Getting around Alsace without a car: a simple guide
Many visitors to Alsace do not drive here, whether they are coming from overseas, do not want to drive on the right, or simply prefer to relax. The good news: you do not need a car to enjoy the region. Strasbourg has an excellent tram network and regional trains link the main towns.
The catch: the prettiest wine villages often have no train station, and buses can be few and far between, especially on Sundays and in winter. Here is what works well, what needs planning, and when a private driver is worth it.
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In Strasbourg: tram and walking
On foot. The historic centre, the Grande Île, is best explored on foot, and much of it is pedestrianised. Bring comfortable shoes: there are plenty of cobblestones.
Tram and bus. The local operator, CTS, runs six tram lines (A to F) and many bus routes. From the main station, the tram gets you to the centre in a few stops. Line D even crosses the Rhine to Kehl in Germany.
Tickets. Buy them from machines at tram stops or in the CTS app. Validate every time you board.
Good to know
- Timetables and service updates are on the CTS website and app.
- During the Christmas market, some central tram stops may close during market hours. See our Strasbourg Christmas market guide.
Arriving without a car
From Strasbourg-Entzheim airport, a shuttle train reaches Strasbourg station in 8 minutes, up to 5 times an hour (source: the airport).
From other airports (Basel-Mulhouse, Frankfurt, Zurich, Paris-CDG), it takes longer. Everything is explained in our airport guide.
Regional trains (TER): great for towns
TER Grand Est trains (branded Fluo) link Strasbourg with many Alsatian towns. They are the best option for:
- Colmar: direct and frequent trains during the day;
- Sélestat: on the same line, the gateway to Haut-Koenigsbourg castle;
- Obernai and Molsheim: on the line towards the Vosges foothills;
- Mulhouse and Saint-Louis (for EuroAirport).
Timetables vary by day, so always check TER Grand Est or fluo.eu, particularly for Sundays and public holidays.
Good to know
- Trains stop at the station, not always in the old town. In Colmar, expect a short walk to the historic centre.
- Planning a day in Colmar? Read our Colmar day trip guide.
Wine Route villages: where it gets tricky
Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, Eguisheim, Ribeauvillé, Turckheim… These are the postcard villages everyone wants to see. Most of them have no train station.
Bus from Colmar. Regional buses (Fluo Grand Est network) leave from Colmar station for several villages, including Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé and Eguisheim. Services are limited, and thinner at weekends. Check times on fluo.eu or with the Colmar tourist office before you set off.
Tourist bus. In season, an open-top tourist bus called Kut’zig loops between Colmar and several wine villages. It only runs at certain times of year: check dates and times on its official website.
The real issue: seeing several villages in one day. By bus you will usually manage one or two villages, with waiting time in between. To see three or four, with a relaxed lunch in a traditional winstub, a driver makes all the difference.
More in our Alsace Wine Route guide.
Haut-Koenigsbourg castle
The castle sits high above Sélestat. Without a car, there is a shuttle bus (line 500) from Sélestat station. According to the castle’s website, in 2026 it runs at weekends and on public holidays from 28 February to 3 January 2027, and daily from 30 May to 30 August, timed to meet TER trains. Check the latest times before you go.
Across the Rhine: Kehl, the Black Forest and Europa-Park
Kehl: tram line D takes you there straight from Strasbourg.
The Black Forest: some places can be reached by train via Offenburg, but the best-known sights (lakes, scenic roads, villages) are far easier by car or van. See The Black Forest from Strasbourg.
Europa-Park: the nearest station is Ringsheim/Europa-Park in Germany, with a bus to the park entrance (source: Europa-Park). From Strasbourg you will usually need to change trains. See Europa-Park from Strasbourg.
When is a private driver worth it?
Public transport is ideal for a solo traveller or a couple staying in Strasbourg or heading to Colmar. A van with driver makes sense when:
- you are a group or family: the price is per vehicle, up to 8 passengers, not per person;
- you want to see several villages in the same day;
- you travel with older relatives, young children or someone who finds walking hard;
- you have luggage (arrival or departure day);
- it is a Sunday or a public holiday, when buses are scarce;
- you want to get back late after a Christmas market without watching the clock.
As a guide: Strasbourg → Colmar one way costs about €190 for the van, and a same-day return about €360. An evening at the Strasbourg Christmas market starts from €105. For anything else, the simulator gives you a price in 30 seconds.
Our drivers speak English, French and Arabic. For 1 to 3 people, we also have a sedan.
Good to know: mix and match Many travellers take the train for easy trips (Strasbourg ↔ Colmar) and book the van for their “villages day”. It is often the best balance of cost and comfort.
Our tips for a car-free trip
- Stay near a station or tram stop. In Strasbourg, that is easy.
- Check timetables the day before, especially for Sundays.
- Leave a margin for the last train or bus.
- In December, trains and roads are very busy during the Christmas markets. Book early. See Alsace Christmas markets.
- Download the CTS app for trams and tickets in Strasbourg.
- Pack light if you can. Platforms, cobbled streets and village lanes are much easier with one small suitcase each than with several large ones.
- Keep a plan B. If a bus is cancelled or you miss the last train back from a village, a call or WhatsApp message to a local driver can save the evening.
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