Train Zurich - Basel prices from $20.30

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$20.30

Zurich to Basel by train

The journey from Zurich to Basel by train is 47.56 mi and takes 1 hr 23 min. There are 102 connections per day, with the first departure at 12:02 AM and the last at 11:38 PM. It is possible to travel from Zurich to Basel by train for as little as $20.30 or as much as $118.19. The best price for this journey is $20.30.

Lowest Price$20.30
Journey Duration1 hr 23 min
Connection per Day102
Lowest Price$20.30
Highest Price$118.19
First Departure12:02 AM
Last Departure11:38 PM
Distance47.56 mi
DepartureZurich
ArrivalBasel
CarriersTGV Lyria, SBBMore

Zurich to Basel Train Times

Departure date
Tuesday, Mar 19, 2024

Getting from Zurich to Basel by train

The train ride from Zurich to Basel lasts on average 1 hr 23 min. Around 102 trains depart a day between Porto and Faro. The average price is $43.58, and the lowest ticket pricing starts at around $20.30.

The train journey from Zurich to Basel is operated by the Swiss national company SBB. The train journey is short and sweet, thanks to comfortable trains and the breathtaking scenery of the Swiss countryside. Eurocity and Intercity are two services that connect the two cities, and they run around every 10 minutes. 

Intercity is a train service that operates within Suises borders. You can purchase Economy and First Class seats. All classes guarantee free WiFi and power sockets, while in First Class, you can enjoy a quiet area, extra luggage space, and fold-down tables.

Eurocity is an international train service that offers Economy and First Class seats. You can enjoy free WiFi, Air conditioning, and power sockets, and in First Class, passengers can stretch their legs with extra legroom and a meal brought to their seats.

Zurich Main Tran terminus (Hauptbahnhof) is the largest station in the country. Underneath the station is an underground shopping mall with over 200 underground shops. The primary platforms serving TGV and ICE trains are on the ground level. On the level under the shopping mall, you will find platforms serving the Zurich to Munich Eurocity line and the local S-Bahn lines. The station features ATMs, plenty of restaurants, cafes, and shops. It is located on the old town's border and within easy walking distance from the city center.

You will complete your journey at Basel SBB station, the central station in the city. The platforms are divided into those serving the local S-bahn lines (1 to 3), main platforms (4-17) primarily serving fast trains like TGV and ICE, and Basel SCNF serving French regional trains. The station features plenty of ATMs, luggage lockers, and a good choice of places to grab something to eat.

 You can explore the charming old town area within walking distance from the station, with its cobblestone streets and historic architecture. If you are in the mood for art, we recommend the Kunstmuseum Basel, a world-renowned art museum featuring classic and contemporary works. For a bit of nature, head to the Rhine River, which runs through the city and offers lovely views and plenty of walking trails. 

So if you plan to travel from Zurich to Basel by train, let us help you plan it. We check thousands of rail, bus, and flight destinations to help you find the best price. Check out our handy price calendar below, where you can see the best prices across all modes of transport from Zurich to Basel.

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Compare prices and tickets from Zurich to Basel

Cheap train tickets from Zurich to Basel
Looking for the best deal on a train ticket for your trip? Here are 4 ways to get cheap train tickets from Zurich to Basel.

Book in advance and save

If you're looking for the best deal for your trip from Zurich to Basel, booking train tickets in advance is a great way to save money, but keep in mind that advance tickets are usually not available until 3 months before your travel date.

Stay flexible with your travel time and explore off-peak journeys

Planning your trips around off-peak travel times not only means that you'll be able to avoid the crowds, but can also end up saving you money. Being flexible with your schedule and considering alternative routes or times will significantly impact the amount of money you spend on getting from Zurich to Basel.

Always check special offers

Checking on the latest deals can help save a lot of money, making it worth taking the time to browse and compare prices. So make sure you get the best deal on your ticket and take advantage of special fares for children, youth and seniors as well as discounts for groups.

Unlock the potential of slower trains or connecting trains

If you're planning a trip with some flexible time, why not opt for the scenic route? Taking slower trains or connecting trains that make more stops may save you money on your ticket – definitely worth considering if it fits in your schedule.

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Best time to book Zurich to Basel travel

Virail Pro Tip ✌: Booking 10 days in advance save 10% on average

Price as departure date approaches

Train companies may charge higher ticket prices as the date of departure approaches. Prices in the next days can range from around $6.48 to $31.17 but may be subject to change. Our advice is to book as early as possible to potentially save up to 79% on your trip!

