Alsace by train – a comprehensive guide

Alsace is a region in France on the west bank of the upper Rhine next to Germany and Switzerland. Alsace is famous for its beautiful cities and it is an important wine-producing région (there is a Route des Vins d’Alsace from Marlenheim to Thann). If you want to explore Alsace by train, the railway network is well-developed and mainly articulated around the city of Strasbourg.

Strasbourg is the main railway junction and the best starting point to explore Alsace by train. The city is well-connected with major French and German cities. Many long-distance and international trains stop here.

Regional trains connect Colmar with Strasbourg (33 minutes), Mulhouse (40 minutes) and Basel (45 minutes).

The second best starting point for train trips around Alsace is Mulhouse. There are regional trains from Mulhouse to many interesting places in the region.

Most important train connections in Alsace:

Strasbourg – Mulhouse via Colmar
Strasbourg – Selestat via Barr
Strasbourg – Niederbronn-les-Bains
Strasbourg – Haguenau
Mulhouse – Kruth via Thann
Mulhouse – Belfort

Alsace by train – useful websites:

TER Grand Est – regional trains in region
Train travel in France
– a comprehensive guide
Trains between France and Germany

Alsace by train – what to see

The list includes most important tourist attractions in Alsace accessible by regular passenger trains.

Strasbourg – the capital of the Grand Est region in northeastern France, is a city rich in history, culture, and architectural splendor. It lies near the German border Strasbourg is known for its medieval cityscape, with the Gothic Strasbourg Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame), a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. This stunning cathedral, completed in the 15th century, features an intricate facade, a remarkable astronomical clock, and a platform offering breathtaking views of the city.

The city’s historic center, the Grande Île, features half-timbered houses, narrow cobblestone streets, and picturesque canals create a fairy-tale atmosphere. One of the most picturesque areas is La Petite France, a former milling and tanning district. Today, it is a vibrant quarter with quaint shops, traditional Alsatian restaurants, and scenic canal views.

Strasbourg is also an important political center, hosting several European institutions, including the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and the European Court of Human Rights. The city’s cosmopolitan vibe is enhanced by its renowned university and numerous cultural events, such as the Strasbourg Christmas Market, one of the oldest and largest in Europe.

Alsace by train
Strasbourg

Colmar is a beautiful city often referred to as the “capital of Alsatian wine,”. It is famous for its well-preserved old town, colorful half-timbered houses, and delightful canals, so the most beautiful part of the town is called “Little Venice” (La Petite Venise). One of the town’s most notable landmarks is the Unterlinden Museum, housed in a former 13th-century Dominican convent. The museum is famous for its collection of medieval and Renaissance art, including the renowned Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald. Another significant site is the Maison des Têtes, a 17th-century building adorned with numerous sculpted heads, reflecting the town’s artistic heritage.

Close to the Colmar is located a beautiful village of Eguisheim. There are buses to the village, the nearest railway station lies in Herrlisheim-Près-Colmar 4 km from the village)

Alsace
Colmar

Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle – a 12th-century fortress located on a rocky hill at an altitude of 757 meters above sea level in the Vosges Mountains, offering a stunning panorama of the surrounding area. For a long period, the castle belonged to German families, and it was only in 1919 that it was handed over to France. Guided tours provide insights into its history, architecture, and the daily life of its inhabitants. The castle’s elevated position offers panoramic views of the Alsace plain, the Black Forest, and the Alps on clear day.

Kaysersberg – a picturesque town nestled in the valley of the River Weiss, renowned for its well-preserved medieval charm. In 2017 received the title of “the most beautiful village in France” in a television poll for the favorite village of the French. The Church of the Holy Cross (Église Sainte-Croix) features a beautiful Romanesque portal and an intricately carved altarpiece. Kaysersberg is surrounded by vineyards that produce some of the region’s finest wines, particularly Riesling and Pinot Gris.

Kaysersberg
Kaysersberg (Photo: Michal, pixabay.com)

Barr – the wine capital of Alsace, home to the oldest Alsatian wine fairs, held for over 100 years. Tourists often visit the Musée de la Folie Marco, located in a beautiful 18th-century mansion, displays a collection of period furniture, art, and artifacts that provide insights into the region’s history and culture. The town also features numerous traditional Alsatian houses.

4 kilometers from the railway station in Barr lies Andlau – a picturesque town with the Saint Richarde Abbey, and the castles of Spesbourg and Haut-Andlau. The village itself is dotted with half-timbered houses, quaint streets, and traditional Alsatian architecture. Andlau’s history is closely tied to its Benedictine abbey. The abbey’s church, Église Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, is a prime example of Romanesque architecture.

