London to Bordeaux (LHR–BOD) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

British passport holders enter France visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day rolling period under Schengen rules. No fee, no advance application. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure date with at least two blank pages. UK passports are stamped on entry and exit since Brexit. ID cards are no longer accepted for UK nationals.

No supporting documents are mandatory, but border officers can ask for proof of accommodation, onward travel, and sufficient funds (EUR 65 per day if staying in a hotel, EUR 32.50 per day if staying with a host, per the French consular tariff). The 90-day limit is shared across all 29 Schengen countries. French overseas territories (Martinique, Guadeloupe, Reunion, French Guiana, Mayotte) have separate entry conditions. ETIAS pre-travel authorization (EUR 7, valid 3 years) is expected to become mandatory in late 2026.

Direct flights from London to Paris run about 1 hour 15 minutes, with Eurostar at 2 hours 15 minutes city center to city center. Budget carriers serve dozens of French airports from UK regionals. France uses the euro. No vaccination requirements. UK driving licenses are valid for short visits. The Eurostar and Le Shuttle (car train) from Folkestone clear both UK and French immigration at the UK terminal before departure, so passport checks happen on the British side.

Heathrow Express runs from London Paddington to T5 and T2/T3 in 15–21 minutes (£37 single, cheaper booked online or via the Heathrow app). Elizabeth line (Crossrail) is a lower-cost alternative; Paddington to T5 in 34 minutes from £13.50 with an Oyster/contactless cap of £14.90. The Elizabeth line also serves central London stations including Bond Street, Farringdon, and Liverpool Street.London Underground Piccadilly line serves all terminals (T2/T3/T4/T5) from central London in 40–60 minutes (£6 with Oyster). Taxis (black cabs) from central London cost £55–90 depending on traffic. Coach services from Victoria Coach Station (National Express) cost from £10 booked in advance.