Train, car, coach or plane: each has its advantages depending on the destination and your budget. For Christmas markets the train is usually the best option (it takes you right into the town centre, no parking worries), but not always. Here is how the options stack up.
The train, nearly always the winner
All the big French Christmas markets are served by TGV or Intercités trains. It is the most convenient way to travel for three reasons: you arrive right in the centre, you need no parking, and you can have a mulled wine without worrying about the drive back. The main connections from Paris:
| Destination | Train journey time | Average return fare |
|---|---|---|
| Strasbourg | 1h46 | €80 to €180 depending on how early you book |
| Colmar | 2h20 | €90 to €200 |
| Reims | 0h45 | €50 to €130 |
| Metz | 1h25 | €70 to €160 |
| Mulhouse | 2h40 | €100 to €220 |
| Lille | 1h00 | €50 to €140 |
| Amiens | 1h05 | €40 to €100 |
| Lyon | 2h00 | €80 to €200 |
When to book for the best fare
TGV tickets go on sale 4 to 6 months before departure. The lowest fares are available in the first few weeks after release. Once the Prem's quota is gone, prices climb quickly.
Three ways to save:
- SNCF Carte Avantage: €49 a year, caps TGV INOUI fares at €79 (short geographical zone) or €99 (long distance). Pays for itself after two trips in a year.
- OUIGO: SNCF's low-cost TGVs serve Strasbourg, Lille and Lyon from Paris. Fares from €16. Less comfort, and sometimes out-of-the-way stations (Marne-la-Vallée for Paris).
- Comparison sites: Trainline and Omio pull together SNCF, OUIGO and coaches. Often the quickest way to compare your options.
Lesser-known tips
Regional TER trains fill in the gaps between TGVs. To reach Kaysersberg or Riquewihr from Strasbourg, take a TER to Colmar (30 min, €12) then a regional bus. The Alsa+ 24h pass gives you unlimited TER, bus and tram travel for 24 hours (€43 for the whole of Alsace, €26.50 for the Haut-Rhin only).
The car, unavoidable in some cases
A car becomes necessary in three situations:
- To visit several Alsatian villages in a single weekend (Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, Eguisheim, Ribeauvillé)
- For destinations poorly served by train (Annecy in winter, Sarlat)
- As a family, with pushchairs and bulky luggage
The parking trap
The centres of the big market towns (Strasbourg, Colmar, Lille) are closed to traffic while the markets are on. Parking on the outskirts can be full on a Saturday in December. In Strasbourg, the P+R Rotonde park-and-ride (€3 for the day plus return tram travel for 4 people) is the best option. In Colmar, the Lacarre car park is free, with a free shuttle into the centre.
Car sharing
BlaBlaCar remains a cheap option: expect €25 to €40 one way for Paris-Strasbourg and €15 to €25 for Paris-Reims. The downside: less flexibility on times and luggage.
Car hire
If you take the train for part of the journey and want a car once you are there, several firms (Sixt, Avis, Europcar) have desks at the stations in Strasbourg, Colmar and Lyon. Expect €60 to €100 a day for a small car in December, plus insurance.
Long-distance coaches
Coaches (FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus) are the cheapest option but also the slowest. A few examples from Paris:
- Strasbourg: 5h30 to 7h, €15 to €35 one way
- Lyon: 6h to 7h30, €12 to €30
- Lille: 3h to 4h, €10 to €25
- Reims: 1h45 to 2h30, €8 to €20
A good compromise for very tight budgets or travellers with flexible timing. Avoid it if you have less than 48 hours on site: you would lose half your time in transit.
Flying, rarely worth it
For the French Christmas markets, flying is rarely the best choice. Distances are short, the transfers between airport and centre cancel out the time saved in the air, and the carbon footprint is poor. Two exceptions:
- Paris to Basel-Mulhouse: a 1-hour flight, sometimes cheaper than the TGV at the last minute
- Visitors from abroad flying straight into Basel, Strasbourg-Entzheim or Paris-Charles de Gaulle
Full comparison for a Paris-Strasbourg trip
| Mode | Door-to-door time | Return fare, 2 people | Carbon footprint (one way) |
|---|---|---|---|
| TGV Inoui | 2h30 | €160 to €360 | 2 kg CO2 / person |
| OUIGO | 2h45 | €40 to €200 | 2 kg CO2 / person |
| Car (petrol) | 5h | €140 to €180 (fuel + tolls) | 60 kg CO2 / vehicle |
| BlaBlaCar | 5h30 | €50 to €80 | 15 kg CO2 / person |
| FlixBus coach | 6h30 | €30 to €70 | 15 kg CO2 / person |
Once there: getting between markets
Regional passes
Alsace offers the Alsa+ 24h pass at €43 for 24 hours of unlimited TER, regional coach and urban tram travel. It pays off after three journeys between Strasbourg, Colmar, Mulhouse and the villages.
Bike hire schemes
Strasbourg (Vélhop), Lille (V'Lille), Reims (Zébullo), Lyon (Vélo'v): most large cities have a public bike-sharing scheme. €1 to €5 for the day. Provided you can stand the cold and you scout out the cycle lanes first.
Taxis and ride-hailing
Uber operates in the big cities. Expect €10 to €20 for a ride within the city. Traditional taxis often charge more and run shorter hours.
Where to go next
Our Where to stay guide complements this one when planning a weekend. To estimate your overall budget by destination, see the Budget guide.