What is a private tour in Alsace, and is it right for your trip?

Updated on September 28, 2026

In brief

A private tour in Alsace with FJ13 uses one van for 1 to 7 passengers; groups of 8 or more travel in several vans, on quote.
FJ13 sells half days and full days; a full day lasts about 10 hours, typically from 10:00 to about 19:00.
The price is per van, all taxes included, and depends on duration and itinerary, not on the number of stops.
Colmar, Riquewihr, and Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle are each about 1 hour or less by road from Strasbourg.
Payment is due in full at least 72 hours before the day, with a full refund if you cancel up to 48 hours before.

Why a private tour in Alsace is worth your time

A private tour in Alsace with FJ13 is a driver-led day out: one van for your group only, pick-up at your Strasbourg hotel, and a route you can change on the way. It suits Alsace because the wine villages and hilltop sites have no train station, and buses between villages are sparse, especially on Sundays.

Your driver knows the region, shares local tips along the way, parks, and waits while you explore. You get self-guided time in each village, at your own pace. The driver does not give site commentary. If you want the history explained on a full day, add a certified guide-conferencier (optional, extra cost), who rides in the van with your group and gives commentary in English.

The FJ13 private tours, one sentence each

FJ13 offers five set private tours in Alsace, all starting from your hotel in Strasbourg, plus a tailor-made option. Each one gets one sentence below. Every tour can be adjusted on the day, and the price always stays per van, for 1 to 7 passengers, whatever the number of stops.

The Alsace Christmas markets private tour is a full December day through the village Christmas markets, ending in Colmar after dark.
The Christmas markets in France and Germany tour pairs Obernai in Alsace with Baden-Baden and Gengenbach across the Rhine, in one full day.
The Alsace Wine Route private day tour is a full day in the wine villages, with time for tastings, paid separately.
The Colmar, Riquewihr and Haut-Koenigsbourg day tour links the castle, a wine village, and Colmar old town in one full day.
The Alsace villages half-day tour is a shorter day in the wine villages, for travelers with only a morning or an afternoon free.
A tailor-made day lets you build your own route, including pick-up at a Colmar hotel or at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg on the French side. A day starting from a Colmar hotel costs the same price as from Strasbourg.

How does a private tour compare with trains, rental cars, and group tours?

A private tour in Alsace costs more than a train ticket or a seat on a group tour, and the gap is largest for one or two travelers. It pays off for families and groups, for days with several stops away from train stations, and when nobody wants to drive after a wine tasting.

A day in the Alsace wine villages from Strasbourg: five ways to do it
Option	How it works	Cost basis	Best for	Trade-off
Train	TER regional train to Colmar in about 30 minutes	Per person: check SNCF Connect for the current fare	One town with a station, like Colmar	No station in the wine villages
Train plus bus	TER to Colmar, then Fluo bus line 816 to Riquewihr	4 euros per Fluo bus ride, plus the train	One village, on a budget	Sparse timetable, one village at a time
Rental car	You drive the A35 and the Alsace Wine Route yourself	Rental, fuel, and parking	Confident drivers	Whoever drives skips the tastings
Shared group tour	Minibus or coach seat on a fixed route and schedule	Per seat	Solo travelers and couples	Fixed timing, other travelers
FJ13 private driver	One van for your group, hotel pick-up, route adjusted on the day	Per van, all taxes included	Families and groups of up to 7	Higher cost for one or two people

FJ13 is not the best option for a couple visiting Colmar only: the TER is fast and costs far less. For more trips by train, see day trips from Strasbourg.

When is the best time for a private tour in Alsace?

Any season works for a private tour in Alsace, but each one changes the day. Spring and summer give long days and quiet weekday mornings in the villages. Early autumn brings the grape harvest. From late November, the Christmas markets bring heavy crowds, and December weekends are the busiest days.

In 2026, the Colmar Christmas markets run from November 23 to December 29, while the Riquewihr and Kaysersberg markets close on December 20. In mid-December the sun sets around 16:35, so the day is short. FJ13 vans run on winter tires in December.

Book early for December weekends. For a certified guide-conferencier (optional, extra cost), book ideally 3 weeks ahead.

Private tours with FJ13 private driver

FJ13 is a private transport company with driver, founded in 2019 by Jocelin Frequelin and based in Entzheim, next to Strasbourg. FJ13 has carried more than 15,000 passengers since 2019, and FJ13 and its partners count more than 40 drivers. The same driver stays with you for the whole day, except in case of exceptional constraint.

Pricing is per van, all taxes included, tips not included. FJ13 sells a half day and a full day of about 10 hours, and the price is adjusted to your itinerary: each hour of service includes 15 km. The price depends on duration, so removing a stop does not lower it. A 20% surcharge applies between 21:00 and 06:00.

Included: your private driver, hotel pick-up and drop-off in Strasbourg, a heated and air-conditioned van, tolls and parking, bottled water, and a flexible itinerary. Not included: tastings, site entries, meals, and tips. Baby seats and boosters are available on request.

To book, send your dates and group size through the quote configurator. FJ13 usually replies within 24 hours, and within 72 hours for groups. You pay in full by secure payment link at least 72 hours before the day. On full days, you can add a certified guide-conferencier (optional, extra cost): see certified guide-conferencier.

Frequently asked questions

Is a private tour worth the money for just two people?

It depends on the day. For two people going to Colmar only, the TER regional train costs far less. A private van makes sense for two when the day links several wine villages or Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, which trains do not reach, or when you both want to taste wine.

Are tips included in the price of a private tour?

No. FJ13 prices include all taxes, tolls, and parking, but tips are not included. Tipping your driver is up to you.

Does FJ13 have a wheelchair-accessible van?

No. FJ13 has no wheelchair-accessible vehicle. Mention any mobility needs when you ask for a quote, so FJ13 can tell you honestly whether the day will work for you.

What happens if we cancel the day before our private tour?

Cancel at least 48 hours before the start and FJ13 refunds you in full. Under 48 hours, there is no refund, so the day before is too late.

Do we pay for the private tour in advance or on the day?

In advance. FJ13 asks for full payment by secure payment link at least 72 hours before the day. Apart from any tip you choose to give, there is nothing to pay on the day.