Bordeaux to Laval by train

Bordeaux to Laval is not a direct train journey. The fastest journeys take around 3 hours 40 minutes, while a typical trip takes about 4 hours 30 minutes with one change. Start at Bordeaux Saint-Jean and arrive at Laval station.

Journey time and service pattern

About 9 departures run each day, the first at around 05:40 and the last at around 18:45. The fastest journeys take around 3 hours 40 minutes. Allow about 4 hours 30 minutes when you are planning the day, as the connection can add waiting time.

Where to change

Daytime choices generally involve one change at either Paris Montparnasse Hall 1 and 2 or Massy TGV. At Paris Montparnasse, both trains use the same station complex, so you do not need to cross Paris. A Bordeaux train that stops at Massy TGV can connect there with a service towards Laval, avoiding a Paris station transfer.

The service brands depend on the departure. Daytime options use TGV INOUI from Bordeaux; the onward leg may be TGV INOUI, OUIGO or TGV INOUI vers Bruxelles, and may call at Le Mans before Laval. Slower date-dependent options can include TER or INTERCITÉS. Choose the complete itinerary rather than assuming every train uses Paris Montparnasse.

A few slower departures use two changes, usually with a TER on the last stretch from Angers Saint-Laud or Le Mans to Laval. Check the connection times before you book.

Leaving Bordeaux Saint-Jean

Bordeaux Saint-Jean is the departure station for this route. The station is on Rue Charles Domercq and the tram stops for lines C and D are by the Hall 2 forecourt, with local buses also serving the station. Arrive with enough time to check the departure hall and platform, especially if your ticket starts with a TGV INOUI service.

Tickets and reservations

For an ordinary journey, book the complete Bordeaux to Laval itinerary when it is available. The selected service and fare set the exchange and refund conditions. TER and INTERCITÉS legs can follow different conditions, so read the details for each train when an itinerary combines service types.

If a connection is sold as separate tickets, leave more time between trains. A delay on the first ticket does not automatically protect the second one.

Using an Interrail Pass

French TER, Intercités, TGV INOUI, OUIGO Grande Vitesse, OUIGO Train Classique and Intercités de Nuit are included train types for Interrail, although exceptions apply. Check the exact departure in Rail Planner for any exception and for the reservation details before you rely on an Interrail France Pass or Global Pass.

For an eligible pass journey, TGV INOUI and OUIGO require a separate reservation in addition to the Pass. TER and most Intercités usually do not, although exceptions apply. An Interrail Pass is not itself a seat reservation.

Arriving at Laval

The train arrives at Laval station on Place de la Gare. CITYTUL and local bus lines B, H and K serve the station, so follow the signs outside the station if you are continuing across town. Keep the exact arrival time in mind when choosing a return connection, since a later connection may add an hour or more to the journey.