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Best train passes for Alsace and Switzerland?

Posted by (Michigan) on

Hello!
We are planning a trip to Zurich, the Berner Oberland, then to Alsace (Colmar and Strasbourg), then returning to Zurich for our flight home. 3 weeks in all, half in Switzerland and half in France.

I am thinking that the regional BO pass plus the Swiss Half Fare pass would be a good combo for the Switzerland part. However, I’m wondering if there’s a better idea that would help reduce the France trains as well. We will be staying in Colmar, and I believe there’s a local bus we can take to explore small towns in that area. I don’t know if the current Eurail pass is a good option for our itinerary.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Laurie

Posted by
2678 posts

There are a few passes that will help in the Alsace area. In the weekends and holidays, the ALSA+ daily group ticket will cover up to 5 people on trams, trains & buses from Strasbourg all the way to Basel for 39.10€. During the week, the daily passes (24 hr) for the same region are 37.40€ each. There are passes that cover a more limited area.
https://www.cts-strasbourg.eu/en/online-store/fares/tickets/

Eurail passes are probably not a good option for the Alsace area. Most of the small villages are not accessible by train. Use the SNCF Connect app to price journeys within France.

Posted by
531 posts

Thank you! I didn’t know about those passes…I appreciate your reply!

Laurie

Posted by
1731 posts

Selestat is the only stop between Colmar and Strasbourg, worth a short stroll if you have the time.
Re bus times, use this site https://services.fluo.grandest.fr/fr

68R013 to Kaysersberg
68R016 to Riquewihr and Ribeauville
68R017 to Ribeauville and Bergheim
68R030 to Eguisheim (infrequent service)

Eguisheim is about an hour's walk, or a short taxi ride.

Posted by
17612 posts

Basel to Colmar is only 17 CHF if you buy on SBB in advance and choose a “Saver offer Flex”. I am seeing that for travel tomorrow if you buy it today.

The other responses have provided good options for the rest of your travel around Alsace. You Half Fare Cards will come into use again from Basel to Zurich when you return for your flight.

Posted by
2873 posts

Basel - Colmar is 16.90 on SNCF-connect. So it does not matter much who you buy the ticket from. This is a local train, and you just buy a ticket and get on. No need to buy in advance.

Posted by
531 posts

Thank you for these ideas. We will be traveling during the week in the Alsace region, basing in Colmar. (We leave Mürren in a Friday to travel to Colmar.). It looks like that group pass deal is for weekend travel, and there are just two of us, so the pass rate seems to match the price for two tickets anyway.

Are there any week long passes we could explore, kind of like the Navigo pass for Paris? We hope to use the shuttle from Colmar to explore the smaller wine towns, but would like to get to Strasbourg and Obernai, as well. We will be in the region for 9 nights.

Thanks again!

Laurie

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