How to Get to Eguisheim and Riquewihr from Colmar Without a Car (The Navettes de Noël Guide)

Three rules make the Christmas shuttles easy: book online, check the day, and book early. That is really all you need to remember. The Navettes de Noel Colmar shuttle connects Colmar with the prettiest Christmas villages in Alsace. No car, no parking stress, no icy mountain roads. Below, you will find every line, price and booking rule, explained simply.

Quick Info

Navigating the Alsace Christmas Shuttle Bus System and Public Transport

The Navettes de Noel are special Christmas shuttle buses. They leave from Colmar train station. From there, they link the region’s best village markets. In 2026, they run from 27 November to 20 December. Most travelers use them for day trips from Colmar.

Why use the Navettes de Noel Colmar shuttle at all? Village parking is limited and expensive on weekends. Narrow medieval streets and icy roads add stress, too. The shuttle drops you right at the market. You can also enjoy a vin chaud without worrying about the drive home.

Here is the most important detail. Tickets are not sold on the bus or at the stops. You can only buy them online, and daily seats are limited. Sales open in mid-November, and popular days sell out quickly.

Shortly before each travel day, a few last-minute tickets are sometimes released. Relying on them, however, is a gamble. Book as soon as your dates are fixed. The booking itself only takes a few minutes online.

I booked my Friday shuttle the day I fixed my Kaysersberg night. That way, the rest of my plans could fall into place around it.

First, though, you need to reach Colmar itself. This train and airport guide walks you there step by step.

Christmas Shuttle Lines, Routes and Prices

The system is simpler than it looks. Here is every line at a glance.

Lines 1 and 2 form a loop through three classic villages. Your €17 ticket covers unlimited rides that day, so you can hop between them. Line 3 is the easiest option for midweek visits, since it runs every day. For quieter markets, Line 4 heads to Turckheim and Munster. Neuf-Brisach’s Line 5, meanwhile, only runs on one weekend. Plan carefully if Neuf-Brisach is on your list. Every line starts and ends at Colmar station. You always return to the same place.

Children under 12 travel for free. Even so, you need to reserve a free ticket for them online. This helps the organizers manage seat numbers.

How to Get to Eguisheim from Colmar Without a Car in Winter

Eguisheim is the simplest village to reach. Line 3 runs from Colmar station every single day of the season. From Monday to Thursday, a ticket costs just €8. The ride is short, so you lose little time on the road.

Timing matters here. On weekdays, Eguisheim’s market only opens at 12:00. So plan to arrive after lunch, rather than first thing in the morning. On weekends, the stalls open at 10:00.

My favorite plan is an afternoon visit that runs into the evening. The lanes glow after dark, and the wine cellars feel extra cozy. Just check the time of the last shuttle back before you settle in. Combine your visit with the nightly Advent window on the Château square.

That is how to get to Eguisheim from Colmar without a car in winter.

How to Get to Riquewihr from Colmar

On weekends, Lines 1 and 2 take you straight to Riquewihr. Your day ticket also covers Kaysersberg and Ribeauvillé, so you can combine villages. It even gets you to Ribeauvillé’s medieval market on its two December weekends.

From Monday to Thursday, though, the Christmas shuttles do not go to Riquewihr. Regional Fluo Grand Est buses fill that gap. Lines 68R013 and 68R016 leave from Colmar station and serve Riquewihr and Kaysersberg. A one-way ticket costs just €4. Weekday buses run less often, so check the Fluo Grand Est timetable first.

One Tuesday morning, I caught the regional Fluo bus from Colmar station. The ticket cost just €4. A few locals rode with me. One woman carried her market shopping, and two teenagers headed to school. The road wound through the vineyards, and misty hills drifted past the window. When I reached Riquewihr, the village was only just waking up. A handful of people walked the main street. I took my time photographing the ramparts and the half-timbered houses.

So how to get to Riquewihr from Colmar depends on the day. Friday to Sunday means shuttles, while Monday to Thursday means regional buses.

How Many Days Do You Need to Explore Alsace by Christmas Shuttle?

Because of the running days, your schedule needs a little planning. Lines 1 and 2 only run from Friday to Sunday. Line 3, by contrast, runs daily.

So how many days do you need to explore Alsace by Christmas shuttle? Plan for three. Use two weekend days for Kaysersberg, Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé. Then save a weekday for Eguisheim on Line 3. Short on time? One weekend day on Lines 1 and 2 covers two villages comfortably.

