One of the largest cities in Switzerland, Basel is conveniently located near the country’s French and German borders. That means it’s easy to reach by train, whether passengers are traveling from anywhere in Switzerland, from major cities in Germany or even from Paris. Basel has three mainline train stations, the largest of which, Basel SBB, is centrally located with excellent transport links to the rest of the city and Basel Airport.

Which is the main train station in Basel?

Most regional, intercity and international trains to Basel arrive at Basel SBB railway station, which is one of Europe’s busiest border stations. The station lies within easy walking distance of attractions like the Basel Kunstmuseum (Museum of Art). It offers plenty of amenities on site, including shops and restaurants that are open 365 days a year. Regular buses, regional S-Bahn trains, and tram services connect the station to the local area.

Which train companies offer trains to Basel?

Trains to Basel from other Swiss cities like Zurich or Bern are provided by Swiss Federal Railways, otherwise known as SBB. Direct services depart from all major cities several times per hour. Trains from Germany are provided by Deutsche Bahn, which offers direct services from Berlin, Hamburg, Stuttgart, and Munich among others, up to once per hour per destination. Trains from France are offered by SNCF, with direct journeys from Paris several times a day. There is even a direct daily service from Milan provided by Trenitalia.

Why travel by train to Basel?

Basel might be one of the easiest cities to reach in Europe by train. Sitting near an international border in the very heart of the continent, it’s perfectly located for train travel and makes for an ideal stop along a tour of the continent. Paris is a little over three hours away by train, while Milan is less than five hours away. It also takes less than one hour 30 minutes to reach Basel from Zurich, the Swiss capital.

Before you travel to Basel by train - good to know!

Art Basel alone makes Basel worth a visit. The world-renowned contemporary art fair is the place to discover new work by the most exciting artists from around the globe, with plenty of unique and interactive exhibits with a broad, crowd-pleasing appeal. It’s easy to get around the city at all times of the year, thanks to an extensive network of buses, regional trains, and trams.

Train companies: SNCF | TGV, SNCF | TGV Lyria and Deutsche Bahn with connection to Basel trains

Travel to Basel on SNCF | TGV, SNCF | TGV Lyria and Deutsche Bahn with connection trains with Omio. When comparing schedules and tickets, we will also show you other options with multiple connections or other travel modes if they’re available.

The SNCF TGV is a high-speed train service operated by the French national railway company, SNCF. It is one of the fastest trains in the world, with speeds of up to 320 km/h (200 mph). The TGV has been in operation since 1981 and is now the most popular high-speed train in Europe. The TGV offers a variety of train types, including the TGV Duplex, TGV Lyria, TGV InOui, and TGV OuiGo. Each type of train offers different amenities, such as Wi-Fi, power outlets, and comfortable seating. There are also different ticket types available, such as the Prem's ticket, which offers discounts on certain routes. Onboard facilities include a café-bar, a selection of newspapers and magazines, and a range of audio-visual entertainment. Passengers can also take advantage of the TGV's free Wi-Fi service. The most popular routes for the SNCF TGV include Paris to Lyon, Paris to Marseille, Paris to Bordeaux, and Paris to Lille. These routes offer passengers a fast and convenient way to travel between major cities in France.

TGV Lyria is a high-speed train service that operates between France and Switzerland. It is operated by SNCF in France and SBB in Switzerland. The TGV Lyria offers two types of trains: the TGV Duplex and the TGV POS. The TGV Duplex is a double-decker train with a capacity of up to 574 passengers, while the TGV POS is a single-level train with a capacity of up to 468 passengers. Both trains offer comfortable seating, air-conditioning, power sockets, and free Wi-Fi. The TGV Lyria offers a variety of ticket types, including Standard, Comfort, and Business. Standard tickets are the most economical, while Comfort and Business tickets offer additional benefits such as priority boarding and access to the TGV Lyria Lounge. Onboard facilities include a bar, restaurant, and a selection of newspapers and magazines. Passengers can also enjoy a selection of hot and cold meals, snacks, and drinks. The most popular routes for TGV Lyria are Paris to Geneva, Paris to Lausanne, and Paris to Basel. These routes offer travelers a convenient and comfortable way to travel between France and Switzerland.

