Trains to Basel | Tickets & Train Times

Trains to Basel

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.