Yes, it’s worth getting the Bordeaux City Pass for either 24, 48 or 72 Hours!
Imagine walking around Bordeaux’s stone streets—a city where the modern and the historical live perfectly among the perfume of new bread rolls and the tempting taste of good wine. Even if your stay is only for the weekend, you want to make the most of it. Let me introduce you to the Bordeaux City Pass, a magical pass that claims to reveal the core of this UNESCO historic site.
Is the Bordeaux City Pass worth it?
Yes. The Bordeaux City pass is worth it. A practical means of taking in the beauty and culture of this dynamic city is through the Bordeaux City Pass. It might be an affordable choice for tourists who want to get the most out of their trip because it provides access to popular sights, transportation, and guided trips. When buying the pass, it’s crucial to consider your schedule and hobbies.
My savings using the Bordeaux City Pass
€21 for La Cite du Vin
€15 for Les Bassins des Lumières
Guided Boat Tour of Bordeaux: €15
Public Transportation: €10
Tower Pey-Berland – €6
A total of €67
I saved €23 as my City Pass cost €44.
How much is the Bordeaux City Pass?
Visitors can easily and affordably explore the dynamic city of Bordeaux with the Bordeaux City Pass. This pass, which costs €29 for one day, €39 for two, and €49 for three, gives you access to many attractions, museums, public transportation, and even a wine tasting.
Travelers can save the trouble of standing in large lines and enjoy special entry to well-known locations like La Cité du Vin and Musée d’Aquitaine when they have the pass. The City Pass provides savings on various activities, including boat trips and guided tours, making it an affordable choice for travelers who want to get the most out of their time in Bordeaux.
These are the Bordeaux City Pass prices as of 2024 when this article was written.
Bordeaux City Pass 24 hours
Price: €34.00
€44.00
Bordeaux City Pass 72 hours
€50.00
Youth Bordeaux City Pass 24 hours
€19.00
Youth Bordeaux City Pass 48 hours
€26.00
Youth Bordeaux City Pass 72 hours
€31.00
Where can you buy the Bordeaux City Pass?
Buying the Bordeaux City Pass from the official Bordeaux Tourism Office—in person or online—is one of the best options. These locations provide personal support for any questions and are in prominent places, including Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport’s arrivals hall and 12 Cours du 30 Juillet. This offers a hassle-free and smooth start to your journey.
They are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sundays and public holidays from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What is the Bordeaux City Pass?
Bordeaux City Pass offers free admission to some of the most famous sights in the city, as well as unlimited use of public transit, all of which are certain to improve your vacation experience. This package covers unique wine experiences at the Cité du Vin and informative tours of historical sites like the Pey Berland Tower.
Having the Bordeaux City Pass makes travelers visitors. With this pass, you may visit more than 20 famous locations, such as the stunning Cité du Vin, which provides an extensive wine experience with tastings. Beyond its famous buildings, the pass offers unique experiences, such as guided walking tours and river cruises that offer Bordeaux novel perspectives.
What is included in the Bordeaux City Pass?
The Bordeaux City Pass provides access to the city’s historical and cultural wealth, making it a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. In addition to providing free admission to over 20 museums and landmarks, it also offers limitless use of public transportation, allowing guests to see every part of the city easily. Smart tourists will note that the pass often offers access to avoid the lines at well-known attractions like La Cité du Vin, allowing them to spend more time experiencing the sites rather than waiting in line.
Four primary categories comprise the components:
BORDEAUX MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS
One of the main draws for me was that the City Pass allowed free admission to the two museums at the top of my list, which are also expensive. Among the items included are:
- Les Bassins des Lumières
- Aquitaine Museum
- CAPC Contemporary Arts Museum
- Fine Arts Museum
- Bordeaux Museum
- Museum of Decorative Arts and Design
- National Customs Museum
- Sciences Exhibition Centre
- Wine and Trade Museum
- Museum of Maritime History
- Sea and Marine Museum
- La Cite du Vin
BORDEAUX ATTRACTIONS
Bordeaux attracts a wide range of tourists with its blend of modern attractions and historical beauty. Discover the famous La Cité du Vin, a futuristic exhibition containing interactive exhibitions and tastings devoted to the history and culture of wine.
BORDEAUX TOURS
With your pass, select one city trip from a list. Options include a guided walking tour of the city, a fun ship with historical discussion, a bus tour with English audio, and a train with audio commentary in a language of your choice.
