Bordeaux is far more than a destination for wine connoisseurs. France’s sixth-largest city bursts with historic monuments, intriguing museums, and absorbing diversions.
Numerous Paris to Bordeaux trains reach the ‘Pearl of Aquitaine’ in under three hours. With frequent Bordeaux to Paris trains for the return journey, it is even possible, with some hustle, to squeeze-in a day trip.
Most travelers will want to set aside more time. Bordeaux is second only to Paris for protected monuments, yet easily wins the winery count. To help you consider your options, we’ve broken down everything you need to know about traveling from Paris to Bordeaux by train.
Paris to Bordeaux by Train
France’s most acclaimed wine region is just two to three hours from Gare Montparnasse, one of Paris’s main rail hubs. It’s a leisurely journey on a high-speed Paris to Bordeaux TGV, with a wide choice of departure times and ticket prices.
Paris to Bordeaux trains dash across western France, skirting around or through cities like Tours, Blois, Poitiers, Orleans, and Amboise. It’s a rich tapestry of locations for history buffs and chateau fans. With creativity, it is possible to incorporate these compelling diversions into a multi-stop journey.
A direct TGV Paris to Bordeaux is the best option if time is limited. Two departure options are listed when buying online, Gare Montparnasse and TGV Massy. Montparnasse, in the heart of Paris, is the most convenient.
TGV Massy is located in the southern suburbs of Paris and is a dedicated high-speed station. Local RER trains from the adjacent Massy – Palaiseau station link with Paris. Most departures from Gare Montparnasse stop in Massy TGV. There is no advantage in price or travel times in traveling from Massy unless you’re staying nearby.
Train choices from Montparnasse are governed by departure time and price. Budget Ouigo and more comfortable inOui services ply the route, offering similar journey times but notable price differences.
Ouigo trains strip back comfort and cram in more seats than a standard inOui train to reduce costs. Booked in advance, a Ouigo Paris to Bordeaux train costs as little as €10.
For those low prices, you forgo first-class options and a café-bar. But they’re still TGV trains, and you lose nothing in journey time. In fact, some are faster than inOui Paris to Bordeaux trains.
Like budget airlines, you can stack additional options on the base Ouigo fare. Additional luggage costs €5 per piece (one piece is included; hand luggage is free.) Book ahead, as extra luggage costs €20 on board.
A seat with a charging point or a solo spot next to the window costs €3 – 7. Wi-Fi is €5.
If you get peckish on the journey, snacks are available. The choice is limited, so you might prefer to fill up at the many food outlets in and around Gare Montparnasse.
You can book Ouigo trains direct on the Ouigo website and via SNCF Connect. SNCF Connect is easier on the eye and easier to navigate. However, one tempting offer is missing on SNCF Connect, Ouigo Plus.
Ouigo Plus is a €7. package that includes extra luggage, a seat of your choice, and skip-the-line boarding. Wi-Fi (actually called Ouifi, which handily matches the French pronunciation of Wi-Fi) is included.
The advantage of booking via SNCF Connect is that you can see every high-speed train Paris to Bordeaux. While it is usually a safe bet that Ouigo trains are cheaper, there are persuasive options on the more refined inOui Paris to Bordeaux TGV services.
An inOui TGV Paris to Bordeaux is typically a duplex class train (double-decker) and more refined and comfortable. First-class carriages are back in play, and upgrades can cost just €6 on advance bookings. First-class lands a roomier seat, in carriages with fewer passengers and often costs only a few Euros more.
Business Premiere class is also offered in inOui trains. Prices jump significantly, but there are no fees for last-minute changes. Plus, you gain access to the modern Grand Voyageur Lounges in Gare Montparnasse and Gare de Bordeaux-Saint-Jean. As the name suggests, these tickets are aimed at business travelers with fluid schedules and unquestioning expense departments.
The café-bar is available to all passengers on inOui trains, offering a decent choice of hot and cold food. You can even tickle your palate with a Bordeaux wine from the bar. Although it may not match the grand crus waiting for you in France’s viticulture capital.
There are some less-obvious benefits to inOui Paris to Bordeaux train tickets. Firstly, you may find the price gap with Ouigo has closed when booking last minute. Sometimes, inOui trains are cheaper when booked 1-2 days before travel.
There are also no supplementary charges on inOui trains. Additional luggage, Wi-Fi, charging points, and seat preferences are all included in the standard fare.
Whatever service you choose, the Paris to Bordeaux train time is invariably under 3 hours. Journey times are impacted by the number of stops en route.
Passengers traveling from Paris to Bordeaux by train alight less than a mile from the historic city center. Drop your bags at the hotel before exploring Bordeaux’s 362 protected monuments. A figure only bettered by the departure city, Paris.
Numerous buses stop outside the station, heading to popular destinations like the UNESCO World Heritage Port de la Lune and the stunning Place de la Bourse.
France liberally awards the title Villes d’art et d’histoire to cities and towns; there are 28 in the Nouvelle Aquitaine region alone. Bordeaux unquestionably merits the accolade. With so much to see and do in the city, it’s a wonder anyone has time to stop for a glass of Bordeaux’s finest.
Paris to Bordeaux by Train Details
- Prices: Choose from a budget Ouigo or a more comfortable, yet more expensive, inOui high-speed train Paris to Bordeaux.
- Ouigo fares start from €10, booked up to 4 months in advance. Additional bulky luggage costs €5. Choose a seat for €3-7 and add Wi-Fi for €5.
