Day trip · Luxembourg
Luxembourg: the country where public transport is free (and how to make the most of it from France)
It's one of the richest countries in the world. A capital perched on cliffs, fortresses carved into the rock, European institutions, museums designed by some of the greatest architects. And yet getting around costs… nothing.
Since 1 March 2020, Luxembourg has been the first country in the world to make all public transport free: buses, trams and trains (except first class). And from northern Moselle, its capital is just half an hour away – which makes it easy to visit Luxembourg from France.
Luxembourg City's must-sees
The Bock Casemates
This is where it all began. In 963, Count Siegfried had a castle built on this rock: the city's birth certificate. From 1745 onwards, a maze of defensive tunnels, the casemates, was dug into the rock. The site has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.
Practical info. Adult admission €11.
The Mudam
The Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art, designed by the architect I. M. Pei (of the Louvre pyramid fame), opened in 2006 on the site of the former Fort Thüngen. Even if contemporary art isn't your thing, the building is worth the visit.
The Old Town and the Grund
Heading down from the upper town to the Grund district, on the banks of the Alzette, is like travelling to another era in just a few minutes. Take the lift or the stairs, and look up at the ramparts.
Smart tips for visiting Luxembourg from France
- Avoid rush hour. More than 126,000 French residents work in Luxembourg: in the morning and late afternoon, the roads into the capital are heavily congested. Leave after 9.30 am, and come back before 4 pm or after 7 pm.
- Park on the outskirts, in a park-and-ride (P+R), then carry on by bus, tram or train: it's free inside the country.
- The train from France: the French part of the journey is still paid; free travel only starts in Luxembourg.
Why stay on the French side?
Luxembourg has a less pleasant secret: its accommodation is among the most expensive in Europe. In the city, property prices exceed €13,000 per square metre, and hotels follow the same trend.
On the French side, half an hour away, you get more space for much less money, plus everything Moselle has to offer: the U4 blast furnace, the Maginot Line, Rodemack, Schengen.
→ Also worth seeing: 15 things to do near Thionville and the three-borders itinerary.
Our apartments, on Luxembourg's doorstep
- In Hettange-Grande, our three large apartments are a few minutes from the border. For a group of friends or a family wanting to discover Luxembourg, it's the best balance between price and distance.
- In Hayange, our seven apartments, from studios to a large apartment for 8, are about 30 to 35 minutes from the capital.
Every apartment has separate beds, a fully equipped kitchen, wifi and self check-in: you arrive whenever suits you. And when you book directly on our website, you pay less than on the booking platforms.
Frequently asked questions
Is public transport really free in Luxembourg?
Yes, since 1 March 2020: buses, trams and trains are free throughout the country, except first class on trains.
How long does it take to get from Thionville to Luxembourg?
About half an hour outside rush hour. At cross-border commuter times, the journey can take considerably longer.
What to see in Luxembourg in one day?
The Bock Casemates, the Old Town and the Grund, then the Mudam or the European district of Kirchberg.