Pau Pyrénées Airport - Flight Information and Guide (PUF)

Pau Pyrénées Airport serves the city at the foot of the Pyrenees, historic capital of Béarn, approximately 12 km from the city center.

Pau is known for the birthplace castle of Henry IV of France and as a departure point for the Lourdes sanctuary and the Pyrenean mountains.

Content verified on 03/09/2026

Official source: www.pau.aeroport.fr/passenger

How to get to Pau Pyrénées Airport

The city center of Pau is approximately 12 km from the airport: the transfer requires roughly 20 minutes by bus or taxi.

By Car

Drivers reach the center of Pau in approximately 20 minutes.

By Train

Pau railway station offers connections to Paris, but is not directly connected to the airport: accessible by bus or taxi.

By Bus

Line 17 (Idelis) connects the airport to Pau city centre, approximately one departure per hour; ticket 1.50 euros on board, 1.20 euros if purchased in advance. Not operating on Sundays and public holidays.

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Tips If your goal is the Pyrenees or Lourdes, it is advisable to rent a car: many destinations are not well served by public transport.

Average travel time to PUF

TrainNot available

Shuttle bus25-30 minutes

Taxi / Private hire25-30 minutes

Parking near Pau Pyrénées Airport

The airport operates an official parking area directly in front of the terminal.

From 12 to 24 hours the rate is 13.50-14 euros; private parking nearby offers more economical rates, starting from 4 euros per day.

How to get to Pau from PUF

By Train

Pau station, reachable by bus or taxi, offers TGV connections to Paris in approximately 5 hours.

By Bus

Line 17 connects the airport to Pau city center in approximately 30 minutes; ticket 1.50 euros onboard, 1.20 euros if purchased in advance.

By Taxi

Official taxis await in the arrivals area; indicatively 35 euros during the day, 45 euros at night (19:00-7:00) and on Sundays to the center, given the approximately 14.5 km distance.

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Car rental at Pau Pyrénées Airport

Major car rental companies have counters in the arrivals area, useful for exploring the Pyrenees.

A driver's license, passport, and a credit card in the driver's name are required for the deposit.

Hotels near Pau Pyrénées Airport

Pau-Pyrénées airport is about ten kilometres from the centre, linked by the Idelis shuttle or by taxi in twenty to thirty minutes depending on traffic: those with a dawn flight or a short layover save time by staying near the Zénith, on the same road as the airport. Those who instead want the old town, the castle of Henry IV and the Boulevard des Pyrénées with its mountain views find it more convenient to sleep in the city. Those attending a conference at Hélioparc or taking a course at the university find it more practical to stay in that quarter, ten minutes from the centre.

Neighbourhood

Zénith and Palais des Sports

By car or taxi, the airport is about ten minutes away; the centre of Pau is just as close on the Idelis bus.

Best for: Those with a dawn flight, attending an event at the Zénith, or working at the Parc des Expositions.

Pros

Ample free parking, convenient for drivers
Close to the Zénith and the Palais des Sports, handy for event-goers

Cons

A car or bus is needed for the old town
Quiet in the evening outside event times

Recommended hotels

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City centre

Old Town

On foot in the old town; the airport is twenty to thirty minutes away on the Idelis shuttle or by taxi.

Best for: Those who want the castle of Henry IV and the Boulevard des Pyrénées within easy reach.

Pros

The castle and the Boulevard des Pyrénées can be reached on foot
A good choice of restaurants open late

Cons

Parking is difficult and often paid
The airport is further away than from the Zénith area

Recommended hotels

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Neighbourhood

University and Hélioparc

A ten-minute bus ride on the Fébus line from the centre of Pau; the airport can be reached by car in about twenty minutes.

Best for: Those attending the university or one of the companies at the Hélioparc technology park.

Pros

A quiet area, away from the traffic of the centre
Within walking distance of the shopping centre and the university

Cons

No venues nearby in the evening
A bus or car is needed for the old town

Recommended hotels

Ostal Pau Université - Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western Next to the university and the Hélioparc technology park, with rooms designed for business stays. View availability

See more hotels in this area

Airport services

The airport serves Béarn and the western French Pyrenees.

Shopping & Duty Free

A small duty-free area features typical Béarn products, including local sheep's cheese.

Lounges & relaxation

No dedicated VIP lounges are present, in line with this airport's size.

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi covers the public waiting areas of the terminal.

Families & Children

For travelers with children, the available assistance is of an essential nature.

Terminal guide

The terminal's reduced size reflects the airport's limited traffic volume.

The recommended time before departure for flights is 1.5 to 2 hours.

Map of Pau Pyrénées Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. Is Pau the birthplace of Henri IV of France?

Yes, the castle where the king was born in 1553 is now a museum open to visitors in the city center.

Q. Is Pau close to Lourdes?

Yes, the famous shrine is about 40 km away, reachable by car in just over half an hour.

Q. Is it worth renting a car in Pau?

Yes, it's recommended for exploring the surrounding Pyrenees, which aren't always well served by public transport.

Q. Is Pau airport also useful for reaching the Pyrenean ski resorts?

Yes, besides historic and thermal tourism, Pau is a good base for those heading to Pyrenean ski resorts such as Cauterets or Gourette, generally reachable in about an hour by rental car from the airport.