How to Get to Colmar Christmas Market: Train & Airport Logistics

Colmar has no airport of its own, and that surprises many travelers. The good news? Reaching it is easy once you know the route. Below, I explain how to get to Colmar from Basel Airport, Strasbourg and Paris. Every route works without a car, which matters a lot in December.

Quick Info

Navigating Regional Trains and Airport Transfers Without a Car

There are three main ways into Colmar. Most international travelers fly into Basel. Others come through Strasbourg, often on a high-speed train from Paris. Travelers already exploring Germany usually arrive by regional train.

I came over from the Black Forest by train, changing in Basel. It felt surprisingly smooth, even with a full suitcase.

Every route ends at Colmar station. From there, Little Venice is a 10 to 15 minute walk away. Taxis cannot enter the old town during market hours. Pack light if your hotel is central. Whichever route you choose, aim to arrive in daylight. Darkness falls around 16:30 in December.

How to Get to Colmar from Basel Airport

EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg sits right where Switzerland, France and Germany meet. That makes it the closest airport to Colmar. Here is how to get to Colmar from Basel Airport, step by step.

Take the French Exit

This is the most important tip. The airport has a Swiss side and a French side. Many travelers follow the Swiss exit and end up at Basel’s main station. There, they deal with Swiss francs and international fares. For flyers, that detour costs time and money. Instead, follow the signs for the French exit. Signs are clear, and airport staff can point you the right way.

Ride Bus 11 to Saint-Louis Station

There is no direct train from the airport terminal. Outside the French exit, catch bus Line 11 to Saint-Louis train station. The ride takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Buses run every 15 to 30 minutes, and a ticket costs about €3.

Take the TER Train to Colmar

At Saint-Louis, board a regional TER train heading toward Mulhouse or Strasbourg. It reaches Colmar directly in about 36 to 40 minutes. Tickets start at around €7.

In total, the trip takes about 50 to 60 minutes. Not bad for under €10.

Taxi or Private Transfer?

Prefer a door-to-door ride? A taxi from the airport is possible, but it costs far more. Remember, taxis cannot reach most old town hotels during market hours. Bus plus train remains the smartest way to get to Colmar from Basel Airport.

Train from Strasbourg to Colmar

Strasbourg is the other main gateway. The train from Strasbourg to Colmar is a simple TER ride of about 30 minutes. Trains leave regularly from Strasbourg’s main station. Strasbourg’s own Christmas market is famous, so many travelers spend a night there first.

Landing at Strasbourg Airport instead? A TER train connects it with Colmar in about 35 to 45 minutes. Some trips run direct, while others change in Sélestat. Expect to pay around €6 to €12.

Coming from Paris? Take a high-speed TGV from Gare de l’Est to Strasbourg. That leg takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. Then switch to a TER for the last 30 minutes. With early booking, fares run from about €35 to €90.

Flying into Paris CDG? Head into the city first, then catch the TGV at Gare de l’Est.

Christmas-season TGV tickets go on sale in early autumn, and the cheapest fares go fast. Book as soon as your dates are fixed.

Staying in Strasbourg and visiting Colmar as a day trip? A guided tour from Strasbourg covers Colmar, Eguisheim and Riquewihr in one day. Book the Heart of Alsace day trip if you prefer not to juggle trains.

Coming from Germany: Frankfurt and the Black Forest

Many travelers combine Colmar with German Christmas markets. Both routes are easy by train.

From the Black Forest, regional trains run to Basel. French trains then continue to Colmar. That is exactly the route I took. Give yourself a buffer for the change in Basel, especially in winter. Coming from Frankfurt, fast trains head toward Strasbourg. A regional train then covers the final stretch.

Leaving the Black Forest? Check whether your free KONUS guest card covers the German leg of the trip.

Basel to Colmar Train Schedule

Regional trains run regularly throughout the day between Saint-Louis and Colmar. The ride itself takes 36 to 40 minutes. Exact departure times change with the season, so check them before you travel. The SNCF Connect app shows the current Basel to Colmar train schedule in real time.

Landing late in the evening? Check the last bus and the last train before you leave the arrivals hall. Weekend and holiday timetables can also differ from weekday ones. Expect fuller trains on December weekends. Buy your ticket before boarding, either in the app or at a machine.

Travel Alsace Without a Car in Winter

Renting a car in Alsace in December sounds tempting. In reality, it often causes more stress than it saves. Village parking is very limited, and historic centers close to traffic. So how do you travel Alsace without a car in winter? Use the Christmas shuttle buses.

