Must-knows about Basel

  • The city of Basel is in the north-west of Switzerland. It’s not in or near the Swiss Alps.
  • You can make a day trip to the Swiss mountains from Basel. Count on a 1- to 2-hour single train ride.
  • Basel is a good starting point for trips to France and Germany.
  • The historic center of Basel, split by the river Rhine, is very much worth a visit.
Recommended season: early January to late June and early September to late December
Altitude: 278 m (912 ft)
Town size: Big
Local language: German
There is a train station

What is Basel like?

Basel is a large city in the north-west of Switzerland, close to the German and French borders. It's located on the river Rhine.

Basel is modern and has business and industry districts. But it's very interesting for tourists as well: you'll find a beautiful historic town center with lots of museums, churches and restaurants. There are beautiful views of the Rhine too.

What to do in and near Basel Copy link to clipboard

Find activities in and around Basel

Mittlere Brücke seen from southern Rhine shore in Basel
Town walk Basel
City trip, HikingMin. time required: 2:00
We created this free city walk for you to enjoy the historical city center of Basel in Switzerland in just a few hours. You'll also …
St. Alban ferry and passenger boat on the Rhine in Basel
Boat Basel
Scenic boat tripMin. time required: 0:30
Tips for boat and ferry trips from Basel on the river Rhine. There are round trips, ferry crossings and culinary cruises. Learn all details.
From Basel: Mt. Pilatus and Lake Lucerne Small Group Tour
From Basel: Mt. Pilatus and Lake Lucerne Small Group Tour
MountainsGuided day tour
Discover sky-high Alpine vistas and Lucerne’s glowing lake with our Mount Pilatus Heritage and Lucerne Lake Cruise adventure.

Offered by GetYourGuide: www.getyourguide.com

  • Easy, online, free cancellation in most cases
  • Best Price Matching: GetYourGuide will pay the difference if you find a lower price.
  • Extra Support: if you buy here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
Luzern Discovery:Small Group Tour and Lake Cruise from Basel
Luzern Discovery:Small Group Tour and Lake Cruise from Basel
Scenic boat tripGuided day tour
A taste of Luzern's beauty awaits in this compact and memorable tour.

Offered by GetYourGuide: www.getyourguide.com

  • Easy, online, free cancellation in most cases
  • Best Price Matching: GetYourGuide will pay the difference if you find a lower price.
  • Extra Support: if you buy here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
Basel: Self Guided FoodTour
CulinaryIndependent day tour
This food tour will take you to places that are a little bit different. The tour, which lasts around three hours, will take you away from the usual tourist attractions and give you the opportunity to get to know “iconic Basel” – and enjoy it slowly. You will visit four …

Offered by Viator: www.viator.com

  • Easy, online, free cancellation in most cases
  • Lowest Price Guarantee: Viator will refund the difference if you find a better price.
  • Extra Support: if you buy here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
This list includes external links to our trusted partners.

The must-visits in the old town of Basel

To us, highlights in Basel are:

  • the Münster Cathedral
  • the Münster square with views of the Rhine
  • the city hall
  • ferry crossings on the river
  • the Tinguely fountain

The city walk we designed allows you to see all of this and a lot more in just 2 hours.

Insider tips for excursions in Basel

Here are some additional suggestions that won't attract masses of tourists:

A day trip from Basel to Strasbourg or Colmar in France

Basel and nearby cities, such as Bern, are a perfect base for excursions to the beautiful French towns of Strasbourg and Colmar. A single ride from Basel to Colmar takes 0h45. It's 1h20 to Strasbourg.

A day trip from Basel to south-Germany

If you want to see some of Germany from Basel, consider these options:

  • Visit the medieval town of Freiburg in Breisgau from Basel. You can get there by train in 45 minutes. Freiburg is just south of the beautiful Black Forest area.
  • Make a day trip to the lake “Titisee” in the Black Forest region. The rail station by the lake is also called “Titisee”. It’s a 1h35 train ride from Basel.

Essential travel info and city map Copy link to clipboard

SBB|CFF|FFS
From
To
Via (optional)
Via (optional)
Departure date
Example: 01.07.= 1 July
Departure time
Example: 13:15=1:15 PM

How does the timetable work?

How to travel to and in Basel: quick overview

Basel can be reached by train, car, and plane (through the nearby EuroAirport). Once you're in the city, you can get around by trams and buses, or on foot.

How to reach Basel from Germany, France and other countries

Basel can best be reached by train. There are excellent connections from Germany and France. All details can be found below:

Quick bus transfers are available from the EuroAirport near Basel.

