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Traveling to Strasbourg and Paris - which city first?

I am planning to visit Paris and Strasbourg in September/October. 6 nights in Strasbourg - two day trips - and 14 /15 nights in Paris, with a few day trips. I have been to Paris (2007) but not Strasbourg. I am 78 years old, travel by myself, and as I have gotten older, I tend to stay longer in fewer cities - love to walk and explore.

I am flying from San Diego, using miles. If I go to Paris first, I can just take the train to Strasbourg. If I go to Strasbourg first, I am planning to fly to Frankfurt and either take the Lufthansa bus or most likely, a private car.

QUESTION: Which area to visit first. Fall Fashion Week 2021 in Paris is Sept 28-Oct 5, and the 100th Edition of Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is Sunday October 3. Would it be better to not be in Paris during that time? I have been in cities in Europe when major sports events were happing - Madrid, Barcelona, etc. and it really didn't seem to be disruptive, but still would like to know if it would just be better to visit Paris first and be gone by the time these events take place.

Posted by
2537 posts

Fashion week is not the only convention/trade show in Paris during September. There are many which is why hotel prices are high, probably the highest of the year during September/early October. Reserve early as this is a very popular time to be in Paris, and for good reason, the weather is typically fabulous. Museums and other locations tourists like are probably more accessible in September as many people in town are attending conferences.

It shouldn´t make a lot of difference which you do first but you might consider flying into or out of Amsterdam (AMS) rather than Frankfurt (FRA). Amsterdam is a very easy airport for passengers, its closer to France, and the TGVs to France depart from the airport itself making it very simple to continue on to Strasbourg.

Posted by
6175 posts

It shouldn´t make a lot of difference which you do first but you might
consider flying into or out of Amsterdam (AMS) rather than Frankfurt
(FRA). Amsterdam is a very easy airport for passengers, its closer to
France, and the TGVs to France depart from the airport itself making
it very simple to continue on to Strasbourg.

If Strasbourg is the goal, Frankfurt is a much better option than Amsterdam. Not only is it closer, (170 km vs 465 km as the crow flies) but it is also a very easy trip by train. It takes around 2 hours with one or two changes. Easy changes at small stations. Schiphol to Strasbourg is 5:30 at best, but usually around 6 hours. Most with one change in Paris, which includes a 10 min walk from Gare du Nord to Gare de l'Est.

And, since San Diego has direct flights to Frankfurt but not to Paris, I would choose Strasbourg first assuming the direct flights resume.

Posted by
8377 posts

How about splitting your trip, and visiting Strasbourg in the middle? Then R/T Paris flights become feasible.

Posted by
3150 posts

We’re the same age. Last visit to Strasbourg and Paris, I flew into and from CDG. There are frequent TGV trains directly from the Airport to Strasbourg and the trip is about 2 hours. You can check the schedules at SNCF.com. I’ve been in a few cities in Europe during various events and even mass demonstrations. I actually found it to add a flavor to my travel experience to see high-end shop windows in Florence being boarded over, to seethe banners and parades in Istanbul during a crucial soccer championship, waiting for a tennis pro to vacate our room in Paris after the French Open, checking out the White Truffle Market in Albi. Don’t let a special event scare you off. It’s part of the marvelous experience of traveling!

Posted by
310 posts

Sounds fabulous, Sharon! I would plan the trip around flights. I like Stan's suggestion of going in and out of Paris, particularly since you have plenty of time in the city. So something like, fly to Paris, spend a week, train to Strasbourg for 6 nights, train back to Paris for a week and then fly home. I think the TGV train is something like $100 each way (probably double the cost of a train from Frankfurt) but then I bet you'd save money flying in and out of Paris. If I were you I'd stay in two different parts of Paris to get a nice feel for the city!

Posted by
334 posts

I agree with Stan and Amanda. R/T through CDG with a train to Strasbourg - super easy. I hope you have Colmar and the outlying villages included in your exploration. I admire your tenacity! I am a mostly solo traveler and explorer but recently added RS tours which I love. Yesterday I downloaded the Trainline app so I can easily look at schedules and buy tickets right on the app - no more waiting in line at the kiosk or train station. Good luck and let us hear how the trip goes. Hopefully I’m headed to France in mid July.

Posted by
501 posts

We did the same trip 2 years ago. Flew Vancouver to Paris. Took the train directly from CDG to Strasbourg. We bought the tickets upon arrival because we didn’t want to worry in case our flight was delayed. The trains are frequent enough. Then we returned to Paris for several days after having been in Strasbourg for 6 days, which included 2 day trips.

Posted by
103 posts

Sharon, this trip sounds like heaven! I’ll throw my hat into the fly in/out of Paris circle. I did something similar (just a bit shorter) in 2016. Flew into Paris, spent 4 nights at the Hotel des Grands Hommes near the Pantheon (fantastic little hotel!!), then went to Burgundy for a week on a barge, then back to Paris for another 4 nights (this time at the Hotel des Arts in Montmartre - also fantastic, but no aircon, which did matter as it was August). I loved splitting my time in Paris. Spent the first 4 days doing all the museums, etc... and then the last four days in Montmartre were more relaxed - cafe life, basically. I enjoyed staying in the two different Parisian neighborhoods as it really drove home the different vibes of the quartiers. It was a lovely trip. Whatever you decide, have a wonderful time! La vie est belle.

