In the heart of eastern France lies the picturesque region of Alsace. It’s known for its charming villages, medieval castles, and family-owned wineries.
But visiting all these sites without renting a car isn’t easy, and relying on public transportation can be limiting.
Take it from me, someone who has lived in Alsace since 2019 and doesn’t have a car.
That’s where the Kutzig Bus comes in.
I’ve taken this bus twice and absolutely loved it.
In this review, I’ll share my thoughts on why this is the perfect way to explore Alsace and what you can expect from the experience.
Route Overview
The Kutzig Bus offers one route.
The circuit starts at Colmar’s train station.
From there it travels to six remote towns in the region, Ribeauvillé, Hunawihr, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, Turckheim, and Eguisheim, before returning to Colmar.
Helpful Tip: Colmar is the best place to stay if you plan to use the Kutzig Bus more than once. Plus, there’s a ton to do in Colmar.
The first bus leaves at 8:30 am and stops by each town every 90 minutes. The last pickup is at 7:05 pm in Eguisheim.
Helpful Tip: The last pickups for the other towns are earlier, so be sure to check the schedule.
Tickets are €29 per day and are sold on the website.
Each ticket is for one day and you can take the bus as many times as you want (on the date you purchased the ticket).
On the downside, it’s a seasonal bus, which means it doesn’t run year-round.
Below are the dates that it’s available:
- From Friday the 26th of April to Sunday the 13th of October.
- July, August, and September: From Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays.
- April, May, June, and mid-October: Friday to Sunday and public holidays.
Unique Features of the Bus
The Kutzig Bus is a standard open-top tourist bus with 28 seats. Each seat has a seat belt and a USB charging station.
It’s also climate-controlled, which is perfect if you’re visiting during summer.
Helpful Tip: The top is kept closed if it’s raining or cold outside.
There isn’t an audio commentary, but some drivers will share helpful information as they pass through the towns.
Bus stops are usually at the main entrance of every town, making it easy to explore.
There’s also an app (available for IOS and Android users), but it’s very basic.
I only used it to remind myself of the pickup/drop-off times and the location of the bus stops. It does offer a few minutes of audio commentary for each town but only in French.
Helpful Tip: There is a list of additional activities for each town on the website, but it’s not organized in a useful way.
Service Quality
Overall, I thought the Kutzig Bus provided a convenient and reliable service. The buses were clean and well-maintained, and the drivers were friendly and helpful.
One downside is that the bus can get quite crowded during peak tourist season, especially in July and August.
If you decide to travel during the peak times (which are indicated on the app and brochure), I recommend arriving early to be sure you get a seat.
Helpful Tip: It didn’t happen to me, but I heard some people had to wait for the next bus because the first one was full. It’s rare but it can happen.
Another aspect that I appreciated was the punctuality. The schedule was, for the most part, strictly followed.
On one occasion it was five minutes late and on another, it was ten minutes. Both instances were during peak travel times and due to heavy traffic.
Value for Money
In terms of value for money, I found the Kutzig Bus to be quite reasonable. The one-day pass cost me €29, and I could take the bus as much as I wanted.
There are other ways to get to these towns (taking a taxi, renting a car, or using public transportation). But these alternatives are either more expensive or way too complicated.
To give you an idea, I once took a taxi from Ribeauvillé to Colmar. I paid €30 and waited more than an hour for the taxi to arrive.
Renting a car is another option and it has its advantages.
You will definitely have more freedom, but it’s far more expensive. Plus, you’ll need to find parking, which can be limited in these small towns, and navigate small, narrow streets.
Finally, there are public buses. I will admit they are cheaper (€2-4 per ride), but they are less frequent, often late, and make tons of stops.
The Kutzig Bus is the least stressful option and allows you to see the most in a short amount of time. So, in my opinion, it is a great value for the price.
Criticisms and Areas for Improvement
While I had a positive experience with the Kutzig Bus, I have a few criticisms and areas for improvement.
First, the bus can get quite crowded during peak travel times/seasons. While this is understandable due to the limited number of buses available, it can make for an uncomfortable ride.
Second, the app could be more useful. The information about each town is limited and the commentary is only in French.
Third, while the schedule was generally followed, there were two instances where the bus arrived late. There was a lot of traffic, which is understandable, and it didn’t negatively affect my trip. It was more of a slight annoyance than anything.
Fourth, it’s such a useful service I don’t understand why it’s not offered year-round.
Lastly, visiting all six towns in one day is doable, but you can’t do each thoroughly. Just look at all there is to explore in Eguisheim.
Helpful Tip: Hiking to Château de Saint-Ulrich in Ribeauvillé (photo above) is about two hours round trip.
It would be great to have multi-day ticket options or more flexible schedules for visitors who want to explore each town more in-depth.
Only a handful of tourists visited every town (at least when I used the Kutzig Bus).
Most opted to explore two or three towns per day. Of course, that means you’ll need to buy several day passes, which can add up quickly.
Conclusion and My Recommendation
Overall, I highly recommend the Kutzig Bus for anyone who wants to explore Ribeauvillé, Hunawihr, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, Turckheim, and Eguisheim (without renting a car).
It offers convenience, comfort, punctuality, and value for money. Plus, you’ll see stunning views of Alsace along the way.
I personally had a fantastic experience with Kutzig Bus and will definitely use their services again.
My only suggestion would be to book your tickets in advance and arrive early to ensure you get a seat on the bus.
I would also carefully plan your itinerary. There’s a lot to do in each town and if you want to visit all six towns in one day you’ll need to be very organized.
Now all that’s left to do is plan your visit. Why not check out some of the other activities and attractions in this part of France?
Read More Articles About France
I hope you enjoyed my post and found it helpful. Here are some other articles that I think you might find interesting.
- Must-Experience Events and Festivals in Alsace (2024)
- 4 Days in Alsace: The Perfect Itinerary (from a Local)
- Food from Alsace: 20 Must-Try Specialties