Colmar by train

Colmar by train can be reached directly from major cities in Alsace: the city is located on the Basel – Saint-Louis – Mulhouse – Colmar – Selestat – Strasbourg line. Trains depart approximately once an hour, but not regularly throughout the day: sometimes more often, sometimes less often. These are only regional TER trains. TGV trains no longer stop in Colmar, so you will have to change trains if you are travelling from Paris.

Train route maps in Alsace and the Grand Est region

Grand Est (Alsace, Lorraine, Champagne):

Colmar by Train

Despite the apparent connectivity of Colmar with many towns along the “Alsace Wine Route”, the impression can be misleading. Regional trains, which make frequent stops, only go from Colmar to Sélestat (if you are heading towards Strasbourg). For example, to get from Colmar to Obernai, you must first travel to Sélestat (trains within the Haut-Rhin department) and then take a regional train of the Bas-Rhin department to Obernai. There is a direct train from Strasbourg to Obernai since they are in the same department.

So, when planning your trip, do not get overly optimistic and check all routes and connections on the official website.

To Colmar by train from other cities

Previously, high-speed TGV trains in the direction of Paris stopped in Colmar. Now everything has changed, and only regional trains run here either within the department or across Alsace. You can get to Paris with a change in Mulhouse.

There is no point in giving train schedules, as they are constantly changing. But it is useful to know the approximate travel time and ticket prices if you are planning a trip and choosing a method of transportation.

Reminder: children under 4 years of age travel for free on regional trains (and for a fee on FlixBus buses!). Children 4 – 11 years old – with a discount (the rate may change, the exact discount cannot be stated).

Tickets prices from Colmar

 * Prices are updated as of 2024

• Trains Colmar – Basel: ~ 55 min, tickets: 16.90 €
• Trains Colmar – Strasbourg: ~ 35 min, tickets: 15.10 € (there are promotional prices for 5 €)
• Trains Colmar – Mulhouse: 18 – 35 min, tickets: 10.40 € (there are promotional prices for 5 €)
• Trains Colmar – Selestat: 10 – 12 min, tickets: 6.10 € (there are promotional prices for 3 €)
• Trains Colmar – Paris: ~ 2:30 – 4:40, tickets: 100 – 150  € (there are promotional prices for 40 € and even less!)

Colmar Train Station

If you arrive to Colmar by train, you’ll find a charming (from the outside) but rather modest station. It is located 1.3 km from the Cathedral (about a 17-minute walk). The station has elevators (which parents with strollers will appreciate!). Inside, there is a small kiosk with snacks, souvenirs, and books, as well as a stand with croissants/sandwiches and a few rows of seats. Not much, but you can grab a bite.

Upon exiting the station, you enter a barrier-free area (great for parents with strollers!) with scattered bus stops. There is no central bus terminal: just separate stops to the left and right of the exit for both city buses (which you may not need) and department buses (which are useful for visiting the “most beautiful villages” in the area). Buses stop randomly, both city and department, at the same stop!

So, it’s important to arrive a bit early and walk along the stops to find the right one. You can identify it by the information sheet on the board near each stop: it lists bus routes and directions.

Buses to Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé stop at the far-right stop as you exit the station (without crossing the road). The tourist panoramic bus stops almost directly opposite the station exit (slightly to the right, across the road).

From the Train Station to Colmar Center

If you wish (or want to save money), you can walk to the center of Colmar: it’s 1.3 km or about a 17-minute walk to the square in front of the Collegiate Church of St. Martin or to “Little Venice”. You can shorten the walk by taking a bus directly from the train station: lines 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 to the Champ de Mars stop. You’ll still have to walk, but only 9 minutes or 700 meters. If you have small children, this can be helpful!

It’s good if your hotel/apartment is located somewhere in between. Then you can forget about public transport.

How to Walk to the City Center from Colmar Station:

Departing from Colmar Station

Trains at Colmar stop in transit (it’s an intermediate point between Basel and Strasbourg) for only a few minutes. Therefore, there is no need to arrive very early (unless you want to get oriented), but you will need to board the train quite quickly.

If the train is high-floor and you have a stroller and small children (and no husband to help), don’t be afraid: many people are willing to help. However, you’ll need to fold everything and squeeze through sometimes narrow doors.

If you’re lucky (or not?), there will be a low-floor train. But in my experience, they have many doors (wide!) but few seats, resulting in a fully packed carriage (many travel with bicycles). But (perhaps I was lucky), small children were given seats.

Nevertheless, 9 out of 10 trains will be high-floor, so be prepared to board by folding all your luggage to make it easy to carry onto the train.

Train Crowding

I’ve noticed that many people travel between Colmar and Strasbourg. Every time, the train is fully or even over-crowded. Right after Colmar (from Strasbourg), the carriage empties. However, in the case of low-floor trains between Colmar and Strasbourg (with few seats), it feels like you won’t fit in!

It probably depends on the time and day of the week. But on weekends, many people travel with bicycles around the area, so be prepared for a crowded train!

Snacking Near Colmar Station

If you have to wait for your train for a while, you can use this time to grab a snack or bring food with you. There aren’t many restaurants near the station (besides sandwiches inside the station). But you can walk about 5 minutes to a decent kebab-pizzeria, Restaurant Le 27 (10 Av. de la Liberté, 68000 Colmar). Calling it a restaurant might be an overstatement. But the place is neat, clean, and has a high rating. You can get takeaway pizza or Tarte Flambée. The latter may not match restaurant versions but is 2/3 of the price, so it’s forgivable. I personally tested it, and it’s quite edible. Better than cold sandwiches.

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