I will be staying in the Dordogne in May and flying home out of Bordeaux on a flight leaving in the morning. Does anyone have suggestions where to stay in or even near Bordeaux for one night that would put us closer to our departure. I am debating whether to go ahead and stay in Bordeaux proper or maybe find a chambres d’hotes just outside. I don’t want to just be in a hotel near the airport. But rather have a nice evening in or near the city.
Posted by
20 posts
Perhaps someone else can explain with more specificity about the time required to travel from downtown Bordeaux to the airport, but I recall it as being quite a long taxi ride. Depending on your flight time, you might want to reconsider staying downtown.
That said, Bordeaux is one of my favorite French cities. It is beautiful, clean, and has a wonderful transportation system. It would be a shame to miss it.
Posted by
20 posts
We stayed at the Hotel Majestic. The location is excellent and within easy walking distance of many restaurants and sights. It is moderately priced, quiet, and attractive.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
5038 posts
What time is your flight? We stayed in St Emilion the night before but our flight wasn't until 1:00. St Emilion is about a 45 minute drive to the airport and on the way back from the Dordogne. I can't recommend a hotel in Bordeaux's historical area. On our way to the Dordogne we stayed at the Sheraton near the airport and to the tram into town. There is a tram stop within walking distance of the airport and hotel.
I'm excited for you, we spent a week in the Dordogne last Fall and loved it.
Posted by
Seattle, WA & Bordeaux, France
400 posts
I would say your location depends on your flight time. If it is a morning flight (9-11am) I'd suggest staying closer to airport. The traffic around the Rocade (the highway around Bordeaux) is awful around the morning rush hour and it is what you, the shuttle bus (navette) or a taxi would need to take to get to airport. If it's later in the day, staying in the center of town would be a nice way to end your vacation. There is a tram from the Bordeaux city center to airport (Tram A) and it is easy to use...it just takes about 45 min to an hour to get from central Bordeaux to airport on tram.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
2076 posts
I'm with Kimberly. Take the A tram. The trams are efficient, comfortable, clean and cheaper than a taxi or Uber. Just check the schedule that they have one early enough for your plans.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks all for your suggestions and more that I found while looking through older posts in this forum.
Reporting back: We arrived by train to Bordeaux, so ended up easily getting a rental car from the St. Jean train station in Bordeaux that we could return at the airport. From Bordeaux we drove to our rental house in Beynac in the Dordogne. We stopped at St. Emilion on the way out.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Beynac - a good base of operation and so many hot air balloons floating by the castles! After we checked out of our rental house, we drove back stopping at one lovely vineyard in Fronsac just outside Bordeaux that had been recommended by a friend. (https://www.chateau-de-la-riviere.com/en/home-fronsac-grand-vin-bordeaux-gb/).
Then we kept our rental car and stayed one night in Bordeaux at the fun and lively Hotel Konti (https://www.hotel-konti.com/) which gave us easy access to walk around the old part of town. Hotel Konti helped us arrange the parking. We had a nice meal at Brasserie Bordelaise (https://www.brasserie-bordelaise.fr/). Then we got up early and returned the rental at the airport before flying out.
So it all worked out!