How Much Does Bordeaux Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Bordeaux is a sophisticated destination that balances its identity as a world-class wine capital with the accessibility of a vibrant university city. While the city's prestigious 'Golden Triangle' and historic châteaux cater to high-end travelers, budget-conscious visitors can find excellent value in districts like Saint-Michel and Bassins à Flot. Daily expenses typically range from about $118 / €100/day for solo budget travelers to around $565+ / €480+/day for luxury (and higher if you choose top 5-star hotels and private tours). Prices are generally more affordable than in Paris, though the cost of wine tours and fine dining can quickly elevate a budget. Travelers can expect mild, pleasant weather during the peak harvest season with temperatures averaging 20–24°C (68–75°F).
Is Bordeaux expensive to visit?
Bordeaux is moderately expensive, with daily budgets ranging from about $120 / €102 to $567+ / €482+ depending on whether one prioritizes humble market eats or luxury stays and private wine experiences.
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Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Bordeaux
$120
per person /day
$277
per person /day
$567
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $360 | $830 | $1,702 |
| 5-Day Trip | $600 | $1,383 | $2,837 |
| 7-Day Trip | $840 | $1,936 | $3,971 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to set aside a 15% buffer to cover hidden costs such as the tourist tax, which can reach $6.51 / €5.53 per night for luxury stays, and small fees for public toilets ($0.59–$1.18 / €0.5–€1) in malls and stations.
How Does It Compare?
See how Bordeaux stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Bordeaux
Food & Drink (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant Standard average price for a single meal. Lunch specials (formule du midi) can often be found for ~$18–$21 / €15–€18. | $21 €18 |
| Domestic Draft Beer (0.5L) Standard restaurant/bar price. Happy hours in Saint-Pierre can reduce this to ~$5.89 / €5. | $8.24 €7 |
Transport (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| TBM Public Transport One-Way Ticket Valid for 1 hour with transfers across trams, buses and the Bat³ river shuttle. If bought last-minute from a bus driver, it costs $2.47 / €2.1. | $2.24 €1.9 |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass Full price monthly pass for the TBM network. Mostly useful for longer stays; most visitors use single tickets or day passes. | $62 €53 |
| Bordeaux Airport Shuttle (30'Direct) One-Way Direct bus between the airport and Saint-Jean train station. Takes roughly 30 minutes. | $9.42 €8 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Budget Hostel Dorm Bed (Central) Average for a highly-rated central hostel. Prices spike significantly during wine festival weeks. | $45 €38 |
| Mid-Range Hotel (Double Room) Price for a 4-star room near Mériadeck or Chartrons during shoulder season. | $171 €145 |
| Luxury Hotel (InterContinental) Historic 5-star luxury in the heart of the Golden Triangle (Place de la Comédie). | $647 €550 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Cité du Vin: Permanent Exhibition + Tasting Includes access to the permanent tour and a glass of wine at the Belvedere. Booking online in advance is recommended. | $27 €23 |
| Bassins des Lumières Digital Art Exhibition Standard full admission price for digital art exhibitions in a former submarine base. | $19 €16 |
| Bordeaux City Pass (24 Hours) Includes TBM transport, Cité du Vin (before 12:00), and entry to 15+ museums/monuments. | $44 €37 |
| Place de la Bourse & Miroir d'Eau The world's largest reflecting pool is a public space. Best viewed at dusk. | $0 €0 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Airalo France eSIM (10GB) Standard monthly data plan for international tourists. | $16 €14 |
Other (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dune du Pilat Parking (4 Hours) Entry to the dune itself is free, but parking is the main cost for visitors with cars. | $8.24 €7 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining in Bordeaux centers around the 'formule du midi,' a fixed-price lunch special typically costing between $18–$21 / €15–€18 at local bistros. While a standard evening meal at an inexpensive restaurant averages $21 / €18, nightlife costs are higher, with a 0.5L domestic draft beer priced around $8.24 / €7 outside of happy hour.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Marché des Capucins
$12–$21 / €10–€18Saint-Michel · Street market
Visit 'Chez Jean-Mi' for fresh oysters and local white wine for ~$14 / €12.
Fufu Ramen
$15–$19 / €13–€16Saint-Pierre · Local chain
A very popular spot for quick, filling meals. Arrive early as there is often a queue.
Cassonade
$2.35–$9.42 / €2–€8Grosse Cloche · Bakery
The best place to try a traditional Canelé (~$1.77–$2.35 / €1.5–€2) without the 'Baillardran' tourist premium.
