Start Your Alsace Road Trip Right Here
Strasbourg Airport (SXB), also known as Aéroport de Strasbourg-Entzheim, is a regional gateway tucked into Alsace's rolling countryside. It is the closest airport to one of France's most photogenic cities, and a short hop from the German border and the Vosges foothills. For travellers planning to explore the Alsace Wine Route, half-timbered villages, or even dip into Germany's Black Forest, landing here makes sense. The compact terminal means you can be on the road quickly once your vehicle is ready. While Strasbourg has fast TGV connections from Paris and other French hubs, a hire car is what turns a city visit into a proper regional exploration.
The Alsace Wine Route and the Vosges are spread out, and trains can only take you so far. With a hire car from Strasbourg Airport you can weave between Riquewihr, Eguisheim, and Kaysersberg without checking timetables. You can also cross into Germany at Kehl, follow the Rhine south, or drive up into the mountains for a change of pace. Whether your trip is about wine, castles, or mixing French and German culture, a car gives you the freedom to do it properly.
SXB
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Short drive via local roads
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A35 motorway
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Alsace, Black Forest, Rhine
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Airport Pickup
Picking up at Strasbourg Airport means your car is waiting right after arrivals. The terminal is small and easy to navigate, and the rental area is close by. This works well if your accommodation is outside the city centre, or if you want to hit the road immediately for the wine route or the Vosges. Airport desks tend to have longer opening hours than city branches, and returning the car here before a flight is straightforward.
City or Station Pickup
If you are staying in central Strasbourg and do not need the car for the first day or two, a city or station pickup can be more convenient. You avoid parking in the busy Grande Île area until you are ready to leave. Strasbourg's main station is a major TGV hub, so collecting there after a train journey is practical. Consider this option if your trip plan starts with two days in the city before heading into the countryside.
Plan the handover, price and first drive
Strasbourg sits on the border between France and Germany, and that dual identity is everywhere you look. The architecture is Germanic half-timbered; the food is French; the language shifts depending on which side of the Rhine you are on. It is one of Europe's most politically significant cities — home to the European Parliament — but also one of its most charming.
The real magic of Strasbourg is what surrounds it. The Alsace Wine Route is a string of villages so perfect they look like film sets. Riquewihr, with its mediaeval walls and cobbled lanes, sits in a bowl of vineyards. Eguisheim spirals inward in concentric circles of pastel houses. Kaysersberg, birthplace of Albert Schweitzer, has a ruined castle overlooking the town and one of the best winstubs in the region.
Then there is the other direction. Cross the river into Kehl and you are in Germany. The Black Forest starts just beyond, with its winding roads, dense pine, and farmhouses selling kirschtorte and cured ham. The contrast between French finesse and German practicality is sharp and fascinating.
A hire car from Strasbourg Airport makes all of this possible. Without it, you are limited to trains that skip the small villages and buses that run twice a day. With it, you can wake up in a vineyard, have lunch in a German village, and be back in Strasbourg for dinner. That is the point of Alsace.
Check the conditions behind the price
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Total payable price
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Deposit and payment card
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Excess and cover
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Fuel policy
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Mileage and territory
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Extras and return
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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
Driving Licence and Paperwork
A valid driving licence is required, with an International Driving Permit if your licence is not in a Latin alphabet. You will also need your passport or national ID card and a credit card in the main driver's name. The supplier will place a hold on your card for the security deposit. Always check your voucher for the exact documents required before you travel.
Fuel and Return Policy
Most suppliers operate on a full-to-full fuel policy. You receive the car with a full tank and return it full to avoid refuelling charges. A fuel station is available near the airport on the D392, which is useful if you are returning from the south or west. Keep your fuel receipt as proof. Take photos of the car's condition before you leave and when you return, just in case.
Parking in Strasbourg
Parking inside the Grande Île is limited and restricted. Most visitors use Park & Ride facilities on the edge of the centre, or choose accommodation with parking included. If you are staying in the city centre for a few days before driving out, plan where you will leave the car. Street parking can be hard to find, and many central streets are pedestrianised.
Local access, road and operating conditions can change. Check current signs, your supplier instructions and the linked source before travelling: Strasbourg Airport.
Build a realistic first journey
Strasbourg City Centre
Head east from the airport via the D392 and D1000 to reach the Grande Île. The route is direct, but allow extra time for traffic during weekday mornings and around major events. Once in the centre, park at a Park & Ride or use your hotel's parking if available. The old town, the cathedral, and Petite France are best explored on foot once you are parked.
Colmar and the Alsace Wine Route
Take the A35 south toward Colmar, then branch onto the smaller D-roads that wind through the vineyards. This is where Alsace reveals its full character — villages like Riquewihr, Eguisheim, and Kaysersberg line the route. Wine tastings are available at many producers, but book ahead if you are visiting in autumn during the harvest season. Allow a full day or more for this drive.
The Black Forest and Germany
Cross the Rhine at Kehl, just east of Strasbourg, and enter Germany. The Black Forest begins almost immediately, with scenic drives through pine forests, villages with cuckoo-clock workshops, and opportunities for hiking. Baden-Baden is a popular destination for its spa culture. The border crossing is seamless within the Schengen Area, but make sure your rental agreement permits cross-border travel.
Vosges Mountains
Drive west from Strasbourg into the Vosges, a lower and gentler range than the Alps, but beautiful in every season. In summer there are lakes and hiking trails; in winter, small ski resorts. The Route des Crêtes follows the ridge and offers panoramic views across Alsace to the Rhine plain on one side, and into Lorraine on the other.
Frequently asked questions
Which car hire companies are at Strasbourg Airport?
The major international brands are represented at SXB, along with several French and European operators. The exact mix can change, so compare availability for your dates on the booking form above. All suppliers operate from the supplier-arranged rental area close to the terminal.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
That depends on where your licence was issued. If your licence is from an EU or EEA country, it is valid in France as is. If your licence uses a non-Latin script, or if it is from a country outside the EEA, an International Driving Permit is usually required alongside your original licence. Check your rental voucher for the exact requirement.
Can I drive the hire car into Germany?
Most suppliers allow cross-border travel within the Schengen Area, including into Germany. Some higher-end or specialty vehicles may have restrictions. Always confirm this at the desk when you collect the car, and make sure your agreement covers it. There is no border check, but traffic regulations change once you cross the Rhine.
Is parking difficult in Strasbourg city centre?
Yes, the Grande Île has very limited parking and many pedestrian-only streets. Park & Ride facilities are the practical choice for visitors. If your hotel offers parking, that is a real advantage. Once you are parked, the centre is compact and walkable.
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