Getting around Bordeaux β a compact city that contains a dazzling mosaic of architectural styles β is simply a delight. Since time immemorial, vessels of various shapes and sizes have navigated the mud-brown Garonne River that winds gracefully through the port city, into the Garonne Estuary and beyond into the Atlantic Ocean. Perhaps best of all, bike-mad locals are the biggest advocates of carbon-cutting modes of transport.
Catch line A from the tram stop in front of Terminal A, with trams departing every six to 10 minutes between 5am and midnight. To get to the Bordeaux train station from the airport one hour , ride line A to the Porte de Bourgogne stop, then change to line C for the four-stop ride to Gare St-Jean.
The same tickets will work on TBM buses and boats. Once on board, simply scan your phone at ticket-validating machines. With its web of alleys and backstage squares peppered with provocative street art by the likes of French aerosol artist Alber or homegrown Monkey Birds Crew , the historic wine-trading district of Chartrons is particularly conducive to explorative walking.
Alternatively, from March to October, street-art center Galerie Magnetic runs 2. Planning tip: Bat3 boats run from 7am to pm and from 9am on weekends.
Sailings are only every two hours or so β so plan ahead. With a giddy mix of cycling lanes, shared bus and bike lanes, and bike-only streets, Bordeaux is an insanely bike-friendly city. Download the TBM app to locate stations and available bikes. Alternatively, Cool Bike is one of many small, independent rental shops run by passionate cyclists who are happy to share insider tips and favorite itineraries.