Mont Sainte-Odile – a 764-meter peak in the Vosges Mountains with the Hohenburg Abbey at its top and stone fortifications called “the Pagan Wall”, offering a beautiful panorama of the Vosges Mountains. The nearest railway station is located in Barr (7 km).

Trains in Alsace
Moin-Sainte-Odile with abbey

Ribeauville is one of the oldest towns in Alsace, is renowned for its medieval architecture, vineyards, and vibrant cultural scene. A distinctive feature of this town are the three castles surrounding it from different directions: Saint-Ulrich, Girsberg, and Haut-Ribeaupierre — which overlook the town from the surrounding hills. They were built by the Ribeaupierre family, who ruled the town for about 500 years. The town itself is a delightful blend of cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and historic landmarks. Most important tourist attractions include the Gothic Church of St. Gregory, the Renaissance-style Butchers’ Tower (Tour des Bouchers), and the Grand’Rue, the main street lined with shops, cafes, and wine cellars. The railway station Ribeauville is located 4 km from the town.

Ribeauville
Ribeauville

Écomusée d’Alsace – an open-air museum located 3 kilometers from the train station Bollwiller. The museum is set out like an Alsatian village of the early 20th century and consists 80 buildings representing a rural Alsace.

Mulhouse – worth-visit city situated in southern Alsace near the Swiss and German borders. In 19th century the city earned the nickname “French Manchester”. There are two very interesting museums in the city: the Cité de l’Automobile (National Automobile Museum), which houses one of the largest collections of cars in the world, including the renowned Schlumpf Collection. Another notable museum is the Cité du Train (French Railway Museum), which offers an extensive display of locomotives and railway artifacts. It is one of the best railway museums in Europe. In the city centre you can see nice buildings such as Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall) with its Trompe-l’œil façade, the 13th-century Saint-Etienne Temple, and Place de la Réunion, a vibrant square surrounded by colorful buildings.

Mulhouse
Cathedral in Mulhouse (Photo: SLPix, pixabay.com)

Alsace by train – tourist railways

As far as I know, there are three tourist railways in Alsace region:

Chemin de Fer Touristique du Rhin – vintage trains running in the area around the Alsatian village of Volgesheim, located on the Rhine River, just 1.5 kilometers from the French-German border. These trains operate from May to September on Sundays and select Saturdays. The train journeys are organized as circular tours through the vicinity of Volgesheim (12 km). Volgesheim is easily accessible from Mulhouse or Colmar. Diesel or steam hauled trains.

Chemin de Fer Touristique du Rhin – official website

Train du Sud Alsace – a tourist line runs between Mulhouse in France and Müllheim in Germany. In recent years, the trains operated every Sunday from August to mid-September. The 22-kilometer route takes about 30 minutes to travel. Although this is a tourist train, it is operated by regular, modern diesel multiple units from SNCF. I have no information about current status of the railway.

Train Thur Doller Alsace – a vintage trains running on Sundays and holidays during the vacation season between Cernay-Saint André and Sentheim in Alsace. The train covers the nearly four-kilometer route in 45 minutes. These trains are pulled by steam locomotives. Cernay is accessible by train from Mulhouse.

Train Thur Doller Alsace – offical website

Alsace train
Train Thun Doller Alsace (Photo: Hugh Llewelyn, CC-BY-SA, flickr.com)

Railway Museum in Mulhouse

Mulhouse is famous for is two museums: Museum of Automobiles and Railway Museum. The Railway Museum is the largest of its kind in Europe. In two vast halls, exhibits document the history of not only French railways. Various steam locomotives, old passenger carriages and railcars. The exhibitions allow visitors to experience the atmosphere of travel in the first half of the twentieth century. The display is complemented by a model railway and technical equipment. The museum run a gift shop selling books, videos, and railway-themed gadgets.

The “Cité du Train” museum is well-organized and extremely popular among tourists. It is worth combining a visit with the somewhat distant Automobile Museum, which houses an equally large collection of old cars. At the beginning of July, the city hosts the traditional Festival of Automobilism. During the event, a parade of vintage cars passes through the city. Numerous reports of this event can be found on Polish websites.

The Railway Museum can be reached by taking tram number 3 (stop “Musées”) from the railway station.

Railway Museum in Mulhouse – official website

Railway Museum in Mulhouse
Railway Museum in Mulhouse (Photo: Nelso Silva, CC-BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons)