Bordeaux

Departing from Birmingham Airport

Birmingham’s central location in the UK means it’s a great choice of airport wherever you’re flying to. We’ve got loads of fantastic facilities to ensure the beginning of your trip is enjoyable and relaxing.

To make the most of the many amenities the airport provides, we recommend getting to the airport at least 2 hours before your flight to Bordeaux. If you’d like to spend your time browsing the shops inside the terminal - we’ve got plenty to choose from. Boots caters for any health and beauty necessities and WHSmith is your one stop shop for inflight entertainment. 

Once you’ve shopped till you’ve dropped, you might want to grab something to eat from one of our bars, cafés or restaurants. Whether you’re after a sit-down slap-up meal, or you want to grab something for the plane, you’ll find plenty of choice at Birmingham Airport. From Wetherspoon and Giraffe, to Wrapchic, there’s food to cater to everyone. Flying in the morning? Why not head to one of our coffee shops like Pret a Manger or Costa.

If you’d like some peace and quiet before your flight, you could book into one of our airport lounges. All have quiet-zones, unlimited Wi-Fi and complimentary food and drink. Check out the exclusive views of the runways while recharging all your devices and relaxing before your flight.

For those driving to the airport we have seven car parks on-site, all within walking distance of the airport terminal or accessible via a free shuttle bus. If public transport is more convenient, the options are plentiful. Birmingham International train station is just outside the airport, with the free and frequent bus service that takes passengers to the terminal in just two minutes. You can also find public buses and coaches that travel from all over the country and drop you right at the terminal.

Need currency for your trip abroad? Look no further.  Whether you’re looking to top up your Euros before you fly, or withdraw a few UK pounds for your return, head over to our Travelex stores conveniently located in the Arrivals area of the terminal building and Departures Lounge.  If you prefer, you can pre-order your currency and get next day collection if you order before 3pm at Birmingham Airport. Convenient and fast, Travelex’s ATM machines are operational 24/7, ready for any time of flight. They offer both pounds and Euros, and accept most major cards.

To find out about our other services, head to our terminal facilities page.

Arriving at Bordeaux Airport

Bordeaux Airport is located around 12km west of Bordeaux and offers buses, train station shuttles, taxis and car rental options for your onwards travel.

The Airport shuttle bus will take you to Saint-Jean train station in 30 minutes. From here, you can take trains to locations all over the country. If you want to take the bus to your final destination, the Lianes 1 runs to the Airport and serves the city centres of Bordeaux and Mérignac, as well as the train station. It also offers connections to the city's tram lines. Both buses depart from Hall B.

If you desire a more direct mode of transport, taxis can be found outside Hall A. 

Pre-book your transfer with HolidayTaxis and avoid the queues when you arrive.

What to expect in Bordeaux

You won’t be long in Bordeaux before discovering that the whole centre – and half the entire city – is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The accolade is in recognition of the unity of its classical and neo-classical architecture and urban development. All of which should be enjoyed whilst sampling its exquisite food and drink.

The main language spoken in Bordeaux is French, but many locals speak English, so you shouldn’t have difficulty with communication.

Bordeaux’s climate is generally mild and temperate, but the city does see a great deal of rainfall, even in the driest months so we suggest packing a rain coat whenever you decide to visit. 

Culture in Bordeaux 

From charming public gardens to historic monuments, Bordeaux’s beautiful architecture is simply captivating. Must-visit sites include the Basilica of St. Michael and St. Andrew's Cathedral and the Esplanada des Quinconces, one of the largest squares in Europe. Stroll along the Garonne River for some peace and quiet, and scenic views.

The city’s star attraction is the Cité du Vin, a museum giving an innovate and engrossing overview of the entire subject of wine, not just within Bordeaux, but across the planet. Of course, the city has some other very decent galleries and museums but, once you have done the Cité du Vin, the real appeal is the city itself. 

Bordeaux is without a doubt a haven for foodies. With the Atlantic Ocean coastline, fish and shellfish are popular, but Bordeaux’s most celebrated dish is entrecôte marchand de vin, also called entrecote a la bordelaise; rib steak cooked in a rich gravy made from Bordeaux wine, butter, shallots, herbs and bone marrow.