Alsace sits in the far east of France, pressed against the Rhine and the German border, which makes it far easier to reach than its position on the map suggests. This page compares every realistic route in — high-speed rail, flights into three nearby airports, driving from neighbouring countries — so you can pick the option that suits your budget, your arrival city and whether or not you want a car once you’re here.
In short
- From Paris: the TGV to Strasbourg takes around 1h50 and is the fastest, simplest option. Colmar is roughly 2h30 direct.
- From London: Eurostar to Paris, then TGV onward. Realistically a half-day door to door, but entirely by rail.
- From North America or Australia: fly to Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich or Amsterdam, then connect by train, or take a short-haul flight into Basel-Mulhouse or Strasbourg.
- Nearest airports: EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (southern Alsace), Strasbourg Entzheim (northern Alsace), plus Baden-Baden, Frankfurt and Zurich as larger alternatives.
- By car: the A35 motorway runs the length of Alsace north to south, and German and Swiss motorways feed straight in across the Rhine.
- Our advice: arrive by train if you’re basing yourself in Strasbourg or Colmar; fly into Basel and hire a car if the Wine Route and villages are your priority.
Which arrival option is right for you?
The best route into Alsace depends less on distance than on what you plan to do once you arrive. Three profiles cover most visitors.
City-first visitors — staying in Strasbourg or Colmar, doing day trips, no car. Rail wins easily. Both cities have central stations, and you can walk to your hotel from the platform in Strasbourg’s old town or Colmar’s centre.
Wine Route and villages — you want Riquewihr, Eguisheim, Kaysersberg and cellar visits at your own pace. Fly into a nearby airport, collect a hire car at the terminal, and skip city centres altogether. Southern Alsace is the natural base for this.
Multi-country trips — Alsace paired with the Black Forest, Switzerland or Germany. Basel and Freiburg are close enough that Alsace slots neatly into a wider loop, which is worth reading up on in our guide to combining Alsace, the Black Forest and Switzerland.
If you’re still weighing up dates and length of stay, settle those first: our pages on how many days you need in Alsace and the best time to visit Alsace will shape which arrival point makes sense.
Getting to Alsace by train
Rail is the strongest option for most visitors, and Alsace is unusually well served for a region of its size.
From Paris
Direct TGV services run from Paris Gare de l’Est to Strasbourg in roughly 1h50, with several departures a day. Some services continue to Colmar and Mulhouse; where they don’t, a change at Strasbourg onto a regional TER train adds around 30 minutes to Colmar.
Fares vary enormously with how far ahead you book. Advance tickets released a few months out are dramatically cheaper than walk-up fares, and last-minute travel on a Friday afternoon in December is expensive. Book as soon as your dates are fixed, particularly for Christmas market season and September weekends.
[AFF-SLOT | rail | Paris to Strasbourg and Colmar TGV tickets]
From London and the UK
There is no direct train, but the connection is straightforward: Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord, a short transfer across Paris to Gare de l’Est (a single Métro stop or a 15-minute walk), then the TGV east. Allow a comfortable connection window of at least an hour in Paris — more if you’re travelling with luggage or children.
Total door-to-door time is usually somewhere between six and eight hours, which is competitive with flying once you factor in airport transfers at both ends.
From Germany and Switzerland
Strasbourg has direct services to Frankfurt and onward German connections, and the city is a short hop across the Rhine from Kehl by tram. From Switzerland, trains from Basel run up the Alsatian side of the Rhine to Mulhouse, Colmar and Strasbourg.
Getting around once you arrive
The regional TER network links Strasbourg, Sélestat, Colmar and Mulhouse along the plain, with a handful of branch lines towards the vineyards. It’s reliable and inexpensive, but it does not reach most Wine Route villages directly — buses and shuttles fill some of the gaps. Full detail on schedules, ticket types and which villages are genuinely reachable is in our guide to travelling around Alsace by train, and the frequently searched Strasbourg to Colmar connection has its own page covering train, bus and car.
Flying to Alsace: which airport?
Three airports serve Alsace directly or near-directly, and two larger hubs are close enough to be worth considering when fares or schedules are better.
| Airport | Location | Typical driving time to Colmar | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg | Southern Alsace, French soil | Around 45 minutes | Wine Route, southern villages, car hire |
| Strasbourg Entzheim | Just outside Strasbourg | Around 1 hour | Strasbourg city breaks, northern Alsace |
| Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden | Germany, across the Rhine | Around 1h30 | Budget carriers from the UK |
| Frankfurt | Germany | Around 2h30 | Long-haul arrivals, wide route network |
| Zurich | Switzerland | Around 2h | Long-haul, plus onward rail |
EuroAirport is the practical choice for most trips focused on the Wine Route. It sits within French territory, has a French exit as well as a Swiss one, and puts you within an hour of Colmar. Strasbourg Entzheim is smaller with fewer routes, but a tram-train link connects it to central Strasbourg in minutes, which makes it excellent value if the schedule works.
