Europa-Park

Europa-Park in Rust is Germany's largest theme park and one of the most celebrated amusement parks in the world. Spread over about 235 acres (95 hectares) in the Rhine Valley between the Black Forest and the French border, it offers more than 100 rides and shows in themed areas modeled on European countries. It is a full-day or two-day destination and an easy add-on to a trip to Freiburg, Strasbourg or Basel.

Where it is and how to get there

Rust is a small village in Baden-Württemberg, just east of the Rhine and the French border. The nearest airports, according to the park, are Lahr (12 miles), Strasbourg (40 miles), EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse (56 miles) and Frankfurt (about 150 miles). By car, take the A5 autobahn to exit 57b Rust.

Without a car, take a train on the Rhine Valley line to Ringsheim/Europa-Park station, then bus 570, 572 or 7231 for the short ride to the gate. Since 2024, the RailCoaster train has run directly from Basel SBB. The Deutschlandticket covers regional trains and local buses in Germany.

Why it's special

The park was opened on July 12, 1975 by the Mack family, a German dynasty of ride builders, and it still doubles as a showroom for Mack Rides. It has grown into a full resort with six themed hotels, the indoor water park Rulantica (opened 2019) and around 6.2 million park visitors in 2024. It has also won the Golden Ticket Award for best park in the world many times, including eight years in a row.

Top rides and things to do

• Silver Star: 240 feet (73 m) tall, up to 79 mph (127 km/h)
• Blue Fire Megacoaster: launch coaster with inversions in the Iceland area
• Wodan – Timburcoaster: a fast wooden coaster
• Voltron Nevera: a multi-launch coaster with seven inversions, opened 2024
• Water rides, dark rides, shows and plenty of gentler rides for small children

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, according to the official website:

• Halloween season until November 1, 2026: daily from 9 a.m. to at least 6 p.m.
• Winter season November 2, 2026 to January 9, 2027: daily from 11 a.m. to at least 7 p.m., closed December 24 and 25
• One-day tickets bought online cost 67–76 EUR for adults and 56.50–65 EUR for children aged 4–11 and seniors 60+, depending on the date; under 4s are free
• Tickets at the gate cost 10 EUR more
• Parking costs 10 EUR per day

The park is closed from mid-January until the new season starts in spring.

Is it worth visiting?

If you like roller coasters, absolutely. Arrive at opening time and head straight to the big coasters, as lines grow quickly on weekends and during German and Swiss school holidays. Weekdays outside the holidays are much calmer. Most of the park is wheelchair accessible, wheelchairs can be rented at the main entrance, and dogs are allowed on a short leash, though not on rides or in shows. Next door, the Scandinavian-themed indoor water park Rulantica requires a separate ticket and makes a good second day, especially when the weather is bad. Each themed area has its own restaurants and snack stands, so there is no need to leave the park for lunch. With so much to see, many visitors stay overnight in one of the resort hotels and make it a two-day trip.