if you like architecture. The architecture in this seaside town is truly unique and completely different from Bordeaux. It became a resort town for European royalty in the 1800s and it kept the elegance
If you want to surf, Biarritz is one of the best spots for surfing in France! Long sandy beaches and the Atlantic Ocean waves make for a perfect surfing destination for beginners and experienced surfers.
A large number of surfers staying in the city infuse an interesting laid-back vibe that seeps into the upscale “European royalty resort” heritage Biarritz has.
The beaches are fantastic! You can choose between many beaches along the coast – from wide sandy beaches to pebbled coves.
Finally, the landscape! The coast of Biarritz is stunning with impressive rock formations all around.
How to get to Biarritz from Bordeaux by public transport?
You can take a train or a bus from Bordeaux to Biarritz.
A train takes about 2 hours, and it will cost you 15-40€ in one direction, depending on when you book the ticket.
Taking a bus from Bordeaux to Biarritz might be a more affordable option as there are buses from 7€ in one direction. A bus trip will take about 3 hours.
I compare the prices and schedules on this website, and you can combine the train in one and the bus in another direction as there is no discount for booking a return ticket anyway.
Do You Need A Car For Bordeaux Day Trips?
I rarely ever rent a car when I travel, so places I want to see must be accessible by trains or buses. If you are a solo traveler without a driving license, you know the feeling!
To consider a place easily accessible by public transport it had to fulfil a couple of conditions.
Firstly, there should be an outbound train or a bus in the morning, preferably not at 6 am, and a return option in the late afternoon.
Secondly, the trip should take no more than 3 hours in one direction. I think 6 hours of transportation is a healthy maximum for a day trip, especially if you know that there are often delays.
With transportation prices going wild lately, I recommend you book your tickets in advance to get the best value for money. Catching first-minute prices is one of the best ways to save money on travel.
I love this website to compare the prices for trains and buses, so I book the best option – price and time-wise.
Public transport in the Bordeaux region
I wanted to quickly touch on public transport options in the Bordeaux region before we start with the day trips. It is quite simple since you only have two options – a train or a bus.
Long-distance buses for day trips from Bordeaux
What I found interesting when I first moved to France was that long-distance buses are not very popular in France.
I believe it is due to the size of the country. France is a big country, and it takes a long time to get from one side to another. Trips are especially long if you decide to take a bus.
For example, if you want to go from Bordeaux to Paris by bus, it will take 7 to 10 hours, depending on the line! The same trip will take approximately 2 to 3 hours if you decide to take a train!
However, buses are the most affordable mode of public transport in France. It is not uncommon to find a 10€ bus ticket for an 8-hour ride. It is impossible to find a deal like that if you travel by train!
Since buses are not very popular, there are not that many options for bus operators. There are only two big long-distance bus companies in France that I have seen so far.
You have Flixbus and BlablaCar Bus (previously known as OuiBus).
Other European bus operators pass through Bordeaux, like Spanish operator Alsa and German operator Eurolines, so sometimes you might be able to use them as well!
The long-distance bus station in Bordeaux is located under the bridge close to the Central train station.
The easiest way to reach it is to get off at the tram stop Sainte-Croix and then walk towards the bus stop for about 8 minutes.
Please note that I use the term bus station very generously – it looks just like a local bus stop. Do not be surprised!
Trains for day trips from Bordeaux
Trains are a much more popular mode of public transport in France. Unlike buses, which only connect popular destinations and some smaller ones along the way, trains go almost everywhere.
If you look at the SNCF network map, you will see many cities served by trains. Certainly much more than by the bus!
Taking day trips from Bordeaux by train is the most convenient option. However, you should keep in mind a couple of things.
While there are many train lines, some are not as regular as they should be to make them a viable day trip.
Also, trains tend to be pricey. Particularly when compared to the price of busses, so a day trip on a budget becomes complicated.
You might also notice that there is no public transport along the coast between Arcachon and Biarritz, so forget about a beach day by train there.
You can get train tickets from various sites that compare different operators, like Omio if you like to have all your tickets in the same app, but since there is only one train operator in France – SNCF I just buy the tickets directly from their site.
Local regional bus from Bordeaux
Finally, we have a local regional bus – Transports Nouvelle Aquitaine.
If you are on a budget, this might be your best option.
Since it is a local bus, it stops a lot. If you decide to go for a local bus, be prepared that it will be the longest option. Likely, drivers won’t speak English, so be prepared with your destination and money.
But, if you are on a budget it is the best way to save money! You can expect to pay 2,30€ per ticket.
The bus network map will show you which destinations you can reach by regional buses. Most lines start from the Train station.
Final Thoughts: Day Trips From Bordeaux By Train
Bordeaux is well worth visiting to explore southwest France on day trips by train or bus.
As you see, it is easy to travel around the Bordeaux region by public transport and visit the best spots in the southwest of France.
However, the south of France is bigger than you might think, so you can’t visit Montpellier in one day from Bordeaux.
To explore the famous Cote d’Azur, you’ll have to base yourself closer to that area!
If you are planning a trip to Bordeaux check out the rest of my Bordeaux, France series:
- Bordeaux Travel Guide: 1-day itinerary
- 25 Free Things to Do in Bordeaux, France
- The best beaches around Bordeaux by public transport
- Where to find the best vegan ice cream in Bordeaux?
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