Ribeauvillé’s medieval market only opens on two December weekends. Kaysersberg’s market, meanwhile, only opens from Friday to Sunday. Lines 1 and 2 drop you right into Kaysersberg’s artisan market on those days.

Still deciding between villages? This side-by-side village comparison helps you choose.

Booking Your Tickets, Step by Step

Booking is straightforward once you know the rules.

Step 1: Pick your days. Check which lines run on your dates. Remember that Lines 1, 2 and 4 only run from Friday to Sunday.

Step 2: Book online. Tickets go on sale in mid-November. Weekend seats tend to go first, so book early. Have your dates and line ready before sales open.

Step 3: Add the kids. Reserve free tickets for children under 12 in the same booking.

Step 4: Save your ticket. Keep a screenshot on your phone. Then you are not relying on mobile data at the stop.

Step 5: Arrive early. Get to Colmar station a little before departure, since buses leave on schedule.

Step 6: Note the last ride back. Check the final return shuttle to Colmar for your line.

What If the Shuttles Are Sold Out?

Even with good planning, popular days can sell out. Do not panic, because you still have options.

First, check the booking page again a few days before your trip. Last-minute tickets are sometimes released shortly before each travel day.

Second, use the regional Fluo buses on weekdays. They reach Riquewihr and Kaysersberg for €4 each way, with no booking needed.

Third, switch your days around. Line 3 to Eguisheim runs every day. A weekday visit there takes pressure off your weekend. Weekday visits are calmer anyway.

Finally, consider a guided tour. It removes the logistics entirely. Tours leave from Colmar, so they fit a Colmar-based trip perfectly. A sold-out Navettes de Noël Colmar shuttle does not have to ruin your plans.

Driving Instead? Parking and Park and Ride

Some travelers prefer to drive. If that is you, avoid the village centers on weekends.

Kaysersberg: Short-stay parking in the historic center gets very expensive after two hours. Use the weekend Park and Ride instead, with three lots on the edge of town. It costs just €4 a day, with free shuttles every 15 minutes.

Riquewihr: The Charpentiers car park is closest to the center. It costs about €9 for up to seven hours. Spaces usually fill up soon after 10:00. On weekends, the Naturoparc Park and Ride in Hunawihr costs €10, shuttle included.

Eguisheim: The Mairie and Marronniers car parks sit at the village entrance. A full day costs €5. Even here, arrive before late morning on weekends.

Staying overnight? Check whether your hotel offers parking before you book. Prefer your own wheels for the wider Wine Route? Compare rental car options before you go.

Practical Tips

Watch the clock in the evening. Daylight fades around 16:30, and the villages look their best after dark. Check the last return shuttle before you start exploring.

Sleep in a village instead. The last shuttle back sets your evening’s limit. Want more time? Sleep in one of the villages.

No tickets left? A guided tour from Colmar can save the day. It visits Eguisheim, Kaysersberg and Riquewihr, plus Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle and a wine tasting. Book the medieval and wine tasting tour.

Keep your ticket handy. Drivers check tickets as you board, so have it ready on your phone.

Pair villages smartly. Kaysersberg and Riquewihr work beautifully on the same loop day.

Dress for waiting outside. Shuttle stops are open to the wind, and queues can form on busy days. Warm gloves and boots make the wait far more pleasant.

Stay connected. You will need data for booking and timetables. Set up an eSIM before you arrive.

FAQ

Can I buy Navettes de Noël tickets on the bus? No. Tickets are sold online only. Drivers and stops do not sell them.

When do Christmas shuttle tickets go on sale? Sales open in mid-November. Popular days sell out quickly, so book early.

How do I get to Eguisheim from Colmar without a car? Take Line 3 from Colmar station. It runs every day of the season, and weekday tickets cost €8.

How do I get to Riquewihr from Colmar from Monday to Thursday? Take a regional Fluo Grand Est bus from Colmar station. Lines 68R013 and 68R016 serve Riquewihr, and tickets cost €4.

Do children need a shuttle ticket? Yes. Children under 12 ride for free, but you must reserve a free ticket online.

How many days do I need to explore Alsace by Christmas shuttle?  Three days work well. Use two weekend days for Lines 1 and 2, then one weekday for Eguisheim.

What if the Christmas shuttles are sold out? Check again a few days before your trip, since last-minute tickets are sometimes released. On weekdays, regional Fluo buses are a good backup.

Is the Navettes de Noel Colmar shuttle worth it? Yes. It saves you from village parking, icy roads and driving after mulled wine. Better still, it drops you right at the markets.