Itinerary ideas for one day trip Geneva-Basel, Biel and Neuchâtel
A traveler named Falza is planning a trip to Geneva in October and wants to visit Basel, Bienne, and Neuchâtel all in one day. They are seeking a detailed itinerary to make this happen, but there are concerns about the feasibility of seeing everything in just one day.
- Consider buying a three-day Swiss Travel Pass, as it allows free travel on all public transport across Switzerland.
- Visiting all three cities in one day is ambitious; focus on two cities for a more enjoyable experience.
- If you do visit all three, prioritize Basel and Neuchâtel for their larger historic centers and attractions.
- Make sure to check train schedules to maximize your time in each city.
AI-generated summary-
Hello, I will go to Geneva in October and I want to visit Basel, Bienne and Neuchâtel. for this, I need a detailed itinerary to visit these three beautiful Swiss cities in one day! Thank you for your feedback
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Hi again Falza
Preliminary Remarks
It seems from this thread and other threads that you have started that you will be will be doing a lot of travelling in Switzerland in the space of just three days. I am assuming that you will buy a three-day Swiss Travel Pass, (or you are buying Day Saver Passes). In a previous thread of yours I wrote, ‘the STP may seem ‘expensive’, but it gives you free travel on all normal Swiss public transport, trains, buses and boats. It allows free travel to every town and village in Switzerland.’ Looking at your plans overall, the STP will cover the whole of the trip you are proposing in this thread. The whole of your Gruyeres/Broc trip, and at least MOST of your trip to Evian/Thonon trip provided you travel via Lausanne.
https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/
Basel/Biel/Neuchatel in one day? 06 42 IC1 train from Geneva to Bern. Sit upstairs on the right. Arrive Bern 08 26. 08 36 IC6 Bern to Basel, arrive 09 32. Sit on the right. 13 03 IC51 Basel to Biel, arr 14 10. Sit on the right. Do not change seats when the train changes direction at Delemont.. !6 16 IC5 Biel to Neuchatel arr 16 32. Sit on the left. 18 34 IC5 Neuchatel to Geneva, arr 19 47. (It will now be dark.)
https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/timetable/
This looks a very long and exhausting itinerary. After I have had a break, I will suggest an alternative itinerary.
Roger.
Hi Faiza13f,
You’ve picked 3 cities that are for sure worth a visit. But I agree with Roger that it’s a lot for one day. I prefer one city per day, but if I had to pick two from your list, it would be Basel and Neuchâtel because their historic town centers are larger.
You might be interested in these walks:
I haven’t had a chance yet to post the walks in Bienne and Neuchâtel.
Have fun!
Alternatives to Basel/Biel/Neuchatel
I have been having thoughts over breakfast! I can understand your enthusiasm for Basel, but it is a long way from Geneva. And seeing the city will require quite a lot of walking..
Bern/Biel/Neuchatel. The centre of Bern is the original beautiful medieval city, UNDAMAGED BY WARS. It is a Unesco world heritage site. This medieval centre starts about 200 metres from the station. The imposing Parliament Building perched above the River Aare is about 500 metres from the station, very close to the medieval city centre. So sight-seeing does not involve a lot of walking.
Catch the 07 42 IC1 to Bern, arrive 09 26. 12 42 IR65 to Biel, arr, 13 08. 15 45 IC5 to Neuchatel arr 16 01. (IC 5 trains to Neuchatel leave Biel at 16 and 45 past each hour. Journey takes only 16/17 minutes.) 18 34 IC5 back to Geneva arr 1947.
I will take another break. I will then consider another alternative.
Roger
I have done some chores and gone shopping. Much more importantly, I have seen Arno’s contribution to this discussion. Like him ‘I prefer one city per day’. Note that Bienne is the French name for the town we have been calling Biel. The old town of Biel/Bienne is indeed smaller than the other places we have been considering.
In the light of Arno’s contribution, I have nothing more to add to this thread.
Very best wishes
Roger
Hi Faiza13f,
Technically it’s possible to visit Basel, Biel and Neuchatel from Geneva in one day. However you might not have enough time to see everything in each city in just one day.
From Geneva, take the connection to Basel via Biel/Bienne. Neuchatel is also on the same train line. So either you visit Basel (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/basel/) first or stop in Neuchatel first. I wouldn’t spend too long in Biel. Basel is a bigger city and offers a lot more things to see. Neuchatel is charming – I especially love the old town but it’s a bit of a walk from the train station. You need to take a funicular down to reach the city centre and the old town.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Anna
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