Best time to book cheap train tickets from Zurich to Basel

The cheapest Zurich - Basel train tickets can be found for as low as $12.28 if you’re lucky, or $18.64 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as $30.45.

Find the best day to travel to Basel by train

When travelling to Basel by train, if you want to avoid crowds you can check how frequently our customers are travelling in the next 30-days using the graph below. On average, the peak hours to travel are between 6:30am and 9am in the morning, or between 4pm and 7pm in the evening. Please keep this in mind when travelling to your point of departure as you may need some extra time to arrive, particularly in big cities!

Carriers on this route

Find out more about the carriers on this route.

Swiss Federal Railways, or SBB, is the country's railroad organization. All around Switzerland, SBB offers passenger rail services with connections to nations including Germany, Austria, Italy, and France. SBB provides a range of train services, including high-speed trains, regional trains, and international trains, and offers different classes of service, from standard seating to luxurious sleeper cabins.

SNCF, the French national railway company, offers TER, a comprehensive regional train service. TER (Transport Express Régional) trains connect cities, and villages within regions of France, offering local transportation for commuters and tourists as they explore the regional culture, landscape, and attractions through its vast network of regional routes. TER trains are slower than the high-speed trains but offer a more affordable and comfortable alternative for shorter journeys within the regions.

TGV Lyria is a high-speed train service that operates between France and Switzerland. It is a joint venture between the French national railway company SNCF and SBB, the Swiss national railway company. TGV Lyria trains operate on several routes between major cities in France and Switzerland, including Paris, Geneva, Zurich, Basel, and Bern. The trains are known for their high speed, with some routes reaching speeds of up to 320 km/h (200 mph), making them one of the fastest trains in Europe.

Ticket types and facilities from Zurich to Basel

Compare the different ticket types and the facilities provided by TER and TGV Lyria when traveling from Zurich to Basel.

Standard

TER train tickets have a fixed "Tarif Normal" fare and are valid for a single journey until midnight the day after validation in platform stamp machines. Some regions may offer off-peak discounts.
luggage Luggage
accessibility Accessibility
air_con Air conditioning
bicycle Bicycle

Standard

STANDARD ticket provides an affordable 2nd class journey experience with three levels of exchange and refund flexibility - full, partial, and no flexibility - on all France - Switzerland international routes.
wifi WiFi
power_sockets Power sockets
luggage Luggage
accessibility Accessibility
food_and_drink Food and drink
air_con Air conditioning
bicycle Bicycle

Standard 1ère

STANDARD 1ÈRE ticket provides a value-for-money first-class journey with flexibility and access to all trains, available on all international routes between France and Switzerland.
wifi WiFi
power_sockets Power sockets
luggage Luggage
accessibility Accessibility
food_and_drink Food and drink
air_con Air conditioning
bicycle Bicycle

Business 1ère

BUSINESS 1ÈRE caters to passengers seeking a luxurious travel experience, with flexibility, tailored amenities and services, and is available on specific routes during weekdays and select times on Sundays.
wifi WiFi
quiet_zone Quiet zone
power_sockets Power sockets
luggage Luggage
accessibility Accessibility
food_and_drink Food and drink
air_con Air conditioning
bicycle Bicycle

Facility Description

Find out more about the different facilities available onboard with each carrier on this route.

