Colmar is easy to reach, safe to walk around, and compact enough to explore without a car. But the practical details, which terminal at the nearest airport, how much a taxi costs from the station, whether you can drink the tap water, make the difference between a smooth trip and a frustrating one. Here are the essential Colmar travel tips and answers to the most common questions.
Colmar Travel Tips: Getting to Colmar
Nearest Airports
The closest airport is EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL/MLH/EAP), 60km (37 miles) south of Colmar. This tri-national airport serves Basel, Mulhouse, and Freiburg with direct flights from most European hubs. From the airport, take the airport shuttle bus (No. 11) to Saint-Louis train station (10 minutes, 3 EUR), then a TER regional train to Colmar (30 minutes, roughly 10 EUR). Total journey time about 1 hour. Alternatively, a direct taxi from the airport to Colmar costs 80 to 100 EUR and takes 40 minutes. Strasbourg Airport (SXB) is 70km (43 miles) north with fewer connections but sometimes cheaper flights. Zurich Airport (ZRH) is 150km (93 miles) away and requires 2.5 hours by train via Basel. For the widest flight selection, fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and take the TGV high-speed train to Colmar (2 hours 20 minutes, roughly 80 EUR booked in advance). For more detail, see our best time to visit Colmar.
Train Connections
Colmar station (Gare de Colmar) sits on the Strasbourg-Basel main line with frequent TER regional trains. Strasbourg is 30 minutes (roughly 13 EUR), Basel is 40 minutes (roughly 12 EUR), and Mulhouse is 20 minutes (roughly 8 EUR). TGV high-speed services connect Colmar directly to Paris-Est station (2h20), Lyon (3h30), and Dijon (1h30). The station is a 10-minute walk from the old town. There is no metro or tram in Colmar, you walk, cycle, or take a taxi. Taxis queue outside the station, a ride to Little Venice costs 7 to 10 EUR. The station building has a small Relay convenience store, ticket machines, and toilets (1 EUR, coin only).
Colmar Travel Tips: Getting Around
The old town is entirely walkable. Every attraction mentioned in this guide sits within a 15-minute stroll of every other one. The city runs a small bus network (Trace) with 5 lines serving the suburbs, useful only if you are staying in a residential area or visiting the Parc des Expositions for the Wine Fair. A single bus ticket costs 1.50 EUR from the driver. Bicycle rental is available from Colmar Velos at 2 Rue de la Gare (15 EUR per day, 60 EUR per week) and from several hotels. The flat terrain and dedicated cycle paths along the Lauch River make cycling a good option for reaching nearby Alsatian villages. For more detail, see our Colmar weather by month.
Colmar Travel Tips: Money, Language, and Safety
France uses the Euro (EUR). Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted everywhere except some small bakeries and market stalls that require a minimum purchase of 10 EUR for card payments. Carry 50 to 100 EUR in cash for markets and small purchases. ATMs are plentiful in the old town, look for Banque Populaire, Credit Mutuel, or BNP Paribas branches around Place Rapp and Rue des Clefs. Tipping is not mandatory in France since a 15 percent service charge is included in all restaurant prices, but leaving small change (1 to 2 EUR per person for a meal, rounding up for drinks) is appreciated. For more detail, see our Colmar neighborhoods guide.
French is the primary language. In Colmar specifically, many locals also speak Alsatian (a Germanic dialect) and most people working in tourism, hotels, and restaurants speak functional English. German is widely understood due to proximity to the border and the shared Alsatian heritage. Learning a few French phrases (bonjour, merci, s’il vous plait, l’addition) goes a long way. Tap water is safe to drink throughout Colmar and you can ask for a carafe d’eau (free pitcher of tap water) at any restaurant.
Colmar is a safe city with very low violent crime rates. The main practical risk is pickpocketing in crowded Christmas market alleys and around the Little Venice boat dock during peak hours. Keep your phone and wallet in front pockets or a zipped bag in dense crowds. The tourist office (6 Rue des Tanneurs) and the main police station (17 Rue de la Gare) are the go-to resources if you lose documents or need assistance. The European emergency number is 112.
Colmar Travel Tips: Best Day Trips
Colmar is the ideal base for exploring the Alsace Wine Route. The four most beautiful villages, Eguisheim (7km, 15 minutes by bus or car), Riquewihr (14km, 20 minutes), Kaysersberg (12km, 20 minutes), and Ribeauville (17km, 25 minutes) are all within a 30-minute drive. Bus 109 (Trace network) runs from Colmar station to Eguisheim, Riquewihr, and Ribeauville but the schedule is sparse (4 to 6 buses per day), check times at trace-colmar.fr. Renting a bicycle and cycling the Route des Vins from Colmar to Eguisheim and back (14km round trip, mostly flat, dedicated bike path) is a popular half-day ride. Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, a restored 12th-century fortress with panoramic Rhine plain views, is 25km away (30 minutes by car, 15 EUR entry). Strasbourg is a 30-minute train ride for a day of grander urban sightseeing. Germany’s Black Forest begins 40km east, Freiburg im Breisgau is 45 minutes by car. For more detail, see our things to do in Colmar.
Colmar Travel Tips: Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need in Colmar?
Two full days cover the old town properly: one day for the Unterlinden Museum, Little Venice, and the main churches, a second day for a Wine Route village tour and covered market. Add a third day if you want to visit Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle or take a winery tour. If you are stopping in Colmar as part of a broader Alsace trip (combined with Strasbourg and the villages), two nights is the sweet spot.
Is Colmar worth visiting in winter?
Yes, specifically for the Christmas markets from late November to late December. Outside that window, January and February are cold (highs of 5 to 7°C) and some restaurants and wine cellars close for annual holidays, but the museums are wonderfully empty and hotel rates are at their annual low. If your primary interest is the old town architecture and museums, winter outside the Christmas period is actually an excellent time to visit if you do not mind the cold.
Can I visit Colmar without a car?
Easily. The train station connects Colmar to Strasbourg (30 minutes), Basel (40 minutes), and Paris (2h20 TGV). Within Colmar, everything is walkable. For Wine Route villages without a car, Bus 109 reaches Eguisheim and Riquewihr (limited schedule), and half-day guided minivan tours (60 to 80 EUR per person) visit 3 to 4 villages with wine tasting included. Cycling the flat Route des Vins path to Eguisheim and surrounding villages is feasible for anyone with moderate fitness.
Suggested Hotels in Colmar
L’Esquisse Hotel & Spa Colmar – MGallery Collection
Colmar’s only 5-star hotel, a contemporary urban resort overlooking the Parc du Champ de Mars with a full Clarins spa, indoor pool, and gastronomic JY’s restaurant. Best for luxury travellers wanting a spa-focused stay within a 10-minute walk of the old town. Check rates and availability
Hotel Quatorze
A design hotel in the old town with individually styled rooms, a private spa (sauna and hammam), and a wine bar focused on regional producers. Best for couples wanting a stylish central base with character. Check rates and availability For more detail, see our where to stay in Colmar.
ibis Budget Colmar Centre Ville
A clean, no-frills budget option 300 metres from the Maison des Tetes and a 5-minute walk from Little Venice. Best for solo travellers and backpackers. Check rates and availability For related planning, see our Colmar events and festivals calendar.
