Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Zurich to Basel
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Zurich to Basel among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $11. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 4m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $11, and a train costs an average of $23.
Distance: 47 miles (76 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$38 Average price | $11 Average price Cheapest | $74 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 34m Average total duration Fastest 1h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 44m Average total duration 1h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 15m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.2kg 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 Zurich to Basel:
A bus is $27 (€22) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Zurich to Basel costing on average $38 (€31).
Other travel options to Basel take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 14m.
Travel optionsfrom Zurich to Basel
How to get from Zurich to Basel by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Zurich to Basel is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
IR 36 2064 | 20649:15 AM1h08Zurich Altstetten10:23 AMBasel SBB$271One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
IR 36 2064 | 20649:15 AM1h08Zurich Altstetten10:23 AMBasel SBB$271One-way0 transfers
Fastest
IC 3 556 | 5566:34 AM0h53Zurich HB7:27 AMBasel SBB$331One-way0 transfers
Other options
IR 36 2066 | 206610:15 AM1h08Zurich Altstetten11:23 AMBasel SBB$271One-way0 transfers
IR 36 2058 | 20586:15 AM1h15Zurich Altstetten7:30 AMBasel SBB$281One-way0 transfers
IR 36 2082 | 20826:15 PM1h08Zurich Altstetten7:23 PMBasel SBB$281One-way0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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.
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Travel from Zurich to Basel: Journey Details
If you want to travel from Zurich to Basel, flying is out of the question. These two Swiss cities are a short distance apart, and there are no scheduled flights. Instead, you can take an express train straight to the heart of Basel or take an affordable bus via Basel EuroAirport. Either way, you will be at your destination in less than 2 hours, making Basel a great day trip destination if you are staying in Zurich.
Return trips from Basel to Zurich are also available.
How to get from Zürich to Basel
The Best Way According to our Users
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FAQs: Travel from Zurich to Basel
Travel to Basel easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Zurich to Basel.

This is compared to other travel options from Zurich to Basel:
A bus is $27 (€22) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Zurich to Basel costing on average $38 (€31).
Other travel options to Basel take longer:
Bus takes on average 1h 14m.
- Around 28 trains per day.
- Around 3 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Zurich and Basel as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Zurich HB and arrive in Basel SBB.
- Buses mostly depart from Zürich, Sihlquai Bus Terminal (Carparkplatz Sihlquai) and arrive in Saint-Louis, EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg.
- Travel with BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus, Gruppo Di Maio to go to Basel by bus.
- Travel with SBB, SNCF | TGV Lyria, Trenitalia EuroCity, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS) to go to Basel by train.
- 3 direct buses per day with BlaBlaCar, BlaBlaCar Bus, Gruppo Di Maio.
- 11 direct trains per day with SBB, Trenitalia EuroCity, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS).
Travelling from Zurich to Basel: related information
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