Bordeaux Saint-Jean

Our guide to taking trains to and from Bordeaux Saint-Jean station includes what to look out for when navigating the station - and how to transfer to the city centre.

An Introduction to Bordeaux-Saint Jean station/Gare de Bordeaux Saint-Jean:

Bordeaux Saint-Jean is a stunning train station and its beauty has been enhanced by recent renovations timed to coincide with the opening of the France’s newest high speed line.

However, the facelift hasn’t made a difference to the rather awkward access to and from some of the trains which use Bordeaux Saint-Jean.

8 Things worth knowing using Bordeaux Saint-Jean station:

(1) The long station building at Bordeaux St Jean is divided into Halles 1 and 2.
Halle 1 - is the main hall, and is the station's main waiting area.
It also houses the ticket office (the Billetterie) and has access to the 1st class lounge (the Salon Grand Voyageur).

Halle 2 - houses the left luggage and lost property office.
The passage between them is home to food/drink outlets, as well as two waiting rooms which are equipped with re-charge points for electronic devices.

(2) None of the voies (platforms/tracks) within the Gare de Bordeaux Saint-Jean can be accessed by escalators or elevators..

(3) If you are lucky your train will be using voie (platform/track) 1, as it is adjacent to the main halls at the station, so has step free access from the street and tram stops.

(4) If the long distance train you're arriving or departing by isn't using voie (platform/track) 1, you will have to use the passage ways beneath the tracks make your way from and to the train.

(5) Bordeaux Saint Jean has two of these passage ways - and when arriving by train, you can use whichever of them is nearest to you when you step on to the voie/platform.
Both passage ways lead to the street and the tram stop (Bordeaux does not have a Metro).

(6) On voies (platforms/tracks) 2 – 7 there are easy to miss ramps that lead down to both passage ways, so you don’t have to use the stairs if you have luggage etc.

(7) Voies (platforms/tracks) 8 - 14 can only be accessed via steps to/from the passage ways.
The Intercités trains towards Toulouse and Marseille tend to arrive at and depart from this part of the station.
(The TGVs usually arrive at/depart from voies 1 – 7).

(8) Voies (platforms/tracks) A - C do have step free access, but they are only used by TER trains between Bordeaux and destinations to the south.
However, they are located on the far side of Halle 2, so are a 2 - 4 min walk from Halle 1.

Outside Bordeaux-St Jean Station:

The tram stop is directly in front of Halle 2, but it is also only steps away from the main entrance/exit from Halle 1.

The neighbourhood around Bordeaux Saint Jean is fairly attractive – there are numerous brasseries in which to have a drink or something to eat between trains, you don't have to use the outlets in the station.

Read More about French stations