Taxi service: If you want to avoid crowds in public transport, take a taxi. You will find taxi drivers waiting in the Arrivals Hall at the airport. To avoid stressing out and possible waiting for a taxi, book one online ahead of time. The price for a one way ride to Basel is about €45. Keep in mind that during the night the prices grow for 20-30%.

Renting a car at Euroairport: For those of you who would like to get to the city and explore the area on their own, the best option is to rent a car directly at the airport. There are several car rental companies there, such as Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Eurohertz and others. They are situated in Terminal building in halls 1 and 4, level 2.

Bus: Using the Bus (shuttle) take line 50 that connects Euroairport to the Basel railway station (Bahnhof SBB), the journey takes 20 minutes. Most hotels offer a free mobility pass, which includes bus transport to and from the airport, so your printed hotel reservation might allow you free transport. Otherwise, you must purchase a two-zone ticket for CHF 3.80 or the equivalent amount in Euros. This ticket can be bought at the machines next to the bus stop or at the SBB counter in the airport (in the arrivals hall, after the Swiss customs). The ticket or mobility pass must be shown whenever there is a control, but showing it to the driver is not necessary. The ticket is valid to anywhere in Basel, and you do not need to buy another ticket when you change to a tram.

Train: Euroairport is not directly linked to the railway system. However, there are connections by bus to railway stations in Basel with trains to France, Germany and the rest of Switzerland.

From Zurich International Airport you`ll find a train every 30 minutes to Basel SBB. The cost is approximately 30-60 CHF, depending on if you have a ½ pricecard).

Basel has two main train stations: `Basel SBB` located just south of the city center and Basel Badischer Bahnhof (abbreviated Basel Bad Bf) which is located to the north in Kleinbasel. All trains call at Basel SBB. Trains that use this station: City Night Line, ICE and TGV Lyria.

This train station is the hub for most all public transportation including bus, taxi and commuter trains.

Information desk (open 24 hours), Tel: 041 (0)900 300 300

The city of Basel and the surrounding area has an excellent public transport network that is known for its punctuality, short waiting times and modern vehicles. It is reliable, safe and easy to use.

An extensive network of trams, local trains and buses connects Basel with neighboring regions and countries. Day and multiple trip tickets can be bought from TNW, automatic machines at stops, or from kiosks.

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 (DE) cross the Rhine in Basel throughout the day. These are used both by tourists and commuters. Basler Personenschifffahrt (DE) also offers a variety of fun river cruises. Night buses (DE) run from Basel on Friday and Saturday nights between 1 and 4am. A separate ticket must be purchased for these rides.

Basel is serviced by a comprehensive and reliable public transport system of trams and buses. These run from relatively early in the morning (most lines start at 5-6 am) till about midnight. Single-trip and day tickets can only be purchased from machines at each tram or bus stop, with the cost depending on your destination/ or how long you plan to travel. These machines are somewhat intimidating, and take some time to figure out, so be sure to get to the tram stop a bit early. The machines operate in English, French, German and Italian and take both Swiss and EU coins (but no notes), and some credit/debit cards.

Basel`s green and yellow trams have become an inseparable part of the cityscape.

Together with the bus network, these ensure that travelers can move themselves quickly and comfortably around the city and even across the border into the neighboring countries of France and Germany.

Several travel passes, including the Half-Fare pass, Junior card, GA pass, day passes, and many more, are useful for individuals and families.

Here are a few helpful tips to get you started on Swiss public transport:

-You must purchase your ticket before boarding (exceptions made for rural routes with no machine at the stop).
-Children under six years of age travel for free.
-Travelling with a bicycle: You are required to buy a supplementary bike ticket. Folded bikes can be stored as hand luggage for free. Note: Capacities for bicycle transport may be restricted during peak traffic periods.

Basel is compact and easy to explore on foot. Check out the Basel Tourism website for extensive information in English, including inspiration for walks and suggestions for sights to visit around the city.

Old Basel isn`t very large 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 - and be pleased and impressed at every turn. 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. Walking around Basel is the best way to experience the city.

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.

Parking on-street in the old city is relatively expensive and scarce. But there is a network of public garages at the periphery of the city center, generally open 24/7.

On-street parking Basel

-Paid parking is set on Monday-Saturday from 8:00 am - 7:00 pm. Maximum stay is one hour. Parking rate in the inner city is around CHF 3.00/hour, in the first adjacent area around CHF 2.00/hour and in the second area CHF 1.00/hour.
-If you prefer a longer stay than 1 hour, you can buy half day ticket (08:00-1:00 pm or 12:00 - 7:00pm) for around CHF 6.00. A day ticket (valid 08:00 am – 7:00 pm) costs about CHF 10.00. These tickets can be obtained from the ticket machines of BVB (Basler Verkehrs Betriebe).
Car Parks in Basel Unlimited parking is set to the car parks in the city centre. Parking rates in the city centre are 3 CHF. Lower rates apply for evening and overnight parking. On-street parking Basel -Paid parking is set on Monday-Saturday from 8:00 am - 7:00 pm. Maximum stay is one hour. Parking rate in the inner city is CHF 3.00/hour, in the first adjacent area around CHF 2.00/hour and in the second area around CHF 1.00/hour.

