Strasbourg stole my heart the first time I arrived—gliding past vineyards on the TGV at golden hour, watching the cathedral spires rise from the Rhine.
Planning your trip to Strasbourg—the fairytale capital of Alsace? Whether you’re flying in from abroad, arriving by high-speed train, road-tripping through France, Belgium, or Germany, or even cruising along the Rhine, getting to Strasbourg is easier (and more scenic) than you think.
After multiple visits and plenty of route-testing, I’ve gathered the best travel options and personal tips to help you arrive smoothly and start your adventure stress-free. Use my trusted links throughout this guide to book flights, trains, and rentals.
Best Ways to Get to Strasbourg
1. Flying to Strasbourg – Quick & Convenient
📍 Strasbourg Entzheim Airport (SXB) – Just 10 min from downtown
✔ Direct flights from Paris, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt & more
✔ From outside Europe? Fly into Paris (CDG) or Frankfurt (FRA), then take a high-speed train
🚆 Airport to City Center
✅ Train (9 min, €5–€10) – Fastest & cheapest
✅ Taxi (€25–€40) – Good for late arrivals
✅ Car Rentals – Best for exploring Alsace. Compare rental prices here.
💡 Pro Tip: Book flights early for Christmas markets & festivals—prices spike fast.
🔍 Find Cheap Flights: Skyscanner | WayAway | Kiwi
2. By Train – Scenic, Comfortable & Central
Strasbourg is perfectly placed on Europe’s high-speed rail network, making train travel one of the smartest and most relaxing ways to arrive, especially if you’re already in Europe.
🚆 Popular High-Speed Routes to Strasbourg:
✅ Paris → Strasbourg – 1h 46m (TGV from Gare de l’Est)
✅ Frankfurt → Strasbourg – ~2h (Direct ICE/TER trains)
✅ Zurich → Strasbourg – ~2.5h (Via Basel)
✅ Brussels → Strasbourg – ~3.5h (Thalys/TGV)
Strasbourg’s main station (Gare de Strasbourg) is super central—just a short walk or tram ride from most hotels and major sights. It makes arriving and settling in a breeze.
💡 Pro Tip: Book early on Rail Europe for the best prices & seat availability.
3. By Bus – Budget-Friendly & Surprisingly Easy
Traveling on a budget? Buses are a great, low-cost option for getting to Strasbourg, especially from nearby cities and countries.
📍 Popular Bus Routes to Strasbourg:
✅ Paris → Strasbourg (5.5h)
✅ Frankfurt → Strasbourg (2.5h)
✅ Lyon → Strasbourg (6h)
✅ Zurich/Cologne → Strasbourg (~4h)
🚍 Top Bus Companies:
✔ FlixBus – Budget-friendly & frequent
✔ BlaBlaCar Bus – Comfy seats + free Wi-Fi
💡 Pro Tip: Book early on FlixBus | BlaBlaCar—prices rise as departure day nears.
📍 Arrival Point: Buses usually arrive at Strasbourg Bus Station (Place de l’Étoile), just a quick tram ride from the city center.
4. Driving to Strasbourg – Ultimate Road Trip Freedom
Why drive? Perfect for exploring Alsace’s storybook villages, wine routes, and the German Black Forest at your own pace.
📍 Key Driving Routes:
- Paris → Strasbourg: 5 hours (490km)
- Frankfurt → Strasbourg: 2 hours (210km)
- Basel → Strasbourg: 1.5 hours (130km)
🚘 Pro Tips:
- Rent a car for day trips – many hidden gems aren’t accessible by public transport
- Use affordable Park-and-Ride (P+R) lots + tram combo for city access
- Keep coins/credit cards ready for French highway tolls
💡 Smart Traveler Advice:
Book your rental car early for the best rates, especially during peak seasons like Christmas markets.
🔗 Find the best car rental deals here – compare prices across major providers.
5. Arriving by River Cruise – Strasbourg’s Most Scenic Entrance
Strasbourg is a highlight on many Rhine River cruises, and arriving this way feels straight out of a fairytale. Most itineraries start in Amsterdam, Basel, or Cologne, winding through vineyard-covered hills and charming medieval towns before docking near the city center.
🌊 Top Cruise Routes
- Amsterdam → Strasbourg (7-10 days)
- Basel → Strasbourg (3-5 days)
- Cologne → Strasbourg (5-7 days)
Why Cruise In?
🌿 Panoramic views of castles, villages & vineyards along the Rhine
🛳️ Dock close to town—no long transfers needed
🍷 A slow, scenic start to your Alsace adventure
💡 Local Insight
Book early for the best cabin selection! Shoulder seasons (April-May, Sept-Oct) offer great rates and fall foliage views.
