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How to Get to Colmar

How to Get to Colmar

Colmar France Travel Guide

Air Travel Options

Main Airports Serving Colmar

Colmar does not have its own major international airport, but several well-connected regional and international airports serve the region.

Closest & Hub Airports

  • EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg (BSL): ~58 km south, tri-national gateway.
  • Strasbourg Airport (SXB): ~70 km north, French domestic/European flights.
  • Zürich (ZRH) & Frankfurt (FRA): Major international hubs for global connections.

Transfer Options to Colmar

Seamless connections from airports to the city center.

Ground Transport from Airports

  • From BSL: Bus to Saint-Louis train station, then TER train to Colmar (~1 hr).
  • From SXB: Shuttle train to Strasbourg central station, then TER train to Colmar (~45-60 min).
  • Car rental is available at all major airports for regional exploration.

Price Fluctuations

Flight prices peak during summer and Christmas market season.

Shoulder Season Value

April-June and September-October offer competitive fares and good weather.

Affiliate Flight Tools

Utilize Dollar Flight Club and Skyscanner for best deals.

Airlines & Direct Flights

Common Carriers

  • BSL: EasyJet, Ryanair, Air France, Lufthansa.
  • SXB: Air France, Volotea, Ryanair.
  • ZRH/FRA: Lufthansa, Swiss, Air France, British Airways, KLM.
  • Airport facilities include car rentals, duty-free, dining, Wi-Fi.

Transatlantic Travel

  • No direct transatlantic flights to BSL or SXB.
  • Travelers from outside Europe typically fly into major hubs (Paris CDG, FRA, ZRH).
  • Connect to Colmar via regional flight or, more commonly, high-speed train.
  • A multi-leg journey is a standard approach for intercontinental visitors.

Affiliate Resources for Air Travel

Flight Deals

Dollar Flight Club for discounted airfare alerts.

Flight Search

Skyscanner for comparing flight options across airlines.

Car Rentals

DiscoverCars.com for convenient airport car hire.

Land Transportation

Train Services

Colmar's Gare de Colmar is a hub for regional and high-speed train services.

Rail Connections

  • SNCF (France's national railway) operates services.
  • TGV direct to Paris (Gare de l'Est), ~2.5-3 hours.
  • TER regional trains connect to Strasbourg (~30 min), Mulhouse, Basel.

Long-Distance Buses

Bus services offer a budget-friendly alternative to trains for intercity travel.

Bus Operators & Considerations

  • FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus are main operators.
  • Generally cheaper than trains, especially last minute.
  • Usually slower than trains with fewer direct routes.

Self-Driving Considerations

Driving offers flexibility but has specific requirements and local rules.

Driving Rules & Car Rental

  • IDP (DiscoverCars.com) with national license for non-EU citizens.
  • Roads well-maintained; motorways have tolls.
  • Major international car rental companies have offices in Colmar.

Driving & Parking in Colmar

The historic center has restrictions; parking is mostly paid on the periphery.

Local Driving Rules

  • Driving in Old Town restricted to residents/deliveries.
  • Paid public parking lots on periphery (e.g., Rapp, Lacarre).
  • Be aware of speed limits, roundabouts, and local traffic laws.

Border Crossing & Sea/River Travel

  • No routine passport/customs checks between France and Schengen countries.
  • Always carry passport or valid ID within Schengen Zone.
  • Colmar is inland; no direct sea/large river cruise arrivals.
  • Tourist boat tours in "Little Venice" (Lauch River canals) are for sightseeing.
  • Rhine River cruises use ports like Strasbourg or Basel for disembarking.
  • Passengers from cruise ports travel to Colmar by bus or train.

Departure Information

Airport Departure Protocols

Plan your airport arrival time based on your flight type and destination.

Departure Timing

  • International (non-Schengen): Arrive 2-3 hours before departure.
  • European (Schengen): Arrive 1.5-2 hours before departure.
  • Allow extra time during peak seasons or public holidays.

Train Station Departure

Train departures from Gare de Colmar have simpler procedures.

Rail Departure Timing

  • TER (Regional Trains): Arrive 15-30 minutes before departure.
  • TGV (High-Speed Trains): Arrive 20-30 minutes before departure.
  • No formal check-in or security screening for trains.

Souvenirs

Purchase local crafts and wine before departing.

Baggage Check

Use a Luggage scale to avoid excess fees.

Journaling

Jot down memories in a Small travel journal.

Departure Logistics

Exit Formalities

No specific exit fees or taxes are levied directly on departing travelers from France.

Fees & Airport Services

  • Charges typically include airline ticket or train fare.
  • Airports offer standard facilities: shops, cafes, restaurants.
  • Duty-free available for non-Schengen flights.

Train Station Services

Colmar train station has basic facilities for departing passengers.

Station Amenities

  • Waiting areas.
  • Restrooms.
  • Small shop for snacks and drinks.

General Departure Advice

Check-in

Online check-in for flights saves time.

Baggage

Confirm baggage drop-off procedures and times.

Security

Be prepared for security screening protocols.

Final Preparations

Verify your flight or train status before heading to the airport or station.