Hello,
We are contemplating staying in Freiburg for a number of days this summer (base) and I was wondering if you Fodorites have any suggestions for day rail trips that are doable? France/Switzerland ect? We are open to any suggestions! Thanks!

This is Freiburg in Germany, correct?

Colmar is a short combined S-Bahn/Bus ride away. Basel is easily reached by regional trains and ICE trains. I did these trips two years ago when I stayed in Freiburg 4 nights in May. I enjoyed both trips very much (actually 3 trips - I visited Basel twice). Another "must" in the area is a visit of the local mountains, Schauinsland (by bus and cable car) with a short hike.

I'd absolutely go to Staufen, which is a charming little town near Freiburg. You can take the train to Bad Krozingen and change to the smaller train to Staufen. It's not a complicated trip.

Staufen is sort of a mini-Freiburg, with a little brook in a channel down either side of the main street, which is a pedestrian zone.

There's a sort of outdoor bar at one end of the pedestrian zone and a ruined castle outside of town that makes a nice walk.

I would also recommend the train ride to Titisee, a ride which I remember as being really beautiful. Titisee is a pleasant area, a good place for lunch or dinner.

Colmar is right across the Rhine in France. It makes a good morning or afternoon visit.

There is a system whereby if you stay one night or more in the Black Forest region (including Freiburg), the visitor's card (Gästekarte) given by your accommodation provider (hotelier, guesthouse and holiday flat owner etc) can be used for free travel on public transport throughout the region. The only restriction is on cable car rides (though you may get a small discount) and intercity and eurocity trains. See http://www.konus-schwarzwald.info/

Thanks for the tips!

1. This is Freiburg in Germany.

2. What about Strasbourg (in France) as a day trip?

It can be done. You need to take the train to Offenburg, where you then change for a short ride to Strasbourg. The connections at Offenburg can be a bit chancy, so have a good look at a current timetable when you are in Freiburg.

Thank you for the train tip! I think we will give it a go if you think that Strasbourg is worth a day trip.