Train to Basel – connections, tickets and travel guide

• Location: Basel is situated on the Rhine, close to the borders of Germany and France.

• Currency: Swiss franc (CHF). Payment cards are accepted almost everywhere.

• Local transport: trams and city buses. A single ticket costs a few francs; a day ticket a little more.

• City character: more than 40 museums, the Art Basel fair, the Romanesque-Gothic pink sandstone cathedral and an Old Town closed to cars. Novartis and Roche are headquartered here.

• How long to stay: a weekend (2–3 nights) is enough for the main attractions. 4–5 days lets you combine Basel with a trip to the Black Forest or Zurich.

The best time to visit is April–May or September–October, when daytime temperatures are 15–20°C and tourist numbers are lower than in summer.

Spring (March–May)

• In April and May the botanical gardens are in full bloom – the Botanischer Garten der Universität Basel is free to enter.

• At 15–19°C you can stroll around the Old Town and along the Rhine throughout the day.

• If you are planning a late-spring or early-summer trip, bear in mind that Art Basel takes place in June. Book accommodation for this period several weeks in advance.

Summer (June–August)

• In July and August daytime temperatures reach 24–25°C. Summer bathing spots open along the Rhine – locals swim downstream carrying their belongings in special waterproof bags.

• Accommodation prices during the high season are higher than in spring and autumn.

• In the evening, dine al fresco in the Kleinbasel district along the Rhine.

Autumn (September–October)

• Crowds are smaller and accommodation prices are lower than in summer.

• In October it is easier to visit museums without queues – the Kunstmuseum and the Beyeler Foundation are quieter then.

• At 15–20°C you can combine walks with gallery visits.

Winter (November–February)

• The Christmas market at Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz runs from the end of November to the end of December – it is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe.

• Daytime temperatures are 4–8°C. In winter you will spend more time in the museums and cafés of the Old Town.

• Accommodation prices rise during the market period, so book your accommodation in advance.

You will travel from Poland to Basel with one or two transfers, usually via Berlin, Frankfurt or Vienna. Reservation of a seat is compulsory on the foreign leg.

From Wrocław

• From Wrocław Główny train station you will travel to Basel in around 9-11 hours with a change in Berlin.

• From Wrocław you travel to Berlin and then change trains to Basel.

• You can leave in the morning and arrive in the evening.

From Warsaw

• From Warsaw Central Station you will travel to Basel in around 13-15 hours with a change in Berlin or Frankfurt.

• You can leave in the morning and arrive in the evening, or choose the option with an overnight leg.

• You change trains at Berlin Hauptbahnhof station or Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof station.

• Along the way you will see the German countryside and the Rhine valley.

From Krakow

• From Krakow Main station you will reach Basel in around 13-15 hours with a change of train in Vienna or Frankfurt.

• You can go via Wien Hauptbahnhof station and continue to Basel.

• On the route through Austria you will see mountainous sections and valleys from your window.

From Poznan, Gdansk and Lodz you will travel to Basel with a change of train in Berlin - the journey time depends on the connection to Berlin and is approximately 11-16 hours.

You can buy tickets for the route to Basel on Europodróże without creating an account - your ticket goes to your email and SMS, and 30 minutes before departure you will receive a reminder with a link to your ticket. The earlier you buy, the greater the choice of seats. You can return your PKP Intercity ticket up to 20 minutes before departure and exchange it up to 30 minutes before departure - see the refund and exchange policy for details.

Once you leave the station, head towards the centre – the main attractions are all close to one another.

Trams and city buses serve the whole city, including neighbourhoods outside the centre. A single ticket costs a few francs and a day ticket a little more – check the current fares on site before you buy. The Old Town is closed to cars, so you get around the centre on foot or by tram.

Basel has a city bike-share scheme. A bike is ideal for sightseeing along the Rhine and for reaching neighbourhoods such as Kleinbasel or St. Johann, which are a little further from the station.

Taxis and ride-hailing apps are available at the station. Prices are higher than in Poland – a taxi is useful for reaching neighbourhoods outside the centre or for trips to the airport.

Many hotels and hostels in the centre are within a few minutes' walk of Basel SBB station.

You get around Basel on foot and by public transport.

Where to stay:

• Centre and Old Town – the most convenient location, close to the cathedral, the Town Hall and the Kunstmuseum. Accommodation prices are higher here.

• Kleinbasel – a quieter neighbourhood on the other side of the Rhine, with a local atmosphere and slightly lower prices.

