Like many places in France, Colmar is a historic town, and it appears to be a destination out of Disney’s creations. For starters, the town happens to be the last place in France to be liberated after the Second World War. Even though it has been a French town for most of its modern history, Colmar is predominantly German. The town is affordable and has great dining spots and accommodation options that range from cheap to expensive outfits and well furnished with facilities. 

Here is What you Should Know About Travel Costs in Colmar:

Getting Around

Getting around in Colmar is easy and affordable. Depending on your choice, you can ride around, walk, or take a bus tour of the town as you appreciate its magnificent architecture. Tours might be expensive but a stroll across town is cheaper and more adventurous. Colmar is surprisingly big for a medieval town but walking around will be without difficulty.

 Additionally, the town’s attractions are mostly in its old town area. If you want to cut costs significantly, do not lodge or dine out around the area. Also note that at the train station, there is no luggage storage nor anywhere else in Colmar. At around 2 euros, you should get good bus links to several areas of interest. A way ticket (local ticket) is around 1.40 euros while a monthly pass for those who will be staying in Colmar longer is at 36 euros.

How Much it Cost to Visit Colmar

For your Colmar trip, plan to spend around 118 euros a day. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of previous travelers. Previous travelers also spent an average of 67 euros on dining out in a day, and the average hotel price for a couple is around 70 euros. Therefore, a trip to the Alsatian town for a couple on a week trip should cost around 1,650 euros on average.

If you are spending a week’s vacation in the town, it will cost you around 825 euros. As for two people, they will spend around 1,650 in a week while about 3,300 euros will be spent in 2 weeks. A family trip to Colmar is a perfect getaway with loved ones. So a family of three or four people will significantly pay about the price for a couple’s. This is because children’s tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared.

As a spending tip, traveling slower over a longer period reduces daily costs. For example, a couple traveling together for a month in Colmar can usually have a lower daily budget per head than a single vacationer traveling alone for a week.

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Cost of Dining out in Restaurants 

As earlier said, there is a wide range of options in the amazing town of Colmar. There is something for everyone regardless of your budgetary plans. A regular meal in an expensive restaurant should cost around 24 euros. This will also afford you the chance to try out some regional specialties you might probably not get anywhere else. A meal (three-course) for 2 people in a mid-range would cost around 80 euros. 

A 0.5 liters draught of domestic beer should cost you about 8 euros, and the imported (0.33-liter bottle) is cheaper at about 6 euros. You should get a regular cappuccino for about 4 euros and a bottle of water (0.33-liter bottle) for around 1.50 euros. 

Cost of Self-Catering

Preparing your own food on a Colmar vacation can be the highlight of your French experience. Go all out for this and explore the town’s covered market, where you can get the freshest and best ingredients and produce to make a superb meal. They sell different produce- from vegan to non-vegan, and they come fresh. If you are no veg, a liter of milk will cost around 0.90 euros. You would get a loaf of bread at the same price too.

A kilogram of white rice is cheap here at 2 euros, and a dozen regular eggs should cost you around 4.0 euros. A kilogram of local cheese is around 12 euros, and chicken fillets (1 kg) are sold for 8 euros.

When shopping for fruits and vegetables, ensure that they are in good condition so you can enjoy them. You should get a kilogram of apple and banana at 4 euros each while a kilogram of oranges comes at 2.50 euros. If a tomato is a feature in your culinary plans, a kilogram will cost you around 3 euros. A kilogram of potato is cheaper at 2 euros while a kilogram of onion could be way up than others at 6 euros. Get your lettuce (1 head) for 2 euros.

In the case that you intend to indulge in self-catering at some point on your Colmar vacation, ensure that your hotel or hostel has facilities in place for this. Do not forget that self-catering is more affordable than visiting luxury restaurants on the streets.

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Where to Stay for Sightseeing

In Colmar, the best neighborhood to stay is close to the Old Town, with its quaint burghers’ houses and fine cobbled streets. From there, it is not difficult to walk to most of the top touristy destinations like Eglise des Dominicains, Little Venice, Koïfhus, and Musée Unterlinden. Here are a few highly-rated hotels in this sparkling and central location:

• Luxury Hotels: Hotel le Colombier is a pet-friendly and trendy establishment in an attractive old building with charming, contemporary décor situated in Little Venice. Hostellerie le Marechal is also in Little Venice, and it is a boutique that you can find at the alluring 1600s Alsatian house; the local styling extends to the rooms, some of which looks over the canals. A short walk from Musée Unterlinden, La Maison des Tetes also has old-world décor with wood-paneled rooms and ceilings that complement the stunning 1600s building. Pets are welcome, and parking is free.
• Mid-Range Hotels: In the town center, the old but striking Hotel Saint Martin has local Alsatian-Esque décor in several of its room, while Hotel Turenne is just four minutes away on foot from Little Venice. It has well-adorned modern rooms in a splendid historic structure. It is also pet friendly. For those touring Alsace in a car, the pet-friendly and fantastic Comfort Hotel Expo Colmar provides safe parking and is just a 5-minute drive to the Old Town. The decor is both contemporary and bright. 
• Budget Hotels: The hip and modern Ibis Colmar Center is about an eight-minute walk to the Old Town. It is pet-friendly and has compact rooms. There is the Kyriad Colmar – Center Gare with friendly staff, and it is not difficult to reach the Old Town and train station walking. There is Colmar Hotel with impressively clean rooms that are styled in contemporary fashion. On foot, it is about 16 minutes from the Old Town.

Shopping 

Colmar is a cool destination to shop for shoes and clothes. The range of options that will be available to you is satisfactory, and the outfits are more affordable than those in neighboring Switzerland, Germany, and Strasbourg. Besides this, you will find traditional crafts that can be purchased as souvenirs. The typical regional pottery is popular and comes in different colors. It is adorned with flowers and motifs of storks (Alsatian birds).

Also available in pale blue, pottery here has a stronger German influence. You will most certainly find wine glasses typical of the region, like the shot glasses bearing green stems. It will be easy to also spot tinware, tablecloths, and other utensils made with depictions of adults and kids dressed in regional attire. The major components of Alsatian export are food and wine, so check out the spots featured in this article for a refreshing time in Colmar. 

Wine Specialists

The region is a traditional wine-producing area with a global reputation. Alsatian wine is distinct and similar to some German ones. You should spare some bucks, tour the Routes des Vines, and sample the wineries along the area. The Gewürztraminer (very sweet) and Muscat (fairly sweet) are the two most popular wines produced here.

Is Colmar Expensive? – Summary

The lively and scenic town of Colmar is relatively not expensive. You will enjoy its quaint Renaissance charm, fine wines, elegant architectural displays, delectable dining options, and fantastic modern hotel facilities. All you could need is there without breaking the banks to have a pleasantly memorable holiday in this part of Alsace.