Is Bordeaux expensive to visit?
Bordeaux is a popular city among visitors with a wide range of travel styles and spending habits. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
While Bordeaux can be quite expensive if you let it be, there are ways to lower your spending, such as eating at less expensive restaurants and taking public transit.
On average, budget travelers spend $71 (€68) per day, mid-range travelers spend $161 (€156) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $308 (€299) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Bordeaux.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Bordeaux is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Galway or Biarritz.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Bordeaux Expensive?
Sunrise over the vinyards, Bordeaux, France
How much money do I need for a trip to Bordeaux?
The average Bordeaux trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Bordeaux travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Bordeaux cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to be realistic about your budget for Bordeaux. Many assume they can visit on a shoestring, but most travelers find that to be very challenging. Think about what matters to you when traveling. Is it staying in a resort, visiting all the attractions, or dining out at nice restaurants? These factors will determine how much you spend on your trip.
The Truth on Budget Travel
You might think that you're a budget traveler. But unless you're willing to eliminate a lot of comforts from your trip, prepare to spend a lot more than the daily average of $71 that backpackers often get by on.
Young backpackers often get away with this shoestring budget, but it usually involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest restaurants or fast food places, taking public transit or walking, and only visiting free attractions.
Luckily, Bordeaux has plenty of hostels, including Hostel 20 Bordeaux, Central Hostel, and Whoo Bordeaux Bacalan - Hostel. Here, you can enjoy budget dorm accommodation along with a friendly, social vibe, but amenities are quite limited. The city features reliable public transit, making it possible for budget travelers to avoid expensive taxis or rideshare options. While food is a highlight for many in Bordeaux, budget travelers often resort to street food or self-catering in hostels, which can lead to missed opportunities for savoring the local cuisine.
Do You Identify as an Average Traveler?
Couples and families on a fun trip will likely choose a mid-range hotel, enjoy meals at popular dining spots, and visit significant museums and attractions that have entry fees. Most visitors to Bordeaux will want to visit La Cité du Vin, the Bordeaux Wine Route, or the Miroir d’Eau. After all, most activities are not free. So, it's realistic to expect your actual daily budget to be about $161 per person, per day.
There's a wide selection of hotels and vacation rentals in Bordeaux. If you're traveling with others, sharing a hotel room with a partner, friend, or kids will help split costs and save money. When traveling as a family, look for hotels and restaurants that welcome children. Les Chambres d'Art is a great choice for kids, and La Course is another wonderful option. For more family and couple-friendly places to stay, check out our Bordeaux hotel costs guide.
Dreaming of a Stylish Getaway?
If you're looking for an all encompassing trip with every amenity and a higher level of service, then prepare yourself for a price tag closer to $308 per day. To stay in a nicer hotel, eat at award winning restaurants, splurge on extravagant excursions, and take taxis or private drivers to get around the city, you'll need to be prepared for a more "luxury" set of prices. Also, higher-end tours are common with luxury travelers, such as Private Tour of Bordeaux in a Sidecar 1h30 - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Bordeaux
The hotel prices in Bordeaux might surprise you. Some places charge much more for added luxury and amenities, especially during peak season. In the off-season, a room averages $112, but during peak summer season, expect to pay around $209. Prices vary from $67 to $377, but hostels are often cheaper. Booking in advance and traveling during the low season can help save you money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Bordeaux for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $132 (€126). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $66 (€63) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Bordeaux? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Bordeaux include:
- L'Hotel Particulier starting at $224
- Le Boutique Hotel Bordeaux Centre starting at $282
- Hotel Vatel starting at $134
- La Maison Bordeaux starting at $157
- Seeko'o Hotel Design starting at $107
While Bordeaux has a great public transit system, staying outside the city to save on accommodation could mean higher transportation costs and less convenience if you're short on time.
Spending a week in Bordeaux? You may want to consider a vacation rental with a kitchen, especially for longer stays, so you can cook some of your own meals.
Traveling during the shoulder or low season (instead of summer) means you'll get lower prices on accommodations and have fewer crowds to deal with.
Walking is a popular way to explore Bordeaux, so staying in a prime area is recommended. Just be prepared for potentially higher prices.
The city's famous old town is a major attraction for travelers. While hotels in this area can be more expensive, they usually offer a lot of charm and easy access to all the main sights.
Transportation Budget in Bordeaux
Public transit in Bordeaux is highly reliable. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river. It's the most affordable and fastest way to get around, but taxis and rideshares are also at your service throughout town.
Explorers who prefer to walk will have a fantastic time here. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.
