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How to Get to Colmar

How to Get to Colmar

Colmar Grand Est, France Travel Guide

Air Travel Options

Main Airports Serving Colmar

Colmar does not have its own major international airport, but several well-connected local 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 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 over the summertime and Christmas market season.

Shoulder Season Value

April-June and September-October offer competitive costs 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, 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 the voyage is a standard approach for intercontinental visitors.

Affiliate Resources for Air Travel

Flight Deals

Dollar Flight Club for cheaper 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 center 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 countryside trains connect to Strasbourg (~30 min), Mulhouse, Basel.

Long-Distance Buses

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

Bus Operators & Considerations

  • FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus are main operators.
  • Generally cheaper more so compared to trains, especially at the last moment.
  • 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 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 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 area 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 arriving at the airport 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 rail services 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 prior to leaving.
  • 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 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 regular facilities: shops, cafes, restaurants.
  • Duty-free available for non-Schengen flights.

Train Station Services

Colmar train station features simple facilities for departing passengers.

Station Amenities

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

General Departure Advice

Check-in

Online check-in-in for flights saves time.

Baggage

Confirm luggage drop-off-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 station.