Basel
Travel Guide
Welcome to our Basel travel guide, where we discover all that there is to know about Switzerland’s arts and cultural hub sitting on the border of France, Switzerland and Germany.
With the Rhine flowing through the centre of Basel it has historically been an important trade city. This, as well as its close proximity to both France and Germany, has allowed Basel to flourish as a diverse cultural spot for Switzerland, home to art museums, galleries and world-famous art festivals. Often overlooked by visitors to Switzerland, Basel’s vibrant atmosphere, large and well-preserved old town and iconic buildings are worth seeing and offer an insight into a different side of Swiss culture.
Basel Travel Guide Contents
Check out our other Switzerland Travel Guides:
Bern Travel Guide | Geneva Travel Guide | Lucerne Travel Guide | Zurich Travel Guide
Basel Travel Guide
How to get to Basel
Basel city centre is easily accessible from EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, Zurich Airport or from elsewhere in Switzerland via train into Basel SBB (train station). EuroAirport is located 6km from Basel city centre over the border, in France. The airport is reasonably small and is split into French and Swiss sections. The airport mainly caters to European flights. Zurich Airport is also a common arrival point for many visitors to Basel, due to its large size and vast connections for international flights. Getting from Zurich Airport to Basel is simple thanks to the excellent Swiss train network. In any case, wherever you arrive in Basel from, chances are you’ll be arriving at Basel SBB, the main train station in Basel. The train station is located in Basel city centre and is a 10-minute walk from the heart of the city or a 5-minute tram ride. Here is a breakdown of how to get to Basel from nearby airports:
From Zurich Airport or city centre to Basel – There are around 5 trains an hour that connect Zurich Airport and Zurich city centre to Basel SBB. There is one direct train from Zurich Airport to Basel that takes 1hr 30 minutes or several trains that connect in Zurich HB and take from 1hr 15 minutes to 1hr 30 minutes. Standard train tickets cost 39 CHF ($42) or you can purchase a super saver ticket for a specific train time for a discounted price, generally around 20-26 CHF ($22-$28). Whichever ticket you opt for, we recommend purchasing your ticket online from Trainline which will save you time on your journey, and money if you choose a reduced flexibility ticket. When you arrive at Basel SBB, walk 10-15 minutes into Basel city centre or take one of the many trams outside the station to your final destination. A taxi from Zurich Airport to Basel city centre will cost around 160 CHF ($172) and will take around 1hr 30 minutes
From EuroAirport- There are no trains from EuroAirport to Basel but there is a bus that leaves every 15 minutes from 05:00 to 00:00 and takes 20 minutes to reach Basel SB. Tickets cost around 7 CHF per person, one way. You can purchase tickets at the airport or from the bus driver. A taxi from EuroAirport to Basel city centre will cost around 50 CHF ($54) and take 10 minutes.
Areas to stay in Basel
Basel is the third-largest city in Switzerland and, as a result, choosing the right area to stay on your trip to this beautiful city can be a vital part of making sure you enjoy your time in Basel. The city has an excellent tram network so getting around is easy but if you want to be within walking distance to the main sights then staying central is key. Here’s a quick guide to the best areas to stay in Basel to help you plan your trip:
Aldstadt Grossbasel – Located on one side of the Rhine river, Aldstadt Grossbasel is the heart of Basel’s city centre and Old Town and is where you will find most of the major attractions in the city and many beautiful streets with bars, restaurants and shops. This is where we recommend first-timers to Basel to stay as well as anyone wanting to be close to the best of what Basel has to offer
Aldstadt Kleinbasel – Located on the opposite side of the Rhine river, Aldstadt Kleinbasel is the other side of Basel’s Old Town and is home to more nightlife and a larger selection of luxury hotels and apartment accommodation. With Grossbasel being a short walk away across the Rhine river, this is also a great place to stay in Basel
Gundeldingen – This is where to stay in Basel on a budget. As well as being close to the main train station, Gundeldingen also has lots of great restaurants and food options and is within walking distance to the Old Town and river. There are more budget accommodation options here so this is a great area for backpackers and budget travellers
Basel Vorstadt- The arts and cultural hub of Basel, Basel Vorstadt is home to many museums, theatres and the university. It is also within close walking distance to the Old Town and has many restaurants, bars and accommodation options so is ideal for most visitors to the city but especially those looking to explore Basel’s art scene
Basel St-Alban – This is the wealthier and more relaxed part of Basel and is referred to as the little Venice of Basel. There are also a few attractions here such as the Paper Mill, St Albans gate, more green space and many high-end restaurants. If you have visited Basel before and want to be in a quieter area on this trip with the chance to explore more of the city then this is a great area to try