Public Transit: 



(great)
Walkability: 



(great)
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $16 (€15) per person, per day, on local transportation in Bordeaux. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Bordeaux is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$16
€15
A few of the typical transportation options and hotel transfers include:
- Airport to Lège-Cap-Ferret Transfer in Business Sedan for $264 details
- Private Transfer Bordeaux City to Bordeaux Airport BOD by Sedan for $49 details
- Private One way Transfer from Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport for $52 details
How much does it cost to go to Bordeaux? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Bordeaux will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Bordeaux
Don't miss the chance to experience the world-class cuisine in Bordeaux. Spend some time at local dining spots to taste their renowned dishes. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Bordeaux can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Bordeaux is $82 (€79) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$82
€79
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Bordeaux is around $81 (€79) per person, with previous travelers spending from $35 to $159. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Bordeaux are as follows:
- Breakfast: $8 to $24
- Lunch: $12 to $32
- Dinner: $24 to $57
- Coffee: $6
- Fast Food or Street Food: $12
Dining in Bordeaux is an experience in and of itself. There are no shortage of restaurants, many of them French, but there is also a decent representation of Asian, Middle Eastern, or African options. If you're looking for great French food there are restaurant options that offer samplings from all over the country. It truly is a delight for food lovers, and it is worth the splurge to get a taste of the region's best specialties.
Make sure you head down Rue de Saint Remi, which is officially the street of restaurants of Bordeaux. You can easily reach this area by tram and it is near many of the main tourist attractions, so it's a convenient stopping point to enjoy a meal.
Some hotels include breakfast in the overall cost, while others add it as an extra charge. The quality and price of breakfast can vary greatly depending on the hotel. Being informed beforehand can help you determine if you need to set aside additional funds. The hotel's buffet may be worth it, or you might consider visiting a local bakery or cafe for a more budget-friendly option.
Make a picnic to save some cash and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Just find a nearby grocery store or market, grab some fresh food, and choose a nice park or scenic area for your meal.
Fill up a water bottle rather than buying drinks every chance you get. It's also kinder to the earth.
If you're going to take a tour, make sure you understand which meals are included. You could end up paying for some food yourself, which might affect your budget.
If you're looking to experience the culinary culture in Bordeaux, taking a food tour or cooking class is a terrific way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. Some of the best food-related activities here include:
- Bordeaux Traditional Gourmet Walking Food Tour for $116 details
- Afternoon Food Tour in Bordeaux : Local delicacies for $58 details
- Bordeaux Evening Food Tour : Local Delicacies for $105 details
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Bordeaux
It's clear why Bordeaux attracts visitors, considering its food, romance, museums and attractions, and nightlife.
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Bordeaux typically cost an average of $23 (€22) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$23
€22
Some of the most popular sights include:
- La Cité du Vin for €22
- The Bordeaux Wine Route for €150
- The Miroir d’Eau (Free)
- Basilica of Saint Michael for €5
- Les Halles de Bacalan (Free)
- The Bordeaux City Center (Free)
- Base Sous-Marine for €15
- Place de la Bourse (Free)
- The Bordeaux Museum of Fine Arts for €8
Bordeaux is famous for it's architecture and sights. Les Quais is a great area to walk along the river. Many of the historical monuments are found in La Victoire, and the Pedestrian Center is where you'll find great shopping. Other interesting squares include Gambetta Square and Quinconces Square. The Jacques-Chaban-Delmas lift bridge is impressive as well.
The most popular activity in Bordeaux is to take a tour of the vineyards and taste the local wines. Or how about a Bordeaux wine workshop? This is the second largest wine growing region in the world, so anything you do here should obviously involve wine, right? There are also summer wine festivals that are worth experiencing if you're in town.
Other activities include walking along the Sainte-Catherine Street in the Pedestrian Center, climbing the tower of Saint-Michel, visiting Jardin Botanique, or visiting the Musee du Vin et du Negoce.
Shopping:
You'll find shopping here to be an experience worth having. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Bordeaux. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Half-day private tour in Saint-Emilion in a sidecar for $264 details
- Private Tour in 2cv in the Vineyards with Tasting and Picnic for $284 details
- Private tour in the prestigious Médoc wine region for $201 details
Nightlife Budget in Bordeaux
While Bordeaux features some nightlife activities, it doesn't reach the excitement levels of other, more renowned destinations. The city comes to life at night with dance clubs, wine bars, student pubs, and more.
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average person spends about $27 (€26) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Bordeaux per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$27
€26
Nights out are fun, but limiting your alcohol consumption can help keep your travel costs in check.
Drinking at night can be fun, but make sure you're aware of your surroundings. You could attract pickpockets, so it's best to stick with people you trust and stay in a group.
Tasting tours and nightlife activities are very popular in Bordeaux. A few of the favorites from previous visitors include:
- Bordeaux Culinary and Wine Tasting Tour for $148 details
- Backcountry E-Bike Adventure from Wine Tasting & Lunch for $137 details
- Private city tour of Bordeaux with wine tasting at a chateau - 3H for $216 details