The Arkéa Arena welcomes nearly 500,000 spectators every year according to the official figures published by the Bordeaux venue, across more than 50 major events per season. Located in Floirac, to the east of Bordeaux, this 11,300-seat venue has become one of the leading cultural and sporting landmarks of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. According to a recent study by Le Figaro, it is now the second-largest multi-purpose venue in France by number of annual events, just behind the Accor Arena.
But access on the evening of a major event raises a real logistics question: saturated parking, traffic jams, packed public transport and difficult returns after 11 pm. Our Bordeaux Privilège private chauffeur service radically simplifies these journeys. Here is our complete guide to transfers to the Arkéa Arena: drop-off at the entrance, waiting during the event, immediate pick-up at the end of the performance.
- Why a private chauffeur for the Arkéa Arena
- Our transfer packages
- Indicative fares
- Practical advice
- Preparing your evening
- Frequently asked questions
Why a private chauffeur for the Arkéa Arena
The experience of an event at the Arkéa Arena is as much about inside the venue as around it. Three constraints weigh on the comfort of an evening and explain the growing appeal of the private chauffeur service for this specific destination.
First constraint, the simultaneous departure of 11,000 people. At the end of a major event, the entire crowd leaves within 20 minutes. Public transport is quickly saturated. Tram A towards the city centre is at full capacity, standard private hire vehicles surge in delay and price, and taxis are nowhere to be found before 30 to 45 minutes of waiting. With a Bordeaux Privilège private chauffeur positioned at a pick-up point agreed in advance, you are taken care of within 5 minutes maximum after you leave.
Second constraint, saturated parking. The Arkéa Arena has 1,200 parking spaces, completely insufficient for full-capacity evenings. The car park is saturated 30 to 60 minutes before the start of the event. Latecomers find themselves searching on the outskirts or paying for a distant private car park. With a chauffeur, you are dropped off directly at the main entrance, with no parking stress.
Third constraint, the safety of the return, especially after midnight. Many events at the Arkéa Arena end between 10:30 pm and 11 pm. The return to your hotel or home within Bordeaux Métropole requires organisation. Our chauffeur waits for you and takes you back directly to your destination, in a comfortable and quiet vehicle.
Our transfer packages for the Arkéa Arena
Two packages suited to your profile and your desired duration of accompaniment.
The Event package — drop-off and pick-up is the main one for performance nights. The chauffeur picks you up at your hotel or home 1h before the doors open, drops you off at the entrance of the Arkéa Arena, and comes to pick you up at an agreed point (often the East entrance) 15 minutes after the end. A simple package, payment in one go, ideal for evenings focused on the event.
The Evening package — restaurant + event + return is for more complete evenings: dinner in Bordeaux, then the event, then the return. We offer you a chauffeur available from 7 pm to 1 am, with waiting between each stage. This package is very popular with couples or groups who want a complete evening without logistics.
Indicative fares
Fixed fares from Bordeaux centre, subject to adjustment according to your exact pick-up address.
| Package | SUV (1-4 people) |
|---|---|
| Event — drop-off only | €40 |
| Event — drop-off + pick-up | €70 |
| Full evening (dinner + event) | €150 (6h) |
Fares per vehicle. With 4 people in an SUV for an event drop-off + pick-up: €17 per head. Cheaper than a standard taxi with the guarantee of service and immediate pick-up on the way out.
The fare includes: chauffeur, fuel, any tolls, personalised accompaniment between stages. The fare does not include: any tips (optional) and specific parking charges that we handle in our own name.
Practical advice for an Arkéa Arena evening
Three recommendations that make the difference to the quality of your evening.
Book early. For high-attendance events, chauffeurs are fully booked 2 to 3 weeks in advance. Our advice: as soon as you have your ticket for the Arkéa Arena, book your transfer. Evenings with high predictable attendance particularly overload our calendar.
Communicate the exact end time. Find out the approximate duration of the performance. We set the chauffeur’s arrival 10 minutes before the estimated end to avoid any waiting on your side. The Arkéa Arena organisers generally publish detailed timings on their X / Twitter account on the day.
A clear pick-up point. The Arkéa Arena has several exits. We agree in advance on a precise pick-up point: often the East forecourt (tram side), sometimes the main entrance depending on the evening’s configuration. An annotated map is sent to you by WhatsApp the day before so that you have no hesitation on the way out.
Preparing your evening at the Arkéa Arena
A few points to anticipate for a smooth evening.
- Luggage and clothing: if the evening runs late, bring a light jacket. The SUV return is air-conditioned but waiting outside can be chilly depending on the season.
- Door opening times: generally 1h to 1h30 before the start. Arrival recommended 45 minutes early to streamline access.
- Arkéa Arena mobile app: to check the seating plan, the services available, and any advice from the organiser.
- Security: a small bag recommended, security checks at the entrance.
- On-site catering: possible but with long queues. Better to dine before if the evening allows.
To optimise your evening, some events offer VIP packages with early access and included catering. If you opt for such a package, plan a drop-off 30 minutes earlier.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I book?
For standard events: 1 week minimum. For high-attendance evenings (unique dates in France, international events, sporting finals): 2 to 3 weeks before. In the autumn-winter high season, anticipate even more.
Can the chauffeur wait in the car park during the event?
Our chauffeur stays nearby (secondary car park, official parking zone) and returns to the pick-up point on signal. You send us a WhatsApp message 5 minutes before the end and the chauffeur is in place within the following minute. This flexibility is one of our key advantages compared with a taxi called at the last moment.
Can it be combined with a dinner beforehand?
Of course. We often organise complete evenings: hotel departure 7 pm, restaurant dinner in Bordeaux centre 7:30-9 pm, transfer to the Arkéa Arena 9 pm, event, return to the hotel afterwards. 6-hour package at €150 in an SUV (personalised quote according to your needs). We can also recommend Bordeaux restaurants according to your profile and budget.
And for a group of 8 people?
Tailored quote according to the number. For a group of 10 or more, we coordinate several vehicles with a single lead chauffeur to streamline communications.
What happens if the event ends later than expected?
We follow the programme in real time and adjust the pick-up time. 30 minutes of margin included at no extra charge. Beyond that, a reasonable hourly supplement applies, but the vast majority of our transfers keep to the planned slots.
Is it possible directly from the airport?
Yes. If you arrive at Bordeaux-Mérignac on the day of the event, we can combine airport + hotel + Arkéa Arena in a single package. Very popular with visitors coming from Paris or Lyon for a Bordeaux evening.
How long is the journey between Bordeaux centre and the Arkéa Arena?
Allow 25 to 35 minutes on a normal evening, up to 50 minutes on high-attendance nights (a second arrival peak around 7:30-8 pm). We systematically set the departure with a comfortable margin.
Book your Arkéa Arena evening
To book a Bordeaux Privilège private chauffeur transfer for an event at the Arkéa Arena, contact us via WhatsApp specifying: the date, the number of participants, your pick-up address, and the desired package. We reply within 30 minutes during business hours with a transfer proposal.
You can also reach us by phone or by email. Event nights are our peak activity — do not wait until the last moment to book.
Book your private chauffeur in Bordeaux
Available 7 days a week, day and night.
Phone: 07 80 96 17 10 | Online booking
The schedule of events at the Arkéa Arena can be consulted on the official Arkéa Arena website. Ticketing is handled by Ticketmaster.
In summary: to reach the Arkéa Arena from Bordeaux without stress, the private chauffeur remains the most comfortable solution — drop-off at the entrance, guaranteed return after the concert or the match, no parking worries. Available 7 days a week, our service adapts to all show times and carries up to 7 passengers on request.