For 6 weeks every year, all the roads in France seem to lead from Paris to Colmar in the Alsace region. The Colmar Christmas Market is one of the most traditional and popular markets in Europe and it is at the top of many lists as a must-visit destination in France.
This makes November and December the best time to experience Christmas in Colmar if you want to experience one of the best Christmas Markets in the world.
The Christmas market in Colmar is one of the premium attractions held every year in the town. It draws thousands of visitors from all around the world.
Besides celebrating Christmas in Colmar during the rest of the year people visit Colmar for the fine wine that is grown in the region, People come from all over the world for the artisanal foods produced in the Alsace and the Petite France style of buildings that are world known for their colour and unique style.
Many travellers will be coming from Paris to Colmar. Let’s take a look at the different options available to get you from the French Capital to Colmar.
Where is Colmar?
Colmar is located in the what’s called the Rhine Basin. An area that sees France, Germany and Switzerland all nearby. Colmar is the 3rd biggest city in the Alsace Region of France and only 20 kilometres from the German Border.
The distance from Colmar to Paris is 492 kilometres. Let’s take a look at all the options for you Paris to Colmar trip.
How to get from Paris to Colmar
There are so many ways to get from Paris to Colmar that will make your trip to France amazing. Even if you only plan to spend a couple of days in Colmar it is still a travel destination that should not be missed in France. Below we have all the very best ways to get from Paris to Colmar.
Using the Paris to Colmar train
There are a number of options for getting from Paris to Colmar by train. The fastest and most efficient method is with the TGV High-Speed train network in France.
Although there is no direct TGV Paris to Colmar line, you can arrive at Strasbourg France or Freiburg in Germany. All trains departing for Colmar from Paris use the Paris Gare de l’Est or Gare de Lyon train stations. All trains arrive at Colmar station.
How long is the train from Paris to Colmar?
Strasbourg is located 73 kilometres north of Colmar. The average travel time between Paris and Strasbourg is 2 hours and 21 minutes. There are around 14 trains running this route every day. You will arrive at Strasbourg Gare Centrale Train Station
From Strasbourg Gare Centrale Train Station you can catch a direct train to Colmar. Trains from Strasbourg to Colmar take around 30-35 minutes. There is an average of 29 trains a day between Strasbourg and Colmar, leaving approximately every 36 minutes
All up the Paris to Colmar train time is around 3 hours train time with a short wait in Strasbourg to connect to Colmar.
The Colmar Train station is located just on the edge of the old town tourism and shopping district.
The Colmar train station is your arrival and departure on all trips from Strasbourg by train. You can take an easy stroll from the Colmar train station to Little Venice in 10 minutes. A taxi will take you 2 to 3 minutes and cost you around 5-6 Euros.
How to book your Paris to Colmar train tickets
Nearly all trains in Europe can be booked through the country’s national railway site, for France, this is the SNCF. We always try and book our European trains using Omio, who makes everything easy and straight forward. You often find the National Carriers website to be confusing and the language translations not quite right.
Omio has more than 800 trusted transport partners, including industry heavyweights Amtrak, Deutsche Bahn, SNCF, Trenitalia, Renfe, Via Rail Canada, Alsa, and Eurolines.
In general, tickets can easily be reserved a few months before you travel to help with your trip planning. Prices to Strasbourg start from 58€
Comparing all train times and prices between Paris and Colmar is made simple by Omio’s fantastic booking service, which is totally secure with tickets booked in your home currency and language
Omio will send you a ticket confirmation and tickets that can be either printed out or shown via the mobile app for your train trip from Paris to Colmar.
Freiburg is closer to Colmar than Strasbourg. Freiburg is only 51 kilometres away. The TGV from Paris to Freiburg is 3 hours and 5 minutes. A lack of direct public transport options makes Freiburg an option only if you plan on staying and renting a hire car. There is no direct train or bus to Colmar from Freiburg.
Paris to Colmar by Car
The fastest and best route from Paris to Colmar by car is via the A4 freeway and the A31 The A4 will take northeast out of Paris towards Reims then swing east towards Nancy before crossing the Voges mountains into Colmar.
The journey time will take around 5.5 hours non-stop of 6.5 hours with stops. There will are tolls on the A4 section of the trip. The tolls finish after you swing south-east past Reims on your Paris to Colmar by car trip.