We will be in Freiburg next month and had planned on day-tripping to Basel, but seeing as how they are now charging for the Covid Pass, we were thinking to try Strasbourg instead. Am I correct in thinking that we can try to get the Pass Sanitaire to enter and if we aren't able to, we should be good with our CDC cards? We'd be traveling by train and we've already been to Strasbourg, so we'd just be going to see the Christmas markets.
Posted by
Chicago
3133 posts
I just did something similar last month—a day trip from Basel to Strasbourg. You can get into France with the CDC card, but I’d be surprised if they checked it on the trains. We were never asked when we traveled to and from France, Germany, and Switzerland by train.
In both countries, France and Switzerland, you can enter with the CDC card—your proof of vaccination—it’s the going inside places, like restaurants, where you most likely will need the COVID pass. But you still have options for eating without a pass –eating outside, eating at the train station, or getting take away.
If you do make it to Basel, which we really liked, be sure to check out the city gate Spalentor. Easy to reach from the trams right outside the Basel SBB train station.
Posted by
OP
Kansas City
180 posts
Thanks! I don't think we'll be paying the 60 CHF for the Switzerland Covid Pass (not worth it for just a few hours) so we'll train to Strasbourg - I'm sad to miss Switzerland, but we loved Strasbourg and I can't imagine missing the "Capitale de Nöel" at Christmastime :)
Posted by
Noblesville, Indiana, USA
1406 posts
Another option is Colmar, France. Two years ago their Christmas Market was outstanding (we preferred it to Basel's).
Posted by
OP
Kansas City
180 posts
We loved Colmar... but unfortunately, on the train, you have to go all the way to Strasbourg and back down to Colmar - just easier to stop in Strasbourg (well, we'll be taking the train to Kehl since it's cheaper and doing the light rail into Strasbourg).