When I started planning my trip, Basel wasn't actually the destination I was most excited about.
I initially chose it for one simple reason: the flights were much cheaper.
What I didn't realise at the time was that Basel would become one of the most practical travel bases I've ever used.
Situated on the borders of Switzerland, France and Germany, Basel offers easy access to three countries without needing a car or multiple hotel stays.
During my trip, I used Basel as a base to visit Strasbourg and Colmar in France, whilst also exploring Basel itself. Had I stayed longer, Germany was equally accessible, with Freiburg less than an hour away by train.
If you're looking for a multi-country European city break without constantly moving accommodation, Basel might be one of Europe's most underrated travel bases.
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Planning a trip to Switzerland? Browse my complete Switzerland Travel Guide, where you'll find all my itineraries, scenic train guides, destination advice and budget tips in one place.
Like many travellers planning a trip to the Alsace region, I initially looked at flying directly to Strasbourg.
The problem was price.
Flights to Strasbourg were significantly more expensive than Basel and there were fewer options available from the UK.
Basel immediately stood out as the better-value choice.
Once I started researching further, I realised it also offered excellent train connections to both Strasbourg and Colmar, whilst giving me the option of visiting Germany too.
What started as a budget decision quickly became a strategic one.
If you're deciding whether Basel is the right airport for your trip, I've also shared exactly how I used it on my solo Christmas markets itinerary through Switzerland and France.
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For my trip, I stayed at the Bsmart Motel Basel, which sits directly opposite Basel SBB station.
The hotel itself is fairly basic, but for this particular trip I was happy to sacrifice a little luxury for the location. As a solo traveller visiting in December, I paid just £95 per night, which I thought was excellent value for Switzerland.
Staying so close to the station turned out to be one of the best decisions I made. Each morning I could simply walk across the road and be on a train to another destination within minutes.
If you're planning to use Basel as a base for exploring France, Germany and Switzerland, I'd strongly recommend choosing accommodation close to Basel SBB. It makes the whole trip significantly easier.
If you're travelling solo, I've also written about my experience travelling around Switzerland alone and why I found it one of the easiest countries in Europe to explore independently.
One of Basel's biggest advantages is the airport.
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg serves three countries and is one of the easiest airports I've used in Europe.
Unlike many European airports that sit miles outside the city, Basel Airport is incredibly close to the centre.
From landing to arriving at my hotel took around 10 minutes.
For a short break, that's a huge advantage. Instead of spending valuable time on airport transfers, you can start exploring almost immediately.
Although many visitors simply use Basel as a transport hub, it's worth spending some time in the city itself.
Located on the Rhine River, Basel combines historic architecture, attractive squares, excellent public transport and a relaxed atmosphere.
I found it easy to navigate on foot and by tram, making it a great city for a short break or a day of sightseeing between day trips.
I actually ended up spending less time exploring Basel than I'd planned because I kept disappearing off on day trips. That's one of the reasons I think it works so well as a base rather than somewhere to spend an entire week.
One thing that surprised me was just how simple public transport was. If you're visiting Switzerland for the first time, my Swiss Travel Pass Guide explains when it's worth buying a pass and when individual tickets work out cheaper.
One of the easiest day trips from Basel is Strasbourg.
Journey time: 1 hour 18 minutes
Frequency: Approximately every 30 minutes
Ticket price I paid: £38.50 for a one-way first class ticket (€44.60)
I found the journey straightforward and comfortable, with regular services throughout the day.
Once you arrive, Strasbourg's cathedral, old town and Christmas markets are all within easy reach.
For me, Strasbourg worked perfectly as a day trip from Basel and didn't require an overnight stay.
I've written a complete Strasbourg Christmas Markets Guide covering the 2026 dates, Teddy Street, opening times, maps and transport if you're planning to visit.
Colmar was another destination I visited from Basel.
Journey time: Around 45 minutes
Frequency: Approximately every 30 minutes
Ticket price I paid: £15.97 (€18.27).
The journey is short and simple, making it ideal if you want to maximise sightseeing time.
With its colourful timber-framed buildings, canals and fairy-tale atmosphere, it's easy to see why Colmar is one of the most popular destinations in the Alsace region.
I also have a full Colmar Christmas Markets Guide covering the different market squares, food prices and my favourite places to visit.
One of the things that attracted me to Basel was the possibility of visiting Germany just as easily as France.
Freiburg im Breisgau is less than an hour from Basel by train and is often recommended as one of the best day trips from the city.
Journey time: Around 45-50 minutes
Frequency: Regular direct services throughout the day
Whilst I didn't have enough time to visit Freiburg during this trip, it's firmly on my list for a future visit. Known for its colourful old town, historic market square and location on the edge of the Black Forest, it offers a completely different experience to both Strasbourg and Colmar.
The fact that you can comfortably visit a German city before returning to Switzerland for the evening highlights just how well-positioned Basel is.
For all of my journeys, I found travelling by train incredibly straightforward.
Tickets can usually be purchased:
One thing I would recommend is buying tickets in advance during busy periods, particularly around Christmas.
During my visit, some travellers struggled to purchase tickets at the last minute due to demand, with long queues forming at the ticket office.
If you're travelling during the festive season, buying tickets earlier in the day can save a lot of stress.
One of the things I liked most about Basel was that it doesn't just provide easy access to France and Germany. It's also well connected to some of Switzerland's most popular destinations.
Journey time: Around 1 hour
Often considered one of Switzerland's most beautiful cities, Lucerne is known for its lakeside setting, Chapel Bridge and mountain excursions. It's an easy day trip from Basel and one I'm hoping to visit on a future trip.
Journey time: Around 1 hour
Switzerland's largest city is less than an hour away by train. Whether you're interested in shopping, museums or simply exploring another Swiss city, Zurich is easily accessible from Basel.
Journey time: Around 1 hour
Switzerland's capital is another straightforward day trip. With its UNESCO-listed Old Town and famous clock tower, Bern offers a very different atmosphere to Basel.
Journey time: Around 2 hours
If you're looking to experience the Swiss Alps, Interlaken is one of the country's most popular destinations and can be reached directly by train from Basel.
If you're heading to the Jungfrau Region, you might also find these guides useful:
• Is Interlaken Worth Visiting?
For me, Basel offers five major advantages:
Few destinations in Europe allow you to stay in one hotel whilst exploring three different countries so easily.
I think Basel works particularly well for:
If that's you, I'd recommend starting with my 10 Day Switzerland Itinerary or 4 Day Switzerland Itinerary, which both include some of my favourite places in the country.
If you enjoy day trips and want to maximise what you can see in a short amount of time, Basel is difficult to beat.
Without hesitation.
I originally chose Basel because it offered cheaper flights and easy access to Strasbourg and Colmar.
What surprised me was just how practical it was as a base. The airport transfer was quick, the train connections were excellent and it allowed me to explore multiple destinations without constantly changing hotels.
In fact, I'm already returning to Basel this December. This time, rather than using it solely as a base for France, I'm planning to explore more of Switzerland, including Lucerne.
Whilst I won't be spending my entire trip in Basel on this occasion, I would happily use it as a starting point again. For travellers looking to combine Switzerland with nearby destinations in France or Germany, few cities are better connected.
Montreux is another destination I'd happily return to, particularly during the Christmas markets, and Basel gives me another easy gateway into Switzerland's rail network.
For me, Basel wasn't just somewhere to fly into. It became one of the easiest gateways to exploring this part of Europe.
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