FranceAlsaceChristmas marketsChecked Oct 2026

London to Strasbourg Christmas Market

Strasbourg's Christkindelsmärik is one of Europe's oldest Christmas markets, and you can reach it from London by train in an afternoon. This guide covers the train, direct flights and driving, plus easy trips to Colmar and the Alsace villages.

Late Nov – 24 DecUsual market dates (2026 TBC)
Eurostar + TGVBest way from London
~5h 30mLondon to Strasbourg by train

The short answer

For most people the train is easiest: Eurostar from St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord (about 2h 20m), a 10-minute walk to Gare de l'Est, then a direct TGV to Strasbourg (about 1h 50m). You arrive right in the city, a short tram ride or walk from the markets.

Market essentials

Strasbourg calls itself the Capital of Christmas, with markets spread across the old town island (Grande Île).

Dates

The market usually runs from the last week of November to 24 December. The 2025 market ran from 26 November to 24 December. Official 2026 dates had not been confirmed when we checked, so look at the City of Strasbourg's Noël site (noel.strasbourg.eu) before booking.

Opening hours

In 2025 the stalls opened from 11:30 to 21:00 most days, closing at 18:00 on 24 December. Expect similar hours in 2026. The markets are closed on Christmas Day, though the lights stay up into early January.

Where

The two main markets are the original Christkindelsmärik on Place Broglie and the one around the cathedral. Others are on Place Kléber (home to the Great Christmas Tree), Place du Château, in Petite France (Place Benjamin Zix) and at Place du Marché-aux-Poissons.

Good to know

Weekends, especially Saturdays, are very crowded, so visit midweek if you can. Expect bag checks at the entrances to the old town, and book hotels early, as the city fills up throughout December.

Every way to get there

From London to Strasbourg, best options first. Times are typical door to door; check live schedules for your dates.

1

Eurostar to Paris, then the TGV to Strasbourg

Best for most
Door to door5h 30m–6h 30m
£ Cost££
Best forMost trips, and flight-free travel
  1. Eurostar: London St Pancras to Paris Gare du NordAbout 2h 20m, with frequent departures through the day.
  2. Walk to Paris Gare de l'EstAbout 10 minutes on foot. Allow at least an hour between trains, as you'll need to clear Eurostar arrivals and find your platform.
  3. TGV: Paris Gare de l'Est to StrasbourgDirect TGV INOUI trains take about 1h 45m to 1h 50m. The low-cost OUIGO is slower and has fewer departures. Book early for December weekends.
Train times: London → ParisTrain times: Paris → Strasbourg

Strasbourg station is about a 15-minute walk or a short tram ride from Place Kléber and the main markets.

2

Fly direct to Strasbourg (SXB)

Fastest
Door to door4h 30m–5h 30m
£ Cost££
Best forShort breaks, if a flight suits your dates
  1. London to Strasbourg Entzheim (SXB)About 1h 25m to 1h 45m. Direct flights are limited. easyJet flies from Gatwick a couple of times a week and is due to start Luton flights (four a week) from 29 November 2026. Jet2 has seasonal flights from Stansted on Thursdays and Sundays from 26 November to 20 December 2026. Check current schedules.
  2. Airport train to Strasbourg stationAbout 9 minutes, with up to four trains an hour from the station by the terminal.
Compare LGW–SXB flightsTrain times: Strasbourg Airport → Strasbourg

With so few flights a week, check the days work for you before planning the rest of the trip.

3

Fly to Basel-Mulhouse, then the train

Door to door6–7h
£ Cost££
Best forWhen there's no direct flight on your dates
  1. London to Basel-Mulhouse (BSL)About 1h 40m. easyJet flies from Gatwick and Luton, and British Airways from Heathrow. Check current schedules.
  2. Bus 11 to Saint-Louis stationAbout 10 to 15 minutes from the French side of the terminal, every 15 to 30 minutes.
  3. TER train: Saint-Louis to StrasbourgDirect regional trains run about every 30 minutes and take roughly 1h 15m to 1h 30m. They also stop at Colmar, which is handy for its markets.
Compare LGW–BSL flightsTrain times: Saint-Louis → Strasbourg

Use the French exit of the airport for the bus to Saint-Louis.