Bachletten – Ideal for families with small children, Bachletten is close to the train station, so is convenient for day trips out of Basel and is also home to Basel Zoo. The Old Town is around a 20 minute walk from this area
Accommodation in Basel
Basel is a buzzing metropolitan city and well-known for its arts and design scene so there are lots of cool, edgy hotels and hostels throughout the city to cater to any type of visitor. Accommodation can be expensive, like the rest of Switzerland, so it’s always advisable to book well in advance if possible. These are a few of our top picks of where to stay in Basel:
Budget Hostel | Silo Design Hostel – This isn’t the cheapest hostel in Basel but it is one of the best. Silo Hostel is located a little out of the city centre, around 15 minutes walk from the Old Town area, but it offers a truly unique experience in a large building with circular windows, fantastically designed rooms, a garden, bar and restaurant. Rooms range from dorms to private doubles
Mid-Range Hotel | Motel One Basel – Located in the heart of Aldstadt Grossbasel, Motel One offers guests a comfortable and modern hotel in an excellent location. There is a bar on-site and a good breakfast offering
High-End Hotel | Nomad Design Hotel – If you’re looking for something a little more special, Nomad Design Hotel is located in Vordstadt, close to the train station and many of Basel’s museums, and has beautifully designed rooms, a bar and restaurant and a fitness centre. This is a great pick for couples on a weekend break to the city
Luxury Hotel | Les Trois Rois – For all-out luxury in Basel, stay at Les Trois Rois, located in Basel Old Town with views overlooking the Rhine river. The hotel is set in a period building and features elegantly designed rooms and spaces with a fantastic restaurant and bar and a fitness centre
How to get around Basel
Basel has an excellent public transport system and is also a pleasure to walk around so it suits all types of travellers. It is also very well connected to the rest of Switzerland and neighbouring France and Germany via public transport too, making it a perfect base for exploring the area. If you’re staying in a hotel in Basel then you will receive a BaselCard free of charge for the duration of your stay. With this card, you can travel on public transport in Basel for free. Here is a quick guide to public transport in Basel:
Tram – Trams are the main mode of public transport in Basel and operate from 05:30 until 00:00 every day. Trams depart every 7 minutes on Monday-Friday, every 10 minutes on Saturdays and every 15 minutes on Sundays. The tram network covers much of the city and is split into zones which also apply for buses. Zone 10 which is the main central zone covers most of the central city centre and is generally the only zone you will need when exploring Basel city centre. Tickets can be bought from machines at every tram stop and cost 2.30 CHF ($2.50) for a short distance single ticket (under 4 stops) or 3.80 CHF ($4.10) for a single ticket for zone 10. If you’re making several journeys throughout the day then a day ticket for 9.90 CHF ($10.65) per person can be a good call to save money and avoid having to buy several tickets
Bus – Buses operate all over Basel and are great for getting to areas that the tram may not cover. Bus tickets are the same price as the tram tickets listed above and, as tickets are based on zones, bus and tram tickets can be used interchangeably on either network providing you are in the time limit and zone of your ticket
Train – Alongside the main Basel train station, Basel SBB, there are several other train stations in Basel which can be useful for getting around in some cases. Tickets can be bought at the station and, like the trams and buses, train tickets will cost the same as zoned tickets if you’re travelling within the Basel area. Outside of Basel, we recommend booking any train tickets through Trainline
Taxi – Taxis are available throughout Basel but can be an expensive way to get around. As a guide, a taxi from Basel train station to the city centre, a 10-20 minute walk, will cost around 20 CHF ($22). Uber is available in Basel and can be a slightly cheaper alternative to using standard taxis
Things to do in Basel
Basel is a great place to explore, with one of the best Old Towns in Switzerland, many museums, galleries and theatres, a ton of activities centred around the Rhine and access to Germany and France within minutes. We’ve put together a compact list of the top 5 things to do in Basel to help you get the most out of visiting Basel:
Explore the Old Town – Basel’s Old Town is large, well-preserved and full of a diverse range of historical buildings. Exploring the winding streets, large squares and beautiful architecture should be top of your list for things to do in Basel
Kunstmuseum – Widely considered to be one of the best art collections in Switzerland, the Kunstmuseum Basel features many well-known works from the 15th century to the 20th century. Standard tickets cost 16 CHF ($17.25) or you can get a reduced price with the BaselCard
