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How to get from Basel Airport to City Centre

Basel is a unique city located in Switzerland on the borders of France and Germany. With its Medieval downtown, 16th-Century Town Hall, 12th-Century Gothic Cathedral and amazing museums such as the Kunstmuseum, Museum Tinguely and the Museum of Modern Art, Basel is the perfect vacation spot for any history or culture lover. 

When it comes to travelling from Basel airport to the city centre, there are two different transfer options; taxi or public bus. Taking a Basel airport taxi is the easiest way to travel as it takes just 15 minutes and costs around €45. Taking the number 50 bus will cost just €4.70 one-way, but takes at least 20 minutes to reach Basel. 

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Basel at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups €59 15min 24/7
Taxi €45 15min 24/7
Bus €9.40 20min 04:28–00:33

How to get from Basel Airport to the City Centre by Taxi

Taking a Basel airport taxi into the city is the most convenient and comfortable way to travel. The journey time from Basel airport to the city centre is just 15 minutes and the average cost is around €45.

How much is a taxi from Basel Airport to Basel City?

The local taxi drivers at the airport usually use a taximeter to calculate the cost of your journey. However, for the ride from Basel airport to the city centre, the drivers often give a set-rate fare. The average cost is around €45, based on the driver’s discretion.

If you’re looking for a set-rate fare you can rely on, we recommend pre-booking your Basel airport transfer with Welcome Pickups.

Cost

€45

Trip Duration

15 Min.

*Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Basel Airport.

Where do I find a taxi at Basel Airport?

Taxis are readily available 24/7 outside of the Terminal building at Basel airport. Simply walk through the exit doors and you will see the long line of taxis waiting for you.

Convenience

Although not the cheapest transfer option, taking a taxi from Basel airport to the city centre is the quickest and easiest way to travel. Your driver will take you directly from the airport terminal straight to your hotel in just 15 minutes.

Editor’s Note

Taxis in Switzerland are fairly expensive compared to other cities, so if you're travelling on a budget, you may want to consider the public transfer option.

Useful Tips

Regular Basel airport taxis can take up to 3 passengers as standard.
When entering a Basel cab, watch to make sure your driver resets the taximeter if they don’t give you a set fare.
Most Basel taxis accept credit card payments but it's recommended to check with your driver.

How to get from Basel Airport to the City Centre by Bus

Bus number 50 runs from Basel airport to Basel city centre every day of the week. The total journey time is around 20 minutes and the cost is just €4.70, making it a great option for those travelling on a budget.

How much is the bus from Basel Airport to Basel?

The cost of a one-way ticket for the bus from Basel airport to the city centre for adults is €4.70, for children aged 6-16 it’s €3.10 and children under the age of 6 travel for free.

Cost

€4.70

Trip Duration

20 Min.

*There's an average waiting time of 10 minutes for the number 50 bus.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The number 50 bus is available Monday to Sunday from 04:28 to 24:33.

Where do I find the bus at Basel Airport?

The number 50 bus can be located at the bus stands at Basel airport. Simply follow the signs for ‘Ground Transportation’ and you will see the buses parked in front of you. The number of each bus is lit up on the front.

Convenience

Taking the number 50 bus from Basel airport to Basel is a cheap transfer option, perfect for those travelling on a tight budget. The travel time is also just 20 minutes, so it won’t add much extra time to your transfer. However, once you reach Basel, you will need to find alternate transportation to get to your hotel which can be difficult in a new city.

Timetables

Editor’s Note

There's no luggage storage on the bus, be sure to travel light or perhaps choose a taxi if you have large luggage items.

Useful Tips

You can purchase your tickets in Swiss Franks or Euros.
Tickets can be bought from the ticket machines in the arrivals hall or on the bus as you board.
During peak travel times, buses fill quickly, so make sure you arrive early to secure a seat.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Basel. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

Read more

Prices

DAYTIME
€60.0
NIGHTTIME
€72.0
Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

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Frequently asked questions

What's the distance from Basel airport to the city centre?

The distance from Basel airport to the city centre is 6 km. Taking a Basel airport taxi will take just 15 minutes to reach the city, while the number 50 bus will take closer to 20 minutes. 

How much is a taxi from Basel airport to Basel?

The average cost of a taxi from Basel airport to Basel is €45. However, there’s no official set-rate fare. So, if you’re looking for the peace of mind that comes with budgeting your transfers in advance, we recommend pre-booking your Basel airport transfer with Welcome Pickups.

Is there a direct bus from Basel airport to the city centre?

There’s indeed a bus that runs from Basel airport to Basel city centre daily. The number 50 bus takes around 20 minutes to reach the city and costs €4.70 for a one-way ticket. 

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