Pitaya
$13–$16 / €11–€14Various · Local chain
Reliable Thai street food with large portions for ~$14 / €12.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
The city features a highly efficient TBM network where a one-way ticket costs $2.24 / €1.9 and covers trams, buses, and the river shuttle (valid for 1 hour with transfers). Buying a ticket from a bus driver costs more ($2.47 / €2.1 for 1 trip), so purchase at station machines or via the TBM app before boarding.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging varies significantly by district, with central hostel dorms averaging $45 / €38 per night and mid-range 4-star hotels in Mériadeck costing approximately $171 / €145. For peak luxury, staying at the InterContinental in the heart of the city requires a budget of roughly $647 / €550 per night.
Accommodation Budget in Bordeaux
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase the Bordeaux City Pass for $44 / €37 (24-hour version) to get free public transport and included entries (including Cité du Vin before 12:00).
- 2 Use the Bat³ river shuttle for the price of a standard $2.24 / €1.9 TBM ticket to enjoy a scenic boat ride along the Garonne River.
- 3 Eat at the Marché des Capucins in Saint-Michel for affordable local specialties like fresh oysters and crepes.
- 4 Look for 'Happy Hour' deals in the Saint-Pierre district to find draft beers for as low as $5.89 / €5.
- 5 Avoid the $2.47 / €2.1 on-board bus surcharge by buying tickets at machines / in advance or using the TBM app.
- 6 Visit the Cité du Vin in the morning; the City Pass only covers entry to the permanent exhibition if you arrive before 12:00.
- 7 Drink water from the historic Wallace Fountains scattered throughout the city to save on bottled water costs.
- 8 Sit at the bar or inside a café rather than on the terrace to avoid the potential $0.24–$0.59 / €0.2–€0.5 terrace surcharge.
- 9 Book the 30'Direct airport shuttle for $9.42 / €8 rather than taking a taxi, which can cost significantly more for the same 30-minute journey.
- 10 Explore the Darwin Ecosystem in the Bastide area for free art installations and a budget-friendly alternative to the city center.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jun, Jul, Sep
+30-50%
Jan, Feb, Nov
-25-40%
May, Oct
September is the busiest month due to the wine harvest (vendanges) and ideal weather of 20–24°C (68–75°F).
Events to Watch
- ● Bordeaux Fête le Vin (Late June): +60% hotels
- ● Vinexpo (Biannual): Massive hotel price spikes
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Watch the mist and reflections at the Miroir d'Eau, the world's largest reflecting pool at Place de la Bourse.
- 2 Stroll through the Jardin Public, an 18th-century park featuring an arboretum and a library.
- 3 Explore the ruins of the Palais Gallien, a 2nd-century Roman amphitheater.
- 4 Visit the Cathédrale Saint-André, a stunning Gothic cathedral and UNESCO World Heritage site.
- 5 Walk across the historic Pont de Pierre for panoramic views of the city's 'Port of the Moon' crescent.
- 6 Window shop along Rue Sainte-Catherine, one of the longest pedestrian shopping streets in Europe.
- 7 Wander through the Chartrons district to see antique shops and historic wine merchant warehouses.
- 8 Visit the Basilica of Saint-Michel and explore its surrounding vibrant market square.
- 9 Walk the 4.5km loop along the Garonne riverbanks (Les Quais) for views of the modern Jacques Chaban-Delmas Bridge.
- 10 Admire the architecture of the Grosse Cloche, one of the oldest belfries in France.
- 11 Visit the Parc Bordelais to see local wildlife and historical statues within its 28-hectare grounds.
- 12 Explore the street art and skate parks at the Darwin Ecosystem on the right bank.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Private Half-Day Wine Tour to Saint-Émilion
Navigating vineyards without a car is difficult, and these tours include tasting fees and expert history of the UNESCO site.
Tasting Menu at Le Pressoir d'Argent (Gordon Ramsay)
A 2-Michelin star experience in the most iconic building in the city, using exceptional local Aquitaine products.
Bordeaux Fête le Vin Tasting Pass
The ultimate way to sample 11 different wines from all local regions during the biennial June festival.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Bordeaux
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Bordeaux and what they cost
Arcachon Bay & Dune du Pilat
$32 / €27 by train
Free
$77 / €65
Saint-Émilion Village
$26 / €22 by train
$18 / €15
$100 / €85
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
No
Excellent. Even small bakeries and market stalls accept contactless (Sans Contact) for amounts as low as ~$1.18 / €1.
Service is included by law (service compris). A small 'pourboire' of ~$1.18–$2.35 / €1–€2 is appreciated for good café service, or 5–10% at high-end restaurants.
Use bank-affiliated ATMs (BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole). Avoid Euronet machines which charge high withdrawal fees (~$4.71–$5.89 / €4–€5) and offer poor conversion rates.
Connectivity
eSIM: $4.12–$36 (1GB to 50GB) (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $24 / €20 for 12GB (Orange Holiday SIM at boutiques).
WiFi: Excellent in the city center via 'Bordeaux-Wifi' and in most cafés/hotels.
Airalo eSIM for 10GB (~$16 / €14) is the best value for a week-long stay.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Bordeaux.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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