The city of Bordeaux has an extensive and modern public transportation system which includes buses, trams, a free city centre electric bus and a water shuttle.  The system as a whole is referred to as the TBC and is run by Connex, an international transportation company .  The buses run on a large network of over 70 lines, all of which are connected to the tram network's three lines.  The trams are the system's newest transportation network, beginning service in 2003.  They are run with APS technology and are one of the only systems of their kind in the world.  The entire TBC system runs seven days a week from 5 AM to 1 AM.

BORDEAUX CITY AND AREA PUBLIC TRANSPORT

City - Tram et Bus de la CUB

The city of Bordeaux has an extensive network of bus routes and three tram routes serving all parts of the city and its suburbs. All the information you need, including downloadable maps and timetables can be viewed at www.infotbc.com but be aware that most of the information is in French only. The 'normal' bus network runs until about 930pm, after which there is a 'Reseau Bus Soir' (night network) including all-night service on some routes. These routes are numbered S1 to S14.

Note that on May 1st (Labour Day) the entire tram and bus network is closed! It does operate on other holidays but not that one.

Fares as of 1st August 2008: 1 journey €1.40; 5 journeys €5.05; 10 journeys €10.10; 1 day pass €4.10 and 7 day pass €9.70. Multi-journey and other passes can be bought from the ticket machines at tram stops, at enquiry offices and sales agents (300+ 'tabacs presse' around town. Bus drivers will take cash for a single journey ticket.

Airport Shuttle Bus

Unfortunately the tram network doesn't go anywhere near the airport.

There is a dedicated Airport Shuttle Bus (Navette Aeroport) linking the St Jean station and other stops in the city with the airport. It takes 45 minutes and costs €7 (pay the driver) with buses running every 45 minutes every day. The buses used have space for large cases etc. Detailed timetable can be viewed at www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr

Trans-Gironde bus network for Bordeaux outer suburbs and resorts

The surrounding outer suburban and rural area, including the popular resorts of Hourtin, Lacanau, Montalivet and Lege-Cap Ferrer, is served by the buses of the Trans-Gironde network. Details of their services can be found at www.cg33.fr again in French only. Click on 'se deplacer' then 'Transgironde'.

Be aware that, even in summer, bus services on many routes are very infrequent especially at weekends. The Trans-Gironde bus network generally does not run after about 8pm.

Regional Rail – TER Aquitaine

Regional rail service under the TER Aquitaine banner links Bordeaux with Archachon, the Medoc and other surrounding areas to complement the bus services. Maps and timetables can be downloaded at http://www.ter-sncf.com/aquitaine/car... Efforts are being made to introduce easy-to-remember regular interval timetables and these are now in place on the Medoc and Arcachon lines. Elsewhere trains are irregular and infrequent, especially at weekends. For the most part, in the whole region, there are very few local trains after 8pm, except on Fridays to connect with main line trains from Paris etc. Note that TER specific tickets CANNOT be used on any TGV, Corail TEOZ or Corail Lunea train.

Bus enquiry offices

There is a bus/tram enquiry office at the St Jean railway station. It is open weekdays from 0700 to 1900, Saturdays 0830 – 1500 (1800 in September and October when the University year begins!) and Sundays in July and August 0830 – 1500, Sundays in September and October 1330 – 2000. You can easily pick up timetables and maps from the display stands. You can also buy passes if you are prepared to join the long lines. The one day tram/bus pass ( €4.10) and other basic tickets including 5 or 10 journey tickets are available from the ticket machines at the tram stops – if you can get them to work! There are also around 300 ticket sales points in the city – essentially the 'tabacs presse' as the leaflet puts it. Cash fare on buses is €1.40 - fares increased 1st August 2008. No cash fare on the trams, so have a ticket or else!

There are other offices at Espace Gambetta and the Quinconces tram and bus terminal. These are basically open weekday and Saturday daytimes but closed Sundays.

Visitors arriving/leaving via Bordeaux St Jean Railway Station

The St Jean railway station is somewhat to the south-east of the city centre. Salvation is at hand in the shape of Tram C, which runs from right outside the railway station into the city centre. It crosses line A at Porte de Bourgogne and Line B at Quinconces, thus making connections with all parts. First trams are 0507 every day then at fairly frequent intervals (every 8 or 9 minutes for most of the day) until about 2200 then every 15 minutes or so until just after midnight or later every day. However on SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS until 1300, line C operates only every 30 minutes, not helpful if you are in a hurry! Plan any Sunday morning departures with care.

There are trams until around 1am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Line B goes down to the University campus. All the tram details are at www.infotbc.com as before.

St Jean is also served by many city and Transgironde bus routes.

There are considerable roadworks taking place around the station until October 2009. Many bus stops have been displaced a couple of streets and three or four minutes walk away from the station.

Bordeaux Football Stadium

The Stade Chaban Delmas is on the western side of the city centre. It has a tram stop on Line A and is close to bus routes 9, 11, 41 and 48. Check the www.infotbc.com website for details of match day services, especially as games are normally played on Saturday or Sunday evenings when most bus services have stopped! They normally run extra trams and buses to and from Gare St Lean etc on match days.

Bordeaux's water shuttle runs on the Garonne River. Schedule and fare information for it, as well as the buses and trams, is available at the TBC's website, however the website is only available in French.  For information in English ask your travel agent or hotel front desk.