We need to get from Bilbao to Bordeaux and it looks like the bus is the best option, or hire a private driver. Has anyone used ALSA or Flexbus to do this route? What has been your experience with these bus services? It seems like there are a lot of really bad reviews on Flexbus.

I've used Flixbus from Biarritz to Bilbao. I've also used them from Strasbourg to Nancy. I would use them to Bordeaux if they advertise a specific schedule.

I've used Flixbus from Biarritz to Bilbao. I've also used them from Strasbourg to Nancy. I would use them to Bordeaux if they advertise a specific schedule.

Flixbus is a very reputable German company. It owns Greyhound in North America, if that means anything to you.

Greyhound ain't what it used to be.

What did it use to be? My last Greyhound was in 1973. LA to NYC in 3 days.

Thank you Michael and Kerouac for your recommendation of Flixbus. We are thinking another option would be take the bus to Biarritz, stay the night and then the train from there to Bordeaux the following day. Thoughts on this approach?

I have driven that route round trip and it was an little over an hour from Bilbao to San Sebastián and another 3 hours or do to Bordeaux with nice roads. Checked what a one way rental would cost and it was exorbitant.

You could fly for somewhere around $150

Thank you for your suggestions. We did look at flying but it's a long trip with connection plus airlines are always late and it's such a hassle getting flights anymore. We thought about picking up the car in Bilbao because we plan to do that after our stay in Bordeaux but it adds a lot of cost to the rental. I think our best option is to either take the bus from Bilboa to Bordeaux or taking it to Biarritz and then train to Bordeaux. Since our Basque tour does not include a stop in Biarritz, we may opt to go there for the day, stay the night and then take the train the next day to Bordeaux.

I definitely like the idea of the bus from Bilbao to Biarritz then taking a train to Bordeaux the following day. Much nicer than trying to do it all in one day.

And consulting googlemaps, i found that there is a Blablacar bus from Bilbao ti St Jean de Luz with another short connection to Biarritz that might be useful too.

https://www.blablacar.co.uk/bus?comu...PS-PRO_ALL_ALL

Thank you annhig for your feedback. We are debating whether to stay in St Jean de Luz or Biarritz. There are trains from both towns direct to Bordeaux. Have you visited these towns and if so, which town would you recommend?

I found Biarritz more interesting than St Jean de Luz. I've used Bayonne twice as a base for that region, and I still prefer it, but for one night I might pick Biarritz. https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...iful-biarritz/

You can do the whole thing by train, but you have to change from Euskotren in San Sebastian to Renfe/FEVE, and then again at Irun/Hendaye.

thurdayssd: Thank you for your feedback & options. We are interested in the easiest way to get to Bordeaux without a long bus ride or multiple connections by train so that is why we are considering a short bus ride to either Biarritz or St. Jean de Luz and then a direct train from there to Bordeaux.
I did look at your blog for Biarritz with very nice pics. It does look beautiful. I also noticed you have some Sicily postings which I will review since we are going there this Fall.

Sadly not, TravelerlKaren. I've been to Bordeaux which I quite liked for a 3 night stay but I have yet to visit the resorts on that coast.