Before a departure by plane from Bordeaux-Mérignac, one question always comes up: leave your car in long-stay parking, or call on a private chauffeur? Here is an honest comparison, with figures to back it up, to decide according to the length of your trip.
How much long-stay parking really costs
Bordeaux-Mérignac airport offers several official car parks, from the closest to the terminals to the most economical. The P4 long-stay car park is the cheapest of the official parks: allow around 16 € per day, 46 € per week, 84 € for a fortnight and nearly 165 € per month. It is served by a free shuttle a few minutes from the halls.
The parks located within walking distance of the terminals cost significantly more over a week. The P1 Proxi and the P2 hover around 112 € per week, while the P0 Confort, semi-covered and right next to the terminal, climbs to around 183 € per week. In other words, the more proximity you want, the heavier the bill.
Private car parks with a shuttle
Around the airport, private car parks offer gentler rates, often between 40 and 59 € for eight days, with a shuttle service of a few minutes. Some add a valet service, which pushes the price up towards 70 to 90 € per week. These solutions remain financially interesting, but they involve an online booking in advance and a transfer to manage both on the way out and back.
The hidden costs that nobody calculates
The displayed parking price is only the visible part. The real cost of a car left at the airport hides elsewhere, and it often weighs more heavily than you think.
The time and stress of the big day
You have to leave earlier to absorb the traffic towards the ring road, find a spot, unload the luggage, take the shuttle then walk to the counter. On the return from a late or delayed flight, this journey is done in reverse, tired, with the shuttle keeping you waiting. This lost time has a value, especially for a business trip.
The risk and the immobilisation of the vehicle
A car that sleeps several days in an outdoor car park means a battery that can go flat, bodywork exposed to the weather and a risk of scratches or break-in. Throughout the stay, your vehicle is immobilised and unusable by the rest of the household. These are real costs, rarely factored into the initial calculation.
The private chauffeur: how it works
With a private chauffeur, the logic is completely reversed: you are picked up in front of your home or your hotel, at the chosen time, and dropped off directly at the departure terminal entrance. No car to park, no shuttle, no walking with the suitcases.
A service designed for departures and returns
At Bordeaux Privilège, the ride to Mérignac airport is booked in advance, with a time set on your flight. On the return, the chauffeur tracks your arrival and waits for you: even in case of a delay, you have neither a shuttle to watch for nor a cold car to collect in a car park. You get in and you go home.
For whom the price difference becomes worthwhile
On a short stay, between the price of long-stay parking, the fuel, the fatigue and the time saved, the private chauffeur quickly becomes competitive. On a business trip, it lets you work or recover during the ride, without arriving stressed at an appointment. To know the exact amount according to your address and your time, contact us for a quote.
Parking or chauffeur: the comparison
| Criterion | Long-stay parking | Private chauffeur |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup | You drive to the airport | In front of your home, at the chosen time |
| Luggage | To carry to the terminal via shuttle | Dropped at the terminal entrance |
| Displayed cost | From ~46 € per week (P4) | Firm price communicated at booking |
| Car | Immobilised and exposed | Stays at your home, available |
| Late flight return | Shuttle + car to collect | Chauffeur waiting for you |
| Ideal for | Long stays, small budget, no time constraint | Short stays, business trips, comfort |
Which choice for your trip
You are leaving for more than two weeks
On a long stay, long-stay parking often remains the most economical in gross amount, provided you accept the shuttle and the immobilisation of the vehicle. If budget takes priority and you have no strong constraint at departure or return, this option holds up.
You are travelling for a short time or for work
For a round trip of a few days, a very early or late flight, or a business trip, the private chauffeur makes the difference: zero logistics, a restful trip and door-to-door pickup. It is also the most relaxed solution when travelling as a family with a lot of luggage. A question about your trip? Contact us or write to us directly on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Is the private chauffeur really more expensive than parking?
Not always. On a short stay, once you add up the long-stay parking, the fuel and the time spent, the gap narrows sharply. The exact price depends on your address and your time: ask for a quote to compare on your specific case.
Can I book a transfer for a very early morning flight?
Yes. The ride is booked in advance and the time is set on your flight, including for a departure very early in the day. It is best to book as soon as you have your tickets.
What happens if my return flight is delayed?
The chauffeur tracks your actual arrival. In case of a delay, they adjust their presence to pick you up without you having to wait or watch for a shuttle.
Does the service only serve Mérignac airport?
No. Bordeaux Privilège also provides transfers to Saint-Jean station, the Arcachon Bay and long-distance trips on quote, departing from Bordeaux and its metropolitan area.