How to travel between Basel and other Swiss cities by train

The city is well connected to other Swiss towns by train. For example, there are direct trains to and from:

All options can be found in the timetable.

The train stations in Basel

The main train station is 'Basel SBB'. This is the hub for most public transport. There are train services to many destinations, including Paris and Germany.

There's also a rail station 'Basel Bad Bf' in the north of the town. This is the border station to Germany.

Trams and buses

Basel has an extensive network of trams, reaching out to villages outside of the city as well. Additionally, there are several bus lines.

For example: you can reach the Münster Cathedral square, in the heart of the old center, in a 10-minute tram ride from Basel SBB.

Exploring Basel on foot

The town center can be reached on foot from Basel SBB in 15 minutes. The center is compact enough to explore on foot.

Free public transport with the BaselCard

You will get a free BaselCard when you check in to a hotel in Basel. It offers discounts on local attractions. The card also serves as a "Mobility Ticket", allowing you to use unlimited public transportation in the city. The transfer to the airport is included too.

If your hotel reservation is marked "Mobility Ticket", you can use your reservation to travel from the airport to Basel.

Free transport in Basel with the Swiss Travel Pass

The Swiss Travel Pass and several other rail passes cover all Swiss train sections to and from Basel. This includes the bus ride from EuroAirport.

On top of that, you'll get free access to the buses, trams and trains in Basel. Urban transport in other Swiss cities is covered too.

Find out which pass is best for your plans with our comparison tools.

Car traveling to and in Basel

Basel can be reached by car. It's not what we recommend though. We're experienced drivers, but don't feel comfortable navigating the busy city traffic. Walking and using public transport is much easier in our opinion. Moreover, parking spots are pretty expensive.

The city of Basel on a map

Maps are available to members only
Check out all the benefits members have access to
Create a free account
Map

Travel guides for Basel Copy link to clipboard

Platforms and trains at the large rail station of Basel

Basel to Zurich

Learn about the convenient 1h00-train connections between Basel and Zurich. We also explain other train routes, connections to the airports, …
Regional Tilo train Italy-Ticino

Italy to Switzerland

How to take the quick trains from Milan and other Italian towns to Switzerland, and which scenic routes to choose. …
TGV Lyria train at Lausanne rail station

France to Switzerland

The TGV train from Paris to Basel, Zurich, Geneva, or Lausanne is the best way to travel between France and …

When to visit Basel Copy link to clipboard

Basel in spring, summer and fall

To us, Basel is most attractive in early January to late June and early September to late December.

We feel that only July and August are slightly less suitable for a Basel trip. If it gets hot, you may prefer to be closer to the Swiss mountains where the air is cooler.

Basel in winter

Basel isn’t the ideal base town for a snow holiday. If you want to see the snowy Alps, you’ll first have to travel a couple of hours.

Basel can be nice in winter if you want to explore the town itself and other cities. Many cities can easily be reached in a couple of hours.

The best season for a winter visit to Basel is late November and December, because there’s a wonderful Christmas atmosphere in town. You’ll find a large Christmas market at the Barfüsserplatz.

Decorations and illumination in the old town add to the holiday feeling. There are many Advent activities. You can travel around in a special Christmas ferry and a Christmas tram.

Weather in Basel Copy link to clipboard

What the weather in Basel is like

Temperatures in Basel are quite mild: it's at low altitude and not near the Alps. So it doesn't freeze often in winter. Typical winter temperatures are 5°C to 10°C.

From May to September, temperatures can vary between 22°C and 26°C (or more).

The amount of rain in Basel varies. In general, January and February are the driest months, and May to August are wettest. In summer, precipitation often comes as showers. Continuous rain for days in a row doesn't occur often.

A city trip to Basel is a good option for a bad-weather day. The city offers lots of shops and restaurants to take shelter, if necessary.

Basel weather forecast

Weather reports are available to members only
Check out all the benefits members have access to
Create a free account
Weather forecast

Accommodation in Basel Copy link to clipboard

Basel offers lots of hotels and hostels. Many are close to both the train station Basel SBB and to the old center. A hotel close to the EuroAirport is convenient for a late arrival or early departure by plane.

Basel EuroAirport departure hall

Convenient hotels close to the Basel Airport

These hotels are situated very close to Basel EuroAirport, and some even offer a shuttle bus transfer.
Marktplatz in Basel with red facade of Town Hall

Find your hotel in Basel, Switzerland

Wondering where to stay in Basel? Use our hotel finder to get perfect accommodation. Or browse our list of hotels …

What Basel has to offer to tourists

Quick access from France and Germany

Basel is the entry point to Switzerland for many travelers coming from France and Germany. It’s the first stop in Switzerland of many international trains, and the EuroAirport in France is very close.

