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Paris to Dijon or Strasbourg in May - 4 nights then to Lugano - any travel advice or opinions

Posted by (Philadelphia, PA) on

I wanted a easy high speed rail destination from Paris that offers another side to French culture after Paris
We are deciding between Dijon or Strasbourg .becuase Dijon and Strasbourg offer rail routes with access to Lugano Lake Como.

I see Strasbourg offers charm and option to visit Colmar, everyone raves about Colmar on this forum.

Dijon sounds wonderful and in the burgundy region and beautiful city with quintessential French character.

Rail times to Lugano
Strasbourg 8:50 to Lugano 14:17 through Basel is 5 hours by train arrives at 2:17
Dijon 12:01 to Lugano 17:17 through Zurich is 5 hours by train arrives 5:17

Questions?
1. So I need advice on this travel choice hopefully from someone who has experience on this route.
2. which of the 2 city’s do you folks think is worth visiting for 4 nights. Dijon or Strasbourg
3. any advice on hotels or apartment.
4. Is paralament in session in May 2019. I can’t figure that out for Strasbourg

These are my options. We eventually end up leaving from Venice airport. This is all part of a month long trip for perspective

I am trying to plan 4,5 and 6 night stays to not wear ourselves out with too much traveling. 5 or 6 stops total. Any thought?

Thanks

Posted by
28096 posts

I agree with Andrew.

I'd make a list of the places I hoped to visit and plot them on a map before firming up the decision about actually staying in Strasbourg. It's lovely, but it's a large city, and you might burn up quite a bit of time getting back and forth to the train station for your side-trips. Many of the little wine villages are closer to Colmar, as are the fortress of Haut-Koenigsbourg and Monkey Mountain (are you traveling with children?), so you might be spending a lot of time on trains running back and forth between Strasbourg and Colmar or places near it. Of course, if you see yourselves spending two days on the sights in Strasbourg itself, that's clearly the place you want to stay.

Also check lodging costs if you're on a budget. There might be a substantial difference in one direction or the other.

Posted by
187 posts

I can take the train to Colmar and Base there. Sounds more quaint than Strasbourg.
Should We rent a car for the day or two? is that possible
What part of town is preferred to stay in?
Any other ideas.
thanks

Posted by
28096 posts

I've never rented a car in Europe, but I think surely car-rental is possible in Colmar. You wouldn't want the car for the day you sightsee in Colmar or the day you go to Strasbourg, but it would allow you to see more of the little wine villages. Even in the summer, bus service to the small places is infrequent.

Be sure to check on availability of parking at or near your hotel, however. The part of Colmar of interest to tourists isn't terribly large. You may need to zoom in on the Google Map to see the "Vieux Colmar" label. Zoom in a bit more and you'll see the location of the Musee Bartholdi; it's near the middle of the historic area. You'll note the train station to the southwest of Musee Bartholdi. Staying on that side of the historic area seems like it would make sense, but I've never tried to park a car in Colmar.

Posted by
4132 posts

gtl, your instincts are good. Colmar over Strasbourg.

Have a great trip.

Posted by
187 posts

We chose Colmar.
Thanks for all the tips.

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