Bidish Strasbourg is a beautiful city, located in the Alsace region of France, and is especially known for its magical Christmas markets. Additionally, people also visit Strasbourg for its traditional Alsatian architecture and the majestic Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, among many others. With my move to Stuttgart taking me closer to this much talked about French city, we planned for a day trip to Strasbourg with our eyes set on the architecture and the French pastries.
In this day trip itinerary, I will share in detail about how to plan a day trip to Strasbourg on a budget.
Is a Day Trip to Strasbourg Worth It?
This is an entirely subjective question. It depends on from where you are traveling and what your expectations are from the trip.
If you need less than 7 hours in total travel time and can have at least 6-8 hours to explore the city, then a day trip might not be a bad idea. You can see the main sights, enjoy a bit of the vibe and return back in the evening.
On the other hand, if you need more than 8 hours of travel time just to have 3-4 hours in the city, then I would not recommend it. Train journeys can be tiring and you will not be able to explore with a relaxed body and mind.
Is the Deutschland Ticket Valid Until Strasbourg?
No, the Deutschland ticket is not valid to travel until Strasbourg. You will need to buy an additional ticket from Kehl to Strasbourg. It costs 4.5 EUR on the train.
Optionally, you can also get down at Kehl, and take a metro that goes directly to the Strasbourg city center. This option will only cost you 1.9 EUR.
Getting to Strasbourg from Germany
If you live near the Southern French border of Germany, then a day trip to Strasbourg will be more suitable. Taking Stuttgart as your starting point, following could be the travel itinerary for you.
| Starting point | Stuttgart |
| Itinerary | Stuttgart to Karlsruhe (IRE 1 ~ 53 min) Karlsruhe to Appenweier (RE 2 ~ 45 min) Appenweier to Strasbourg (SWE RB25 ~ 23 min) OR Appenweier to Kehl (SWE RB25) Kehl to Strasbourg (Tram) |
| Total travel duration (round trip) | ~ 6 hours |
| Suggested trip timings | Stuttgart to Strasbourg (7 AM – 10 AM) Strasbourg city visit (10 AM – 6 PM) Back to Stuttgart ( 6 PM – 9 PM) |
| Total budget | 30 EUR per person |
Best Things to Do in a Day Trip to Strasbourg
1. Visit a Bakery for Coffee and Pastries
First, I invite you to visit a bakery and prepare for a day full of exploration with a coffee and a French pastry.
There are many bakeries to choose from. We visited and would recommend Les Mains Dans la Farine for our morning coffee and introduction to French pastries. You can choose from the selection of pastries that are available. This bakery is conveniently located in the center of Strasbourg.
2. Explore Petite France
Petite France is a quaint, picturesque district in Strasbourg, and a major highlight for a day trip to Strasbourg. Crisscrossed by canals and multiple bridges, Petite France offers a scenic atmosphere for visitors. The area is also well-known for its half-timbered houses that date back to the 16th and 17th centuries, which are still meticulously preserved.
You can spend quite some time in this beautiful neighborhood, observing the canals, cute little alleys, cafes, and the charming atmosphere. It is one of the best places in Strasbourg to take a leisurely stroll and admire the things that you see.
3. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg
Located in the heart of Strasbourg, the majestic Notre-Dame de Strasbourg is hard to miss. The cathedral was the tallest building in the world when it was completed in 1439, and it held that title until the 19th century.
Often regarded as a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, Notre-Dame de Strasbourg awes its visitors with its intricate details. You can enter the cathedral for free to admire the interior, but be prepared to spend at least half an hour in line to get inside.
You may also climb to the top of the cathedral for a fee of 8 EUR (adults) or 5 EUR (students).
4. Barrage Vauban Overlook
The Barrage Vauban, also known as the Vauban Dam, was part of Strasbourg’s military defense system and a flood defense mechanism. It is a military engineering feat of the 17th century and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Currently, Barrage Vauban has become one of the popular tourist attractions in Strasbourg. Much credit to its overlook, from where visitors can get the panoramic views of Petite France district, the Cathedral, and the bridges.
The entrance to the overlook is free. You can climb to the first floor of the Barrage Vauban to reach the overlook and enjoy the scenic views.
5. Strasbourg Old Town
The historic old town of Strasbourg is another major attraction to visit. Because of its historical and cultural significance, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There are many places in the old town that are worth exploring:
- Place Kebler: We loved this large square. On one side, a book market was staged, while on the other, people were hanging out and playing leisure games to pass the time. There was also enough space for observers to sit back and relax while witnessing life unfold in front of them. There were shopping malls and many shops and restaurants surrounding the square.
- Place Gutenberg: A smaller square featuring a statue of Johannes Gutenberg and surrounded by many historical buildings and shops. It is a good place to stumble upon while strolling around the old town.
- The Covered Bridges: These are a series of bridges that you also see from the Vauban Dam. They date back to the 13th century and were used for defensive purposes.
- Place Broglie: It is one of the main sites for Strasbourg’s magical Christmas markets.
- Palais Rohan: For art enthusiasts, Palais Rohan is a grand 18th-century palace that includes three museums, namely, the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Decorative Arts, and the Museum of Fine Arts.
6. Boating Tour
One good way to spend some quality time in Strasbourg is by taking a boating tour offered by Batorama. A comprehensive boat ride costs 15.70 EUR and lasts for 1 hour and 15 minutes. You can book your tour here.
While it is definitely a tourist activity, I would recommend doing it to gain extra perspective and knowledge about Strasbourg. And, of course, for some really good photos.
Getting Around Strasbourg
Strasbourg is a walkable city. All the major attractions are located nearby, and it makes sense to visit the old town first and use it as your base to visit the nearby attractions.
You can also take a tram to travel around the city if you want to visit further attractions. A single trip will cost you 1.90 EUR.
You can also buy a 24-hour ticket for Strasbourg, which will cost you 4.60 EUR. One benefit of buying a 24-hour ticket is that you can also use it to travel between Strasbourg and Kehl, saving you more money.
We bought our tickets with the CTS app, which was really easy and convenient. You can also visit their app to buy tickets during your trip to Strasbourg.
When is The Best Time to Visit Strasbourg?
Even though I visited in May, I think Strasbourg would look and feel the best during Christmas. The magical Christmas markets and the vibes they bring would definitely make Strasbourg a magical place to visit. I’m looking forward to the 2024 Christmas.
Other Practical Tips for Your Day Trip to Strasbourg:
- Reach Strasbourg Cathedral early to avoid a long queue. The cathedral opens at 9 AM on Sundays and 8:30 AM on other days.
- Download the Schlouk Map app to find happy hours in bars and restaurants in Strasbourg, which can help you save money on food and drinks.
- Visit Chocolaterie Galler, located in the center of Strasbourg, to feast on more chocolate and pastries during your visit.
- Le Bartholdi was a good and budget-friendly place to visit for a beer and snacks during the afternoon.
- Tram station, Home de Ferr is a feasible location in the city center to take the tram back to Kehl. Tram line D travels on this line.
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