Posted by
6175 posts

Yesterday I downloaded the Trainline app so I can easily look at
schedules and buy tickets right on the app - no more waiting in line
at the kiosk or train station.

I wouldn't recommend buying train tickets through a 3rd party reseller, it is usually better to buy them direct from the company operating the train. So for France, get the SNCF app.

Posted by
103 posts

Thank you for all of your replies. I much appreciate it.

I have thought of some of scenarios suggested - at this point, I prefer to stay in fewer places - settling in and taking day trips. The less packing and unpacking, the better - I would rather spend that time in discovering rather than in schlepping. I will consider it though - a fresh eye can give a new perspective. I am using United miles and have thought about coming back to Paris from Strasbourg on the day of my flight and going straight to the airport. I can upgrade on United, but not Lufthansa, Star Alliance Partner who I would fly in/out of Frankfurt. Amsterdam is not an option through United.

I am not concerned about events themselves, and I know there are always events, especially in Paris. My thinking just more enjoyable if a few less people. I was in Istanbul at the beginning of the demonstrations in Gezi Park 2013 and an active participant in Chicago at the COPA semi-finals in 2016, and marvelous craziness in Prague and Madrid with soccer/football matches. So maybe that was a foolish question which I could have answered myself!

I am planning some day trips through the Alsace - probably a solo day trip on the train to Colmar.

Again, thank you for so many well-thought out recommendations

Posted by
50 posts

Another option would be to fly out of Basel EuroAirport. The train and bus from Colmar to Basel airport takes about an hour. For cheap TGV tickets book them 3 months in advance on the SNCF website.

Posted by
26840 posts

I am highly doubtful that there are non-stop flights from Basel to any US destination, whereas there are definitely options from Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Zurich.

I would recommend against planning to travel back from Strasbourg to Paris by rail on the same day you are flying home. The risk of a TGV delay is small, but it is not non-existent. You wouldn't want to miss the flight and have to buy a (probably very costly) last-minute one-way ticket home. I assume you'd probably have quite a long wait if you wanted to hang out in Paris, waiting until a frequent-flier ticket was available.

Posted by
103 posts

Thank you - I agree taking the train from Strasbourg to Paris to catch a plane the same day, borders on extreme foolishness.

I think the best for me is to go through United and take Lufthansa to Frankfurt and the Lufthansa bus to Strasbourg. It is a non-stop flight of 11 hours from San Diego.

I appreciate the suggestions you all have given and am extending my stay in Strasbourg. Three days in the city to explore and three days for day trips (one of which will be just taking the train to Colmar and spending the day there on my own), then taking the train to Paris and staying there for 12 - 14 days, with day trips. Probably not the most exciting trip to some, but I have had a few exciting trips and now am appreciative of just being able to travel, wander, explore on my own.

Posted by
7981 posts

I have no opinion about the German option here. My general rule is to not have complicated travel at the end of a trip -- it sort of spoils the joy of the vacation to place a day of logistics at the end. I learned this on our first trip to Europe about 40 years ago when we flew into Zurich for an Italian vacation due to air fares.

My rule is to finish in the city of departure. In your case I would use the initial jet leg arrival day to travel to Strasbourg and then finish with the time in Paris and fly home from there. Paris is huge and events don't make that much difference if you plan your time early and if you don't stay right in the center.

Posted by
1156 posts

I think you have a solid plan. I have been to Strasbourg many times, and never really gave it much of a thought until my last trip in 2019 - right before Covid. I took the time to visit all the spots in the City and grew to love Strasbourg. It has so many wonderful shops and streets. I recommend the Hotel Arok https://www.arok-hotel.com/fr/ a very stylish boutique hotel with a good breakfast and clean modern rooms. It is across from the train station (easy easy walk) and walkable to just about everything. Also has a car rental place that is a couple of blocks away, as well as in the train station if you choose to drive to Ribeauville or Riquewihr since there is no train. I can also recommend a day trip operator to these places as well. Train to Colmar is easy. Charming little town and very walkable and picturesque. You might also consider taking the day train to Gengenbach Germany which is a short trip across the border into Germany. Paris is fab anytime. Events just make it more exciting. I like the charming Rue Cler hotel Relais Bosquet in the 7th. A block away from Rue Cler markets and 1/2 block to laundry facilities! You feel like you live in the neighborhood here. Getting to Strasbourg from Frankfurt is easy. Last-minute train tickets were expensive so we took the FLix bus. The high-speed train from Strasbourg to Paris is just around 2 hrs. and goes by quickly. I flew back from Paris to Texas on United. Enjoy this trip - like your plan of staying put.