-If you prefer a longer stay than 1 hour, you can buy half day ticket (8:00 am - 1:00 pm or 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm) for around CHF 6.00. A day ticket (valid 8:00 am – 7:00 pm) costs around CHF 10.00. These tickets can be obtained from the ticket machines of BVB (Basler Verkehrs Betriebe).

-There still are a few free parking possibilities in the white zones, on the edge of Basel. In the near future all these parking places will be swapped into blue zone places. The maximum stay in the white zones varies from 30 minutes to 3 hours.

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.. Helmets are not required (although recommended), but lights and bells are. The Swiss are quite keen cyclists, so don`t be surprised when an old lady goes flying past you on her bike while going uphill.

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.

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.

Basel has relatively little crime, compared to many other cities. Like anywhere, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and to be accompanied if it is late at night. The biggest threat may be pickpockets. Be mindful of how you carry your valuables, particularly on trams and buses.

If you ever feel threatened, go into a restaurant or use a public phone: the emergency number is 117, and operators usually speak English.

Watch out for the trams! Particularly the main downtown stops (Centralbahnplatz (Basel SBB), Barfüsserplatz, Marktplatz, Aeschenplatz, Messeplatz) can get very busy and be a bit of a maze. If you are not used to trams, you may easily be surprised by one sneaking up behind your back; their silent running makes them very difficult to hear at first.

The currency of Switzerland is the Swiss franc, usually indicated as CHF. While Switzerland is not part of the European Union and thus is not obliged to convert to the Euro, many prices are nonetheless indicated in euros so that visitors may compare prices.

US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for Swiss Francs upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and many bank locations throughout the city. ATMs are also widespread throughout the city accepting bank cards and credit cards.

Basel is in the north of Switzerland, in the Rhine valley where it intersects with France and Germany. It is at 909 ft. elevation.

Although the climate is temperate, due to it`s valley position Basel is known as the warmest spot in Switzerland north of the alps. Rainfall peaks in the summer along with the temperatures.

A good time to visit Basel is May through September. Summer temperatures are pleasant, but nights can be on the warm side in July and August. Winters are cold in Basel, and there is little snow.

Summer weather in Basel is mild and known to be rather changeable, so be prepared. It`s likely to rain on summer days, so be prepared for showers.

Basel is known for its Fasnacht or carnival held for three days on the Monday after Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. It`s likely to be quite cold then, but for many locals and for those who participate in costume during Fasnacht the three days are some of the nicest of the year.

While Switzerland has four official languages, the most common language spoken in Basel is Swiss German. However, it`s very simple to get around the city and communicate easily, if you speak English or French.

Basel is a cosmopolitan city because of its university and industry and its proximity to the borders of France and Germany. German is taught in schools and fluently spoken by virtually everyone, so if you speak German and they notice that you are a foreigner, they will most likely answer you in German. Also widely spoken are English and French, both of which many people are able to communicate in comfortably enough to deal with everyday interactions and will gladly work to understand you. Most locals speak enough English for tourists` needs, and it is common for hotels, restaurants, and shops that are aimed at tourists to use the English language. We suggest you get a good English-Swiss German guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

Basel has a thriving restaurant and café culture, and the streets of the old town are lined with outdoor seating in the summer. There are numerous restaurants serving most common types of ethnic cuisine (Indian, Thai, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Spanish), in addition to numerous places serving traditional Swiss dishes. The food here presents a flavorful platter and regional cuisine is wide and varied. Masterful local chefs create new ways to present traditional treats. Some gain international acclaim with edible artworks based on simple country fare. You just can't go wrong eating out in Switzerland. There's a match for every taste and budget. Eating out in Basel is rather expensive, especially if you order meat dishes. The portion sizes are often small, relative to other countries.

When most people think of Swiss food they think of cheese. This is not entirely unfair. Cheese fondue served with chunks of bread for dipping is a staple winter dish in Switzerland.

Raclette is also very popular, and also now becoming more popular outside of Switzerland. Consisting of cheese melted over potatoes and pickles, this is stomach-warming comfort food at its best.

However, for anyone who is not a lover of lactose, Swiss cuisine does offer other options. Wienerschnitzel (veal or pork escalope) and Rösti (fried potato cakes) are also popular items on Swiss menus. If you visit Basel during any of the winter festivals then you can get many traditional Swiss dishes as street food.

