The  French national railway (SNCF) (tel: 08923 53535; website: www.sncf.com) operates frequent direct high-speed trains to Strasbourg from Paris Gare de l'Est and Lille Europe (interchange with Eurostar from London). Strasbourg's main train station, at 20 place de la Gare (tel: 03887 54120), is France's second largest railway station outside of Paris. There is a post office located nearby, at 18 place de la Gare, and car hire is available at or near the station.

Rail services: The high-speed TGV-Est runs from Paris Est to Strasbourg in 2 hours 20 minutes. The best journey time from London (Eurostar to Paris and TGV-Est to Strasbourg) is about 5 hours 11 minutes. There are good services from many European cities, such as Frankfurt (journey time - 2 hours 10 minutes), as well as links to France's major cities, including Bordeaux (journey time - 6 hours 11 minutes) and Marseille via Lyon (journey time - 7 hours 30 minutes).