Getting from Bordeaux airport to the vineyards means riding into Bordeaux and taking a regional train out to Saint-Émilion, the Médoc or the Graves, or picking up a rental car at the airport and driving. Below are the links from Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport to the city and Saint-Jean station, the trains onward, and the driving distances.
The short answer
Take tram F from the stop near Hall B to Bordeaux Saint-Jean station, about 45 minutes for €1.90 ($2), or the 30'Direct shuttle in 30 to 35 minutes. From Saint-Jean, the fastest TER reaches Saint-Émilion in 29 minutes and Pauillac in 1 hour 4 minutes.
By car, the airport is 54 km from Saint-Émilion, and Pauillac is 50 km from Bordeaux, about 1 hour's drive.
Your options
| Leg | Where to board | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tram F to Hôtel de Ville | Stop near Hall B | About 35 minutes | €1.90 ($2) |
| Tram F to Saint-Jean | Stop near Hall B | About 45 minutes | €1.90 ($2) |
| 30'Direct shuttle to Saint-Jean | Outside Hall B | 30 to 35 minutes | €9–10 ($10–11) |
| Taxi to the city center | Outside Hall A | — | About €35–45 ($38–49) |
| TER to Saint-Émilion | Bordeaux Saint-Jean | From 29 minutes | From €9.50 ($10) |
| TER to Pauillac | Bordeaux Saint-Jean | From 1h04 | — |
Tram F
Since December 6, 2025, tram line F has run from Bordeaux Airport to Bordeaux Saint-Jean without a change, via the city center at Hôtel de Ville and Pellegrin Hospital. The ride takes about 35 minutes to Hôtel de Ville and about 45 minutes to Saint-Jean.
The airport stop is in front of the express parking, right in front of the terminals near Hall B. Trams run every 10 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays and every 15 minutes on Sundays. They run from 5 a.m. to midnight on weekdays, and until 1 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
A single TBM ticket costs €1.90 ($2). Buy it at the Relay press shop, at the machines next to the bus stop in front of Hall B, or in the TBM app.
30'Direct shuttle
The 30'Direct shuttle runs every day, public holidays included, between the stop outside Hall B and Saint-Jean station. At the station it stops on the Hall 2 forecourt, outside the information area at the Centre-ville exit. The trip takes about 30 to 35 minutes.
An online e-ticket costs €9 ($10), an online round trip €16.20 ($17), and a ticket bought on board €10 ($11). Children under 5 ride free, and luggage travels free.
Taxi
Taxis wait outside Hall A. The airport puts an average fare to the city center at about €35 ($38) by day and €45 ($49) at night, depending on traffic.
Train to Saint-Émilion
Saint-Émilion station is on the Bordeaux–Sarlat TER line, about 1.5 km south of the village. The fastest train from Bordeaux takes 29 minutes, there are 16 trains a day, and fares start at €9.50 ($10).
From the station, walk about 20 minutes to the village, or take the Les Cordeliers tuk-tuk shuttle for €5 ($5) per person. Libourne, 7 km from Saint-Émilion, is a TGV stop.
A regional coach runs from Quinconces in Bordeaux to Saint-Émilion and stops about 100 m from the village center in high season. A year-round stop is in Libourne.
Train to the Médoc
The TER line from Bordeaux Saint-Jean to Le Verdon stops at Margaux and at Pauillac, home to the Maison des Vins du Médoc. The fastest train to Pauillac takes 1 hour 4 minutes, with 12 trains a day.
Train to the Graves and Sauternes
TER trains from Bordeaux toward Langon stop at Podensac, home to the Maison des Vins de Graves, and at Barsac, home to the Maison des Vins de Barsac-Sauternes. See also Sauternes.
Rental car
Several car rental firms operate at Bordeaux Airport. Saint-Émilion is 54 km from the airport, and from Bordeaux the drive takes around 35 minutes, depending on traffic.
For Pauillac, leave the Bordeaux ring road at exit 7 or 8, then take the D2 or D1215. The 50 km drive from Bordeaux takes about 1 hour.
In Saint-Émilion, the paid lots near the collegiate church and on Place Bouqueyre cost €2 ($2) an hour from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., for 5 hours at most. The Gendarmerie lot is free.
Without a car or train
The Bordeaux tourist office runs vineyard tours to Saint-Émilion, the Médoc, Margaux and the Graves-Sauternes area. The office opens daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays and public holidays.
For the vineyards as a whole, see the Bordeaux region guide. For the city, see Bordeaux.
Before you go
- The 30'Direct shuttle runs to fixed departure times, not at regular intervals, and traffic can lengthen the trip. Only an online ticket guarantees a seat.
- The airport terminals open from 4 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., depending on flight schedules.
- Book Saint-Émilion château visits in advance: some estates receive visitors only by reservation.
- The path from Saint-Émilion station to the village slopes and has sidewalks only part of the way, and the station has no water points.
- If you drive between tastings, spit or choose a designated driver.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Bordeaux airport to the city center?
Take tram F from the stop in front of the express parking near Hall B. It reaches Hôtel de Ville in about 35 minutes and runs every 10 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays. A single TBM ticket costs €1.90 ($2) from the machines by the Hall B bus stop.
Can I get from Bordeaux airport to Saint-Émilion without a car?
Yes. Ride tram F or the 30'Direct shuttle to Bordeaux Saint-Jean, then take the TER on the Bordeaux–Sarlat line. The fastest train takes 29 minutes, fares start at €9.50 ($10), and the village is a 20-minute walk or a €5 ($5) tuk-tuk ride from the station.
How far is the Médoc from Bordeaux airport?
Pauillac, in the Médoc, is 50 km from Bordeaux and about 1 hour by car via the D2 or D1215. By train, the fastest TER from Bordeaux Saint-Jean to Pauillac takes 1 hour 4 minutes, and the same line stops at Margaux.
How much is a taxi from Bordeaux airport?
Taxis wait outside Hall A. The airport gives an average fare to Bordeaux city center of about €35 ($38) during the day and €45 ($49) at night, and fares vary with traffic.
