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Colmar, Parking

Hi - I'm choosing between two apartments in Colmar, both equal in all respects but one has parking and the other does not. The cost difference is about $30 euros per night more for the one with parking. I'm inclined to go with the cheaper option but figured I'd ask here. Can someone provide details on what it is like getting parking in Colmar? We will be there for 6 nights in June. I know in other places (like Collioure) you can secure a place in a public lot for the week for a one time fee (it was 50 euros), which would be ideal here. I searched the archives and came up with some pretty useful (see link below) but was wondering if anyone could add to this. I don't mind walking 10 minutes to the car as long as I'm confident that I'm parked legally and won't get towed and that I don't have to continuously go there to feed a meter.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/car-rental-in-colmar-parking-concerns

Thanks a bunch,

Matt

Posted by
1953 posts

I have visited Colmar last September and it is a nice place but to my opinion overrated. There are a bunch of very nice towns and villages (like Niedermorschwihr and Turckheim, just look around with Google Streetview) not so far from Colmar and likely with free parking and good cheaper accomodation. Turckheim is just a few trainstops away, so I think it is worth to look a bit around outside the beaten path. Guess this is not the answer you really are looking for :).

Posted by
605 posts

Thanks Wil. What was parking like when you visited Colmar?

-Matt

Posted by
27 posts

I stayed in Colmar (Little Venice area). Finding public parking during the day was difficult. It is metered. Our hotel offered off site parking for a fee. But- At night parking is free....I believe it was from 5pm - 9am provided you can find a spot! We did day trips to Eguisheim, Kayserberg, Riquewhir and many more charming little town's. In the end we used the metered parking. It ended up being the most cost-effective due to the day trips.

Hope this helps.
Happy Travels!

Posted by
605 posts

Great Jen - thanks. Much appreciated.

-Matt

Posted by
1953 posts

Parking for me in Colmar was not that difficult, but with the meters you have to pay in advance. And that day something happened that is for me very unusual, I got lost and couldn’t find my car while time was running out, so walked around with an uneasy feel risking a ticket. But it ended well.....

Like jenmosher says it is possible parking for free during the night, and many visitors will be gone so likely more easy to find a spot, but no guarantee it will be the case. And as Colmar is a larger place you will have to deal with rush hour, a smaller place will be more easy getting in and out.

Posted by
605 posts

Thanks again Wil. I'm getting a good picture of the situation.

Matt

Posted by
776 posts

What time of year?

We were there in late October and had no problems finding a parking spot during our visits but we were not parking overnight.