How to Get to Colmar. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Air Travel Options

Main Airports Serving Colmar

Colmar does not have its own major international airport, but several well-connected area-specific 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/Intra-european flights.
Zürich (ZRH) & Frankfurt (FRA): Major international centers 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 terminal, then TER train to Colmar (~45-60 min).
Renting a car is available at all major airports for regional exploration.

Price Fluctuations

Flight prices peak in the 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, France's National airline, Lufthansa.
SXB: Air France, Volotea, Ryanair.
ZRH/FRA: Lufthansa, Swiss, France's National airline, Ba, 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 key hubs (Paris CDG, FRA, ZRH).
Connect to Colmar via regional flight or, more commonly, high-speed train.
A multi-leg the voyage is a standard approach for intercontinental visitors.

Affiliate Resources for Air Travel

Flight Deals

Dollar Flight Club for less expensive 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 provincial 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 countryside rail services link to Strasbourg (~30 min), Mulhouse, Basel.

Long-Distance Buses

Bus services offer a budget-friendly alternative to rail for inter-urban travel.

Bus Operators & Considerations

FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus are main operators.
Generally cheaper more so than trains, especially last minute.
Usually slower than trains with a smaller number of direct routes.

Self-Driving Considerations

Driving offers flexibility but has specific requirements and local rules.

Driving Rules & Car Rental

IDP (DiscoverCars.com) with national permission 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 for the most part 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 The country of 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 Boat trips on the river 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

Departures of trains from Gare de Colmar have simpler procedures.

Rail Departure Timing

TER (Regional Trains): Get THERE 15-30 minutes before departure.
TGV (High-Speed Trains): Arrive 20-HALF an hour before departure.
No formal check-in or security screening for train journeys.

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 particular exit fees or taxes are levied directly on departing travelers from France.

Fees & Airport Services

Charges typically include airline ticket or train fare.
Airports provide 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 methods and times.

Security

Be prepared for security screening protocols.

Final Preparations

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

How to Get to Colmar