BIARRITZ FAQ`S
Biarritz Airport, also known as Biarritz Pays Basque airport or Biarritz-Parme airport is located 3 miles southeast of the town center. It is a seasonal airport offering flights to western European capitals and connections with bigger French airports throughout the year.
You can get to the city from the airport by bus or taxi. A single bus fare is approximately €1.50. You can buy the ticket on the bus, directly from the driver. Since Biarritz is a seasonal airport the buses typically follow flight arrivals. The bus stop is located right outside the terminal arrivals area. The Chronoplus buses lines C and 14 will take you to Biarritz center and the train station. The line number 10 goes to Anglet (but you have to take the C line to `Biarritz Gare` station first and then change buses).
Taxis are also accessible at the airport and can be found right outside the passenger terminal, next to the arrival area. However, you can call the taxi service and book your taxi in advance. The price for a taxi from the airport to the center is around €12.
Car rentals are available at Biarritz airport. There are five car rental companies at Biarritz airport, including Sixt, Avis, Europcar, etc. so you can compare the terms and conditions as well as the price.
The Biarritz train station (Gare de Biarritz) is located 2 miles from the town center and is operated by the French national railway company (SNCF). Here you can find the local bus station to reach further destinations. Bus #2 can take you to the town center. Buses that go from the train station to the downtown area leave frequently during the day. Taxi stands are also located outside the station and available 24-hours a day. If you arrive at night you will have to take a taxi because the buses do not run late at night.
How do I get around by taxi?Taxis are expensive so they are used less frequently than public transportation. If you are going out at night you will have to use taxis because the buses stop running fairly early. The taxis charge an extra surcharge at night.
Is Biarritz a walking city?Biarritz is compact and very pedestrianized, and it is easy to get around the town center, to the beaches, and to the best spots for surfing or shopping. This means everything is a short walking distance away, however, it can be quite hilly in places.
How do I get around Biarritz using public transportation?There is an excellent bus network called Chronoplus serving Biarritz as well as the neighboring Anglet and Bayonne (which form a conurbation called `BAB`). Bus journeys are about €1 payable in cash on the bus. This ticket is valid for one hour to allow passengers inter-change between bus services and routes. Cheaper multiple journey tickets are also available from the bus kiosks at Biarritz Mairie (beside the tourist office) and at Bayonne Mairie, but cannot be bought on the bus. These include a 10-journey ticket (about €8); a seven-day travel pass (about €11); and a 24-hour pass (about €2). These tickets are also sold at select tobacco shops/cafes in the Biarritz-Anglet-Bayonne (BAB) area.
Buses run frequently between Bayonne and Biarritz; they work out much cheaper than taking the train as you`ll pay the same to get from Biarritz` train station to its town center as you will to get from Bayonne to Biarritz directly on the bus.
Anywhere you park in Biarritz is almost always at a cost. Parking is available either on-street or in one of the large municipal car-parks which cost about €1.30 per hour. Paid parking on the street is typically free between noon and 2:30 pm, but you will need to check the meter to confirm this.
How do I get around by bike?Cycling is one of the best ways to see the city; there are several bicycle rental shops but not many cycle routes in the city itself.
Is Biarritz a dangerous city?Biarritz is a safe place to travel, as is the whole Basque Country region. The only major risk is caused by the strong sea currents.
As always we recommend to beware of pickpockets, mostly in crowded buses and in the pedestrian streets. Do not leave any luggage out of view as it might disappear. If you`re taking the bus with a backpack, it`s better putting it between your feet than keeping it on your back.
The currency used in Biarritz is the euro (€), US dollars are not accepted. You can get euros in different banks opened from Monday to Saturday and automatic cash points opened 24 hours a day.
We recommend that you exchange a small amount of cash prior to your trip, enough for a cab ride or basic spending on arrival. It is also useful to remind your bank and credit card company that you will be traveling to make sure your cards will work while in France. We recommend you record all your credit card numbers, as well as the phone numbers to call if your cards are lost or stolen.
Under the euro system, there are seven notes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. Notes are the same for all countries. There are eight coins: 1 and 2 euros, plus 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents.
Biarritz, like elsewhere in France, a service charge is always included in the bill. If you are particularly pleased with the service, you may certainly leave a few extra euros on the table. But this additional tip is neither expected nor necessary.
For more information about tipping visit: Tipping in France
The climate in Biarritz is maritime with warm, sunny summers and mild winters. It is especially popular destination during the European summer holiday months, when the temperatures in Biarritz are perfect for sunbathing, and the beaches of Biarritz can get crowded.
High season is July and August, when Biarritz can be overrun with sun-seekers and accommodations can be hard to come by. Try spring or early summer when the climate is still summery and prices tend to be lower.
The Basque language, quite unlike any other known language and spoken by around 750,000 people in this south-western corner of France as well as across the border in northern Spain.
French is the official language spoken in Biarritz, but you will also find many people that speak English and Spanish as well. Hotels, tourist attractions and restaurants in popular areas generally have staff that speaks some English. On the street, many people (especially young people) speak at least basic English, but they will appreciate a little effort in French. We suggest you get a good English-French guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.
The local dishes of Biarritz are rich and varied. Restaurants serve an excellent array of French, Basque, Spanish and international cuisine. You`ll find numerous small cafes and bars to relax in. Some trademark dishes include confit de canard, cassoulet, bouillabaisse (fish soup), foie gras, ratatouille, escargots and Chateau Briand. Seafood, charcuterie, fresh truffles and French patisserie can be found everywhere in the area.
A typical day`s eating begins with a bowl of café au lait, a croissant and a thin loaf of bread smeared with butter and jam. An appetite-stirring apéritif such as kir (white wine sweetened with syrup) is often served before a meal, while a digestif (cognac or Armagnac brandy) may be served at the end of a meal. Other beverages designed to aid digestion and stimulate conversation include espresso, beer, liqueurs such as pastis (a 90-proof, anise-flavored cousin of the long-outlawed absinthe) and some of the best wine in the world.
Nightlife in Biarritz offers something for everyone, especially in the summer months when the evenings are most active. Certain night clubs directly overlook the ocean offering a beautiful ambiance. Famous DJs come here often keeping the late-night bars and clubs going right into the early hours of the morning. The dance floors are filled with all ages every weekend, and every evening in summer.
A great area to stroll around in the evening is Port des Pecheurs, an ideal spot for people watching, with its sport fishermen, restaurants, and energetic ambiance. You will also find two casinos in town, the casino municipal which is fairly casual and casino Bellevue, which is more formal.
The major boutiques, with all the big designer names from Paris, are on place Clemenceau in the heart of Biarritz. From this square, continue on to rue Gambetta, rue Mazagran, avenue Victor-Hugo, avenue Edouard-VII, avenue du Maréchal-Foch, and avenue de Verdun. Look for the exceptional Biarritz chocolates and confections, and textiles from the Basque country. Nearly every souvenir shop and department store in the region sells espadrilles, the canvas-topped, rope-bottomed slippers.
Note: Value-added tax (VAT) rate is currently 20% in France for standard goods. A reduced rate of 10% applies to restaurants, transport, and certain medical drugs. And a 5.5% tax applies to food, water and non alcoholic beverages, books, some entertainment events and some domestic personal services. If you are not an EU resident, you may be able to reclaim VAT if you jump through enough hoops.
Emergency dial 112
Clinique Aguiléra, 21 Rue de l`Estagnas, 64200 Biarritz, France