TER A 17

Overview

The TER A 17 is not a train that shouts about itself, and that is exactly its appeal. It runs from Mulhouse out into the Vosges foothills as far as Kruth, swapping city platforms for river valleys and forested slopes without any fuss or fanfare.

This is a regional line built for commuters, walkers, students and day-trippers rather than tourists chasing a famous view, which makes it feel refreshingly honest. You get a proper slice of Alsace life along the way, from the fringes of Mulhouse to the quieter villages that thread up the valley towards the mountains.

It won't win awards for luxury, but as a way of watching the landscape change from industrial edge to green valley, it does the job with quiet efficiency, and that is worth something.

Key facts

The route: from city edge to mountain valley

The journey begins in Mulhouse, a working city in Alsace with a strong industrial history, and heads west and upward towards the Vosges. As the train pulls away from the city, the surroundings shift fairly quickly from urban development to a more open, semi-rural landscape.

Further along, the line follows the contours of a valley as it climbs gently towards Kruth, with the terrain becoming increasingly wooded and hilly. It is a landscape of small towns, farmland and forest rather than dramatic peaks, but the sense of gradually leaving the city behind is well judged and rewarding in its own understated way.

By the time the train reaches Kruth, you are firmly in Vosges territory, with the valley narrowing and the hills pressing in closer. It feels like a natural end point for a regional service, a gateway of sorts into walking and outdoor country beyond the reach of the train itself.

Timetable and how to book

As with most TER services, the timetable on the Mulhouse to Kruth line varies according to the season, with a different rhythm of trains during school terms, holidays and weekends. There is no fixed pattern that holds true all year, so it is not worth relying on a schedule seen once and assuming it always applies.

The sensible approach is to check current times directly with SNCF Voyageurs before travelling, either through their official booking channels or at a station. This is especially true if you are travelling early or late in the day, or during a period when services may be reduced.

Booking is straightforward for a regional service of this kind, and tickets are generally arranged in the same way as other TER Grand Est journeys. Again, for anything time-sensitive, checking directly with the operator is the only reliable way to plan around this line's actual timetable.

Fares and classes

On a service like the TER A 17, the difference between classes is generally about comfort and space rather than anything dramatic. First class, where available, tends to offer a quieter atmosphere, a bit more room around the seats and a general sense of calm that some travellers value on a longer regional trip.

Second class remains a perfectly good way to experience the journey, particularly given how much of the appeal here lies in the view rather than the seat itself. Either way, expect a practical, no-frills regional train rather than anything styled for tourism.

For exact costs, always check directly with SNCF Voyageurs, since fares can depend on factors such as ticket type, timing and any applicable regional passes. No fixed price should be assumed for any type of journey on this line.

Which side to sit for the best views

Because this line follows a valley as it climbs from Mulhouse towards Kruth, the scenery tends to change gradually on both sides, rather than being concentrated on just one. That said, travellers who enjoy watching hills and forest close in as the train climbs may find one side offers a slightly more open outlook onto the valley, depending on which stretch of the route you are on.

As a general rule, sitting on whichever side faces the open valley rather than any embankment or cutting will usually give you the better outlook, particularly in the later stages of the journey as the landscape becomes hillier and greener.

There is no need to overthink it. This is a journey where simply looking out of the window, on either side, is enough to enjoy the shift from town to country.

Onboard experience

Life onboard a service like this is straightforward and functional, in keeping with its role as a regional TER train rather than a long-distance or tourist-oriented service. Expect comfortable, practical seating and windows that give a clear view of the changing landscape outside.

Don't expect an onboard buffet or dedicated catering trolley; regional trains of this type typically rely on you bringing your own food and drink, particularly for a journey of this length. It suits a simple, unhurried style of travel, more about watching the world go by than being entertained.

The atmosphere tends to be relaxed, with a mix of local passengers going about daily journeys and the odd traveller riding the line purely for the scenery. It is unpretentious and all the better for it.

Best season to travel

The character of this journey shifts noticeably with the seasons, as you would expect from a route through the Vosges foothills. In spring, the valley tends to feel fresh and green, with the countryside waking up after winter.

Summer brings a fuller, denser look to the forests and fields, and is likely to be the most comfortable time for onward walking once you reach Kruth. Autumn, with its shifting colours across the wooded hillsides, can be particularly attractive for anyone who enjoys watching the landscape change from the train window.

Winter has its own appeal, with a starker, quieter version of the same valley, though services and connections may be affected by seasonal timetable changes, so it is worth checking ahead with the operator if you are travelling in the colder months.

Alternatives and onward connections from Kruth

Kruth sits at the edge of the rail network in this direction, so onward travel from there generally means switching to other forms of transport, such as local buses or simply continuing on foot for anyone heading into the surrounding hills.

As an alternative to the train, some travellers may choose to drive the same route by road, which can offer more flexibility for stopping along the way, though it loses the relaxed, hands-off nature of watching the valley pass by from a train window.

For anyone connecting onward across the wider region, it is worth checking with SNCF Voyageurs or regional transport information for the most current onward links from Kruth, since these can vary by season and are not fixed features of the line itself.

A little history and context

Lines like this one grew out of an era when regional rail networks were being extended into valleys and smaller towns, connecting industrial centres such as Mulhouse with rural communities further into the Vosges. The Kruth branch reflects that older pattern of railway building, designed to serve local life and industry rather than long-distance travel.

Over time, as transport patterns changed and road travel expanded, many such branch lines shifted from being primary transport arteries to quieter regional services, valued now as much for local convenience and scenic appeal as for their original industrial purpose.

Today's TER A 17 sits within that long tradition, a working reminder of how deeply railways once reached into even the smaller valleys of this part of France, and how much of that character survives in a low-key, practical regional service.

Common questions

Do I need to book in advance for the TER A 17?

Booking arrangements follow standard TER practice, but it is best to check current requirements and availability directly with SNCF Voyageurs before travelling.

Is there a buffet or food service onboard?

No dedicated catering should be assumed on this type of regional service. It is sensible to bring your own food and drink for the journey.

Which side of the train has the best views?

There is no strict rule, but the side facing the open valley rather than any cutting or embankment generally offers the better outlook as the train climbs towards Kruth.

Does the timetable change with the seasons?

Yes, services on this line vary by season, so it is important to check current times with SNCF Voyageurs rather than relying on a previously seen schedule.

What can I do once I arrive in Kruth?

Kruth marks the end of the line and acts as a starting point for onward travel by bus, car or on foot into the surrounding Vosges countryside, so it's worth checking local transport options in advance.

On the map

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Sources & method

• OpenStreetMap route=train (ODbL) — route

See our methodology for how Head Your Way sources and reviews travel data.