Basel Cathedral (Basler Münster)

The Romanesque-Gothic building of pink sandstone stands on a hill above the Rhine. The tower offers a view of the entire city, the Rhine valley and the Black Forest on the German side. Entrance is free of charge. The tour takes 45-60 minutes - it is advisable to climb the tower in the morning, before tour groups arrive.

Town Hall (Rathaus) on Marktplatz

The distinctive red façade from the 16th century dominates the market square. The inner courtyard with its frescoes and arcades is well worth entering. The tour takes 20-30 minutes. Right next door, on the Marktplatz, a market with local products is held several times a week.

Art Museum Basel (Kunstmuseum Basel)

This is one of the largest and oldest art museums in Europe. In the collection you will see works from the Middle Ages to contemporary art - Holbein, Picasso and Warhol. There is an entrance fee. You will need 2-3 hours for a leisurely tour. The museum is located a few minutes' walk from the train station.

Kleinbasel district

On the other side of the Rhine lies a quieter part of the city with a local vibe. You get there via the Mittlere Brücke bridge - one of the oldest crossings over the Rhine. In Kleinbasel you'll find pubs, galleries and a view of the Old Town from the quay. In the evening, the district comes alive, with restaurants and bars along the river attracting locals.

Beyeler Foundation in Riehen

This is a world-class collection of modern art - Monet, Cézanne, Rothko and Bacon. The building was designed by Renzo Piano. You can reach the Foundation by tram in a few minutes from the centre. There is an entrance fee. The tour takes 2-3 hours. It is worth planning a separate half day for this.

Plan for day 1

Start in the morning with the cathedral and the view from the tower. From there, walk down through the Old Town to the Town Hall on Marktplatz - if you hit a market day, you can have breakfast here. In the afternoon, choose the Kunstmuseum or the Beyeler Foundation. In the evening, walk across the Mittlere Brücke bridge to Kleinbasel for dinner overlooking the illuminated Old Town.

Plan for the weekend (2-3 nights)

You can arrange the first day in the same way as the 1-day plan. On the second day, visit the Beyeler Foundation if you haven't been there before, and in the afternoon walk along the Rhine - in summer you can join the Baselers swimming downstream. In the evening, head to the Gundeldingen or St Johann district, where you'll find local restaurants off the tourist trail. On the third day, you can take a trip to the Black Forest or Freiburg im Breisgau - both destinations lie 30-40 minutes by train from Basel SBB station.

In Basel you will taste dishes with Swiss, German and Alsatian influences. Three dishes and sweets to try:

Basler Läckerli - gingerbread cookies with honey, almonds and candied orange peel. This is a typical souvenir of Basel, also available in the shops at Basel SBB station.

Zwiebelwähe - a tart with onions, cream and bacon. This is a classic of Basel bakeries.

Rösti - potato pancakes served as a side dish or as a separate dish. In many restaurants you'll eat them with cheese or a fried egg.

Where to eat:

• Old Town and Kleinbasel - restaurants and cafés offer cuisine ranging from traditional Swiss to Asian and Middle Eastern. Prices are higher than in Poland - dinner in a mid-range restaurant costs several tens of zlotys per person.

• Marktplatz (Wochenmarkt) market - open several times a week. Buy local cheeses, cold cuts, vegetables and bread here. It's a good place for breakfast or a quick lunch while sightseeing.

• Steinenvorstadt and the area around Barfüsserplatz - the centre of evening life. Here you will find bars, restaurants and venues with live music. In the summer, tables also stand outside.

Freie Strasse in the centre is the main shopping street. Here you will find Swiss brands, chocolate and watches. The Stücki shopping centre is further away from the centre, but offers a wider selection of shops.

Souvenirs

• Swiss chocolate - wide selection in the shops at Basel SBB station, convenient to buy before departure.

• Basler Läckerli - gingerbread cookies available in bakeries and souvenir shops throughout the centre.

• Watches - wide selection on Freie Strasse and in the jewellery shops of the Old Town.

Switzerland is one of the more expensive destinations in Europe. The table shows approximate costs for a weekend (2 nights, 3 days) in Basel – excluding the train ticket.

The budget option assumes a hostel, food from the market or supermarket and free attractions such as the cathedral and walks along the Rhine. The mid-range option includes a three-star hotel, restaurants and one or two paid museum entries per day. The comfortable option includes a four- or five-star hotel, higher-end restaurants and taxis to districts outside the centre.

Accommodation prices rise significantly during Art Basel and the Christmas market. During these periods, book accommodation several weeks in advance. Payment cards are accepted almost everywhere.