- InOui fares start from €35 (booked up to 90 days ahead) and include Wi-Fi, seat choices (window or table,) and luggage. First-class upgrades cost an additional €6 upwards.
- Book in advance for the cheapest fares, as fares rise as seats are sold. E-tickets can be presented on phones or printed. To compare prices, use SNCF Connect.
- Tickets purchased on the day are the most expensive.
- Frequency: 24-26 daily trains from Paris to Bordeaux, with several hourly departures at peak times.
- Duration: The fastest high-speed Paris to Bordeaux train time is 2 hours and 7 minutes. Most direct services take under 3 hours.
Charles De Gaulle Airport to Bordeaux by Train
For travelers flying into Charles de Gaulle airport, the CDG to Bordeaux train is convenient if you want to bypass Paris.
There are 4 direct daily TGV services from Aeroport Cdg2 TGV Roissy to Bordeaux St Jean. That includes 1 budget Ouigo service and 3 classic inOui services.
In addition, there are 4 indirect services via the Massy TGV station. As they combine two high-speed journeys, fares are often more expensive than direct services.
Direct or indirect, the journey takes around 3 hours and 45-55 minutes. Collectively, the 8 services offer a variety of departure times throughout the day.
Departures from Charles de Gaulle airport offer comparable prices to trains from Paris Montparnasse.
Flight delays might be a concern, as TGV tickets cannot be amended after the train departs. If you know your flight will be delayed in advance, you can pay to change your ticket times. It can still work out more economical than buying a ticket on the day of travel.
For example, you can pay €10 plus any additional fare changes to swap a Ouigo ticket up to 30 minutes before departure.
InOui fares are even more flexible. You can obtain a full refund minus €19. Or swap to another train traveling on the same day for free up to 30 minutes before departure.
The CDG to Bordeaux train is convenient and economical for travelers who want to dodge central Paris. Once you slide into your comfy TGV seat after a lengthy flight, it will be a moment to relax and start enjoying your vacation.
Charles De Gaulle Airport to Bordeaux by Train Details
- Prices:
- Ouigo fares start from €10, booked up to 4 months in advance. Additional bulky luggage costs €5. Choose a seat for €3-7 and add Wi-Fi for €5.
- InOui fares start from €49 (booked up to 90 days ahead) and include Wi-Fi, seat preferences (window or table,) and luggage. First-class upgrades cost an additional €6 upwards.
- Ticket alterations cost up to €19 and can be made up to 30 minutes before departure.
- Frequency: There are 8 high-speed TGV services from Aeroport Cdg2 TGV Roissy to Bordeaux St Jean. This includes 4 direct services.
- Duration: Direct and indirect TGV trains from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Bordeaux take from 3 hours and 45 minutes to 3 hours and 55 minutes.
Bordeaux to Paris by Train
Aside from different departure times, the train from Bordeaux to Paris matches the reverse journey. Fares, journey time, and travel options are mirrored.
A few key points are worth nothing, especially if you’re planning an action-packed day trip.
If you want to leave as late as possible, the last train departs Bordeaux St Jean at 20:50. It pulls into Gare Montparnasse at 22:56, just before lights out in the City of Light.
A night train from Bordeaux to Paris is available online. This option requires a change at Montauban to an Intercités de Nuit. The total journey takes over 9 ½ hours and costs significantly more, so there is little to recommend the service.
A Bordeaux to Paris train takes just 2-3 hours, so hunger might not be a concern. But a late arrival in Paris may prompt travelers to grab a bite to eat before departure.
Numerous eateries are dotted around Bordeaux St Jean station, from fast-food giants to traditional brasseries. However, it’s a mix of cheap and cheerful. There are better options in central Saint Pierre if you crave a plate of entrecote a la bordelaise and a glass of superior Saint-Émilion.
Bordeaux and the chateaux and vineyards of the region can entertain visitors for several days. But choose the right train from Bordeaux to Paris, and you can condense the round-trip journey time into 4 ½ hours, leaving plenty of time to soak up some Bordelais culture.
Bordeaux to Paris by Train Details
- Prices:
- A low-cost Ouigo TGV Bordeaux to Paris ticket starts from €10 booked up to 4 months in advance. Extra costs are added for additional luggage (€5 per piece), seat allocation (€3-7) and Wi-Fi (€5).
- Premium inOui trains fares start from €35 (booked up to 90 days ahead. Included are Wi-Fi, seat choices, and luggage. First-class upgrades start from an additional €6.
- Book in advance for the cheapest fares, as fares rise as seats are sold. Low-cost tickets for weekend travel and during the summer sell quickly.
- To compare prices, use SNCF Connect. E-tickets can be presented on phones or printed.
- Frequency: 24-26 daily trains from Bordeaux St Jean to Paris Gare Montparnasse.
- Duration: The fastest Paris to Bordeaux train takes 2 hours and 8 minutes. Most TGV trains complete the journey in under 3 hours.
Paris to Bordeaux by Train FAQ
How to get from Paris to Bordeaux by train?
Catch a high-speed TGV from Gare Montparnasse to Bordeaux St Jean. Trains are fast and direct.
Is there a high-speed or TGV train from Paris to Bordeaux?
Yes – there are up to 26 daily direct TGV trains from Paris to Bordeaux.
How long is the train ride from Paris to Bordeaux?
The Bordeaux to Paris distance is roughly 363 miles (585 km.) The fastest trains cover the distance in just 2 hours and 7 minutes.
How much does the train from Paris to Bordeaux cost?
Book ahead to find budget Ouigo TGV fares from €10. Traditional inOui TGV fares start at €35.