Which airport is closest to Colmar, and how do you get to town?

Updated on October 7, 2026

In brief

The closest airport to Colmar is EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL/MLH), about 60 km south of Colmar, or about 45 minutes to 1 hour by car.
Distribus bus 11 runs from the French sector of EuroAirport to Saint-Louis station in about 10 minutes, then TER trains reach Colmar in about 35 to 40 minutes.
Strasbourg-Entzheim Airport (SXB) is about 61 km north of Colmar, about 45 to 50 minutes by car, or about 1 hour by train, usually with a change in Strasbourg.
EuroAirport lists a daytime taxi to Colmar station at about 125 to 135 euros, and about 170 to 180 euros at night.

Why EuroAirport is the closest airport to Colmar, France

The closest airport to Colmar, France is EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, about 60 km to the south. Strasbourg-Entzheim, about 61 km to the north, is almost as close by road, but it has far fewer flights. EuroAirport is a base for easyJet and has many more European routes, so it is usually the easier airport for Colmar.

EuroAirport has one quirk. It is a single terminal on French soil, near Saint-Louis, but it is run jointly by France and Switzerland and has a French sector and a Swiss sector, each with its own exit, buses, and taxis. For Colmar, you want the French side.

The airports near Colmar, one sentence each

Five airports realistically serve Colmar, from EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg at about 60 km to Frankfurt at about 280 km. Each airport gets one sentence below, with the road distance to Colmar and the main public transport link. Road times are without traffic and grow at rush hour.

EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL/MLH) is about 60 km from Colmar (40 minutes to 1 hour by car), and bus 11 from the French sector plus a TER train from Saint-Louis gets you to Colmar station in about 1 hour in total.
Strasbourg-Entzheim (SXB) is about 61 km from Colmar (45 to 50 minutes by car), and its 8 minute shuttle train to Strasbourg connects with TER trains to Colmar, for about 45 minutes to 1 hour in total.
Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport (FKB), in Germany, is about 111 km from Colmar (about 1 hour 30 minutes by car), and has no simple public transport link to Colmar.
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is about 280 km from Colmar (about 3 hours by car), and trains from Frankfurt to Colmar take about 2 hours 50 minutes at best, always with at least one change.
Zurich Airport (ZRH), in Switzerland, is about 151 km from Colmar (about 1 hour 50 minutes by car), and trains from Zurich take about 2 hours, with a change in Basel.

EuroAirport uses three codes: BSL (Basel), MLH (Mulhouse), and EAP. They all mean the same airport, so search both BSL and MLH when you book, since some booking sites show different fares for each. Paris CDG is another option: trains from the Aeroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV station reach Colmar in about 2 hours 30 minutes, with one change.

How do you get from EuroAirport to Colmar?

From EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, take the French exit, then Distribus bus 11 to Saint-Louis station and a TER train to Colmar: about 1 hour in total. Bus 11 runs every 15 to 30 minutes on weekdays and every 30 to 50 minutes on weekends, from early morning until 23:45. A taxi or a private driver takes you door to door in 45 minutes to 1 hour.

EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg to Colmar: the four main options
Option	How it works	Time	Cost	Best for
Bus and train	Bus 11 from the French sector to Saint-Louis station, then TER Grand Est to Colmar	About 10 minutes by bus, plus 35 to 40 minutes by train, plus the wait	3 euros for the bus, plus a TER fare: check SNCF Connect for the current price	Solo travelers and couples with light bags, landing by day
Taxi	French-side taxis from the EuroAirport French sector	45 minutes to 1 hour	About 125 to 135 euros by day and 170 to 180 euros at night, per EuroAirport	Late arrivals when nothing was booked
Rental car	French-side rental desks, then the A35 north to Colmar	45 minutes to 1 hour	Rental, fuel, and parking in Colmar	Travelers who drive the Alsace Wine Route for several days
Private driver	FJ13 driver meets you on the French side and drives you to your Colmar hotel	45 minutes to 1 hour door to door	Priced per van for 1 to 7 passengers, by quote	Families, groups, heavy luggage, and late flights

FJ13 is not the best option for a solo traveler or a couple with light bags landing in the daytime: bus 11 plus the TER costs a fraction of any car and takes only a little longer. Trains from Saint-Louis run about every 30 minutes, and most are direct to Colmar.

If you walk out the Swiss exit by mistake, you are in Switzerland. BVB bus 50 runs every 7 to 10 minutes to Basel SBB station in about 20 minutes, and TER trains to Colmar also leave from Basel SBB.

When does your arrival time change the best option?

Your arrival time matters more than the airport you choose. On weekdays, bus 11 at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg runs from 05:20 until 23:45, but its last departures may not meet a train to Colmar. For a flight landing after about 22:00, book a taxi or a private driver before you fly.

Weekends and public holidays have fewer buses: every 30 to 50 minutes, starting at 06:20 on Saturdays and 05:50 on Sundays. In December, the Colmar Christmas market brings crowds to Colmar, so book trains and hotels early and allow extra time in the old town. See the Colmar Christmas market for 2026 dates.

Landing in the morning? You do not have to lose the day. FJ13 can pick you up at EuroAirport and start a driver-led day on the way north, such as the Colmar, Riquewihr and Haut-Koenigsbourg day tour, with your luggage in the van.

Airport transfers with FJ13 private driver

FJ13 is a private transport company with driver, based in Entzheim, next to Strasbourg-Entzheim Airport. For Colmar, your FJ13 driver meets you at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, always on the French side, and drives you to your hotel. The price is in euros and per van, for 1 to 7 passengers, not per person.

Transfers are priced by quote. Send your airport, flight time, and group size through the quote configurator. FJ13 also meets flights at Strasbourg-Entzheim for travelers staying in Colmar. A 20% surcharge applies between 21:00 and 06:00, and your driver tracks your flight and waits 30 minutes after the actual landing at no charge.

A transfer can also become a full day out. The Alsace Christmas markets private tour, which covers Colmar and the village markets, can start on arrival day or end before an evening flight, with your bags in the van.

Frequently asked questions

Which exit do I take at Basel airport to get to Colmar?

Take the French exit. After baggage claim at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, you choose between a French exit and a Swiss exit, both clearly marked. Bus 11 to Saint-Louis station, the French taxis, and FJ13 pick-ups are all on the French side.

Should I book my flight to BSL or MLH for Colmar?

It does not matter: BSL, MLH, and EAP are all codes for EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, the same terminal. Search both codes, because some booking sites show different fares for each, and then pick the cheaper flight.

Can I pay for the bus from Basel airport to Saint-Louis with a card?

Yes. A Distribus bus 11 ticket costs 3 euros, and you can pay the driver in cash or by card, or buy it online. The ticket is valid for 1 hour on the whole Distribus network. Buy your TER ticket to Colmar separately, on SNCF Connect or at Saint-Louis station.

Is it easier to reach Colmar from Strasbourg airport or from Basel airport?

By road, both are about 60 km from Colmar. By public transport, EuroAirport is a little simpler (one bus, then a train that is usually direct), while Strasbourg-Entzheim needs two trains, usually with a change in Strasbourg. Pick the airport with the better flight.

Is Zurich a good airport for a trip to Colmar?

It can be, especially for long-haul flights. Zurich Airport is about 151 km from Colmar, about 1 hour 50 minutes by car, and trains from Zurich take about 2 hours with a change in Basel. For European flights, EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is closer.