How Much Does a Weekend in Bordeaux Cost? (Full Budget Breakdown)

Bordeaux is one of the most famous wine regions in the world, and it makes a perfect destination for a laid-back weekend getaway. With its charming old town, incredible food scene, and easy access to vineyards, Bordeaux has something for everyone. But how much does a weekend trip to Bordeaux actually cost?

In this post, I’ll share a complete cost breakdown of my Bordeaux weekend trip—including accommodation, food, activities, transport, and more. Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with friends, this guide will give you a clear idea of what to budget.

Important Notes about this budget breakdown

Prices are per person

All expenses below reflect my personal share of the trip. Since I was traveling with my partner, some costs (e.g. rental car) were split between two people. If you’re traveling solo or in a larger group, your numbers may look a little different.

Travel style: budget-conscious but comfortable

We wanted to stay central, eat out, and enjoy Bordeaux without splurging unnecessarily. That meant:

Choosing the cheapest available accommodation in the city center within walking distance of the sights
Renting the most affordable car option for a day trip
Eating all meals out, but picking reasonably priced restaurants

Excluded costs:

To keep things simple, I left out the price of our flights, souvenirs, and personal shopping since all of those vary a lot depending on where you’re coming from and your own habits.

In other words, this is a realistic mid-range budget for Bordeaux: not the cheapest possible, but still far from luxury travels.

Total Cost of a Weekend in Bordeaux

In total, my weekend in Bordeaux cost 458 CHF per person (about the same in EUR or USD), excluding flights. This comes to an average daily cost of approx. 229 CHF.

Here’s the detailed breakdown:

Category	Total (CHF)	Per Day (CHF)
Activities	25	13
Food	137	62
Hotel	195	65
Transport	101	101
Total	458	229

Accommodation in Bordeaux

We stayed two nights in a studio apartment near Cathédrale Saint-André in the city center. The last night we spent in an airport hotel because we had an early morning flight the next day.

City center stay (2 nights): 150 CHF total per person (75 CHF per night per person)
Airport hotel (1 night): 45 CHF per person per night per person)

Budget Tip: Prices outside the city center are more affordable, and with Bordeaux’s excellent tram system, staying a bit further out is an easy way to save money.

Hotel in Bordeaux — Courtyard of our city center hotel!

Transport in Bordeaux

Bordeaux is very walkable, and if you’re only exploring the city center, you might not need extra transportation at all. The tram system is excellent and rides cost just €1.80, perfect for the airport transfer or when your feet need a break.

We also wanted to explore the wine regions and seaside towns outside of Bordeaux City, so we rented a car on our second day for a day trip:

Car rental (24h): 165 CHF total (~83 CHF per person)
Gas + parking: 19 CHF per person
Total car expenses: 101 CHF per person for 24 hours

Car rentals in Bordeaux can be pricey, especially last-minute. If you’re mainly interested in the city, you can easily entirely avoid this cost.

Activities in Bordeaux

The best part? Most activities in Bordeaux are free! Simply strolling through the old town, visiting markets, or walking along the Garonne River is an experience in itself.

The only activity we paid for was a Wine tasting in Saint-Émilion, which was 25 EUR per person (guided tour + tasting of 4 wines).

Wine tasting in Bordeaux — Our wine tasting château!

Food & Drinks in Bordeaux

Did you know Bordeaux has the highest restaurant density per capita in France? Food is a big part of any trip here, and while it can add up, it doesn’t have to break the bank.

We spent an average of 62 CHF per person per day on food, covering all meals plus snacks and drinks.

Here’s the breakdown:

Category	Total (CHF)	Per Day (CHF)
Breakfast	17	6
Lunch	41	21
Dinner	52	26
Drinks	23	8
Snacks	4	2
Total	137	62

Pro tip: Many restaurants offer affordable fixed-price lunch menus, which is a great way to try local cuisine without overspending.

Lunch in Bordeaux — Salade de chèvre for lunch in a bistrot

Can You Visit Bordeaux for Cheaper?

Absolutely! Here’s how to cut costs:

Skip the car rental: Stick to the city center or take public transport for day trips (less convenient but much more affordable!)
Stay outside the center: Accommodation prices drop significantly just a few tram stops away.

Do You Need Cash in Bordeaux?

Nope! Like most Western European cities, Bordeaux is almost fully cashless. Even small bakeries and cafés accept card payments.

I used Revolut for all of my transactions, which made paying safe, quick, and affordable thanks to great exchange rates.

Final Thoughts: What’s the Cost of a Weekend in Bordeaux?

In my experience, a weekend in Bordeaux with a full day trip to the vineyards and coast cost around 460 CHF (or EUR/USD) excluding flights. That’s for a comfortable but budget-aware trip with central accommodation, great food, and some wine tasting.

If you’re planning your own visit, this should give you a realistic idea of how much to budget for Bordeaux.

Looking for inspiration on what to actually do in Bordeaux? Check out this 2-Day Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion and Arcachon Itinerary for the Perfect Weekend Getaway.

Have you been to Bordeaux? Let me know in the comments!

Frequently Asked Questions About Bordeaux Travel Costs

Is Bordeaux expensive for a weekend trip?

Yes and no. Our trip came to approx. 230 CHF per person per day, which even as a Swiss person I would not describe as being affordable. However, compared to Paris or the French Riviera, you can definitely find parts that are cheaper. As I said, expect to spend around €230 per day if you stay central, eat out for all meals, and include a day trip. With different travel choices, you can bring this down significantly.

How much should I budget for food in Bordeaux?

On average, we spent approx. €60–65 per day on food in Bordeaux. This covers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks (a must in this world famous wine region). You can save money by choosing fixed-price lunch menus, which often cost less than €20 for three courses.

Do I need to rent a car in Bordeaux?

If you’re only visiting Bordeaux city, a car isn’t necessary. The center is very walkable and the tram system is cheap and reliable. However, for day trips to places like Saint-Émilion or Arcachon, renting a car gives you much more flexibility. There are also organized tours that take you to St-Émilion wineries, but we didn’t find any tour that combined the wineries AND Arcachon in one day.

Can I visit Bordeaux on a budget?

Absolutely! Stay outside the city center, skip the car rental, and take advantage of Bordeaux’s affordable public transport. You can easily enjoy the city’s charm without overspending.

Do I need cash in Bordeaux?

No. Bordeaux is very card-friendly, and even small purchases like coffee or pastries can be paid by card. I use Revolut for all my travels because it’s safe, convenient and offers great exchange rates.