Bordering on the Swiss and German borders, Mulhouse is an engineering colossus, despite its small size. Known in the 19th century as France's answer to Manchester, Mulhouse played a major role in the development of automobiles (via the famous Peugeot company), but it isn't just a faceless industrial city. In fact, Mulhouse has a beautiful medieval old town, and endless historical sites - making it a neat fusion of the modern and the ancient. Mulhouse Ville is the city's premier rail hub, connecting the city to Paris, Switzerland, Lyon, Marseille, and many other popular destinations. It's not difficult to reach from the city center, but a little expert knowledge can always help travelers make their trains on time.
When visitors need to travel from the train station Mulhouse Ville to Mulhouse city center, they will have a few different ways to do so. The historic center of the city is just north of Mulhouse Ville (also referred to as Gare de Mulhouse). Tram line one provides a connection directly to the station doors, while light rail services also run from Porte Jeune in the north of the city center, offering an even quicker link. Those traveling from the Cite de l'Automobile can either take tram line one or the C5 bus, while TER trains from Mulhouse Musees or the line three tram connect the Cite du Train to the main station. Anyone coming from Mulhouse Zoo can take the number 10 bus, while arrivals at Mulhouse Airport can catch the 108 bus. Taxis offer a convenient alternative from all of these locations, and will usually be the quickest route to Mulhouse Ville.
The cathedral and the historic center of Mulhouse is very close to Mulhouse Ville. Almost all parts of the old town are within 600-800 meters (just over a kilometer) walk of the station, and tram journeys will be short, at 5-10 minutes in most instances. The Cite de l'Automobile is around two miles (3.4 kilometers) north of the train station Mulhouse Ville, and tram transfers will take 15-16 minutes. The Cite du Train is about three miles (five kilometers) west of the station, and trams will take 21 minutes, while buses take around 35 minutes. Those coming from the zoo will be just a mile (1.4 kilometers) south of the station, and buses take under 10 minutes. Finally, the airport is 16 miles (26 kilometers) south of Mulhouse. Travelers should anticipate buses to take 30 minutes, while taxis will reach Mulhouse Ville in 20-25 minutes.
When they have to travel to the train station Mulhouse Ville from the city center, disabled visitors shouldn't encounter too many major issues. Most routes involve connections via the Mulhouse Tramway, which is well designed for wheelchair users. Platforms are tailored to make boarding convenient, while there are short distances from the tram stop to the station concourse. Buses are slightly less well-suited to disabled travelers, but should still be fine - as long as journeys are made outside peak travel periods. It's also handy to know that a special bus service exists called Domibus, which specializes in ferrying wheelchair users around the city. Mulhouse Ville itself has been refitted with ramps and disabled-friendly spaces. As with all SNCF stations, staff can supply wheelchairs if needed, and personal assistance can also be provided. To make a request, travelers should contact the Access Plus service 48 hours before traveling, although more basic boarding help is available for all travelers who arrive 30 minutes before embarking.
If travelers have an hour or two before their services depart and are wondering what to do near the train station, they should find plenty of activities to fill their time. The old town is a 10-minute walk to the north, and is full of sights, from the Museum of Fine Arts, the soaring 97-meter (300 foot) high temple of St Etienne, and the restful green walkways of Parc Salvator. All can be toured in a loop, while tram line one covers most of the major sight as well. Alternatively, visitors could take in either of Mulhouse's major industrial museums: the Cite du Train or the Cite de l'Automobile. Both are reachable from the station in around 20 minutes, and offer a wealth of exhibits for engineering fans. And both are recognized as being among the best museums of their type in the world.