Getting around Strasbourg

Public transport

The Compagnie des Transports Strasbourgeois (CTS) (tel: +33 3 8877 7070; www.cts-strasbourg.fr) operates the bus and tram systems in Strasbourg.

Trams run daily between roughly 4am and midnight, and every few minutes during rush hour. Buses run daily between 5am or 6am to midnight, with limited frequency and service on Sundays. Lines 4 and 6 are useful for travel and sightseeing within the city centre.

Most tickets can be used for both the bus and tram and are available from CTS offices (Place Kléber and train station), post offices, some newsagents and ticket machines at stops. Tickets must be stamped for validation in dedicated machines upon boarding the bus or before boarding the tram.

A 10-ticket discounted booklet is available from CTS sales points, as well as bargain-priced individual 24-hour tickets and 'Trio' tickets for up to three people travelling together. CTS sales points or the Central Tourist Office, 17 place de la Cathédrale (tel: +33 3 8852 2828; www.otstrasbourg.fr), can provide a free map of the public transport network as well as any other tourism information.

Taxis

One of the principal taxi companies is Taxi 13 (tel: +33 3 8836 1313), with over 200 vehicles in operation round the clock. You can hail taxis at ranks at the railway station, airport and place de l'Homme de Fer. Many taxis accept payment by credit card and tipping is not expected.

Driving

Most of the city centre is pedestrianised and motorists are encouraged to park their vehicle in low-cost car parks connected to public transport networks. The popularity of public transport means that traffic congestion is rarely a problem, although jams do occur at rush hour on the major motorway axes in and out of the city.

Central car parks, especially around the Place des Halles, can be expensive. Parking is free for up to 30 minutes at the railway station, St Aurélie, Serres, Canal and Porte de l'Hôpital. The Bateliers Car Park and Parking 2 Sebastopol (Place des Halles) are free between 2000 and 0200 – ideal for nights out! Further information is available from Strasbourg's online parking guide Parcus (www.parcus.com).

Car hire

Avis (tel: +33 820 611 698; www.avis.fr), Europcar (tel: +33 9 7740 3242 ; www.europcar.fr) and Hertz (tel: +33 3 8832 5762; www.hertz.fr) are located near the railway station. The minimum age for car hire varies from 21 to 25 years. A credit card is required and drivers must have a national driving licence for at least one year. Insurance is usually included.

Bicycle hire

Strasbourg has the largest cycle network in France and offers close to 200km (125 miles) of lanes to explore the surroundings and stunning countryside. Bicycles are available for hire from Esprit Cycles, 18 rue Jacques Peirotes (tel: +33 3 8836 1841; www.espritcycles.com).

Vélhop, Strasbourg's bikeshare scheme, allows users to pick-up/drop-off bicycles at designated stations throughout the city (tel: +33 9 6939 3667; www.velhop.strasbourg.eu). A deposit and ID are required and maps of cycling routes are available upon hiring.