Colmar day trip from Strasbourg: Haut-Koenigsbourg, Riquewihr and Colmar in one day
Full day, private van for 1 to 7 passengers
From 990 €
per van, all taxes included, tips not included. About 495 € per person for 2 travelers, 198 € for 5.
Option
+400 € per full day
A certified guide-conferencier joins your day, subject to availability.
- 15 km included per hour of service, price adjusted to your itinerary
- Your hotel in Strasbourg or Colmar, same price
- Up to 7 passengers per van
From 990 € per van, TTCFull day, up to 7 passengers
BookThis Colmar day trip from Strasbourg is for couples, families and small groups who want the three classic sights of central Alsace in one relaxed day. Your private driver picks you up at your hotel at 10:00 and drives you up to Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, then down to Riquewihr for lunch and a walk, and on to Colmar for the afternoon. You get self-guided time at every stop, a van that waits for you, and a drop-off at your hotel around 19:00.
Itinerary, hour by hour
10:00
Pick-up at your hotel in Strasbourg
Your FJ13 driver meets you in the lobby. The drive to Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle takes about 55 minutes, south on the A35 and then up a winding forest road. Your driver shares local tips along the way.
No free time, driving
Around 11:00
Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle
Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle stands on a spur of the Vosges above Orschwiller, with views over the Alsace plain. Emperor Wilhelm II had it rebuilt, and it was inaugurated in 1908. The visit is self-guided and lasts about 1 hour, but the castle says to allow about 2 hours on site, including the walk from the car park. The entry ticket is not included: a full-rate adult ticket costs twelve euros, eight euros for ages 6 to 17, and it is free under 6.
About 2 hours on site
Around 13:25
Riquewihr
A 25-minute drive takes you down to Riquewihr, a walled wine village. Walk up the main street to the Dolder, the 25 m gate tower built in 1291, and have lunch at your own pace and your own cost.
About 1 h 45 of free time, lunch included in this time
Around 15:30
Colmar
Colmar is about 20 minutes away. Your driver drops you close to the old town. Walk through the half-timbered streets to Little Venice (Petite Venise), the canal district along the Lauch river that starts behind the Koifhus, the old customs house.
About 2 h 30 of free time
Around 18:00
Drive back to Strasbourg
Your driver meets you at an agreed point in Colmar. The drive back takes 50 minutes to 1 hour, for a drop-off at your hotel around 19:00, within the 10 hours of a full day.
No free time, driving
Who this is for
- First-time visitors staying in Strasbourg who want a castle, a wine village and Colmar in a single day.
- Families with children old enough to climb stairs and enjoy a real castle visit.
- Groups of up to 7 people who want one van, one driver and one shared plan.
- Travelers who want to reach Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle without changing from a train to a shuttle bus.
- Visitors who prefer to leave coats, bags and purchases in a locked vehicle between stops.
Who this is not for
- Travelers who only want Colmar: the TER Grand Est regional train from Strasbourg to Colmar takes about 32 minutes, with up to 3 trains an hour, and costs much less for a couple (check SNCF Connect for the current fare).
- Visitors with a wheelchair or a pushchair: the castle tour has about 300 steps, and FJ13 has no wheelchair-accessible vehicle.
- Budget solo travelers: a shared coach day trip from Strasbourg costs less per person, with a fixed schedule and a larger group.
- Groups of 8 or more: you need two vans, so ask for a quote through the quote configurator.
- Wine lovers who care more about wine villages than castles: the Alsace Wine Route private day tour suits you better.
Included
- A private driver for the whole day, only for your group
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Strasbourg
- A heated, air-conditioned private van for 1 to 7 passengers
- Tolls and parking fees
- Bottled water in the vehicle
- A flexible itinerary: swap, shorten or extend stops on the day
Not included
- Entry tickets to Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle
- Meals, drinks and wine tastings
- Tips for your driver
- A certified guide-conferencier (optional, extra cost)
- Baby seats and boosters, available on request at booking
Practical notes
- Castle hours in 2026: 9:30 to 18:00 in June, September and October, 9:00 to 19:00 in July and August. On Mondays the castle opens at 10:30. Last entry is 1 hour before closing.
- November and December: Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle opens 9:30 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00, and closes on December 25 and 26 and January 1. FJ13 then puts Riquewihr first and the castle after lunch.
- Free entry: Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle is free for everyone on the first Sunday of each month from November to March.
- Crowds: in school holidays, Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle advises arriving as early as possible. Weekdays are calmer in Riquewihr and Colmar too.
- Steps and slopes: the castle tour has about 300 steps of different heights, and the path from the car park climbs gently for about 300 m. Riquewihr's main street slopes up to the Dolder. Colmar old town is flat.
- Clothing: the castle sits on a mountain spur and is cooler and windier than Colmar. Bring a layer and good walking shoes.
- Commentary: your driver knows the region but gives no site commentary. For real history at the castle and in Colmar, add a certified guide-conferencier (optional, extra cost), who rides in the van with you and speaks English. Book ideally 3 weeks ahead.
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Frequently asked questions
Will skipping Riquewihr make the day cheaper?
No. The price depends on the duration of the service, from pick-up to drop-off, and on the itinerary, not on the number of stops. Removing Riquewihr does not lower the price. You can use the freed time for a longer afternoon in Colmar or a visit to the Unterlinden Museum instead.
Should we buy Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle tickets online before the day?
It is not required. You can buy tickets at the castle ticket desk or online at tickets.haut-koenigsbourg.fr. In school holidays and on public holidays, the castle advises coming at opening time or about 2 hours before closing. The castle accepts cash in euros and most bank cards, but not American Express.
Is Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle hard to visit with small children?
It is fine with kids who can climb stairs, but the tour has about 300 steps and pushchairs are not allowed inside. The castle suggests a baby carrier for toddlers. Children under 6 enter for free.
Can a certified guide-conferencier come inside Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle with us?
Yes. A certified guide-conferencier (optional, extra cost) can join this full day, ride in the van with your group and go into the castle with you. Commentary is in English. The guide's entry ticket is paid by the group. This option is available on full days only.
Can we do the castle, Riquewihr and Colmar by public transport instead?
Partly. From March to December, the Haut-Koenigsbourg shuttle bus (line 500) runs from Sélestat train station to the castle, and trains link Strasbourg, Sélestat and Colmar. Riquewihr has no train station, so fitting all three into one day without a car is hard. Two sights by train and bus is realistic.
Is Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle open on Monday mornings?
Yes, but it opens later: 10:30 on Mondays instead of 9:30 or 9:00 on other days. With a 10:00 pick-up in Strasbourg you arrive around 11:00, so the Monday schedule does not change your day.
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