Frankfurt and Zurich are worth checking if you’re flying long-haul: the fare difference can be substantial, and both have direct rail links that let you continue without hiring a car. The full breakdown of terminals, transfers and route networks is on our Alsace airports page.
Arriving from North America
There are no direct flights from North America to Alsace. Almost everyone connects. The two common patterns:
- Fly to Paris CDG, then rail onward. There is a TGV station inside CDG airport, with direct services to Strasbourg on some departures — no need to cross Paris. Check timings carefully, as frequency is limited.
- Fly to Frankfurt, Zurich or Amsterdam, then a short connecting flight to Basel, or a train. Frankfurt to Strasbourg by rail is straightforward and avoids a second flight.
Allow generous connection times on the same-day rail leg. A missed TGV after a delayed transatlantic flight is an expensive problem, and a night in the arrival city before continuing is often the calmer choice.
Arriving from Australia and New Zealand
Expect two stops. Route via a Gulf or Asian hub to Paris, Frankfurt or Zurich, then continue as above. Given the total journey length, budgeting a recovery night in your European arrival city before heading to Alsace is sensible rather than indulgent.
Driving to Alsace
Alsace is easy to drive to and easy to drive within. The A35 motorway runs the full north-south length of the region, linking Strasbourg, Sélestat, Colmar and Mulhouse, with the Wine Route villages a few minutes west of it in the foothills.
| From | Approximate distance to Strasbourg | Typical driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Paris | 490 km | 5 to 5.5 hours |
| Brussels | 440 km | 4.5 to 5 hours |
| Frankfurt | 220 km | 2.5 hours |
| Zurich | 240 km | 2.5 to 3 hours |
| Munich | 400 km | 4 hours |
| Amsterdam | 620 km | 6.5 hours |
French motorways are tolled, and the Paris-to-Strasbourg run via the A4 carries meaningful toll charges — factor them into your budget alongside fuel. German autobahns are toll-free for cars. Switzerland requires a motorway vignette, sold at border service stations, if you plan to use Swiss motorways at all.
A few practical points. Low-emission zone rules apply in Strasbourg and are being tightened progressively across French cities, so check current requirements for the vehicle you’re bringing or hiring. Parking in Strasbourg and Colmar old towns is restricted and expensive; park-and-ride sites on the outskirts are the sane option.
Hiring a car
If your trip centres on the Wine Route, castles or the Vosges, a car transforms what’s possible. Airport pick-up at EuroAirport or Strasbourg Entzheim is the simplest arrangement, and picking up at the airport rather than a city-centre desk usually avoids navigating an old town on your first day.
Choose a small car. Village lanes in Riquewihr, Eguisheim and Turckheim are narrow, and car parks are compact. Automatics are less common in France than in the US and Australia and sell out first, especially in September and December, so book early if you can’t drive a manual.
[AFF-SLOT | car-rental | small car pick-up at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse or Strasbourg Entzheim]
Insurance excesses, cross-border rules (taking a French hire car into Germany or Switzerland is usually fine but must be declared) and fuel policies vary — the detail is covered in our car hire in Alsace guide.
Do you actually need a car?
Not always, and the honest answer depends on your itinerary.
You don’t need a car if: you’re basing in Strasbourg or Colmar, doing city sightseeing, and taking a small number of organised excursions to villages. Trains handle the main cities; guided day trips handle the rest.
You do need a car if: you want to visit multiple villages a day, stop at cellar doors on a whim, reach Haut-Kœnigsbourg or the Vosges ridge road, or stay somewhere rural.
The middle path works well for a lot of visitors: arrive by train, base in Colmar, and use organised half-day or full-day excursions for the villages and vineyards. It removes the parking problem entirely and lets you taste without worrying about driving. Demand for small-group departures is high in September and throughout December, and the good ones fill weeks in advance.
[AFF-SLOT | tours | small-group Wine Route and villages day trip from Colmar]
For a fuller comparison, see getting around Alsace and, if you’re committed to going car-free, our Alsace itineraries without a car.
Coming from Paris as a day trip or short break
Alsace is a common add-on to a Paris trip, and it works — but only with realistic expectations. A same-day return from Paris to Strasbourg is physically possible at roughly 1h50 each way, giving you perhaps six or seven hours on the ground. That’s enough for the cathedral, La Petite France and a good lunch, and nothing else.
Two nights is the minimum that makes the journey feel worthwhile, and three lets you add Colmar and a couple of villages. If you’re planning around a fixed Paris base, the practicalities are covered in our page on day trips and tours from Paris, and the timings in two days in Alsace and three days in Alsace.
Arriving for the Christmas markets
December changes the calculus. Trains and hotels fill far earlier than at any other time of year, and driving into Strasbourg or Colmar on a market weekend means heavy traffic and restricted access to the centres. Strasbourg in particular introduces security perimeters around the market zone during the season, with vehicle access limited.