Basel is where the river Rhine leaves Switzerland to continue its way to Germany and The Netherlands. The cruises from Amsterdam to Basel are quite popular.

The area around Basel

The landscape is hilly. The Jura mountains in the west are not far away. But the Swiss Alps south of Basel aren’t near: 1 to 2 hours away by train.

The old town center

The views from the highway or from the train don’t do justice to the city of Basel. Once you begin to explore it, it is actually very attractive: the historical town center and its many museums are absolutely worth a visit.

Reasons to stay in Basel

We regularly visit a larger city for a couple of days at the beginning of our Switzerland holidays, as we did with Basel. If you are planning a longer vacation in Switzerland, you too can start or end in this city. This especially makes sense if you’re arriving or departing via Basel anyway. If you’re interested in culture, museums, and Swiss architecture, this is a great start to your holidays.

If you have booked a late flight to Basel or an early flight from Basel, it makes sense to stay the night and explore the city for a couple of hours. You can find airport hotels here.

Basel is a good base town if you’re interested in day trips not only in Switzerland, but also into France (for example to Colmar) and Germany (for example to Freiburg or the Black Forest).

Reasons to skip Basel

Basel is situated in the north-western corner of Switzerland. Therefore, it’s not ideal to explore Switzerland from here. In our view, most of the country is too far away to realistically visit during a day trip. Basel can best be visited en route to Paris or Germany, or if you depart or arrive from Basel airport.

If you have limited time to see Switzerland, we recommend going straight to the Alps, for example to Lucerne or the Bernese Oberland.

Basel FAQ

  1. Is Basel in Switzerland, Germany, or France?

    Basel is in Switzerland. It’s located in the north-western corner of the country, very close to the French and German borders.

  2. Is Basel in the Alps?

    No, Basel isn’t in or near the Swiss mountains. Its surroundings are hilly. But to reach the actual Alps, count on a 2-hour train trip.

    The lower Jura mountains are closer: 1 to 1h30 by train.

  3. Can I make a day trip to the Swiss Alps from Basel?

    Yes, it’s possible to reach the Jura mountains in the west, Lake Lucerne, the Bernese Oberland, and even the Valais in 1 to 2 hours by train from Basel.

  4. Is Basel worth visiting?

    Yes. The river Rhine and the ancient town center are very scenic. You can easily view highlights on foot. There are lots of shops and restaurants.

  5. How to get from the town center to the Basel Airport?

    It takes a 20-minute ride with bus line 50 to travel between Basel EuroAirport and Basel SBB. Find more details in our Swiss airports guide.

  6. What to do in Basel in 1 day?

    If you have just 1 day to spend in Basel, focus on the old town center and the area around the river Rhine.

    Our city walk gets you to all the highlights in about 2 hours. You’ll see the Tinguely fountain, the Barfüsserplatz, the Münster Cathedral, the Rhine, and more.

    Spend the time you have left on anything you like: museum visits, shopping or dining.

Related information

Basel EuroAirport facade

Swiss airports

Zurich Airport, Basel Airport, Geneva Airport and Bern Airport: how to find your way on these airports, how to get …
Clock and departure board with Gotthard Panorama Express at Bellinzona station

Swiss timetable

The Swiss timetable is an essential tool to plan all your trips by public transport. We explain the basics to …
RhB train in Val Bever in autumn

All tickets and passes

Use our rail pass finder to quickly select the best pass or ticket for your Switzerland trip: from the Swiss …

Other websites of interest

Itineraries including Basel Copy link to clipboard

Road, blossom and old hotel in Bärau, Emmen valley

All-season road trip

This 6-day driving tour takes you across the peaceful scenery of northern Switzerland. It's completely customizable and suitable for any …

About MySwissAlps

We’re passionate tourists and locals. We share tips about how to plan a trip to Switzerland. MySwissAlps was founded in 2002.

Get a free account for a worry-free trip

  • Join our 10620 members and ask us questions in the forum
  • Access to member-only promotions
  • Detailed maps and weather forecasts

Planning your first Switzerland adventure?

Get a jump-start with Annika’s 20-minute e-mail course, “Switzerland for beginners”. Subscribe to our newsletter to unlock the course.

Annika
Page author: AnnikaSince early childhood I've been visiting Switzerland during my holidays and I just fell in love with the country. I spent many summers in the Bernese Oberland, which still feels like my second home, and then started to explore other areas. Traveling, hiking and photographing in the Swiss Alps are my absolute favorite activities.