4

Drive via Le Shuttle

Door to door8h 30m–9h 30m
£ Cost££
Best forFamilies and groups who want to tour Alsace villages
  1. Folkestone to Calais on Le Shuttle35 minutes under the Channel, and you stay with your car.
  2. Calais to StrasbourgAbout 389 miles, or around 6 hours on the A26 and A4 motorways without stops. Tolls are just over €60 each way. Reims or Metz make good overnight stops.
Le Shuttle crossingsPlan the drive

Strasbourg has a low-emission zone. You'll need a Crit'Air sticker to drive into the centre, so it's easier to use a park-and-ride and take the tram in.

Where to stay in Strasbourg

Compare hotels and apartments, many with free cancellation. Book early for December weekends.

See hotels in Strasbourg

All options compared

Typical times and relative costs. £ is cheapest, £££ is priciest.

OptionDoor to doorCostBest for
Eurostar to Paris, then the TGV to Strasbourg5h 30m–6h 30m££Most trips, and flight-free travel
Fly direct to Strasbourg (SXB)4h 30m–5h 30m££Short breaks, if a flight suits your dates
Fly to Basel-Mulhouse, then the train6–7h££When there's no direct flight on your dates
Drive via Le Shuttle8h 30m–9h 30m££Families and groups who want to tour Alsace villages

Add more Alsace markets

Strasbourg is the best base for a few days in Alsace, with smaller markets a short train or bus ride away.

Your base

Strasbourg

Stay on or near the Grande Île to walk to the markets. Book early, as December fills up fast.

Hotels in Strasbourg
About 30–50 min by train

Colmar

Six Christmas markets in a pretty old town, running from 23 November to 29 December 2026. Regional TER trains go direct from Strasbourg.

Hotels in Colmar
Shuttle bus from Colmar

Kaysersberg and Riquewihr

Two wine villages with small, atmospheric markets. Colmar's Christmas shuttle buses serve both on Fridays to Sundays (€17 day ticket, 27 Nov–20 Dec 2026, booked online).

Hotels in Kaysersberg
About 25–30 min by train

Obernai

A compact market town south-west of Strasbourg, with the station about a 10-minute walk from the market. An easy half-day trip.

Hotels in Obernai

Local tip: Colmar's Christmas shuttle tickets go on sale online at noon (CET) on 12 November 2026 and are limited, so book as soon as you know your dates.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

When is the Strasbourg Christmas market in 2026?

It usually runs from the last week of November to 24 December. Official 2026 dates had not been confirmed at the time of checking, so check noel.strasbourg.eu before booking.

Are there direct flights from London to Strasbourg?

Yes, but not many. easyJet flies from Gatwick, is due to start Luton flights from 29 November 2026, and Jet2 has seasonal Stansted flights from 26 November to 20 December 2026. Check current schedules.

How long is the train from London to Strasbourg?

About 5h 30m to 6h 30m, with Eurostar to Paris, a short walk between stations and a TGV of about 1h 50m.

How do I get from Strasbourg to Colmar?

Regional TER trains run direct from Strasbourg to Colmar and take about 30 to 50 minutes.

Is the Strasbourg Christmas market open on Christmas Day?

No. It usually closes early on 24 December and doesn't reopen after Christmas. Colmar's markets carry on until 29 December 2026.

How many days do I need for Strasbourg's Christmas markets?

Two days is enough for Strasbourg itself. Allow three or four if you want to add Colmar and the wine villages.

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Times and prices are typical estimates, checked Oct 2026. Always confirm with the operator before booking. Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.