Driving to Strasbourg from Calais

All the essential information you need to plan your journey to one of France’s most cosmopolitan, historic, charming and Christmassy cities. 

Why visit Strasbourg?

Strasbourg is famous for being the home of the European Parliament, for its wealth of history and beautiful half-timbered architecture. The city in the Alsace has a wonderful setting, too, encircled by waterways, and is known for its cosmopolitan nature. The medieval old town is called the Grand-Île, and is truly deserving of its UNESCO World Heritage status. Victor Hugo called Strasbourg’s Gothic cathedral ‘a delicate marvel’, and its 142-metre high spire towers over the city skyline. Other notable sights include the Barrage Vauban, a historic military dam and bridge, and the Parc de l’Orangerie, an elegant public park and gardens where you’ll often see storks, the bird synonymous with the city. 

There’s also a rich array of museums, outdoor activities and family-friendly things to do in Strasbourg. We can’t also forget that Strasbourg is known as the ‘capital of Christmas’, due to its hugely popular Christmas market, one of France’s best. 

Strasbourg’s sublime Grand-Île

Where is Strasbourg?

Strasbourg is in the heart of the historical Alsace, a mountainous region in the north-east of France close to the border with Germany. 

How long does it take to drive to Strasbourg from the UK?

Depending on which route you take, the driving time from Calais to Strasbourg varies between 6-7 hours. However, you should stop several times on a journey of this length – usually every 1½ to 2 hours. Some UK drivers find driving in France more draining and tiring, because of the differences in road rules, signage and speed limits. So a trip to Strasbourg will probably take the best part of a day to complete, if you factor in the crossing on LeShuttle too. 

How far is Strasbourg from Calais by car?

It’s a distance of 389 miles from our terminal at Calais to Strasbourg.

What is the best driving route from Calais to Strasbourg by car?

Sights and champagne - Reims is the perfect place to stopover on your way to Strasbourg

The quick route – via the A26 and A4 autoroutes

The quickest route is around six hours, via the A26 and A4 autoroutes. This doesn’t take into account breaks, and the possibility of an overnight stop. Reims and Metz are the best places for the latter, and the motorway passes close to both cities. You’ll pay tolls on this route of just over €60 each way. 

Take the scenic route for a champagne super stopover 

Reims

There’s possibly no better excuse to stay the night somewhere than a tasting at a champagne house, or a fizzy tipple with dinner! Reims, in the heart of Champagne country, is just under half way to Strasbourg, so is the ideal place to break your journey.  

Reims is a fantastic place for foodies, as well as wine lovers. The signature dish is a sweet treat called ‘Biscuits rose de Reims’, conveniently meant to be dipped in champagne. Local markets are another highlight, where you can sample regional cheeses, pastries and other gourmet delights. There are also beautiful buildings round every corner, such as the Gothic cathedral, where 25 French kings were crowned, the Porte de Mars, a mighty Roman gateway, and Saint-Remi basilica. 

Metz

Metz cathedral at Christmas

Metz is a charming, compact city around 4 hours 20 minutes from Calais. It boasts a wealth of history, a vibrant art scene and some interesting sights. Visit the beautiful medieval cathedral with its sumptuous amount of stained glass, and Temple Neuf, a picturesque church on an island on the Moselle river. The Centre Pompidou is a sister gallery to the Paris museum of the same name, with an equally distinctive design. As for food, sample some original quiche Lorraine while you’re in Metz – like pizza from Naples, dishes never taste as good as the place they were invented! If visiting in December, Metz has one of the most celebrated of France’s Christmas markets, held across the city at multiple locations. 

The toll-free route through Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany

It’s possible to drive all the way from Calais to Strasbourg without paying any tolls at all. In fact it’s quite easy, and only adds around an hour to the most direct driving time. That’s because most of the route is through Belgium, which doesn’t have a toll system. If you take the A16 autoroute from our terminal, via Dunkirk, and then the A25 towards Lille, you won’t pass through any toll booths before the Belgian border. 

Continue via the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and then skirt the western part of Germany, before driving back into France through the Vosges national park and the Alsace.

Lille

Stop in Lille’s Grand Place for lunch 

Only a short drive from Calais, the largest city in the Hauts-de-France region is a place heaving with history, culture and art. Vieux-Lille is the old town, famous for its cobblestone streets, independent shops, boulangeries and patisseries. Find time for lunch in the Grand Place, Lille’s main square, dominated by the Column of the Goddess and La Vieille Bourse, the old stock exchange. Wander through its courtyard to browse the second hand bookstalls and watch people playing chess.  Don’t leave Lille without savouring a waffle at Méert, the city’s most famous tearoom. 

Luxembourg

The capital of one of Europe’s smallest countries also happens to be one of the more beautiful cities on the continent, and full of historical interest. Luxembourg City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its old town, medieval fortifications and highly developed and well preserved underground tunnels. Wandering the Casemates du Bock and the Walls of the Corniche should be top on your list of things to do, especially as they give spectacular views of the city. You should also find time in Luxembourg to visit the Grand Ducal Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and Château de Bourscheid.

Driving in Strasbourg

Cycling is a good way to get about the city

The main thing to be aware of when driving into Strasbourg is the low emission zone (ZFE) that applies in the city centre. The zone applies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Currently car drivers need to have a Crit’ Air 3 sticker to enter the zone, but from January 2027 it is expected that this will be upgraded to a  Crit’ Air 2. A petrol car qualifies for a Crit’ Air 3 sticker if it is in the Euro 2 or 3 emissions standard. You can find out details of your vehicle’s emissions standard on your logbook or at the official Crit’ Air site. 

It is advisable to leave your car at one of the park and ride sites, and get about Strasbourg using the tram system. Some of the streets in the Grand-Île are closed to traffic at certain times, and parking spaces are very restricted. You’ll see a lot of cyclists around the city, and that is definitely the Strasbourg way to travel! 

Drive to Strasbourg with LeShuttle

Whether you’re going for the iconic Christmas market, or a summer break, Strasbourg makes an ideal destination for a French road trip. Get there in just 35 minutes with LeShuttle from Folkestone to Calais.