City of Basel - BasileaHotel.com

Perhaps one of Switzerland's slightly underrated tourist destinations, Basel has a beautiful medieval old town center, a Carnival that ranks with those of Venice and Rio de Janeiro, and several world class art museums built by architects like Renzo Piano, Mario Botta and Herzog & De Meuron'. Basel is also otherwise rich in architecture old and new, with a Romanesque Münster (cathedral), a Renaissance Rathaus (town hall), and various examples of high quality contemporary architecture, including more buildings by Herzog & De Meuron, Richard Meier, Diener & Diener, and various others - a new concert hall is planned by Zaha Hadid. Located in the Dreiländereck (three countries' corner), Basel is a gateway to the Swiss Jura mountains and nearby cities of Zürich and Lucerne, as well as the neighboring French region of Alsace and the German Black Forest. There are a number of things to see and do if you have a few days to spend.

By foot

This is the standard mode of travel for many within 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 can be a real cardiovascular workout for some if you wander off the main streets - but it's the ONLY way to really 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. Luckily, they're bright green and easy to spot. A stopped tram can accelerate very quickly. Always look the OTHER WAY for a tram if you're crossing behind one that just passed you. Your view may have been blocked by the tram that just passed you.

By tram and bus

Basel has an extensive tram (light rail) and bus network (map). Trams in Basel are the greatest amenity you can imagine. They are absolutely prompt - as is all public transit, relatively inexpensive, clean and very convenient. Each stop has maps of the system for the trams that stop there as well as a listing of arrival times at that stop. Free tram transfers are allowed in the city during the period of validity of your ticket, as long as you go in one direction.

Every tram and bus stop has a green ticket vending machine. You will need Swiss currency (coins only), except for a few places that accept Euros. Inside the city limits, all destinations farther than 4 stops away are Zone 1. As long as you are traveling away from your stop, you can ride on one ticket. Some train station vending machines also sell tickets for trams. (Don't buy first class, because trams do not have first class cars.) Round trip tickets are fine, but watch out for any conditions, like same day return. Multi trip tickets or multi-day tickets are also available. If you're several people or plan on spending more than a couple of days in Basel, it is worth considering buying a 12-trip 1 zone ticket, available at every kiosk. It's not significantly cheaper but more convenient because it saves you having to fiddle around with change. Do NOT buy a half-price ticket, unless you have an annual Halbtax-Abo(half-tariff card) issued by Swiss Railways SBB (cost CHF 150, worthwhile if you plan to spend more than 300 CHF on Swiss train tickets during your trip or within one year - which can happen quite quickly).

Tram doors are controlled by push buttons on the door (outside) and above the door or on the grab rail near the door (inside). Push the button, to signal the driver that you want to get off at the next stop, or once the tram has come to a halt, and the door will open for you. Doors close automatically before the tram starts moving. HOLD ON! Trams accelerate quickly and brake quite abruptly. Each upcoming stop is announced by a recorded voice (in Standard German) along with the numbers of connecting trams at that stop.

Buses mostly serve the outer-lying areas of Basel, where there are no tram tracks. The fare is the same as the trams, and transfers are free. There are also special buses that connect to nearby towns in France and Germany.

Tram and bus travel is on the honor system. Nobody collects your ticket. Periodically, a number (4-8) of "tram police" (undercover agents) board a tram and halt it short of a regular stop. They quickly examine everyone's ticket. If you don't have one, expect a large fine to be levied - in the neighborhood of 100 Francs. Even in this exercise, there is efficiency. Typical halts last less than 3 minutes - the precision of the schedules can't be messed up!

Many better hotels in Basel offer each registered guest a free tram travel card on check in. This is a great benefit, as it can be worth the price of a lunch every day you stay. Your only challenge is getting to the hotel as you arrive on the first day.

By cycle

Basel is a very 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! 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.

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.

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.

By boat

You can be carried across the Rhine by Fähri, one of Basel's four small ferry boats, which, hanging at a steel rope, are silently drawn by the current between the two banks of the river. One river crossing costs CHF 1.20 for adults and 0.60 for children. The most popular one may be the one that starts in Grossbasel just below the Münster.
Various day excursions up and down the Rhine, on large motor boats, are offered by Basler Personenschiffahrt, Reservations phone +41 61 639 95 00. Boats depart from Schifflände, near the Grossbasel end of Mittlere Brücke.

By car

Driving in Basel is not recommended for visitors, as the roads are very confusing and are shared with trams (note, cars must yield to trams). Parking in the old city is also expensive and scarce.

Basel Switzerland Hotels

By foot

By tram and bus

By cycle

By boat

By car