Bordeaux Airport Car rentals experience out there?

You can't find the exact location of the Alamo office at Bordeaux airport because it shares its facilities with Enterprise and National in the airport parking lot. See Street View:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/g2NwvSveWdsye3vR9

I don't personally have a complaint about Alamo, which I've used to rent a car (though not in Bordeaux). However, after reading reviews about the airport office on Google (mostly from French users), I recognize the typical type of agency where you should never return your car outside of opening hours. Not only are these hours unreliable, but you also risk being charged for damage supposedly done to the car during the rental period. Even if you take photos of the car before returning it, they are very clever at finding problems or defects that are impossible to see in your photos.

For example, a door lock that no longer works or a tiny stain on the trunk floor.

Thank you JoLui. That is good to know.

We are staying at a hotel that is 1.4km from the airport the night before we fly out. Can we get a taxi to the airport at 4:30am? We could return the car the night before. Not sure if it is feasible to get a taxi that early. looked at google maps and it doesn't look like a long walk, but it also appears to be a road and maybe pedestrians would not be allowed. It would be dark if we walked it. Looking at options....

In my opinion, it would be much easier to return the car the day before your flight if you're already in the area. Especially since you won't need the car overnight.

You're not the only ones who need to get from the airport to the hotel or vice versa, it must happen dozens of times a day at every hotel in the area. Have you contacted the hotel to check if they have a shuttle service or if they can provide information about this transfer?

There are also several options using public transport: bus line 39:

https://www.infotbm.com/en/schedules/search?line=line%3ABMA%3A39&route=route%3ABMA%3A39

Bus 33

https://www.infotbm.com/en/schedules/search?line=line%3ABMA%3A33

And tram line F, which includes this stop:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/whxzRJ6qKC6PQSAe9

I don't know which hotel this is, but it could be located near a bus/tram stop.

Hi Jackie,
All the major rental car locations for the Bordeaux Airport are in the same area, which is just across the street/parking lot from the terminal(s) exit. It's about a 2-3 min walk once you are through customs. All the rental car companies have drop boxes at their buildings for the early morning departures. We've returned a car a few times before they've opened and have never had a problem.

Car rentals at Bordeaux airport are all in the same spot. They are pretty much right outside the airport and there are signs to guide you to them. All of the major chains are available.

Those were all helpful answers, especially the bus possibilities. thank you. Our hotel has a shuttle but it doesn't begin to run until after our plane takes off. We have no problem walking either, but some airports have sidewalks you can walk out on and others do not and you would be in the way of cars. I have found a few taxi services that run 24/7, but I do like the bus option as well. Will check that out. Thank you!