The Best Way to Explore Alsace Is Behind the Wheel
Strasbourg is where France and Germany shake hands. Half-timbered houses line canals that look Bavarian; the cathedral is pure Gothic France; and the restaurants serve choucroute with Riesling. It is a city that works on foot or by tram, but the real reward lies beyond the centre. The Alsace Wine Route, the Vosges Mountains, and the German Black Forest are all within reach — and all require a car to do them properly.
A hire car in Strasbourg opens up one of France's most distinctive regions. The Alsace Wine Route runs south through medieval villages and vineyards that trains simply do not reach. The Vosges offer hiking, lakes, and ridge-road driving. And just across the Rhine, Germany's Black Forest begins. Whether you are here for a weekend or a week, a car turns a city break into a regional adventure.
City centre, train station, airport
Plan this first.
Grand Est / Alsace
Confirm before booking.
A4, A35
Confirm before booking.
Wine route, mountains, Germany
Confirm before booking.
Match collection to the actual itinerary
Include transfers, parking days, opening hours and return timing when comparing the two options.
City or Station Pickup
If you are staying in Strasbourg for a few days before heading out, collecting your car in the city or at the main TGV station avoids airport parking charges and keeps things simple. The station is a major hub with frequent TGV services from Paris and beyond. City offices are convenient but tend to have shorter opening hours than the airport, so plan your collection time accordingly.
Airport Collection
Strasbourg Airport (SXB) is a short drive southwest of the city. If your trip starts with a drive rather than city sightseeing, airport pickup is efficient. The rental area is close to the terminal, and return is straightforward before a departing flight. This option suits travellers whose accommodation is outside the centre, or who want to drive straight to the wine route or the Vosges.
Plan the handover, price and first drive
Strasbourg's identity is split down the middle, quite literally by the Rhine. On one side, France; on the other, Germany. The city has changed hands multiple times, and the result is a place that feels like neither and both. The houses are Germanic half-timbered; the cafés serve French pastries; and the local dialect, Alsatian, sounds closer to German than to standard French.
The cathedral dominates the skyline. Victor Hugo called it a 'giant and delicate marvel,' and it is hard to disagree. From the platform at the top, on a clear day, you can see the Vosges to the west and the Black Forest to the east. That view is a reminder of how much geography this small region packs in.
But the real Alsace is in the villages. Riquewihr is so well preserved it feels staged. Eguisheim won France's favourite village competition and promptly got even busier. Kaysersberg has ruined castle walls above pastel houses and one of the best tarte flambées in the region. Each of these places is reachable by a scenic drive, not by train.
A hire car in Strasbourg is the key to all of this. It lets you leave the city after breakfast, visit three villages and two wine tastings before lunch, and be back for dinner. Without it, you are on the TGV to Paris or the bus to Colmar. With it, you are in the heart of one of Europe's most culturally layered regions.
Check the conditions behind the price
The selected supplier’s terms and booking voucher control the rental. Review them before payment and again before collection.
Total payable price
Compare the full payable amount and inclusions rather than an unsupported daily-price promise.
Deposit and payment card
Confirm the deposit, accepted card type and whose name must appear on the card.
Excess and cover
Read the renter's liability, exclusions and what any optional protection actually changes.
Fuel policy
Know the collection level, return requirement and whether a refuelling charge can apply.
Mileage and territory
Check any distance limit and where the vehicle may be driven.
Extras and return
Price additional drivers, seats, after-hours service and one-way return before payment.
Choose for people, bags and roads
A category normally represents a group of similar cars, not a promise of one exact model.
- Compact: convenient for couples and tighter parking.
- Intermediate: more room for bags and longer journeys.
- Family or SUV category: useful only when the required capacity justifies it.
- Transmission: select automatic explicitly if manual is unsuitable.
Practical planning before departure
Documents and Deposit
Bring your valid driving licence, passport or ID card, and a credit card in the main driver's name. A security deposit hold will be placed on your card. If your licence is not in a Latin alphabet, carry an International Driving Permit as well. Requirements vary by supplier, so check your voucher carefully.
Fuel Policy
Full-to-full is standard. Pick up the car with a full tank and return it full. Keep your last fuel receipt. A filling station is available near the airport for returns. Photograph the fuel gauge and the car's condition at both pickup and return.
Parking in the City
The Grande Île has very limited parking and many pedestrian-only streets. If your hotel does not offer parking, use a Park & Ride facility on the edge of the centre. Street parking is competitive and time-limited. Plan where you will leave the car before you book.
Local access, road and operating conditions can change. Check current signs, your supplier instructions and the linked source before travelling: Strasbourg Tourism.
Build a realistic first journey
Alsace Wine Route
Head south from Strasbourg along the A35, then switch to the smaller D-roads that thread through the vineyards. This is one of France's great drives — Riquewihr, Eguisheim, Kaysersberg, and dozens of smaller villages line the route. Each has its own wine cooperative and usually a winstub serving local dishes. Autumn harvest season is busy but spectacular. Allow at least a full day, ideally two.
Colmar and Beyond
Continue south past the wine route to Colmar, known as the Little Venice of Alsace for its canal-lined quarter. The Unterlinden Museum holds the Isenheim Altarpiece, one of the most important works of Northern Renaissance art. From Colmar you can loop back to Strasbourg or continue south toward Mulhouse and the Swiss border.
The Black Forest
Cross the Rhine at Kehl and you are in Germany. The Black Forest begins immediately, with scenic drives through pine-covered hills, traditional villages, and roadside cafés serving Black Forest gateau. Baden-Baden is an easy day trip for its thermal baths and elegant architecture. Make sure your rental agreement permits cross-border travel.
Vosges Mountains
Drive west into the Vosges, a gentler mountain range than the Alps but beautiful in every season. The Route des Crêtes follows the ridge and offers wide views across Alsace and into Lorraine. In summer there are lakes and hiking trails; in winter, small ski areas. The Vosges feel quieter and less touristy than the Alps, which is part of their appeal.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I pick up a hire car in Strasbourg?
You can collect from the city centre, the main TGV station, or Strasbourg Airport (SXB). City and station pickups suit travellers staying central; airport pickup is better for immediate regional driving. Compare all options for your dates above.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
EU and EEA licences are valid in France as they are. If your licence uses a non-Latin script or was issued outside the EEA, you will typically need an International Driving Permit alongside your original. Check your voucher for the supplier's exact policy.
Can I drive into Germany?
Most suppliers allow cross-border travel to Germany and other Schengen countries, though some vehicle categories may be excluded. Confirm this when you collect the car. There are no border checks, but traffic laws change once you cross the Rhine.
Is Strasbourg walkable without a car?
The city centre is compact and easily explored on foot or by tram. A car is only necessary for trips outside the city — the wine route, the mountains, or Germany. Many visitors stay central for a day or two, then collect a car for the countryside part of their trip.
Compare Strasbourg car hire
Enter dates above, then compare pickup method, vehicle category and complete supplier terms before booking.
Continue planning with Car hire in Lyon, Car hire at Marseille Airport, all France car hire locations, Paris Orly Airport Car Hire.