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Train from Strasbourg to Colmar

My wife and I are going to be flying from Bordeaux to Strasbourg on October 2nd - arriving around 7pm. I understand that there is a little train/tram that takes you from the airport to the rail station in Strasbourg. From there we wanted to jump on a train to Colmar to stay at a B&B there, waking up the next morning to rent a car and start our day trips.

My question is - do you feel we would need to make the reservation/purchase of the train ticket from Strasbourg to Colmar ahead of time, or is this something we can just purchase at the station and wing it (in case we want to sit and have dinner in Strasbourg before heading out)? There seem to be trains that run every half hour/hour - so I wouldn't think they would be full up. But also wasn't sure if the tickets are more expensive at the station.

Thanks!

Posted by
16895 posts

I would buy tickets at the station for the normal price of €12.50 per person. The unreserved regional trains don't offer advance discounts. If your see a reserved TGV train departing at a better time for you, then the ticket price is €5 more, still for sale in the station, and not worthwhile to book ahead and risk missing that departure.

Posted by
3 posts

That is what i was hoping to hear - thanks for the great info Laura as always!

Do you mind me asking... if you had to choose a town to make your "home base"... what would you choose? I'm considering Colmar, Obernai, etc... I trust your opinion :-)

Posted by
33832 posts

Parking isn't so easy in Colmar, or if it is, it isn't free.

Posted by
32351 posts

Scott,

My suggestion for a "home base" would be Colmar. It's a wonderful smaller town with scenic canals, good restaurants and of course the wonderful Unterlinden Museum. Some hotels provide parking for guests, so you should be able to work around that issue.

Posted by
16895 posts

I really enjoyed Colmar both on my own with our tour, and it's always been Rick's clear preference over Strasbourg. Colmar has a nice balance of services and things to see without a big-city feel. Rick's book mentions some paid and some free parking options near recommended hotels. Of course, the car gives you the option of a smaller-village home base, without relying on bus schedules. I have not seen Obernai.

Posted by
15784 posts

I stayed at a lovely B&B in Eguisheim (a 10-15 minute drive from Colmar) for 3 nights as a base to tour the charming villages. I had been to Colmar briefly before and only spent about 1/2 day there. I returned the car when I got to Strasbourg and spent 2 days/nights there before my flight home.

I loved staying in a village. There are several in the area that are well equipped for tourism, B&Bs, small hotels, cafes and restaurants.

If you are going to rent a car anyway, just get it at the airport and drive to your B&B. Use GPS. It's invaluable in France. It shouldn't take more than 1.5 hours to drive The highway is very easy to drive and wherever you stay, you'll only be a short way from a main road. You'll have more rental options from Strasbourg than from Colmar. ,

Have dinner wherever you're staying. If you have dinner first in tSrasbourg, you'll be arriving very late at your B&B.