Visiting Bordeaux On A Budget

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 230
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With Britain still firmly in the grip of recession, many holidaymakers are looking for ways to cut the cost of travelling abroad. Even if you are travelling to a relatively expensive destination such as Bordeaux in France, there are still plenty of things that you can do to keep costs down.

Perhaps the most obvious one is to seek out cheap flights by shopping around online. If you are planning far enough ahead, you can get some very cheap deals when seats go on sale. However, if you are planning to travel fairly soon, you might find that you can get some great last minute deals on some websites, as airlines are keen to fill every seat on their aircraft even if it means they have to offer heavy discounts.

While Bordeaux is not the cheapest city in the world to visit, with average prices higher than you might have to pay in Paris, it is perfectly possible to enjoy a cheap holiday there as long as you do not spend too much money while you are over there.

Taxis and public transport in Bordeaux are comparatively expensive, so it is a good idea to find a hotel or hostel that is close to the centre of town so that ...
... you can walk to most of the attractions.

Parking is hugely over-subscribed in Bordeaux, so unless the hotel you are staying at provides customer parking, it is not generally a good idea to hire a car or bring your own. Bordeaux is a beautiful city with lots of grand architecture, so it is best experienced on foot anyway.

Drinking in Bordeaux pubs can be very expensive, and a pint of lager can cost twice what it would in the UK. However, alcoholic drinks are actually relatively inexpensive to buy from shops in Bordeaux, so you can enjoy a picnic in the park, with a bottle of some of the finest wine in the world, for less than one drink would cost you in a bar.

It can be pretty expensive to take a guided tour of Bordeaux, but you can save a lot of money by researching the various tourist attractions on the internet and acting as your own tour guide. Free maps are available from most hotels, and the tourist office will be more than happy to help out in this regard.

There are plenty of places of architectural interest in Bordeaux. Of particular note are Bordeaux Cathedral, which dates back to the 11th century, although most of the building was constructed in the 14th and 15th centuries, and the magnificent 18th century Place de la Bourse, which contains the Customs Museum, the Fountain of the Three Graces, and the Stock Exchange. Our guide to visiting Bordeaux on a budget was written by Bonny Kominek, an experienced travel agent. They recommend checking the Octopus Travel website for the latest Bordeaux hotels and accommodation deals all year round.