Decide which train stations you will use in advance to make your trip go more smoothly. Bordeaux's main station is Saint John, and Lille's two main stations are Lille-Flandres and Lille-Europe. Call ahead for a taxi or find out the schedules for the subway system.
Enjoy a stopover. If you book a train from Bordeaux to Lille that stops in Paris, you will ride the train for only 4 hours and still be able to take in the sights of a major city. A direct train costs slightly more to ride.
Make your reservations online at the Rail Europe Web site (see Resources below), or speak to a booking agent at (888) 382-RAIL. Expect ticket prices to be reasonable.
Sleep on the Motorail and save time when you travel. The Motorail leaves at night and arrives at Lille in the morning, giving you more time for tours, museums and sightseeing. Your ticket includes overnight accommodations on the train.
Take your car with you. The French Motorail system can accommodate autos for an additional fee. If you rent a car in Bordeaux, you might find it easier to bring it with you than to rent another one in Lille.
Plan to use additional transportation to reach your accommodations. The Motorail stops near Bordeaux and near Lille, but it doesn't have stations in the center of either city.