CITY TRANSPORT
All of Bordeaux’s public transportation, including buses, trams, and river ferries, is free to use. Park-and-ride services are also offered if you’re driving. You don’t want to drive in Bordeaux, I tell you.
The Bordeaux City Pass at a glance
- La Cité du Vin
- Les Bassins des Lumières
- 15 museums and monuments
- Unlimited access to tram, bus, river shuttle
- 1 Bordeaux guided tour (to be booked at the tourist office)
How I used my Bordeaux City Pass in 48 hours
Prepared with my City Pass, I set off on my 48-hour trip across Bordeaux and found jumping from one famous location to another easy. The pass allowed entry to cultural gems like the Cité du Vin, where I could fully immerse myself in the world of wine through interactive exhibits and palate-teasing tastings.
Taking a river ride along the Garonne with the City Pass was one of the unexpected highlights of the trip, providing a new viewpoint of the quaint city’s centuries-old architecture.
The bonus of FREE Public Transport
For us, this was a huge bonus altogether. Even though I enjoyed exploring Bordeaux on foot.
The two “must-visit” museums on my list, the Bassins des Lumières and La Cité du Vin were located near the ports.
We could have walked, but my feet wouldn’t have appreciated it. Furthermore, I didn’t want to walk around the two museums with sore feet because there isn’t anything worse.
I just wanted to be present and savor the moment.
For just €1.70, you can ride the buses and trams for as long as you like and have unrestricted access for an hour.
But not worrying about which ticket to buy was made easier by possessing a city pass.
The Boat Tour on the Gironde
One free guided tour is another fantastic perk of the City Pass, although reservations are required in advance at the tourism office.
You can choose from four tour options: walking, bus, boat, or train. And since I enjoy using double-decker buses for sightseeing in unfamiliar cities, I wavered between taking the bus and the boat.
It always takes me back to my childhood summertime visits to the London metropolis.
Bassins des Lumières
At the Bassins des Lumières, engage yourself in a captivating universe where culture, technology, and art all collide. Enter this cutting-edge digital art facility in Bordeaux, France, and be ready to be astounded by the captivating dance of color and light. The exhibition area, which spans around 14,000 square meters across former subterranean basins, transports visitors into a surreal world where well-known artworks are brought to life in vivid and captivating ways.
The ability of Bassins des Lumières to use state-of-the-art projection technology to introduce famous artworks to a new generation of viewers is one of its greatest draws.
La Cité du Vin
Besides its role as a museum, La Cité du Vin is a stunning architectural work of art. This famous building, which was created to look like a spinning wine glass, is a representation of exploration and cultural history. Inside, guests can take an immersive tour through the evolution of winemaking, partake in tastings of international vintages, and engage with provocative displays exploring wine’s economic and social effects on society.
More than just a wine museum, Bordeaux, France’s Cité du Vin, transports visitors on a sensory adventure through winemaking’s rich history and culture.
Pey-Berland Tower
Rising to a majestic icon of history and architecture, the Pey-Berland Tower stands towering in the center of Bordeaux, France. Constructed in the fifteenth century, close to Saint Andrew’s Cathedral, this ancient tower gives guests a window into the past and expansive city views. You can’t help but be floored by the beautiful Architectural extras cut into the stone walls as you ascend the spiral staircase.
The Tower is a must-see destination for fans of history and architecture because of its distinctive fusion of historic charm and modern accessibility. From the summit, the peaceful beauty of the cathedral’s spires contrasts with the busy streets below.
Why I recommend getting the Bordeaux City Pass
First and foremost, you save money—and when on vacation,
However, not having to purchase a ticket for the bus or tram was another significant factor for me. I just checked my city pass and boarded that bus or train I desired. It was that simple.
I didn’t have to fight the ticket machines to determine the required ticket.
Because locations like Bassins des Lumières and La Cité du Vin are outside the city center, so you must take public transportation.
The tram travels through all these places quickly and simply, even though much of the city has been pedestrian-only.
They also seem quite safe to use and are incredibly clean.
When you don’t need a Bordeaux City Pass
While the Bordeaux City Pass provides an easy way to visit this energetic city’s top sights, there are some situations in which you might not require it. If you’re from the area or have lived in Bordeaux for a while, you could already be familiar with most of the must-see attractions and have the freedom to explore the city at your own pace.
