Car Hire Bordeaux Airport

Car Hire

Bordeaux Airport, also known as Bordeaux-Merignac Airport, is located 7.5 miles west of Bordeaux, in the town of Merignac. The airport serves the surrounding areas and receives chartered flights from across the world. This airport is perfectly situated for those wanting to explore the department of Gironde, a stunning area of France that is perfect for lazy summer drives. Hiring a car is quick and easy as there are a number of rental companies found within the airport.

Who to Book With
There are eight car rental companies found within the airport. International companies such as Avis, Hertz and Europcar sit alongside Budget TT and Advantage. All companies offer a variety of vehicles that can be booked in advance or on the day of arrival.

Need to Know Essentials
In order to collect a pre-booked vehicle, you must provide the following documentation:

- A valid driver’s licence (both parts)
- A passport
- The credit card used to make the reservation
- Proof of address
- The booking confirmation email or number

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
In general, France is an easy place for visitors to drive. However, parking restrictions are rigorously enforced, so tourists should be conscious of parking in prohibited areas to avoid risking fines or towing. Parking in blue zones requires a blue disc token, which can be purchased from a nearby tourist office or police station. Petrol pumps commonly accept cards as payment, but not all accept foreign cards so remember to carry cash. Carrying a warning triangle and a reflective jacket is compulsory. Toll roads are common; UK motorists can use the automatic tag lanes by purchasing a telepeage tag.

See our guide to France for more information on driving here.

Transport

There is no train station connecting the airport with Bordeaux’s railway system. However, there are a number of bus services to Bordeaux city centre and a service direct to the train station in Bordeaux. After 23:00, there are no bus services, leaving those who haven’t booked a rental car with the option of getting a taxi, which can be expensive.

Trains
Although there is no train station connecting Bordeaux Airport with Bordeaux, the Jet’Bus shuttle runs from Terminal B’s Arrivals level to the city’s train station every 45 minutes. Journey time is around 45 minutes, depending on traffic, and service also stops at Bordeaux city centre. Service finishes at 22:45 and ticket prices are around £5 per person one-way.

Taxis
The taxi rank can be located outside the main building, which houses terminals A and B. Taxis are provided by a number of local companies, such as Aero Taxis, Allo Bordeaux Taxis and Taxis de Merignac. Contact numbers are available on the Bordeaux Airport website.

Taxi prices:
Bordeaux Airport to Bordeaux city centre is about £25

Buses
There are several buses that connect Bordeaux Airport with neighbouring Bordeaux. The Bordeaux urban community line 1 is a direct service to the city centre, while the TBC network provides services to a number of surrounding towns and cities. Service does not run 24 hours. The bus stop is located a short walk from the main building.

Facilities

Terminals
There are three terminals at Bordeaux Airport: A, B and Billi. The airport currently serves over four million passengers a year and receives flights from EasyJet, Flybe and Thomson Airways. Flights are chartered from a number of cities across mainland Europe and the UK, with flights increasing in frequency during the summer season.

Parking
P0, P1 and P2 are all located within easy reach of the airport. P4 is located around 10 minutes’ walk away. P2 allows for 30 minutes free parking, while P4 is the long-term car park where cars can be parked for over a week. One week of parking here costs around £25. Parking can either be booked in advance or on the day.

Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport free of charge. Simply connect to HotSpot Aeroport de Bordeaux.

Information Services
There are a number of help services and information desks located throughout Bordeaux Airport. There is a desk found near the departures board as well as one at arrivals. Here, customers can get information on local events, hotel bookings and flight arrivals and departures.

Useful Numbers
Service Centre: +33 5 56 34 50 00

Accessibility
Bordeaux Airport is equipped for passengers with restricted mobility. There are a number of lifts, ramps and disabled persons’ bathrooms across the terminal, and priority boarding is available. There are also a number of disabled persons’ parking spaces located directly outside of the terminal. Those in need of such services can simply approach any of the help desks or information kiosks, or they can contact their airline.

Restaurants and Bars
There are a few restaurants in the terminal where customers can get both hot and cold food, along with alcoholic beverages. There are a number of cafés, such as Taste’n Fly where customers can grab a snack before departing. Oest@Bar is the best place for a quick drink; it also sells snacks.

VIP Lounges
VIP Voyages

Money and ATMs
International currency exchanges are located in both Arrivals and Departures. Facilities are open from 06:00 until 21:00 and provide for the exchange of euro, US dollars and pounds sterling. There are ATMs next to the arrivals and departures boards.

Shopping
There is a huge range of shops for customers to purchase gifts and souvenirs at discounted prices. There is a large duty-free store where customers can purchase duty-free items such as alcohol, perfume, confectionery and tobacco. Passengers can also purchase traditional French foods along with reading materials at the airport’s Relay newsagent branches.