German border crossing and parking in Colmar and Riquewihr

No complications driving into Germany. Drive over the bridge and you are there.

As to the costs of crossing borders with a rental car, from what I have read that varies from company to company and they track you by GPS. Best to check with the rental company. I switched to leasing over 15 years ago so I don't have any recent first hand experience.

Driving-wise Colmar is pretty much just another city, Rick's book has a good write up on driving and parking there.

Riquewihr parking is very simple. Either you stay at a hotel that has parking or you park at the big lot outside the town walls. We stayed at a hotel with parking but it felt really strange to drive in a town with virtually no cars and pedestrians giving you strange looks. That being said, it's a really neat town and well worth a visit.

You need to notify the rental company in advance if you are driving to other countries. It needs to be included in your rental agreement.

Driving is restricted near Strasbourg, but not Colmar or Rhiquewhir. You need a permit, which requires a license plate #. Just take the train to Strasbourg instead if you want to visit. All the park & ride lots are within the restricted zone. https://www.environmentalbadge.com/eco-zones-france/

We’re staying in Colmar this summer in an apartment. There are several parking lots/garages around town. There are cheaper/free parking lots farther outside the city center. If you google Colmar parking you’ll see lots of options.

If you’re planning to drive to France from Germany as a day trip, remember your passport and international drivers permit.

If you plan to rent the car in Germany and return it in France, there will probably be hefty one-way rental fees from the rental agency.

once you have all formalities taken care of (notify, IDP) the actual procedure of the crossing is a non-event. Two choices - the bridge or the boat. Either way you are crossing the Rhine. The bridge is on top of the locks (you can stop ands watch what's happening) and the ferries are free.

The ferries https://www.alsace.eu/aides-et-services/mobilite-et-transport/les-bacs-rhenans/ are where there is no bridge, run by an international arrangement France Germany and are free (and for me good fun, but I love mucking about on boats).

It does take longer to cross by ferry because they are slower and you have to wait for them. But fun and scenic.

Note that to circulate in the main cities in Alsace such as Strasbourg, Nancy and Mulhouse which are ZFE zones (low emission zones) it is now mandatory to have a Crit'Air sticker.

This sticker is not on cars rented in Germany. So avoid driving into these areas, the fine can be up to 135 euros. automatic checks are carried out by cameras and the fines sent to the rental companies who will charge you by adding additional costs.

Colmar and Riquewhir are not yet in a ZFE zone.

even the routes to the Park and Ride in Strasbourg is within the zone.

Best way, take the fast, cheap, frequent train into Strasbourg from Kehl or Offenburg in Germany.

Thank you everyone.