Kehl Voyage Tips and guide

Kehl is a German town directly on the eastern bank of the Rhine, in the state of Baden-Württemberg, serving as the gateway to the Black Forest, directly across the river from the French city of Strasbourg.

Kehl is a unique "border-crosser" city. For much of its history, it served as a military fortress, but today it is the prime symbol of Franco-German cooperation. While visitors often use it as a more affordable base to explore Strasbourg, Kehl has developed its own identity as a green, relaxed shopping hub. The city is remarkably bilingual, and the "Garden of Two Shores" (Garten der zwei Ufer) physically connects the two nations, making the border feel non-existent.

For long distance travel, see Strasbourg. Besides trains to Strasbourg, there are also train stations in Kehl and Kork, with services from Strasbourg and Offenburg.

• 48.5768487.8086831 Kehl station.  
• 48.5702437.8741882 Kork station.  

Line D of the Strasbourg tram system crosses the Rhine from France and serves Kehl's railway station, university and town hall. Journey time from Homme de Fer in central Strasbourg is 20-25 min. Since Germany and France both belong to the Schengen Area, the crossing is seamless and you don't usually need to take a passport. However in 2025, the German police do random border screenings; the TGV and the tram are subject to passport checks for non-EU citizens. Failure to provide a passport can get you turned back or worse.

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Map of Kehl

The Passerelle des Deux Rives is a pedestrian and cyclist-only bridge that is a must-experience.

The city center and the riverfront are best explored by bike.

A local bus network serves the surrounding districts (Ortenau Mobil).

• 48.56367.814721 Water tower (Wasserturm). A landmark.  
• 48.5721497.813372 Town Hall (Rathaus). Weinbrenner style.  
• 48.56767.79963 Two Shores Garden (Garten der zwei Ufer / Jardin des Deux Rives). A park straddling the border with an impressive pedestrian bridge over the Rhine.  
• 48.569057.803654 Passerelle des Deux Rives (Passerelle Mimram). The banks of the Rhine in Kehl and Strasbourg are connected by this cable-stayed bridge designed the French architect Mimram and opened in 2004. It is considered a work of contemporary art.  
• St. Nepomuk Altrhein. Church. 
• 48.5654117.8717535 Deutsches Epilepsiemuseum (Museum of Epilepsy).  (updated May 2020)
• 48.565487.809556 Weißtannenturm. 24/7. An observation tower with views of the Rhine, the Black Forest, and France. Free of charge.  (updated May 2023)
• 48.5677.87027 Kork (District of Kehl) (Accessible via regional train from Kehl or Offenburg.). Kork is a picturesque suburb of Kehl and was once an independent town. It boasts several beautiful historic buildings and even has its own railway station.  (updated Apr 2026)

• Water Playground: Within the Garten der zwei Ufer, this is one of the best free water parks for children in the region.
• Rhine Forest Trail: Walk the "Auenwildnispfad," a nature discovery trail that leads through the protected Rhine floodplains.
• Kultursommer: During July and August, the city hosts "Kultursommer" with free open-air events at the Seebühne (lake stage).

• Hauptstraße: The pedestrian zone is famous for its German drugstores (DM, Müller) and boutiques, which are highly popular with French shoppers due to lower prices for cosmetics and household goods.

• 48.57197.81451 Alte Zunft, Jahnstraße 16, ☏ +49 7851 71688. Tu-Th 11:00-14:30, 17:30-01:00; F Sa 11:00-14:30; Su 11:00-01:00. A traditional German tavern serving classic Baden cuisine. Known for its rustic atmosphere and hearty Schnitzel. €20-30.  (updated Apr 2026)
• 48.57857.80322 Hafen 17, Am Altrhein 17 (right by the water). M-F 11:30-14:00, Tu-Sa 17:30-23:30. A modern restaurant, offering a mix of Mediterranean dishes and great views of the passing ships. €14-€30.  (updated Apr 2026)

Kehl has a lively café culture, especially around the market square (Marktplatz). Due to its location in the Ortenau wine region, you will find excellent local Rieslings and Pinot Noirs.

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• 48.566847.818451 Nuair Kehl (Nuair Lounge), Vogesenallee 13a (just south of the city centre), ☏ +49 176 22067568. Daily 16:00–01:00 (F Sa until 03:00). A modern shisha lounge and bar with a wide variety of flavored tobacco, cocktails, and a relaxed atmosphere with contemporary music. Popular with a younger local crowd and cross-border visitors.  (updated Apr 2026)

• 48.5652257.8087161 DJH Jugendherberge Kehl, Altrheinweg 11, ☏ +49 7851 2330.  (updated Jan 2016)

Accommodation in Kehl is often significantly cheaper than in central Strasbourg, despite being only 15 minutes away by tram.

• 48.563147.838492 Hotel Calamus, Boschstraße 6 (a bit outside the center), ☏ +49 7851 6430-100, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. A modern, stylish hotel with an indoor climbing wall and a trendy restaurant. €115 for single bedroom.  (updated Apr 2026)
• 48.57157.81053 Aparthotel Kehl, Hafenstraße 3 (near the pedestrian zone), ☏ +49 7851 6163350, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Ideal for longer stays or families, offering kitchenettes and a very central location. from €95 for single bedroom.  (updated Apr 2026)
• 48.571477.813954 Europa Hotel, Straßburger Str. 9 (halfway between the train station and the marketplace), ☏ +49 7851 885650, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. A classic, reliable choice, very convenient for tram users. from €64 for single bedrooms.  (updated Apr 2026)

• Several in neighbouring Strasbourg

• Strasbourg (France): 15 minutes by tram to the historic Petite France district.
• Gengenbach: Often called "Baden's Nice," a picture-perfect half-timbered town about 20 minutes away by train.
• Europa-Park (Rust): Germany's largest theme park is about a 35-minute drive south.