These special buses leave from Colmar station. They head straight to the Wine Route’s Christmas markets. Riquewihr and Kaysersberg are the most popular stops. Visit them on a weekday for a calmer day. Lines 1 and 2 serve Kaysersberg, Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé. Line 3 goes to Eguisheim.

Tickets are sold online only, so you cannot buy them from the driver. Sales open in mid-November, and daily seats sell out fast. From Monday to Thursday, tickets cost €8, though fewer lines run. Every ticket costs €17 from Friday to Sunday.

Looking for quieter markets? An Explorer’s fare costs just €10. It covers Line 4 to Turckheim and Munster, which runs from Friday to Sunday. Line 5 to Neuf-Brisach only runs on 12 and 13 December.

One common trap: regional train day passes do not cover the Christmas shuttles. Buy your shuttle tickets separately.

Weekend crowds affect the shuttles, too. Plan around them with my Colmar opening hours guide. Need the full picture of routes, prices and backup options? My complete Navettes de Noël guide covers every line.

No Lockers at Colmar Station: Where to Leave Your Luggage

This catches many travelers off guard. Colmar station has no luggage lockers, and there is no official bag drop inside.

On my last day, my train did not leave until the evening. I headed to Colmar station to leave my suitcase, but there were no lockers. They had been removed for security reasons. So I opened Nannybag on my phone and found a café near the station. Dropping off my bag cost about €4.40 for the day. Suddenly free, I spent my last afternoon at the Unterlinden Museum. It was the calmest few hours of the whole trip.

Nannybag works with more than 13 local businesses across Colmar, including hotels, cafés and shops. Bounce offers a similar service for about €4.50 per day. Both let you book online and drop off your bag with a QR code. Nannybag charges per bag, per day, with no size limits. Download one of the apps before you arrive. Booking a spot the evening before is a smart move.

Arriving at Colmar Station

Colmar station is small and easy to navigate. The Christmas shuttle buses leave right in front of it. Hotels like Colmar Hotel and Grand Hotel Bristol sit within a few minutes’ walk. Heading to the old town? Walk 10 to 15 minutes, or hop on a local bus. Carrying heavy bags? A taxi can drop you at the edge of the pedestrian zone. On some December weekends, local buses in the Colmar area are free for everyone.

Practical Tips

Book shuttle tickets early. Weekend seats go first. Buy them as soon as your plans are fixed.

Download SNCF Connect. It shows live train times and sells regional tickets. You will avoid queues at the station machines.

Sleep close to your transport. Hotels near the station make arrivals and day trips much easier. The full neighborhood comparison explains the trade-offs.

Plan your days before you arrive. Once you are settled, my 2-day Colmar plan takes it from there.

Driving anyway? Central garages like Rapp and Mairie fill up early. Use the Park and Ride outside town instead. Free buses run from there into the center on busy days. Browse rental car options for your dates.

Mind the cobblestones. Rolling suitcases struggle on old town cobbles. A backpack or small case makes the walk from the station much easier.

Check for strike notices. French rail strikes sometimes disrupt service. Look for alerts in SNCF Connect before your travel days.

Stay connected on the move. You will need data for tickets, maps and luggage apps. Set up an eSIM before you fly.

Continuing north from Colmar? Trains reach Haguenau in just over an hour, with one change in Strasbourg. Quiet markets, pottery villages and Wissembourg wait there. Follow my Northern Alsace Christmas market itinerary to see how it fits together.

FAQ

How do I get to Colmar from Basel Airport? Take the French exit and ride bus Line 11 to Saint-Louis station. Then catch a TER train to Colmar. The whole trip takes about 50 to 60 minutes.

How long is the train from Strasbourg to Colmar? The regional TER train takes about 30 minutes. Trains run regularly throughout the day.

Is there a direct train from Basel Airport to Colmar? No, there is not. You need a short bus ride to Saint-Louis station first.

Can I travel around Alsace without a car in winter? Yes, easily. Regional trains connect the main towns, and Christmas shuttle buses serve the wine villages.

Can I buy Christmas shuttle tickets on the bus? No. Tickets are sold online only, so book them in advance.

Where can I store luggage in Colmar? Colmar station has no lockers. Use Nannybag or Bounce, which partner with local cafés, shops and hotels.

How far is Colmar station from the old town? It is about a 10 to 15 minute walk to Little Venice. Local buses also run into the center.

How do I get from Paris to Colmar? Take a TGV from Gare de l’Est to Strasbourg, then a TER train to Colmar. The whole trip takes about 2.5 hours.

What is the cheapest way from Basel Airport to Colmar? The bus and train combination is the cheapest. It costs under €10 in total.