BASEL - GETTING AROUND
Public transport in Switzerland is extensive,
reliable, safe and easy to use. Basel
has an extensive network of trams (light rail), reaching out to villages
outside of the city as well. Additionally there are several bus lines. The town
center can be reached on foot from Basel Train station in 15 minutes.
Ticket Machines: Buy single tickets here, there is no vending inside
the trams and buses. Every stop has one - bright green as the trams. They take
both Swiss Francs and Euros. Some train station vending machines also sell
tickets for trams and buses.
Inside
the city limits, all destinations farther than 4 stops away are 1 Zone, cost around
3.40 Francs. As long as you are traveling away from the stop where you got on,
you can ride on the same ticket for as long as the ticket is valid. The fare
for buses and trams is the same and transfers (changing) is free. There are
also special buses that connect to nearby towns in France and Germany.
Mobility Pass:
All hotels in Basel, including the youth hostel, offer each registered guest a
free `Mobility Pass` upon check in. This gives free unlimited travel in Basel
and suburbs (including to and from the airport) for the duration of their stay.
BaselCard: Provides free
unlimited travel in Basel, free boat cruise, city tour and entry to the Zoo. It
also gives you discounted access to most museums, boat cruises, restaurants,
shopping and cinema tickets. 24 hours costs around 20.00 Francs for an adult.
Day
Pass: You can also buy one-day passes (Press `Tageskarten`
then `Basel + Agglomeration` buttons on the touch-screen ticket machine) with
the same validity as the `Mobility Pass` above for about CHF 8.00; and multi
trip tickets or multi-day tickets.
Tram
and bus travel is on the honor system. Nobody collects your ticket.
Periodically, a number of `tram police` (undercover agents) board a tram and
quickly examine everyone`s ticket before the next stop. If you don`t have one,
there is an on-the-spot fine of around 80 Francs. Even in this exercise, there
is efficiency - if you don`t have cash available you'll be given the option to
pay later at the office on Barfüsserplatz, but then it will cost you about 100
Francs.
Night
buses run from Basel on Friday and Saturday nights between 1
and 4am. A separate ticket must be purchased for these rides. Check schedules
and map your route online.
This
is the standard mode of travel for many within the city. Old Basel is quite
small and there are many narrow and winding side streets with incredible
slopes.
The shopping streets in the
old city are closed to car traffic. Tourists will walk a lot, it’s the best way
to really explore this beautiful city, but the walking can be a bit strenuous
after a while, particularly when walking on cobblestone alleys in the old town,
which can also get quite steep.
WARNING: Trams have the right of way over just about
everyone - all the time. Keep an eye out for them as you cross a street,
including on pedestrian crossings.
The left-bank of the river (Grossbasel) and right-bank (Kleinbasel) are connected by a railway bridge, four road bridges and four passenger ferries. Passenger ferries cross the Rhine in Basel throughout the day. These are used both by tourists and commuters. Basler Personenschifffahrt also offers a variety of fun river cruises.
By TrainThe main train station is `Basel SBB`. This is the hub for most public transport. There are train services to many destinations, including Paris and Germany. There`s also a rail station `Basel Bad Bf` in the north of the town. This is the border station to Germany.
By Bicycle
Basel
is a bicycle-friendly city, with many well-marked bicycle lanes throughout the
city, and even traffic signals and left-hand turn lanes for bikes. While
drivers are generally aware of bikers, be sure to use hand signals and ride
defensively. Beware of the trams! If you are not careful, your wheels may also
get stuck in the tram tracks which can be dangerous. Helmets are not required
(although recommended), but lights and bells are. The Swiss are quite keen
cyclists.
Besides local
commuter bike lanes, there are specific bike trails that connect to other parts
of Switzerland (via the Veloland Schweiz network
(recommended for overland bicycling tours). These bike trails are indicated by
signs at some intersections.
Bike Rental: Bikes can be rented locally from the Rent-a-Bike underground
bike park, +41 51 229 23 45, at Centralbahnplatz, underneath the Basel SBB
railway station.
Driving in Basel is not
recommended, as inner city streets can be confusing and are shared with trams
(note that cars must yield to trams). Parking in the old city is relatively
expensive and scarce. Most mid-range or luxury hotels have or help with
parking. In addition, there is a network of clean, safe (and payable) public
garages at the periphery of the city center, generally open 24/7.
Parking: If you stay for
the day only and are driving via highway into Grossbasel, try Centralbahnparking near
the main railway station. Closer to the city center in Grossbasel are Steinen Parking at Steinenschanze 5 and Elisabethen Parking, at Steinentorberg 5, and in Kleinbasel Messe Basel Parking at Messeplatz.
There are taxi ranks dotted throughout the city center. There are a number of taxi firms to choose from and as a visitor you are free to choose whichever you prefer.