ÖBB Nightjet is an Austrian train company that offers overnight services across Europe. It has a range of train types, including the EuroNight, CityNightLine and Nightjet, which all offer comfortable sleeping compartments and couchettes. The EuroNight is the most luxurious option, with private compartments and a restaurant car. The CityNightLine is a more affordable option, with compartments and couchettes, while the Nightjet is the most basic option, with couchettes and reclining seats. Ticket types include Economy, Comfort and Business, with the latter offering the most luxurious experience. Onboard facilities include Wi-Fi, power sockets, a restaurant car and a bar. The most popular routes for ÖBB Nightjet are from Vienna to Munich, Berlin, Zurich, Amsterdam, Prague and Budapest.

Enjoy the train to Basel with Trenitalia, Italy’s main provider of train services throughout the country with an impressive fleet of trains offering different levels of comfort, amenities and speed. The company's flagship trains are the high-speed Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Frecciabianca that can travel at speeds up to 186 mph (300 kmh). Trenitalia also operates intercity, regional and night trains. Bathrooms and WiFi access are standard on long-distance train routes. In many cases, Trenitalia trains also provide barrier-free access.

Trenitalia tickets to Basel are available on Omio, and you can find the best deals for them in just a few steps. Trenitalia offers three different ticket types to fit anyone’s budget, such as the Base, Economy, Super Economy and Ordinaria tickets. Trenitalia also has discount and loyalty cards for qualified travelers, which you can use on Omio. Check Trenitalia’s train times and tickets for the route to Basel and buy your cheap ticket on Omio today!

ÖBB Intercity is a domestic high-speed rail service operated by the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) in Austria. They are addition to the Eurocity and the Railjet for long-distance travels and also include first class cars, the trains are air-conditioned, hve power sockets a minibar service and are comfortable. ÖBB Intercity trains mostly run on the inner alpine lines to cities like Graz, Linz and Salzburg and Inssbruck.

SNCF-ICE trains connect France and Germany. SNCF's high-speed service TGV and Deutsche Bahn's high-speed service ICE are joint providers of these services with comfortable connections between the two European countries. There are multiple ticket types on offer including Super Saver Fare Europe with no refunds or exchanges allowed and the Saver Fare Europe which is semi-refundable but not exchangeable. The trains are comfortable and high-speed and offer all the amenities of SNCF & DB high-speed trains like Wi-Fi, food and drinks on board and comfortable seats. The trains serve top French cities like Paris, Lyon, Strasbourg and Marseille along with German cities including Frankfurt, Mannheim, Stuttgart, Augsburg and Munich. Some of the most popular routes include: Paris to Frankfurt, Paris to Munich and Karslruhe to Lyon.

SNCF TER is a French train company that operates throughout the country. It offers a variety of train types, including Intercités, TER, TGV, and Ouigo. Intercités are long-distance trains that offer comfortable seating and a variety of onboard amenities. TER trains are regional trains that offer frequent service and are ideal for short trips. TGV trains are high-speed trains that offer the fastest way to travel between cities. Ouigo is a low-cost train service that offers affordable fares. SNCF TER offers a variety of ticket types, including single tickets, return tickets, and group tickets. Onboard facilities include Wi-Fi, power outlets, and a selection of snacks and drinks. The most popular routes for SNCF TER are Paris to Marseille, Paris to Lyon, and Paris to Bordeaux.

The ÖBB ICE is a high-speed train service operated by the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB). It is one of the most popular train services in Austria, offering fast and comfortable journeys between major cities. The ICE trains are modern and well-equipped, with comfortable seating, air-conditioning, and power sockets. There are three types of ICE trains: ICE T, ICE S, and ICE Sprinter. The ICE T is the fastest, with speeds of up to 230 km/h, while the ICE S and ICE Sprinter offer slightly slower speeds. The ÖBB ICE offers a range of ticket types, including single tickets, return tickets, and group tickets. Onboard facilities include a restaurant car, free Wi-Fi, and a range of entertainment options. The most popular routes for the ÖBB ICE include Vienna to Salzburg, Vienna to Innsbruck, and Vienna to Graz. These routes offer stunning views of the Austrian countryside and provide a convenient way to travel between major cities.

Deutsche Bahn (DB) is Germany’s main provider of train services and makes on average about 40,000 domestic and international journeys per day. Deutsche Bahn’s fleet of trains includes the high-speed ICE (Intercity Express) as well as the IC (Intercity), EC (Eurocity), IRE (Interregio-Express), RE (Regional Express) and RB (Regionalbahn), which differ in terms of comfort and the time needed to travel. For example, while toilets are standard amenities, services like onboard restaurants or free WiFi are only available on certain train types and routes. Deutsche Bahn is well-known for its wide range of fares like Super Saver, Saver, and Flexible and discount cards like the Bahncard 25, 50 and 100, which you can also use for your train to Basel.

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