Basel Minster – This stunning church can be spotted across Basel city by its tall spires. Set in an 18th-century square, the church has some original elements as well as many Gothic features from when it was rebuilt
Basel Zoo – This is the oldest and largest zoo in Switzerland and well worth visiting for a day to see the numerous animals that live here. The zoo has been named in the top 15 in the world several times. Standard entry tickets cost 21 CHF ($22.75) per person
Cross the Rhine River – Enjoy the Rhine by crossing it on one of the 5 unmotorised cable boats that cross it. This is a great way to experience the river and more of Basel. Tickets cost 2 CHF ($2.15)
What to eat in Basel
Basel is a great city for foodies and, alongside many Swiss-German and Swiss-French favourites, you’ll find cuisines ranging from Japanese to South American and Indian. With just over 500 restaurants to choose from, there is something for everyone and a growing scene for food stalls and markets. Despite being just minutes from the French border, traditional food in Basel is still very much influenced by Swiss-German cuisine. Here are our top picks of what to eat in Basel, Switzerland while on your trip:
Swiss Sausage –Similar to German sausages, Swiss sausage can be made with pork, beef, veal or mixed. Commonly served with a bread roll and mustard
Cordon Bleu – This dish consists of meat, usually pork or veal, bread crumbed and wrapped around cheese and sometimes ham too, and deep-fried. Best served with fries
Basler Leckerli – A local sweet treat to Basel, these are hard gingerbread biscuits with a sugary icing on top
Cheese Fondue – One of the most famous dishes in Switzerland, cheese fondue is melted Swiss cheese in a pot to which bread is dipped and sometimes potatoes and pickles too. It is usually served as one pot for a few to share
Bircher muesli – The most popular breakfast dish in Switzerland, Bircher muesli consists of oat flakes, lemon juice, condensed milk, grated apples and hazelnuts or almonds
Money - Basel Travel Costs
The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF or Fr). Credit & Debit cards are widely accepted throughout Switzerland, including in Basel, and there are plenty of ATMs that accept foreign cards. While a service charge is rarely added to the bill in Basel and is not expected, leaving a tip of 5-20% is common. Basel is expensive, much like the rest of Switzerland. Saving money on many aspects of travel to Switzerland is possible mainly by booking and planning ahead. However eating and drinking out is expensive and is a hard expense to avoid and plan for, so you’ll need to budget for this. Here’s a guide for what you can expect to pay (per person) in Basel for:
A local draught beer – CHF 6 – CHF 9 ($6.50-$10)
A coffee – CHF 4 – CHF 6.50 ($4.50-$7)
A bratwurst (Swiss sausage with bread roll and mustard) – CHF 5 – CHF 9 ($5.50-$10)
Budget restaurant meal – CHF 18 – CHF 30 ($19.50-$32.50)
Mid-range restaurant meal – CHF 35 – CHF 60 ($38-$65)
High-end restaurant meal – CHF 70+ ($76+)
When to go to Basel and for how long
Switzerland has a lot to offer different types of visitors. Those wanting to ski and enjoy winter sports will want to visit between December and February, however for the best conditions for sightseeing visit Switzerland between April and October. The peak summer season in Switzerland is from June to August, this is also when the weather is warmest, making for great conditions to explore the country. Accommodation in Basel is at its most expensive from June to August to we advise trying to plan your visit between April and May for better prices and fewer crowds. However, ultimately Switzerland is a year-round destination, the only thing to note is that from November to March some outdoor attractions will be closed due to poor weather. We would recommend visiting Basel for at least 2 days if possible, to explore the city properly and take in some of the many museums on offer. If you’re planning to visit areas outside of Basel but use the city as a base then a trip of around 4-5 days should be ample.
Local language and phrases
Despite being on the border of France, the primary language that is used in Basel is German or Swiss-German, although you will hear some Swiss-French spoken in Basel too. Some useful German and Swiss-German phrases to use while you are visiting Basel are:
Hello – Hallo or Grüezi
Bye – Uf Widerluege or Ciao
Thanks – Danke
Please – Bitte
Yes – Ja
No – Nein
Where is the WC? – Wo isch d’Toilette
Basel travel tips
– Basel is a very safe city to visit and is safe for lone travellers, including lone females
– There are a range of places to eat including those specialising in vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets
Basel travel guide written in March 2022
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Basel Travel Articles
Basel Walking Tour Videos And Maps
Check out our Youtube Channel for more Basel walking tours, and tours for other destinations too.
Basel Walking Tour Route
A walking tour video highlighting the sights and sounds of Basel city centre and old town and an accompanying map showing the route walked
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