Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine to La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime), Nouvelle-Aquitaine from $11: 4 ways by bus, train, flight or car

• On your train trip from Bordeaux to La Rochelle, you'll find onboard catering services available, typically with a bistro service where you can purchase meals, snacks, and beverages. Look for the travel class you've chosen; in First and Business Class, you may enjoy complimentary drinks and a selection of light meals served directly at your seat, while Economy Class offers a more limited selection available for purchase.

• The trains on this route are operated primarily by SNCF (French National Railway Company). You will have options for seating such as First Class (Premiere Classe), which offers more spacious and comfortable seats, Business Class (Affaires), which may include additional perks like priority boarding, and Economy Class (Seconde Classe), which is budget-friendly with adequate comfort. You can check specific train times and book your tickets at their website: sncf.com

• Once you arrive at La Rochelle station, you can leave your luggage at the station's left luggage service, allowing you to explore the city without the burden of your bags. The station is well-equipped with restrooms, and unfortunately, there are no shower facilities directly at the station, but you'll find plenty of cafes and shops nearby. To get to the city center, the fastest way is to take Bus Line 3, which runs frequently and stops at key points throughout the city; there's also a tram, Line A which takes you directly into the heart of La Rochelle. For schedules and maps, you can visit the local transport website at: larochelle.fr

• Make sure to book your bus ticket in advance through BlaBlaCar Bus or FlixBus to secure the best fare; prices typically range between €15 and €22.

• Arrive at Bordeaux Halte routière de Paludate at least 15 minutes early, as the bus may depart promptly on the hour or half-hour, and it's good to familiarize yourself with the station layout in advance; you can find the station map here: Bordeaux Station Map.

• Upon arrival at La Rochelle station, take advantage of the free Wi-Fi available and check local transport schedules to explore the city, as La Rochelle has an efficient bus network; links to the local transport can be found here: La Rochelle Public Transport.