Visiting Colmar and Strasbourg: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Alsace

Visiting Colmar and Strasbourg at Christmas started as quite a spontaneous plan: we simply set off on a road trip to Alsace. The journey was an adventure, but we soon realised there were plenty of things we wish we’d known before we left. This is our ultimate guide to visiting Colmar and Strasbourg: how we got there from London via Paris, the pros and cons of driving, the best airports, and the train routes into Alsace. If you’re going for the festive season, our guide to the Christmas markets in Colmar and Strasbourg has this year’s dates.

Last updated: 10 November 2026.

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Visiting Colmar and Strasbourg from the UK: at a glance

Route	How long it takes	Good to know
London to Paris by Eurostar	Under 2.5 hours	Arrive early: border checks happen at St Pancras
Paris to Strasbourg by car	About 5 hours non-stop (490 km)	Direct A4 motorway, with tolls
Paris to Colmar by car	About 7 hours non-stop (650 km)	Allow around 9 hours with pit stops
Paris to Strasbourg by train	About 1 hour 45 minutes	From Paris Gare de l’Est
Paris to Colmar by train	About 2.5 hours	Book early for the best fares

How to travel to Alsace from the UK

We travelled from London on the Eurostar from St Pancras. We chose the train over flying because we found a really cheap deal by booking well in advance, and the journey on the high-speed train was exciting and memorable. From Paris, we hired a car and drove to Alsace. If you’d rather not drive, we’ve also covered the alternatives below, with journey times and the pros and cons of each, so you can plan around your budget.

London to Paris by Eurostar

We set off early in the morning and arrived at St Pancras at least two hours before departure. At the gates, we scanned our tickets and were handed a new slip with a different seat number. Tip: if this happens to you, always follow the seat on the new slip, as seat allocations can change after you book.

Next came the bag scans, much like airport security, followed by passport control. Once that was done, we found our seats and settled in. The Eurostar runs non-stop from London to Paris, and we arrived in under two and a half hours.

New for 2026: the EU’s Entry/Exit System now applies to British travellers. The first time you travel, you’ll register your passport, a photo and your fingerprints at kiosks in St Pancras before boarding. It’s free and there’s nothing to apply for in advance, but it can take extra time, so arrive early.

If you’re spending a night or two in Paris on the way, here’s where to stay in Paris.

Road trip from Paris to Colmar

From Paris Gare du Nord, we took the metro to Gare de Lyon, where we picked up the hire car we’d booked through an app. The process was seamless, and soon we were on our way.

Because we were staying in Colmar rather than Strasbourg, the drive took us roughly eight hours, including a few pit stops. The scenery along the way was absolutely incredible. Below we’ve shared what to expect, which routes to take, and our tips for a smooth journey.

Is a road trip from Paris to Alsace worth it?

For us, absolutely. We loved driving from Paris to Colmar and back from Strasbourg to Paris. The journey was full of adventure and beautiful landscapes, and we liked the freedom of choosing our own pit stops. It is a long drive, though, so here’s what to weigh up before you decide.

Driving to Colmar or Strasbourg: which is easier?

If you love scenic drives and historic towns and have plenty of time, driving to Colmar is worth it. It’s about 650 km (400 miles) from Paris, which usually takes around seven hours of non-stop driving. If you leave Paris early and make two or three pit stops, expect the journey to take around nine hours in total.

In our experience, driving to Strasbourg was more convenient. It’s a direct route along the A4 motorway, about 490 km (300 miles), and usually takes around five hours of non-stop driving. Because the drive is smoother, it’s less tiring and you’ll need fewer stops.

Toll roads or toll-free routes?

The A4 motorway is the most direct route from Paris to Strasbourg, but be prepared for the tolls, which add up. We paid around €60 on the direct route. Toll prices change, so check a toll calculator or the official French toll website for the latest rates.

To save money, you can take routes that avoid tolls, but they usually take longer, especially on smaller roads or in heavy traffic. The upside is that you’ll pass charming towns and scenic spots along the way.

Navigation tips

We used Google Maps to navigate. If you take the toll-free route, download an offline map for the whole journey first. Signal can be patchy in some areas, and an offline map will stop you taking wrong turns and adding time to your trip.

How to find a toll-free route

In Google Maps, open the route options and choose “Avoid tolls”. This simple step keeps you off toll roads, so there are no unexpected costs along the way.

Fill up your fuel tank before leaving any major city, especially on the toll-free route or a long journey. On the toll route, there are plenty of service areas with fuel and snacks.