Being next to Alsace region means that Basel has also taken on many of the local Alsatian specialties. One dish that is fairly ubiquitous is the Flammkuche (literally `firecake`). It is similar to a pizza, made of a thin dough base and you choose from the menu based on the toppings. However, sour cream features in place of tomato sauce. The traditional recipe is with onions and bacon, but there are other choices. It is a lighter alternative to the traditional cheese- and meat-heavy Swiss dishes.

Tipping: As in most of Europe, tipping is not a requirement. It is common (but not universal), to round up to the nearest 10 or 20 Franks, for example by refusing the change from a note. Bartenders do not generally receive tips.

Meal times: Lunch is usually served between noon and 2 pm, and even a little earlier at some restaurants. Dinner is usually served from 6 pm to 9.30 pm. Many restaurants and pubs, especially in the cities, also offer continuous (11 am-10 pm) hot dishes.

Note: Not all restaurants in Basel accept credit cards (though an increasing number do). If in doubt, check first.

The nightlife in Basel depends on your taste in fun. There are a variety of dance clubs and live music venues across the city. Many Basel residents also go to Zurich to look for more clubbing and concert. There are numerous smaller cocktail bars, pubs and several places where expats tend to congregate, often based on their cultural background.

For more sophisticated entertainment tastes, the Basel Symphony and Basel Chamber orchestras have regular performances. Basel`s music school often has excellent and reasonably priced concerts and recitals from students and visiting musicians.

Swiss shopping has something for everyone. Shops are organized similarly throughout the country. You will generally find smaller specialty shops in the older parts of town with larger stores and shopping centers on the outskirts and in newer parts of the city. Most neighborhoods have their own supermarket.

Basel shares borders with France and Germany and is part of the tri-national agglomeration. Thus, its shops are located in various locations, including the city centre, both sides of the Rhine (also spelled Rhein) River, in the suburbs and over the borders into France and Germany. The left bank of the Rhine River, called Grossbasel old town, offers more mainstream shopping such as the major department store Globus. Kleinbasel old town on the right bank offers a smaller, more individual shopping experience.

Basel`s shopping mile starts at Claraplatz in Kleinbasel. Cross the bridge to Marktplatz before following Freie Strasse and ending at Bankverein. For designer brands, head to Spalenberg. Alongside well-known brands, there are numerous smaller, specialized shops and boutiques.

Shopping across the border in France and Germany: Shopping in France and Germany is very popular amongst Basel residents, who regularly shop over the borders for better prices at general stores and weekly markets. However, it is important to take note of the customs regulations and limitations on bringing goods into Switzerland. The tax-free limit is CHF 300 per person but there are some special regulations concerning certain goods carried across the border.

The two major department stores in Basel are Globus and Manor . The main supermarkets are Coop and Migros.

Markets in Basel: Basel has several lively markets. The daily market at Marktplatz is one of the most notable, selling fresh produce and local specialties. Petersplatz has a flea market on Saturdays. Barfüsserplatz also has a flea market every second and fourth Wednesday and a new-goods market every Thursday.

Shop opening hours in Basel: Shop opening hours in Basel are generally from 8:00 am – 6:30 pm Monday to Friday and 7:30 -5:00 pm on Saturday. Central shops stay open until 8:00pm on Thursday and Friday and until 6:00 on Saturday. Most shops are closed on Sunday except for the railway station shops and the Coop Pronto on Barfüsserplatz. Smaller shops and those outside of the city center may also close over lunch.

In Germany shops are open on weekdays from 8:00 am - 6:30 pm and on Saturday from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm, with some larger shops staying open until 8:00 pm. In France, shop opening hours are Monday to Friday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm and Saturday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm. Very few shops open on Sunday.

Note: Value-added tax (VAT) rate is 7.7% in Switzerland which applies to supplies of goods or services registered in Switzerland.

-Although the currency is Swiss francs, euros are accepted almost everywhere.
-Everything is expensive so plan your budget accordingly.
-Watch the sunrise/sunset on Rhine riverside.
-Take comfortable shoes as you will walk a lot.
-Avoid Sundays if you can as almost every shop is closed on a Sunday in Basel. For those wanting to see Basel in its true form, try sticking to other days. However, most tourist attractions are open all weekend.
-Take plenty of money. Switzerland, simply put, is expensive, especially when it comes to dining, so make sure o take a little extra just in case.

In an Emergency dial 117, and operators usually speak English.

The general emergency number in Switzerland (and many other European countries) is 112. You should memorize this. This would be the equivalent of 911 in North America, getting you to general emergency services (fire dept, police dept, emergency medical service). You should be able to dial this from any working phone. Even mobile phones with a non-functional SIM-card have an SOS mode that should allow you to dial this.

In case of a health emergency that requires an ambulance specifically, you can dial 144, in Switzerland. Some other numbers that might be handy in other emergencies are: Police (Dial: 117) or Fire (Dial: 118) or Poison control (Dial: 145).

You can also go on your own to the emergency room of hospitals or clinics: University Hospital Basel (Universitätsspital Basel).