By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 26 February 2025 | Updated: 3rd January 2026
There are a few ways to get from Basel to Zurich, with some quicker than others and some much cheaper too. So here is our guide on how to get from Basel to Zurich, or vice versa:
Getting Around Switzerland
When planning a trip to Switzerland, one of the best and we think the easiest ways to get around is via public transport. We’ve lived here for a few years now and opt to take the train over driving if we can still!
The most popular option for getting around is with the Swiss Travel Pass, an all-in-one pass which includes most public transport across the country. With this pass, you simply need to print it out and keep it with you for your entire trip so you can show it if asked for it. There is no need to book trains in advance unless they are dedicated experiences (such as the Glacier Express or a trip to Jungfraujoch).
Another option is to get a Saver Day Pass for a specific date that can be used on all public transport; the prices of these go up depending on the date and how far in advance you book the ticket as well though, so they need to be booked well in advance.
How to get from Basel to Zurich
There are three main transportation options to get between Basel and Zurich: renting a car, taking the Basel to Zurich train or flying.
Basel To Zurich By Car
It takes around 1 hour to drive direct between Basel and Zurich via the A3. This is the quickest route and is around 90km long. If you want a route with sightseeing stops then the following locations are good options, which make the entire drive just under 2 hours and around 110km:
Laufenburg
Jurapark Aargau
Baden
Car Hire
There are a wide range of vehicles to rent at Basel EuroAirport, with numerous companies to choose from but we would recommend going through Rentalcars.com as not only have they got a great comparison tool but plenty of rental options for every budget and group size too, (we have used them a few times in both Switzerland as well as other destinations in Europe and they have always been fantastic).
Basel To Zurich By Train
How long does the train ride take from Basel SBB to Zurich HB?
Trains take from 53 minutes, (which is the direct route via the Hauenstein-Basistunnel so no stops), up to around 1 hour 15 minutes, which can be direct or with one stopover in Aarau or Olten.
How much does a train ride between Basel SBB and Zurich HB cost?
If you book in advance it can cost from as little as CHF 9, but if you book on the day it can be anything from CHF 10 up to CHF 18.
How many trains run from Basel SBB to Zurich HB each day?
Around 95 trains run between Basel SBB and Zurich HB every day.
🚄 First train – 00:04 🚄 Last train – 23:31
Best prices – times of day that are often discounted
You’ll tend to find that during the week the routes can be discounted all day, other than the morning and evening ‘rush hour’. On the weekends they can be discounted all day, other than the odd train here and there which tend to be around midday and 5pm / 6pm.
Rail Passes / Train Tickets
There are a number of different train tickets that you can use to get between Basel and Zurich. Remember to buy your ticket before boarding any public transport; from a ticket machine, ticket desk within a station, on the SBB Mobile App or via the Switzerland Travel Centre.
🎫 One-Way Ticket – this can cost anything from CHF 9 to CHF 18
🎫 Saver Day Pass – this allows you to take the train between Basel and Zurich for free, just the cost of the pass which can vary depending on when the pass was bought, (the earlier the better!), it can be as cheap as CHF 29 for half fare card holders or CHF 52 for non holders. Only available if booked in advanced, this is the ticket we would recommend if you plan on exploring a lot, as it allows you to use all public transport in Basel, Zurich and between the two for an entire day.
🎫 Swiss Half Fare Card – if you plan on spending at least a month in Switzerland then with the Swiss Half Fare Card you can get a 50% discount on any tickets between the two cities, as well as most other public transport across the country too. 1 month costs from CHF 120 – buy here.
🎫 Swiss Travel Pass – available for 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days, you can have unlimited travel on most public transport, 50% discount on mountain transport and free admission to over 500 museums. Starting at CHF 244, with this pass a trip between Basel and Zurich is free – buy here.
🎫 You can also get a Swiss Travel Pass Flex, which includes all of the above pass, but allowing travel for 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 days across a month. Prices start from CHF 279 – buy here.
Basel To Zurich By Flight
You can also fly between Basel and Zurich, although we wouldn’t recommend it. It takes an average of 2 hours 45 minutes and includes a stop-over in either Munich or Frankfurt!
How to get from Basel to Zurich airport
If you want to get from Basel to Zurich Airport the easiest and cheapest way to do it is to take the train from Basel SBB to Zurich HB then switch to one of the connecting trains that takes you directly to Zurich Airport. Door to door it should take around 1 hour 30 minutes at most.
How to get from Basel EuroAirport to Zurich
To get from Basel EuroAirport to Zurich you will need to catch the number 50 bus into Basel before switching to a train to Zurich at Basel SBB. Again from the airport to Zurich HB should take around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Basel to Zurich Tours
There are a few tours between Basel and Zurich, however, they are fairly pricey, especially when you can take the train between the two and do a dedicated city tour instead for a fraction of the price. So with that in mind, here are our favourite city tours for each:
Best Tours in Zurich
📍City Tour, Lake Cruise & Lindt Visit (this is our personal favourite as it includes a bit of everything)
📍Zurich by Coach, Cable Car & Ferry
Best Tours in Basel
📍Jakob’s Basler Leckerly Bakery Tour
Now you have all the details about how to get between Basel and Zurich, be sure to check out our city guides for both cities. With 1 to 5 day itineraries, things to do in each season, best day trips and more!
📍Is Basel Worth Visiting & When
📍Is Zurich Worth Visiting & When
Where To Stay In Zurich & Basel
Where to stay in Zurich
🏨 Budget – CitizenM Zurich
🏨 Mid Range – B2 Hotel Zurich
🏨Luxury – The Dolder Grand
Where to stay in Basel
🏨 Budget – Central City Hotel Rochat
🏨 Mid-range – East West Hotel Basel
🏨 Luxury – Grand Hotel LES TROIS ROIS
Basel To Zurich FAQs
How much does it cost to get from Basel to Zurich?
It can cost from as little as CHF 8 to get between Basel and Zurich via train, although this can vary depending on the time of day and day of the week.
Is train from Basel to Zurich scenic?
There are areas along the train route between Basel and Zurich that are scenic, but due to the route often passing through the Hauenstein-Basistunnel, the train isn’t as scenic as others in Switzerland.
Is it better to stay in Basel or Zurich?
This is slightly dependant on what you want to see / do during your time in Switzerland and both Basel and Zurich are great cities to stay in. If you want easier access to the mountains then opt for Zurich, if you want a quieter city that is great for day trips into Switzerland as well as France and Germany then opt for Basel.
Conclusion: How To Get From Basel to Zurich (Or Vice Versa)
There is our guide to all the best ways to get from Basel to Zurich or vice versa. Although there are a few different ways to get between the two cities, taking the train is by far the best, and our preferred option.
Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.