Black Forest, 9 Hours

Black Forest, 9 Hours, 9 hours, rated 4.8 across 148 traveller reviews.

Overview

This day trip leaves from Place de la Gare, the square in front of Strasbourg's train station, and rolls across the Rhine into Germany in an 8-seater mini-coach. First stop is Triberg, the cuckoo clock capital, where 80 minutes cover a guided look at the village plus free time for the waterfalls, described as Germany's tallest, or the traditional clock shops. The drive on to Lake Titisee follows the German Clock Route past farmhouses and pasture.

At Titisee you have 1.5 hours, which the operator positions as the lunch break, with restaurants and terraces along the shore. Freiburg comes next and gets the biggest share: 2.5 hours in total, starting with a guided walk of the historic centre lasting about an hour, where the small street canals known as Bächle feature, and ending with free time for the cathedral, the market square or a slice of Black Forest cake. The return leg passes the Kaiserstuhl wine region before the coach comes back to the station square in the early evening.

It suits anyone based in Strasbourg who wants the Black Forest's signature sights without hiring a car, and solo travellers can contact the operator about guaranteed departures. Commentary runs in French, English and Spanish, with German available as well. The pace is fixed rather than flexible: 80 minutes, then 1.5 hours, then 2.5 hours, with waterfall admission of €9 extra, and the whole day runs 9 hours.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Place de la GareCheck in at the drop-off area in front of Strasbourg train station; the mini-coach leaves at 8:30 AM.
2. Drive into the Black ForestA 70-minute run from Strasbourg across the Rhine, with the guide covering the history and legends of the region as the scenery climbs from the Rhine Valley towards the mountains.
3. Triberg clocks and waterfalls80 minutes in the cuckoo clock village, with a guided visit and free time. The waterfalls are optional and their entry, at €9 per adult, is not included in the tour price.
4. Drive the German Clock RouteA 40-minute stretch along a scenic tourist route, past traditional farmhouses and green pastures.
5. Lake Titisee lunch stop1.5 hours at the lake for lunch, a lakeside stroll or a terrace seat with mountain views; an electric boat ride is one option on the spot.
6. Transfer to FreiburgA 30-minute hop from the mountains down to the city.
7. Freiburg guided walk and free time2.5 hours in total: a guided walk of the historic centre lasting about an hour, then free time for the cathedral, the market square or Black Forest cake.
8. Return past the KaiserstuhlA 70-minute drive back towards Strasbourg, passing the Kaiserstuhl wine region.
9. Drop-off at the stationThe day ends where it began, at Place de la Gare, between 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM depending on traffic.

What To Expect From The Tour

A handful of practical points, from paperwork to the fixed timing, will shape how the day feels.

• Passport and visa. Bring a passport or ID card for the border crossing into Germany, and a visa if your nationality needs one. Both appear on the operator's what-to-bring list.
• Shoes and walking. Every site is visited on foot, and the operator says travellers must be able to move around independently. Comfortable shoes are on the same list, and with village, lake and city walking stacked into one day they earn their place.
• Group of eight. Transport is an 8-seater mini-coach, and two reviewers said the small group made the day feel personal and comfortable. Solo travellers can contact the operator to join a guaranteed departure.
• Lunch and cake. Food and drinks are not included. Titisee, with its restaurants and terraces, is set up as the lunch stop, and the listing itself suggests saving room for Black Forest cake in Freiburg.
• Waterfall entry fee. Admission to the Parc des Cascades costs €9 per adult and is paid separately from the tour. Skipping it is fine, since the village and the clock shops fill the stop.
• Long day out. Departure is 8:30 AM and drop-off lands between 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM depending on traffic, so keep the evening loose. The stops are largely outdoors, so pack for the forecast rather than for the coach.

Common issues. The fixed timetable draws the main criticism: some travellers felt the time was uneven between stops and wanted longer at the headline sights. Costs can add up, with waterfall admission at €9 per adult and lunch, drinks and tips all extra. The operator is clear that neither the vehicle nor the itinerary suits travellers with reduced mobility, since everything is visited on foot, and animals are not permitted. Long transfers between the three stops eat into the day, so anyone expecting lingering time at each sight should weigh the schedule first.

Common Questions