The cheapest and fastest trains from Basel to Aarau
Cheapest price
$21
Average price
$26
Fastest journey
38 m
Average duration
48 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
40 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Basel to Aarau is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Basel to Aarau will cost around $26 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $21.
Of the 5 trains that leave Basel for Aarau on Tue, Jun 02, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Jun 02 the direct trains cover the 40 km distance in an average of 48 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 38 m .
On Tue, Jun 02 the slowest trains will take 57 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
IR 37 2263 | 22638:43 AM0h38Basel SBB9:21 AMAarau station$211One-way0 transfers
ICE 271 | 271 · IR 16 2165 | 21658:22 AM0h51Basel SBB9:13 AMAarau station$231One-way1 transfer
IC 61 10963 | 10963 · RE 12 4765 | 47658:53 AM0h51Basel SBB9:44 AMAarau station$251One-way1 transfer
IR 27 2463 | 2463 · S 29 8933 | 89338:13 AM0h44Basel SBB8:57 AMAarau station$291One-way1 transfer
S 3 17325 | 17325 · S 29 8933 | 89338:00 AM0h57Basel SBB8:57 AMAarau station$331One-way1 transfer
IR 37 2263 | 22638:43 AM0h38Basel SBB9:21 AMAarau station$211One-way0 transfers
IR 27 2463 | 2463 · S 29 8933 | 89338:13 AM0h44Basel SBB8:57 AMAarau station$291One-way1 transfer
ICE 271 | 271 · IR 16 2165 | 21658:22 AM0h51Basel SBB9:13 AMAarau station$231One-way1 transfer
IC 61 10963 | 10963 · RE 12 4765 | 47658:53 AM0h51Basel SBB9:44 AMAarau station$251One-way1 transfer
S 3 17325 | 17325 · S 29 8933 | 89338:00 AM0h57Basel SBB8:57 AMAarau station$331One-way1 transfer
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Basel to Aarau
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Basel to Aarau among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $5. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 37m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.0kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $5, and a train costs an average of $17.
Distance: 24 miles (40 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$23 Average price | $5 Average price Cheapest | $67 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 7m Average total duration Fastest 37m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 23m Average total duration 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 56m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Basel to Aarau:
A bus is $18 (€15) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Basel to Aarau costing on average $23 (€19).
Other travel options to Aarau take longer:
Bus takes on average 53m.
The journey is about 19m faster (37m by train vs 56m by car) and roughly $44 (€36) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($23 (€19) vs $67 (€54)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with SBB, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS).
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
Live departures
Basel to Aarau train times
The table below shows live departures for Basel to Aarau trains for tomorrow, Tuesday, June 2. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
S 3 17325 | 17325 · S 29 8933 | 8933 | 8:00 AM Basel SBB | 0h57 | 8:57 AM Aarau station | 1 transfer | |
IR 27 2463 | 2463 · S 29 8933 | 8933 | 8:13 AM Basel SBB | 0h44 | 8:57 AM Aarau station | 1 transfer | |
ICE 271 | 271 · IR 16 2165 | 2165 | 8:22 AM Basel SBB | 0h51 | 9:13 AM Aarau station | 1 transfer | |
IR 37 2263 | 2263 | 8:43 AM Basel SBB | 0h38 | 9:21 AM Aarau station | 0 transfersDirect | |
IC 61 10963 | 10963 · RE 12 4765 | 4765 | 8:53 AM Basel SBB | 0h51 | 9:44 AM Aarau station | 1 transfer |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Basel to Aarau by train or bus
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Jun 02
Jun 03
Jun 04
Jun 05
Jun 06
Jun 07
Jun 08
Journey information
Overview: Train from Basel to Aarau
Trains from Basel to Aarau run on average 11 times per day, taking around 37m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $17 (€14) but you can travel from only $5 (€4) by bus.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:46. The fastest train covers the 24 miles (40 km) distance in 38m.
Distance 24 miles (40 km) |
Average train duration 37m |
Cheapest ticket price $17 (€14) |
Trains per day 11 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 38m |
First train 12:01 AM |
Last train 11:46 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 28 days |
Train companies: SBB, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS), Südostbahn from Basel to Aarau trainsSBB, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS), Südostbahn trains will get you between Basel and Aarau from $5 (€4). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
SBB
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS)
Südostbahn
FAQs: Trains from Basel to Aarau
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Basel to Aarau by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Aarau, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Basel to Aarau
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week, accessible via Centralbahnstrasse.
- Restaurant Da Roberto
- Brasserie Bahnhof Basel
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- CHF 2
- Hotel Victoria
- Hotel Schweizerhof Basel
- GAIA Hotel
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- 800 places, covered
- Avis
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-5 for Swiss domestic trains
- Hall 2: platform 6-10 for international trains
- Hall 3: shopping and services area
- Tram: Line 1, Line 2, Line 8, Line 10, Line 11
- Bus: Several lines available
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week. Access via Schwarzwaldallee.
- Restaurant Les Gareçons
- Restaurant Bahn Kantine
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- CHF 1
- Hotel Alexander
- Hotel Wettstein
- Hotel Balade
- Located in the main hall
- 330 places, covered
- Avis
- Europcar
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platforms 1-4 for trains to Germany
- Hall 2: platforms 5-8 for regional trains within Switzerland
- Tram: Line 2, Line 6
- Bus: Several lines available
- 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Departures can be made outside of opening hours. Access via Bahnhofstrasse.
- Nonna Aarau
- Thai Time
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps.
- CHF 1
- Sorell Hotel Aarauerhof
- Hotel Kettenbrücke
- Hotel Sternen
- Located in the main hall
- 48 places, covered
- Avis
- Europcar
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platforms 1-5 for regional and S-Bahn trains
- Bus: Several lines available
- Train: S-Bahn services
Most popular train connections from Basel
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