Looking to book tickets for a day trip from Strasbourg to Colmar during the Christmas markets. The SNCF website shows only a few trains. Do they release more 30 days in advance or should I book one of the three I see? Checked RailEurope for comparison and they seem to list a lot of options, but have read better to book directly with SNCF. Thanks!
Posted by
Reno, NV, USA
2542 posts
We didn’t book the train ahead of time from Strasbourg to Colmar in December. We just went to the station and bought the tickets at the station on the day we traveled.
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2515 posts
These are regional trains that don’t offer reservations, and don’t sell out. No need to purchase in advance. The prices do not increase. Just get them from the kiosk at the station, or on the app.
If traveling on a weekend with multiple people, consider the Alsa + Groupe Journee Alsace Territory pass. For about 39€ it covers up to 5 people for the day on trams, regional trains, buses and the Christmas shuttle from Strasbourg to Basel.
Posted by
Queens, NYC
570 posts
The vast majority* of Strasbourg to Colmar trains are regional TER trains. There is minimal advantage to booking these trains in advance as they cannot sell out and there are no seat reservations. It’s more like local mass transit than intercity train travel. Just buy the day you travel or shortly before.
*A small number of Strasbourg-Colmar trains are part of a longer TGV journey. But these are by far the minority.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you! Appreciate the quick replies and reassurance
Posted by
Green Bay
21028 posts
But to your point, I am on the sncf-connect site and i see lots of regional trains, like every 30 minutes in the morning.
Posted by
Wengen
2448 posts
When buying a ticket, just buy a return (allér-retour as they call it in France) ticket. Such a ticket is good for one outward, and one return journey on the day, and are flexible. So you do not need to worry about which train you are going to take back. When you are done with Colmar just hop on the first TER service back...