Cheap flights to Basel, Switzerland from $279

Civilized, beautiful and vibrant, Basel is one of Switzerland’s most appealing tourist destinations. Although less famous than Geneva or Zurich, Basel has a well-preserved medieval center and everything is close together in downtown Basel, making it one of the easiest cities to see by foot.

The crowning glory of the city is its fabulous medieval cathedral, the “Münster” which is surrounded by winding cobbled streets. See the intricate sculpture work around the doorways or climb one of the cathedral towers for stunning views over the town and the Rhine.

Basel is also a great place for river tours and you can charter boats or be piloted in leisurely fashion past the rolling fields and hills of the region. Special tour boats also offer two-hour trips which take in all of the city’s sights.

Another of Basel’s great attractions is the lively town market. Buy locally produced fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as Swiss delicacies like chocolate or cheese, as well as local craft products and Rhine wines.

The city also boasts some world-class museums. Head to the Art Museum to see a room stuffed with Picassos and a marvellous renaissance collection or visit the superbly designed Beyeler Foundation, which houses a collection of modern art. For the kids, the Jean Tinguely Museum features animated figures and cartoons, while the city zoo is the largest of its kind in Switzerland.

Basel also offers some unique attractions such as a subterranean sewer tour or taking a dip in the placid waters of the River Rhine. Then there are the city’s many vibrant festivals. Check out the Easter Carnival to see colourful costumes and musical delights and don’t miss the fire festival “Chienbäse” in the nearby town of Liestal.

Best Time to Fly to Basel, Switzerland

If you plan to mix a trip to Basel with a sampling of the Swiss ski slopes, then head over between December and March, when town accommodations will also be fairly cheap. Easter is a great time to visit Basel alone, with the excitement of carnival, but summer allows for more outdoor activities such as swimming in the Rhine and local vineyard tours.

Getting around Basel, Switzerland

The best way to see the Old Town is still by foot, but the city also has an extensive tram and bus network if the hills become too much. When walking, remember to look out for the trams, and be advised that tickets for the trams and buses need to be bought before boarding at the green ticket machines.

Basel, Switzerland airport overview

EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL) is 3.7 miles (6km) northwest of Basel, Switzerland. It’s also 14 miles (22km) southeast of Mulhouse, France and 43 miles (70km) south of Freiburg, Germany – very much at the crossroads of these three countries. Flights to EuroAiport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg can be confusing as some airlines will list it as BSL (Basel), while flights from France will list it as MLH (Mulhouse). The airport also has a third code, EAP, although it’s used less often. It can be confusing, but don’t worry – all three codes really do refer to the same airport.

The airport is run jointly by France and Switzerland. Although technically in France, Swiss International Airlines has headquarters here, and all three countries access the airport without customs or border restrictions. The arrivals, departures and parking terminals are divided into two – the Swiss side is to the south and the French side to the north. On arrival you go through either Swiss or French customs.

Basel, the closest town to the airport, shares its borders with France and Germany. It is rich in medieval architecture and has several art museums, and also hosts an art fair and a world-class carnival. The airport also acts as a gateway to the Alsace region from the French side.

The airport is generally well-run and well-equipped to handle the four million passengers who arrive on flights to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg each year.