wifi WiFi open icon close icon
TER trains are currently without WiFi services.
power_sockets Power sockets open icon close icon
Modern TER trains come equipped with power sockets.
luggage Luggage open icon close icon
TER trains have no restrictions on the size of bags, as long as they are within your personal handling capability and can fit in designated luggage areas.
accessibility Accessibility open icon close icon
Accès TER' offers specialized assistance for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility, ensuring a seamless travel experience.
food_and_drink Food and drink open icon close icon
TER trains do not provide onboard catering; consider bringing your refreshments.
bicycle Bicycle open icon close icon
Traveling with a bike on TER trains is free, simply hang it or store it in designated areas on a first-come, first-served basis, booking not available.
wifi WiFi open icon close icon
Connect to _WIFI_LYRIA for free WiFi and access the TGV Lyria Portal via your browser.
quiet_zone Quiet zone open icon close icon
A quiet car exclusive to TGV Lyria BUSINESS 1ERE, perfect for focused work or relaxation.
air_con Air conditioning open icon close icon
Carriages are air-conditioned, with air filtered every three minutes and fully refreshed every nine minutes.
power_sockets Power sockets open icon close icon
All seats in both classes have 2-pin, 230v power sockets for laptops and mobiles.
luggage Luggage open icon close icon
On TGV Lyria trains, you can bring hand luggage that's easy to carry and fits neatly in the designated spaces. This ensures everyone has room for their belongings and can enjoy a smooth ride
accessibility Accessibility open icon close icon
First Class carriages 1 or 11 have 2 seats for passengers with reduced mobility. Book these seats in advance, or a standard seat if they're taken. Station assistance for wheelchair storage is available upon request.
food_and_drink Food and drink open icon close icon
On TGV Lyria trains, choose between 'Le Deli' available in the café-bar or at your seat with a STANDARD ticket, and 'La Table' for a French-Swiss meal with a BUSINESS 1ÈRE ticket.
bicycle Bicycle open icon close icon
On TGV Lyria trains, you're welcome to bring a variety of items with you. This includes folded bikes (no larger than 130 x 90 cm), kids' pushchairs, skis, foldable scooters (both electric and manual), surf and snowboards, encased musical instruments, and wheelchairs (manual or electric) for those with mobility challenges.
Services on board TGV Lyria, SBB and TER from Zurich to Basel
Compare services on board when travelling from Zurich to Basel by train.
Facilities TGV Lyria SBB TER FlixBus
quiet_zone Quiet zone check check cross cross
wifi WiFi check check check check
power_sockets Power sockets check check check check
luggage Luggage check check check check
accessibility Accessibility check check cross cross
food_and_drink Food and drink check check check check
air_con Air conditioning check check cross check
bicycle Bicycle check check cross cross
sleeper_couchette Sleeper check check cross cross

Zurich to Basel CO2 Emissions by Train

Ecology
Train
5.36kg
Bus
5.74kg
Flight
15.31kg
Car
12.25kg
What are the CO2 emissions from Zurich to Basel by train? The CO2 emissions from taking the train between Zurich and Basel are 5.36kg.
How much CO2 do I save by taking the train between Zurich and Basel? By taking the train between Zurich and Basel you will save 9.95kg CO2 emissions compared to a flight, 0.38kg compared to a bus and 6.89kg compared to a car.

Anything we can improve?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a train ticket from Zurich to Basel?
A train ticket from Zurich to Basel is $43.58. However the price varies depending on how early you buy, and if it's peak time to travel. Occasionally you can find them for as cheap as $20.30.
What's the cheapest train ticket from Zurich to Basel?
The cheapest ticket you can get from Zurich to Basel is $20.30. We recommend booking as early as possible and off-peak hours to get the cheapest ticket possible. Off-peak times are usually from 09:30 to 16:00, and after 19:00.
What's the distance between Zurich and Basel by train?
Zurich to Basel is 47.56 mi.
How long does the train between Zurich and Basel take?
Zurich to Basel is on average 1 hr 23 min. However the fastest option will get you there in 0 hr 54 min.
Which companies operate from Zurich to Basel?
The train journey from Zurich to Basel is covered by 4 operator(s). On Virail you can find these carriers that provide services on this route: TGV Lyria, SBB, Schweizerische Bundesbahnen, TER and FlixBus.
How many train connections per day go from Zurich to Basel?
Zurich to Basel has 102 connection(s) per day on average.
What time does the first train from Zurich to Basel leave?
The earliest train from Zurich to Basel departs at 12:02 AM. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
What time does the last train from Zurich to Basel depart?
The latest train from Zurich to Basel departs at 11:38 PM. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
Should I book my ticket from Zurich to Basel in advance?
If you can, we recommend booking your ticket as early as possible to ensure you get better savings. The cheapest train ticket we have found is $20.30 but this may be subject to change depending on the day of travel, hour you wish to depart and how far in advance you book.
From which stations can I leave from Zurich to Basel?
There are 5 station(s) that you can depart from Zurich to go to Basel. You can go from Zürich Enge Bahnhof/Bederstr., Zürich Opernhaus, Zürich Oerlikon, Zürich Altstetten and Zürich and you can arrive at BASEL, Basel St Johann, Basel EuroAirport and Basel Bad Bf.
How many direct connections depart from Zurich to Basel?
There are on average 87 direct connection(s) from Zurich to go to Basel.
What's the fastest journey time between Zurich to Basel by train?
The fastest journey time by train between Zurich and Basel is 0 hr 54 min.
Is there a direct train from Zurich to Basel?
Yes, there is a direct train between Zurich and Basel.
What are the CO2 emissions for Zurich to Basel by train?
The train journey from Zurich to Basel creates 5.36kg of CO2 emissions.

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