My family of four will be staying in Colmar next May. Our plan is to arrive by train (from CDG). We would like to rent a car one day to tour the Route des Vins area. My wife and I have no experience with a manual transmission. If we reserve a car with an automatic in Colmar, do you think it's realistic that one will be available? I've read past posts that say not to count on it. Certainly, my experience with rental cars in the US (not good) makes me apprehensive about relying on an automatic being available. I'm wondering if I should just scrap the idea. Has anyone here rented an automatic in Colmar? Thanks for your help.
Posted by
11569 posts
We rented a car as we left Strasbourg and toured the wine villages for four days where we stayed in Riquewehr.. Consider staying and renting a car in Strasbourg, then moving to one of charming wine villages.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Thanks, Suki. Where was the car rental pick-up in Strasbourg?
Posted by
State of Washington, USA
266 posts
My wife and I rented a car in Colmar for one day on Sep 4, 2017, from AVIS.
Though we had reserved a manual, we had no problem upgrading to an automatic when we arrived at the AVIS office.
Posted by
175 posts
I do not know the age of your family members but we rented electric assist bicycles in Colmar and toured to Route des Vins that way. It was a fantastic way to see it! We rented the bikes at the train station in Colmar.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Thanks, GeoffB. It happened once! So it is possible.
Karen, my kids are 17 & 19 so those are definitely an option for us. Thanks.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7148 posts
As an FYI, all parking in Riquewehr anywhere near the historic center in paid parking. We were able to find free parking in Hunawihr in the Nature Park lot and we walked to Ribeauvillé and back from it. If you decide to go to Kaysersberg, there is free parking in the lot beside the Intermarché SUPER. From it, follow the path for a couple minutes to get into town.
In Obernai, there’s free parking at Halle Gruber - Parking des Remparts. In Barr there is a free lot at 6A Rue des Lièvres.
If you had time Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg is very much worth visiting. Park as close to the castle as possible, otherwise it’s a long walk up the hill. Don’t leave anything is sight in the vehicle as there are a couple reviews where vehicles have been broken into.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
jaimeelsabio, thanks. Lots of good info there. I appreciate it.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
Karen, that’s a great tip to rent e-bikes.
We’ll be there in January and that’s something we’d love to do.
Good idea to rent in Strasbourg, there will be more cars available and better chance of getting an automatic. But you don’t need to stay in Strasbourg for that reason. It’s a 30 min train ride from Colmar, and i assume you’ll want to visit Strasbourg at some point anyway.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Susan, yes we'll visit Strasbourg also. Thanks.