We'll be in Basel for two nights before we fly home at the end of our trip in August. The day we arrive in Basel is currently my flex day just in case we run into bad weather while we're in the mountains and want to spend the majority of that day making up for it.
I was wondering about whether it seems reasonable to take the train to Freiburg im Breisgau in the morning, spend some time visiting the old town, munster, and market, and then taking an afternoon bus to Colmar for the evening and then the train back to Basel for the night.
The bus between Freiburg and Colmar is rather slow, google thinks it will take 2ish hours, so on the one hand that's some lost time on the other it's a bit of built-in rest in the late afternoon.
If I don't end up needing to use our flex day to wrap up our hikes, we could easily do one day trip on one day and the other the next day, but I was curious if people think doing both towns in one day sounds feasible and, if not, which they'd pick? Or is there a different cute little town we should look into visiting?
We'd prefer not to rent a car, so we're only looking at options with public transit.
Posted by
Ohio
187 posts
Are you planning to spend any time in Basel itself? Two day trips seem like it wouldn't leave you much time in Basel if you only have 2 nights. The Tinguely museum and the cathedral are worth the time, amongst other things. I would pick one or the other for your day trips. We did it in reverse - stayed in Colmar but did a day trip to Basel. Colmar was lovely but we didn't stop in Freiburg so I don't have a comparison. Freiburg is a larger city. Personally both in one day at the end of a trip sounds like a lot.
Posted by
422 posts
I think you missed something important. Basel Airport's full name is EuroAirport Basel–Mulhouse–Freiburg -meaning it is also Freiburg Airport (with a direct bus shuttle that doesn't go into Switzerland). So some of this hectic travel may not be needed. Where in the mountains are you coming from?
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
3104 posts
I enjoyed both but would pick Colmar. I both both as day trips from Gengenbach so I have no idea about doing both on one day from Basel
Posted by
Duluth, MN🌲
12627 posts
Okay, before I leave this rec, keep in mind that I have not been to this place, but earlier today Allan posted something on another thread the the town of Eguisheim (near Colmar) was one of the most charming places he had been to, and reminded him of some place that Belle from Beauty and the Beast lived in. 😊. I looked it up and the photos look absolutely gorgeous. It's been voted one of France's most beautiful villages and the photos look beautiful.
So you could just forget Freiburg and visit Eguisheim (or Colmar and Eguisheim). Or you could wait and decide once you get there. I do that a lot. Sometimes the mood hits me and I feel like taking a chance and other times I just pass it by and stay in town and relax.
Also, this thread (albeit somewhat older) might help you a bit. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/eguisheim-france-644c0810-494f-4595-a391-6a69874b20fb
Posted by
OP
USA Southwest
135 posts
In answer to a couple questions, we're staying near the airport because we have an early morning flight, so while staying in Freiburg or Colmar overnight is very appealing, it just didn't work for our trip this time. I'm hoping to do one town one day and then the other the next day, but it sounds like maybe Colmar + Eguisheim might be more feasible if we don't have the extra day.