Advent weekend trip to Colmar or Strasbourg for 40 euros

The Advent season is approaching, and many cities are competing to offer the most enchanting experience. In our country, Zagreb stands out as one of the most attractive destinations, drawing large crowds each year. But let’s broaden our scope and compare it with other renowned Advent spots to see which offers the best experience.

Each year, many travelers venture to Austria for Advent getaways, often visiting Graz and other picturesque towns. However, with Ryanair now flying from Zagreb, exciting new options are within easy reach. Two of the most charming European Advent destinations are Colmar and Strasbourg, just a short distance from each other. Both cities open their Advent markets in late November and continue until after Christmas.

Already popular tourist destinations year-round, Colmar and Strasbourg become even more magical during Advent. Picture these beautiful riverside towns, with their historic wooden houses, evoking a sense of romance as if you’re wandering through Venice. While other nearby cities also offer delightful Advent markets, Colmar and Strasbourg are perfect for those seeking a quintessential European Advent experience.

This year, Ryanair has scheduled weekend flights from Zagreb to Basel, ideal for a short Advent trip to Colmar or Strasbourg. Ticket prices remain quite affordable, starting at just 20 euros one-way or 40 euros for a round-trip—perfect for a budget-friendly weekend escape that doesn’t require taking too many vacation days.

During the Advent season, from November 29 to December 27, flights from Zagreb to Basel operate on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays at the following times:

Zagreb – Basel

  • Fridays 5:45 – 7:20
  • Saturdays 6:10 – 7:45 i 16:10 – 17:45
  • Sundays 6:50 – 8:25
  • Mondays 11:40 – 13:15
  • Thursday 5:45 – 7:20 (only on 19 Dec)
  • Tuesday 11:45 – 13:20 (only on 24 Dec)

Basel – Zagreb

  • Fridays 7:45 – 9:15
  • Saturdays 8:10 – 9:40 i 18:10 – 19:40
  • Sundays 8:50 – 10:20
  • Mondays 13:40 – 15:10
  • Thursday 7:45 – 9:15 (only on 19 Dec)
  • Tuesday 13:45 – 15:15 (only on 24 Dec)

The ideal trip would be to take annual leave on both Friday and Monday. With an early Friday departure, you’ll have the entire day to explore, and the Monday return flight at noon allows a relaxed morning without an early rush to the airport.

Another option is to depart on Friday morning and return to Zagreb on Sunday evening, giving you two full days to enjoy the Advent experience.

If taking time off isn’t possible, a one-day trip on Saturday is still a great choice. With a flight departing Zagreb around 6 a.m., you can arrive between 9 and 10 a.m., giving you several hours to soak in the Advent atmosphere. You’ll have until 3:00 p.m.—just as it starts getting dark, when the Christmas lights begin to glow—before heading back to the airport. Though a bit more intense, this one-day trip offers a memorable glimpse of the Christmas magic in these cities.

From Basel Airport, a bus will take you to the Saint-Louis train station, where you can connect to a train to Colmar (around a 30-minute ride) or Strasbourg (about a one-hour journey).

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