Basel is called “The Heart of Europe” for a reason. Located at the crossroad of three countries – Switzerland, France, and Germany – Basel is exceptionally accessible by various means of transportation. The city’s well-connected airport, efficient Swiss, German and French train networks, and cross-border roads make it an easy destination for travellers from across Europe and beyond.
Information
Basel is a major international railroad junction at the heart of Europe, with excellent rail connections (see below) that make it easy to travel to and from neighbouring countries, including direct high speed train connections by ICE from Germany and by TGV from France.
For air travellers (see below), the EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is a unique international airport that serves Switzerland, France and Germany. This makes it a convenient gateway for travelers coming from various parts of the world. The airport is well-connected to major European cities and offers a wide range of flights, making it a convenient option for travellers from all corners of the globe. Basel is also serviced by Zurich airport.
How long does it take to get to Basel?
| From city | Rail | Road | Air |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | 6 hrs 45 | 7 hrs | 1 hr 20 |
| Barcelona | 9 hrs 15 | 9 hrs 20 | 1 hr 50 |
| Berlin | 7 hrs 10 | 8 hrs | 1 hr 30 |
| Bern | 1 hr | 1 hr 10 | No direct flight |
| Brussels | 6 hrs | 5 hrs 30 | 1 hr 10 |
| Copenhagen | 12 hrs 50 | 11 hrs 40 | 1 hr 50 |
| Frankfurt | 2 hrs 45 | 3 hrs | 1 hr 10 |
| Geneva | 2 hrs 45 | 2 hrs 40 | No direct flight |
| London | 8 hrs 00 | 9 hrs 20 | 1 hr 30 |
| Madrid | 13 hrs 30 | 14 hrs 30 | 2 hrs 20 |
| Milan | 4 hrs | 4 hrs | No direct flight |
| Munich | 5 hrs 30 | 4 hrs 10 | 1 hr |
| Paris | 3 hrs | 5 hrs 10 | 1 hr 10 |
| Rome | 8 hrs | 9 hrs | 1 hr 30 |
| Stockholm | 21 hrs | 19 hrs | 2 hrs 50 |
| Vienna | 10 hrs | 8 hrs 15 | 1 hr 40 |
| Zurich | 55 min | 1 hrs | No direct flight |
Rail
A true favourite for sustainable transport, the main SBB station 20 minutes walk from the venue. Furthermore, the ICE trains from Germany also stop at Basel Bad Bahnhof, close to the Congress Center.
The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) network connects Basel with major European cities like Paris, Frankfurt, Milan, and Zurich, making it a convenient destination for international travellers. The Basel SBB railway station, located in the heart of the city, is a bustling transportation hub with frequent train services that provide a seamless and efficient way to explore the region.
- Frankfurt by ICE: 2h 45min
- Paris by TGV: 3h 00min
- Milan Central by SBB: 4h 06min
Car
Basel is connected to the main motorway in Switzerland and connects with the French and German motorway networks.
Airplane
EuroAirport – Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg
This tri-national airport (Switzerland/France/Germany) is located 8 km northwest from Basel city. The airport shuttle buses take you to the train station Basel SBB and the venue Messe & Congress Center Basel in about 20 minutes. It has flight connections with over 90 international cities, amongst the hubs London Heathrow, Paris CdG, Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Madrid.
More info: euroairport.com
Zurich Airport
- Switzerland’s international hub is located about 1h 15min from Basel. Around 170 destinations are served from Zurich.
- There are direct trains from Zurich Airport to Basel SBB train station as well as trains with changing once at Zurich HB (Zurich main train station).
More info: zurich-airport.com