Popular Cruise Lines
- Viking River Cruises (luxury)
- Avalon Waterways (premium)
- CroisiEurope (budget-friendly)
🔗 Browse Strasbourg river cruises – Compare itineraries and deals
Getting Around Strasbourg: Easy, Green & Fun
Strasbourg is highly walkable and boasts one of the best public transportation networks in France. Trams glide through the charming streets, and buses take you wherever the rails don’t go.
No matter how long you stay, exploring Strasbourg is smooth and stress-free—perfect for soaking up the city’s charm without the hassle.
🚋 Public Transport (Cheap & Efficient)
✔ Tram Network (Lines A-F) – Covers all major attractions:
- Petite France
- European Parliament
- Cathedral Quarter
✔ Buses – Reach every neighborhood
✔ 24-Hour Pass = Unlimited rides (€5-7)
🔗 Buy transport tickets online
🚴♀️ Bike Like a Local
🚲 Why bike?
- Flat terrain + 600km of cycle paths
- Scenic routes along Ill River & parks
- Easy access to nearby villages
📍 Rent at Velhop stations (city-wide)
💡 Pro Tip: “For short stays, walk + tram. For longer visits, biking unlocks hidden gems.”
Alternative Options
- Taxis (Use official stands)
- Ride-sharing (BlaBlaCar)
- Boat tours (Unique city perspective)
Strasbourg Insider Tips: Smart Travel Hacks
Aximize your trip with these savvy strategies to save money, skip stress, and travel like a pro:
🎯 Planning Essentials
✅ Book 3-6 months early for Christmas markets (Nov-Dec) and summer peaks
✅ Strasbourg City Pass = Unlimited transport + 50% off museums/attractions (Check current prices)
✅ Central stays = Best neighborhoods:
- Petite France (most picturesque)
- Cathedral Quarter (top sights doorstep)
🚆 Easy Day Trip Ideas
✔️ Ribeauvillé – Alsace wine route gem (45 min by car)
✔️ Colmar – Straight out of a fairytale (30 min by train)
✔️ Black Forest, Germany – Cross-border adventure (1 hour drive)
🌸 Seasonal Secrets
📅 Best times to visit: April–May & Sept–Oct
- Fewer crowds
- Up to 20% lower hotel prices
- Mild, walk-friendly weather
Local Wisdom
Bring well-worn walking shoes—expect to clock in 8–12 km a day on beautiful but bumpy cobblestones.
Why Strasbourg Steals My Heart
Strasbourg always manages to rekindle my love affair with cobbled streets, winding canals, and half-timbered charm—no matter how many times I return.
Each way of arriving feels like part of the magic: the TGV from Paris gliding past golden vineyards, a scenic drive through Alsace villages, or the slow, cinematic arrival on a Rhine river cruise, as the cathedral spires rise in the distance. Here, the journey is part of the story.
My Golden Hour Secret 🌇
Arrive just before sunset when the half-timbered houses glow like amber and Place Kléber turns cinematic. That first glimpse? That’s when you get it. You’ll instantly understand why I always come back.
💡 Latest Discoveries from My Recent Trip
- 🚄 New TGV routes now feature panoramic windows—ideal for vineyard views
- 🚤 Electric boat rentals near Petite France let you be your captain (€25/hr).
- ☕ Hidden cafés Follow rue des Tonneliers to find Café Bretzel’s secret garden
Ready to Plan Your Strasbourg Trip?
Use my trusted links below to find the best options (they support my blog at no extra cost to you):
🔹 Book Flights to Strasbourg
🔹 Reserve Train Tickets
🔹 Find Bus Tickets
🔹 Compare Car Rentals
🔹 Explore Rhine Cruise Options
🔹 Join a Group Tour in Strasbourg or Alsace
📚 Don’t Miss These Popular Guides – Your Perfect Trip Starts Here.
Want to plan like a pro and travel like a local? I’ve put together these reader-favorite guides packed with real tips, stunning photos, and honest recommendations from my trips:
📍 Top 11 Things to Do in Strasbourg in 2025 – Explore cathedral climbs, secret wine bars, boat tours & more.
🏨 Where to Stay in Strasbourg – From charming hotels in Petite France to budget-friendly hostels, I’ve tried them all.
🌈 Colmar Travel Guide – 2025 Edition – Just 30 minutes from Strasbourg, this storybook town is full of surprises (and great food).
Grab a coffee, click through, and start dreaming up your perfect Alsace adventure.