Planning pit stops

Whichever route you choose, plan a few stops for rest, food or some sightseeing. On the toll route, the service areas are fine for quick breaks. If you fancy a bit more adventure, these are worth a stop:

• Reims: about 1.5 hours from Paris. Visit Reims Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or book a tour and tasting at a Champagne house.
• Châlons-en-Champagne: a pretty town with picturesque canals, about 30 minutes from Reims.
• Nancy: known for its beautiful architecture and parks, about 1.5 hours from Châlons-en-Champagne.
• Metz: about 50 minutes from Nancy, famous for its magnificent cathedral and stained glass.

Best airports for visiting Colmar and Strasbourg

Alsace isn’t a single town or city but a whole region of beautiful villages, and several airports are within easy reach. Flight prices tend to rise as the festive season gets closer, so plan and book early.

Is Strasbourg the best airport for Alsace?

Alsace has its own airport in the north, at Strasbourg. If you’re mainly visiting Strasbourg, it’s the obvious choice: a shuttle train takes about 10 minutes to the city centre. From there, you can hire a car or use trains and buses to explore the nearby villages.

It’s a fairly small airport with limited international connections, so fares can be higher at Christmas. But if you’re only visiting Strasbourg, it’s the best option. Here’s where to stay in Strasbourg.

Which is the best airport for Colmar?

To reach Colmar quickly, it’s worth looking beyond France. Strasbourg Airport is about 70 km (43 miles) from Colmar: around 45 minutes to an hour by car, or about 2 hours by airport shuttle and regional train.

Alternatively, fly to Basel, about 60 km (37 miles) away, which is usually around 45 minutes by road or regional train.

Is Basel the best airport for Colmar?

EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL/MLH/EAP), northwest of Basel, is the most convenient airport for Colmar. Fun fact: it sits on the borders of three countries, France, Germany and Switzerland.

It’s about 30 km from Mulhouse, a 20 to 25-minute drive. Colmar is about 45 minutes away by car, or around an hour by bus or regional train. If you’re visiting southern or central Alsace, including Colmar, Mulhouse or the Alsace Wine Route, this is the airport to choose. Here’s where to stay in Colmar.

Zurich or Frankfurt for long-haul flights?

If you’re flying long-haul, Zurich is a great option. As one of Switzerland’s biggest international airports, it has plenty of flights, and central Alsace, including Colmar, is around 2 hours away by car or train, with Strasbourg about 3 hours.

Frankfurt is another good choice, thanks to its excellent global connections. Strasbourg is roughly a 3-hour drive from Frankfurt, depending on traffic, or 3 to 4 hours by public transport. If you fly in here, plan your onward journey carefully so you don’t miss connections.

Is the train the best way to get to Alsace?

If you live in Europe or the UK, the train is one of the best ways to get there. Alsace is well connected by high-speed trains from many European cities, and France’s regional TER trains link Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse with smaller towns such as Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr. Honestly, when a journey takes around four hours, we always choose the train over a flight. Stations are in the city centre, so there’s no need to set off early to get to an airport.

It’s budget-friendly too: you save on getting to and from the airport, and luggage allowances are usually more generous, with no extra fees. And what could be better than watching beautiful scenery go by on the way to Alsace?

Paris to Alsace by train

The quickest journey is from Paris Gare de l’Est to Strasbourg, which takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. Paris to Colmar takes roughly 2.5 hours, and Paris to Mulhouse around 3 hours.

Germany to Alsace by train

Direct ICE trains run daily from Frankfurt to Strasbourg, and from Strasbourg it’s a 30 to 40-minute regional train to Colmar. There are also direct trains from Frankfurt to Mulhouse, taking around 3 hours.

From Stuttgart, direct trains reach Strasbourg in about 1.5 hours. Freiburg to Colmar takes about 35 to 45 minutes, and there are direct regional trains from Karlsruhe to Strasbourg in about an hour and from Offenburg to Strasbourg in around 30 minutes.

Belgium or Luxembourg to Strasbourg by train

Direct trains run daily from Luxembourg City to Strasbourg and take around 2 hours. From Brussels or Antwerp, the journey to Strasbourg usually takes about 3 to 4 hours.

Visiting Colmar and Strasbourg: in summary

In this guide, we’ve shared our road trip from Paris to Alsace at Christmas, along with the train and car routes, the best airports and our tips for a smooth journey, from avoiding tolls to planning scenic pit stops. Whether you’re visiting Colmar or Strasbourg for the half-timbered houses, the food or the festive markets, we hope this makes planning your trip easy. Embrace the adventure and enjoy every moment in Alsace!

Going at Christmas? Don’t miss our guide to the Christmas markets in Colmar and Strasbourg, with this year’s dates and opening hours.

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