Airport arrival · BOD

BOD (Bordeaux–Mérignac) Arrival Guide: Tram, Shuttle & Taxi

Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport (BOD) is close to the city with a tram and shuttle running into the centre. Arrival is easy and scam-free — take the tram/shuttle or a metered taxi, and keep the usual station pickpocket sense at the busy Gare Saint-Jean.

2026-08-27

The calm version

Bordeaux–Mérignac (BOD) is close to the city (~12 km), with a tram and shuttle running into the centre. Arrival is easy and scam-free — take the tram (line A)/‘30’Direct’ shuttle (~30 min) or a metered taxi, and keep the usual station pickpocket sense at the busy Gare Saint-Jean.

Getting to the city

Tram (line A) / ‘30’Direct’ shuttle. To the centre and Gare Saint-Jean in ~30 min for a modest fare — the best value.
Metered taxi. 20–30 min to the centre, honest and on the meter — for luggage, groups, or odd hours.
Wine country: tours, a driver, or the train from the city — don’t drink and drive.

The small habits that matter

Take the tram/shuttle for value; use the official taxi rank, not an in-terminal ‘taxi?’ offer.
Keep your bag zipped at Gare Saint-Jean and on the tram — the city’s one real (minor) risk is pickpocketing.
Pay by card/contactless (universal); choose euros on terminals, use bank ATMs.

What it looks like

BOD is an easy, scam-free French arrival — a cheap tram or shuttle, or an honest metered taxi, into the centre. No hustle, no fare games. Take the tram/shuttle or a taxi and go; the only thing to carry forward is normal station pickpocket sense at the busy Gare Saint-Jean and on the tram.

Do this instead

Take the tram (line A) or the ‘30’Direct’ shuttle, or a metered taxi, from BOD into Bordeaux — not an in-terminal ride offer. Keep your bag zipped at the busy station and on the tram, pay by contactless, and choose euros on terminals. That’s the whole BOD arrival, into one of France’s safer cities.

If something needs sorting

Info / lost item: the terminal is well-signed — staff and desks are easy to find.
Card issue: choose euros on terminals; card/contactless is universal.
Onward safety: the Bordeaux city brief covers the one real risk — station/tram pickpocketing — plus wine-country driving.

Arrive prepared

The services this guide's advice points to — sorted before you land, not in the arrivals hall.

Airport transfer Welcome Pickups
A licensed, fixed-price driver waiting with your name — the pre-booked ride these guides recommend for late or first-time arrivals.
Pre-book a licensed transfer →
Arrival data Airalo eSIM
Working data the moment you land, so your map, ride app, and this guide all work before you leave the arrivals hall.
Get an arrival eSIM →
Travel insurance SafetyWing
The police report in these guides is for a claim — this is who you claim from. Covers theft, medical, and trip disruption.
Compare travel cover →
Anti-theft gear Anti-theft gear guide
The crossbody bags, RFID sleeves, door alarms, and hidden pockets behind the two-pocket system — what to look for, and where to get it.
See the gear guide →

Some links below are partner links: if you book or buy through them, Arrival Brief may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only list services that match the advice on this page, and money never changes what a brief recommends. More →

Quick answers

How do I get from Bordeaux Airport (BOD) to the city centre?

Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport (BOD) is about 12 km west of the centre, and there are easy options. The tram line A connects the airport to the city (via the Aéroport terminus and a short link), and the '30'Direct' shuttle bus runs to the centre and the Gare Saint-Jean train station in about 30 minutes for a modest fare — buy tickets from the machine or app. A metered taxi to the centre takes about 20–30 minutes and is honest, on the meter with no haggling. There's no arrival scam scene; use the tram/shuttle or the official taxi rank rather than any unsolicited offer. Public transport drops you at busy central stops or the Gare Saint-Jean, where the usual pickpocket caution applies — keep your bag zipped with luggage. Pay by card/contactless (universal) or euros, and choose euros on any terminal.

Is the tram/shuttle or a taxi better from Bordeaux airport?

For most visitors the tram (line A) or the '30'Direct' shuttle bus is the best value — inexpensive and reaching the centre or Gare Saint-Jean in about 30 minutes. A metered taxi (or a ride app where available) makes sense if you have heavy luggage, a group to split the cost, an early or late flight, or a hotel awkward to reach by tram — it's honest and on the meter (20–30 minutes), just pricier. There are no taxi scams at Bordeaux; use the official rank and ignore anyone soliciting rides inside the terminal. Buy tram/shuttle tickets from the machine or app, pay by contactless, and choose euros on any terminal. Whichever you pick, keep your bag zipped at the busy Gare Saint-Jean and on the tram, the city's one real (minor) risk.

Is Bordeaux airport a good gateway to the wine country?

Yes — Bordeaux (BOD) and the city are the natural gateway to the surrounding wine regions (Saint-Émilion, the Médoc, Graves, Sauternes). From the city, organized wine tours, private drivers, and even trains (Saint-Émilion is reachable by rail) make day trips easy — and the safe way to taste is to let someone else drive, since France's drink-drive limit is strict. Many visitors rent a car at the airport to explore the châteaux independently; if you do, never drive over the limit after tastings (spit at tastings or designate a non-drinking driver), and leave nothing visible in the parked car at châteaux and car parks. For a city-only stay, skip the car and use the excellent tram. Pay by card/contactless and choose euros on any terminal; the run into central Bordeaux is quick and easy.