Things to keep in mind when you get a Bordeaux City Pass
While I strongly believe that a Bordeaux City Pass is well worth the money, there are a few things to remember to ensure you get the most out of it. Furthermore, day trips to sights outside of the city are not covered.
Many of the Museums don’t open on Monday in France
The fact that many of France’s museums are closed on Mondays may disappoint many foreign visitors. This long-standing custom can be a source of stress for tourists hoping to experience France’s rich cultural legacy. This closing policy also acts as a reminder of how crucial it is to take time off so that museum employees may recuperate and refuel for the coming week.
You must visit La Cité du Vin before Noon
A morning visit to La Cité du Vin is a unique experience. Thanks to the calm atmosphere, you can completely lose yourself in the world of wine without any distractions. In the early light, the building’s remarkable architecture and finely detailed architectural elements shine, increasing the overall beauty of your visit.
You get a sense of luxury when you explore the museum’s interesting displays and interactive exhibits before noon, as crowds normally arrive later in the day.
You need to make a reservation for the FREE city tours
As I previously stated, one complimentary city tour can be selected as part of your package; however, reservations are required.
You must do more than just show up there and show off your city pass.
Bookings must be made in person at the tourist office. Therefore, I advise doing this jointly with getting your pass.
The Bordeaux City Pass is a physical, not digital, pass
The Bordeaux City Pass differs from other travel cards in that it is a real, physical card compared to an electronic one. This unique element gives guests a feeling of luxury and realness, adding to the memory of their Bordeaux experience. Travelers can enjoy all of the amazing sights and activities included in the pass without worrying about connectivity or battery life, thanks to the physical aspect of the card.
Having a physical City Pass gives a romantic touch to discovering Bordeaux’s rich cultural legacy in a time when everything is digital and material. It is a gift for visitors to take home as a reminder of their time in this stunning city.
The pass is like a credit card and easily fits in your wallet or purse.
Your pass is not your ticket to the museums
When we went to Les Bassins des Lumières, I made this error. It’s not what I thought it would be like to scan my city pass to gain admission.
To enter museums, you must still wait in line for your tickets. Although you can obtain a ticket for free with the city pass, it isn’t your real ticket.
FAQS on buying the Bordeaux City Pass
Is Bordeaux city expensive?
You can visit the Bassins de Lumières, the Cité du Vin, and eleven museums and exhibition spaces with the CityPass. entry to over ten museums. attractions. Bordeaux’s must-see landmarks are accessible for free or with a reservation through CityPass. The most famous monuments in Bordeaux.
What is special about Bordeaux city?
Bordeaux is considered the world’s wine capital; the world’s largest wine show, Vinexpo, is held there, and the city is home to numerous châteaux and vineyards situated on the Gironde’s slopes. Bordeaux is a hub for international convention organizations and a popular destination for business travelers and gourmets alike.
How does the Bordeaux City Pass work?
Seeing some of Bordeaux’s most well-known sites is a smooth experience with the pass in hand. It gives you free access to over 20 museums and sites in and around Bordeaux and unlimited use of the city’s transportation system.
You must buy the pass for 24, 48, or 72 hours to use.
Where do I get the Bordeaux City Pass?
You can get one at the Bordeaux Tourist Office or purchase it online.
Does the Bordeaux City Pass include public transport?
Yes, public transportation is included with the Bordeaux City Pass. The water ferry, trams, and buses are yours to use.
Can the Bordeaux City Pass be used for airport transfers?
Airport transfers are unfortunately not included in the Bordeaux City Pass’s many benefits for visitors to the city.
Is the Bordeaux City Pass good value?
Bordeaux is a wonderful city that can be easily explored while saving money and time with the Bordeaux City Pass. With the pass, guests can take advantage of over 20 activities, including public transit, museums, and tours. Bordeaux has a lot to offer.
Can I use the Bordeaux City Pass for wine tours?
Although the pass doesn’t contain free wine tours, you can save money on a select wine tour. All information is available in the City Pass app and the book.
Final thoughts: Is the Bordeaux City Pass worth it?
Consider your travel choices and interests before determining whether the Bordeaux City Pass is worthwhile. The pass might save money and time if you enjoy guided tours and visiting museums and historic places. That being said, you might not get the most out of the pass if your main reason for visiting Bordeaux is to partake in outdoor sports or food adventures.