Ligne 33

One end of Ligne 33 is literally Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport

Ligne 33 is a regional bus that happens to start/finish at BOD, then runs out toward Saint‑Médard‑en‑Jalles and other Médoc‑side suburbs. Journey time between the airport and nearby suburbs sits around 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic on the D213 and local stops. This line is built around commuter flows in western Gironde, not visitors trying to get from Hall B to Bordeaux‑Saint‑Jean station.

Buses run roughly every 20–30 minutes Monday to Friday and every 30 minutes on Saturdays, with thinner service early morning and late evening. Timetables line up with office hours in places like Saint‑Médard more than with the first and last flights from Hall A, Hall B, or billi. If you miss one departure close to the edges of the day, you can be sitting at the airport for close to an hour.

This is a standard regional coach, so fares are low compared with taxis and ride‑shares; a ticket usually costs just a few euros for the airport to Saint‑Médard section. You buy on board from the driver, cash or card depending on the current operator rules posted at the stop outside arrivals. It’s a single‑class, single‑zone style setup rather than Bordeaux city TBM ticketing, so don’t count on using a tram ticket from Tram A here.

What regulars do: they ride Ligne 33 only as far as a tram‑connected stop on the outskirts, then swap to Tram A or TBM bus Ligne 1+ toward central Bordeaux. That trick cuts out the slow, winding sections through residential zones between Mérignac and the city centre, which can stretch what should be a 20‑minute hop into 40 minutes or more. It’s a commuter line first, airport link second.

Step-by-step: using Ligne 33 at BOD

• 1. Exit your hall: Walk out of Hall A, Hall B, or billi arrivals and follow signs for “Bus” and “Transports régionaux” toward the main forecourt.
• 2. Find the Ligne 33 stop: Look for the regional bus stands near the other intercity coaches; the pole or shelter lists “33” and destinations like Saint‑Médard‑en‑Jalles.
• 3. Check the timetable: Compare the posted schedule with your watch; outside weekday daytime peaks you may see gaps of 30–60 minutes, especially early morning or after 20:00.
• 4. Board and pay: Signal the driver, stow large bags, and pay a few euros directly on the bus; keep the paper ticket because inspectors do ride these lines in Gironde.
• 5. Decide your interchange point: For Bordeaux centre, get off at a stop with Tram A or Ligne 1+ access, then ride tram or city bus the final 20–30 minutes into town.

One tip: if your flight lands after 21:00 or before 07:00, check that day’s Ligne 33 schedule before you book, then build in a backup like a pre‑booked taxi in case the last regional bus has already left.