Car Parking in Bordeaux
Bordeaux has invested heavily in its tram network, and the city clearly prefers you use it. Large parts of the centre are pedestrianised or restricted, making driving in less practical than it used to be. Several garages cover the areas just outside the pedestrian zone and near the river. Rates are reasonable for a city this size. Street parking exists but paid zones cover most of the centre. Below you'll find the best options and current rates.
Street parking rates in Bordeaux
Bordeaux uses two main visitor parking zones. The red zone covers the hypercentre and is the most central paid street parking area. The green zone covers the other regulated sectors and is usually the more practical street option if you do not need to park right in the middle.
Paid parking in Bordeaux applies from Monday to Saturday between 9:00 and 19:00. In the regulated visitor zones, the minimum charged duration is 30 minutes and the maximum stay is 4 hours and 15 minutes. Sundays and public holidays are free.
| Parking area | Rate | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Red zone | €1.30 for 30 min, €2.50 for 1h, €3.20 for 1h15, €3.90 for 1h30 | Most central street parking in the hypercentre |
| Green zone | Cheaper than the red zone | Paid street parking outside the hypercentre |
| Maximum stay | 4h15 | Applies in the regulated visitor zones |
Street parking in central Bordeaux is mainly useful for shorter visits
If you only need a short stop in the city centre, street parking can work well. For a longer visit, a public car park or a park and ride site is usually the easier choice.
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Cheap car parking in Bordeaux: how to do it
If you want to avoid central street parking, park and ride is usually the clearest option in Bordeaux. You leave the car outside the busiest part of the city and continue by tram or bus.
If you still want to stay closer to the centre, a public car park often makes more sense than trying to manage a red-zone street space. Bordeaux is compact enough that it usually works well to park once and continue on foot or by tram.
Street parking Bordeaux
Paid by zone Red zone in the hypercentre, green zone outside itLower-cost option
P+R parking Usually easier for a full day in townPractical central option
Public car park Often easier than street parking for longer staysBest cheap P+R parking spots in Bordeaux
Bordeaux has a large TBM park and ride network. These sites are set up for drivers who want to leave the car outside the centre and continue by public transport. For most day visitors, this is one of the easiest ways to park.
P+R Cantinolle
Cantinolle is one of the official TBM park and ride sites and has 620 spaces. The Bordeaux Métropole parking page shows a flat day rate of 3.50 euros. If you are arriving from the northwest side, this is a practical option.
TBM park and ride sites
The official TBM network offers multiple park and ride locations near tram and bus lines. The main advantage is simple access to the centre without needing to drive into the hypercentre.
Tram-connected P+R
The most practical choice is usually the park and ride site that matches the side of the city you are arriving from and gives you the clearest tram connection into Bordeaux.
Car parks in Bordeaux city centre
If you want to stay close to the centre, a public car park is often easier than street parking. Bordeaux Métropole publishes live data for a large number of public car parks, which makes it easier to compare capacity and location before you arrive.
One of the largest central options is Bourse-Jaurès, with 1,300 spaces. Another useful central option is Salinières, with 400 spaces. These are practical if you want to stay close to the historic centre, the shopping streets or the riverfront.
Bourse-Jaurès
This is one of the biggest central car parks in Bordeaux, with 1,300 spaces. It is a practical base if you want to explore the hypercentre, Place de la Bourse and the main shopping streets on foot.
Salinières
Salinières has 400 spaces and works well if your plans are focused on the old centre, the riverfront or the Saint-Michel side of Bordeaux.
Use a car park if you want several hours in the centre
A central car park is usually easier than watching the clock on the street in the red zone. This is especially true if you want to stay for lunch, shopping or an afternoon in the old centre.
Tip: choose your car park based on the part of Bordeaux you want to visit
Bordeaux is easy to explore once you are parked. Bourse-Jaurès works well for the hypercentre and Place de la Bourse, while Salinières is a good option for the riverfront and the southern side of the old centre.
Practical things to know before you park in Bordeaux
In Bordeaux, the official city pages make a clear distinction between the red hypercentre zone and the green outer regulated sectors. If you are not familiar with the city, it is worth checking the exact zone before you park.
If you want to avoid searching for a space in the centre, the Bordeaux Métropole parking map and live car-park pages are useful. They show live capacity in many public car parks and can save time on busy days.
If you are planning a full day in Bordeaux, P+R is usually the easiest low-stress option. If you want the city centre itself, a public car park is often the better fit than on-street parking.
Our advice for car parking in Bordeaux
Parking in Bordeaux becomes much easier once you know the difference between the red hypercentre zone, the green outer paid sectors, the public car parks and the TBM park and ride network.
For a short stop, street parking can be enough. For a longer visit, a public car park or a TBM park and ride site usually makes more sense. If you want the simplest option for a day in Bordeaux, start by looking at a tram-connected P+R or one of the larger central car parks.
Based on official City of Bordeaux visitor parking information, official Bordeaux Métropole parking pages and official TBM park and ride information.