Christmas markets in Alsace in one day: Colmar → Kaysersberg → Riquewihr with a private driver

Every winter, Alsace transforms into a living postcard: illuminated half-timbered houses, mulled wine, local artisans, and decorated pedestrian streets. In 2025, the Christmas markets in Colmar, Kaysersberg, and Riquewihr will be open from the end of November to the end of December, with extended hours on weekends to accommodate visitors. Therefore, it's entirely possible to organize a full-day premium experience starting from Strasbourg, with a dedicated private driver, without wasting time looking for parking or navigating unfamiliar roads.

Suggested program for one day

• 1. Pickup (Strasbourg or SXB Airport) – 9:00 AM

  
  

  First, your private Ghost Driver will pick you up directly from your hotel, the train station, or Strasbourg Airport (SXB). Private transfers ensure a smooth start, especially for families with luggage or strollers.

  
  

  We use Mercedes vehicles (sedan or 7-seater van), as well as a 100% electric EQV upon request. The trunk is sized to accommodate suitcases and Christmas purchases (wines, local specialties, handcrafted decorations).

  
  

  2. Colmar – 10:00 AM → 12:00 PM

  
  

  Next, we head south to Colmar. Colmar hosts several Christmas markets each year, spread throughout the historic city center: Little Venice (family-friendly), Place des Dominicains, Place Jeanne-d'Arc (local products), Place de l'Ancienne Douane, Koïfhus (artisans), and the Gourmet Market. The 2025 markets are scheduled from November 25th to December 29th, 2025, with daily opening hours, for example, 11:00 AM–7:00 PM on weekdays and until 8:00 PM on weekends. This means that even on a Monday or Tuesday, you can enjoy the atmosphere without the Saturday crowds.

  
  

  Furthermore, the city center is largely pedestrianized, and the streets are very busy on Advent weekends. Having a private driver allows for a quick drop-off close to the pedestrian areas, without having to drive around looking for a parking space, which is often difficult.

  
  

  Suggestions while there:

  
  

  Photos in Little Venice.

  
  

  Purchase of local products (foie gras, gingerbread, hot pretzels).

  
  

  Carousel/Ferris wheel ride for children, as well as a Santa Claus workshop (depending on the family program).

  
  

3. Alsatian Lunch – 12:15 PM → 1:15 PM

Afterwards, we can reserve a table in a traditional winstub (serving sauerkraut, baeckeoffe, and tarte flambée) or, alternatively, plan a quick lunch at a place like the Colmar Gourmet Market, where you'll find stalls run by real local chefs.

The driver remains available and keeps your gift bags in the vehicle; you can visit the markets hands-free.

4. Kaysersberg – 1:45 PM → 3:00 PM

After lunch, we'll head to Kaysersberg. The authentic and artisanal Christmas market in Kaysersberg is renowned for its traditional atmosphere (wood, local crafts, spiced mulled wine without any commercialized elements). It is only open on Advent weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) from typically 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, on the following dates in 2025:

November 28–30

December 5–7

December 12–14

December 19–21, 2025.

This means that if you come on a Saturday in December, you'll experience the most "traditional Alsatian" atmosphere, with the chalets set up in the courtyard of the Arsenal and around the Sainte-Croix church. However, if you come on a Tuesday, we can adapt the itinerary by spending more time in Colmar and/or visiting another village that is open during the week.

In Kaysersberg, car access is very limited on busy days. Therefore, a private driver who drops you off as close as possible and then handles parking elsewhere will save you a lot of time. 5. Riquewihr – 3:15 PM → 4:30 PM

Next, we continue to Riquewihr, a fortified village in the heart of the vineyard. The Riquewihr Christmas Market 2025 is scheduled from November 28th to December 21st, 2025, with daily opening hours (generally around 10:00 AM–6:30 PM on weekdays and until 7:00 PM on weekends).

Riquewihr is well-known for its medieval streets, brightly colored half-timbered houses, and working wine cellars. It's the ideal place to buy Riesling, Gewurztraminer, or Crémant d'Alsace directly from the producer before the holidays.

Important note: tourist buses sometimes have to reserve paid parking spaces on December weekends in Riquewihr (dedicated fee, municipal control). This shows how high the visitor traffic is, and reinforces the advantage of a customized private transport service rather than a large coach. ribeauville-riquewihr.com

6. Return to Strasbourg – 4:30 PM → 6:00 PM

Finally, a comfortable return to Strasbourg (or the airport, or your hotel in Colmar depending on your program for the next day). On board, you can relax, recharge your phones, and safely store your purchases.

Why choose a private driver instead of a classic tourist shuttle?

No parking hassle: Colmar, Kaysersberg, and Riquewihr are progressively limiting car access to the heart of the historic centers and closing certain streets. During peak season, parking can easily take 30 to 40 minutes. Here, you are dropped off as close as possible to the pedestrian areas, and we take care of the rest. Optimized Timing: We adapt the stop times according to the actual opening hours of the markets (for example, Kaysersberg is only open Friday-Saturday-Sunday, while Colmar is open every day from November 25th to December 29th, 2025).

Premium Comfort: Mercedes V-Class / EQV, bottled water on board, rear heating, space for strollers, child seats available upon request. Enjoy the Christmas lights without fatigue, even with children or grandparents.

Tailor-made Approach: Do you want more time in Colmar to take night photos? Do you prefer to buy wine in Riquewihr? Do you need a stop at a pharmacy or a quieter restaurant for a baby? The driver remains at your disposal.

Practical Information

Total service duration: on average 7 to 9 hours.

Starting point: Strasbourg, Kehl, Strasbourg Airport (SXB), or directly in Colmar if you are already staying there.

Languages: French / English.

Groups: family, couple, VIP, corporate scouting.

Billing: fixed rate for vehicle and driver hire (half-day / full-day) with waiting time included and return trip planned.

How to book your Christmas market day in Alsace

To book, simply provide:

the desired date,

the number of passengers, Driver by the hour or by the day

the pick-up location (hotel, train station, airport),

the presence of any children or bulky luggage.

Then, we will send you a clear quote, including the assigned vehicle (Mercedes V-Class / EQV) and the duration of the service.

Direct Contact Ghost Driver – Private Driver Alsace

Phone / WhatsApp: +33 6 68 98 21 86

Email: ghost.driver.vtc@gmail.com

24/7 service (by reservation)

FAQ

Is it feasible in a single day from Strasbourg? Yes, because Colmar is about 45 minutes to 1 hour away by car, and Kaysersberg and Riquewihr are located on the Wine Route, just a few kilometers from each other.