The practical approach for December: book rail well ahead, stay somewhere within walking distance of the market or on a tram line, and use trains rather than a car between towns on weekends. Details of the seasonal pattern are in our Christmas markets guide and the specific logistics in visiting the Christmas markets without a car.
[AFF-SLOT | accommodation | December stays within walking distance of the Strasbourg and Colmar markets]
Journey times at a glance
| Route | Mode | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| Paris → Strasbourg | TGV | 1h50 |
| Paris → Colmar | TGV (direct or via Strasbourg) | 2h30–3h |
| London → Strasbourg | Eurostar + TGV | 6–8h door to door |
| Frankfurt → Strasbourg | Train | Around 2h |
| Basel → Colmar | Train | Around 45 min |
| Basel EuroAirport → Colmar | Car | Around 45 min |
| Strasbourg → Colmar | Train | 30–35 min |
| Zurich → Colmar | Car | Around 2h |
Durations are indicative and vary by service and traffic. Check live timetables before booking.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Booking rail too late. TGV fares climb steeply as departure approaches. September and December are the worst months to leave it, and the cheapest fares often disappear months out.
- Assuming Colmar has an airport. It doesn’t. The nearest is EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, roughly 45 minutes away by road.
- Underestimating the Paris transfer. Gare du Nord to Gare de l’Est is short, but it is a genuine change of station. An hour is comfortable; twenty minutes is not.
- Hiring a car you’ll never park. If you’re staying two nights in Strasbourg city centre, a car is a liability. Hire one only for the days you’ll use it.
- Flying into Basel without checking the exit. EuroAirport has separate French and Swiss exits. Take the French side unless you’re heading into Switzerland, or you’ll pay for a border crossing you didn’t need.
- Forgetting the Swiss vignette. If your route uses Swiss motorways, even briefly, you need one. Buy it at the border, not after you’ve been stopped.
- Planning a same-day Paris return in winter. Short daylight hours plus a two-hour rail leg each way leaves very little usable time.
FAQ
What is the closest airport to Alsace?
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is the closest to southern Alsace, around 45 minutes’ drive from Colmar and situated on French soil despite the shared name. Strasbourg Entzheim serves the north and connects to central Strasbourg by tram-train in minutes. Frankfurt and Zurich are larger and often cheaper for long-haul arrivals, both around two to two and a half hours away.
How long does the train from Paris to Strasbourg take?
Direct TGV services take around 1 hour 50 minutes from Paris Gare de l’Est. Some trains continue to Colmar and Mulhouse; otherwise a change at Strasbourg onto a regional service adds about 30 minutes to Colmar. Several departures run daily, but timetables change seasonally, so confirm before you book.
Can you get to Alsace without a car?
Yes. Strasbourg, Sélestat, Colmar and Mulhouse are all on the rail line and easy to reach and move between. The limitation is the Wine Route villages, which are only partly served by bus. Most car-free visitors combine trains between cities with organised excursions for the vineyards and hilltop castles.
Is there a direct train from London to Alsace?
No. The standard route is Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord, then a transfer to Gare de l’Est for the TGV to Strasbourg. Door to door it usually runs six to eight hours. Allow at least an hour between arriving at Gare du Nord and your onward departure.
How do you get from Strasbourg to Colmar?
By train, in roughly 30 to 35 minutes on frequent regional services — the simplest option, with both stations centrally located. By car it’s about 45 minutes down the A35. Buses exist but are slower and rarely worth it unless you’re heading to a specific village en route.
Is it worth flying into Frankfurt or Zurich instead?
Often, yes, particularly for long-haul travellers. Both have far wider route networks than Strasbourg or Basel and frequently better fares. Frankfurt connects to Strasbourg by rail in around two hours. Zurich is a comfortable drive to Colmar. Compare the total cost including the onward leg, not just the flight.
Do you need to hire a car in Alsace?
Only if the villages, castles or Vosges mountains are central to your plans. For a city-focused trip based in Strasbourg or Colmar, a car is more hindrance than help given parking restrictions and low-emission zone rules. Many visitors hire for two or three days mid-trip rather than for the whole stay.
What’s the best way to arrive during the Christmas markets?
By train. December brings heavy traffic, restricted vehicle access around Strasbourg’s market perimeter and scarce parking in Colmar. Book rail and accommodation well ahead — both sell out earlier than at any other time of year — and choose a hotel within walking distance of the market or on a tram route.
Keep planning your trip
- How to plan a trip to Alsace — the full planning hub, start to finish
- When to visit Alsace — weather, crowds and season-by-season detail
- Where to base yourself in Alsace — Strasbourg vs Colmar vs a village
- Alsace itineraries — ready-made routes from one day to a week
- The Alsace Wine Route — the region’s headline drive, village by village
- Alsace travel budget and costs — what to expect to spend
- First-time visitor tips — the things worth knowing before you go