I need to get from Stuttgart to Strasbourg on 6 Sept. 2010. The main train line will be shut down then so direct trains are not available. The only trains I can find require multiple stops and finally a bus over the border for the final leg. Do you know of a better way to get to Strasbourg from Stuttgart at this time? Thanks
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
There should be trains from Offenburg to Strasbourg, so you can avoid that bus.
I'll have to see if the Bahn site indicates where the main line will be shut down to see if there are short ways around it (like Stuttgart to Mannheim to Offenburg).
One way that comes to mind immediately is Stuttgart to Eutingen im Gäu to Freudenstadt to Hausach (or Rastatt) to Offenburg, but that might require to many changes. I've been on all parts of that line (but not in one trip), and I think you would have train changes in Eutingen and Freudenstadt, then Offenburg.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
OK, I see where the line shutdown is. It's between Kehl (Germany) and Strasbourg. They're probably working on the rail bridge over the Rhein.
It looks like the only direct trains normally from Stuttgart to Strasbourg are the direct TGVs to Paris, and they have, apparently been rerouted and rescheduled to avoid that area and aren't stopping in Strasbourg. What's left are the normal, multi-change (Karlsruhe, Offenburg) connections with the addition of an SEV (Schienenersatzverkehr = substitute bus) over the Rhein. Those connections will take take you from Stuttgart to Strasbourg on Sept 6 in just over 2 hrs. Trying to do it any other way will probably take longer.
The SEV is no big deal. I've used them many times. The train will take you to Kehl Bahnhof, where everyone will get off and board buses that will be waiting there. There should be good signage, but follow the herd. The SEV is designated by a purple octagon. The bus will take the highway (25 min) into Strasbourg Gare.
There is a rail line from Wörth, across the river in Rheinland-Pfalz from Karlsruhe, to Strasbourg, but it's a minor line. Taking that route might not be faster or have fewer changes.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
As I suspected, the route on the French side of the Rhein, consists of 3 train changes in Karlsruhe, Wörth, and Lauterbourg and take an hour longer than the German side.
At least one of the TGVs has been rerouted to Mannheim (change), Kaiserlautern, Saarbrücken, and Paris, bypassing Strasbourg entirely.