- Recommended
Kunstmuseum Olten
Olten’s main art museum, showing Swiss and regional art in a manageable setting close to the old town and station.
Cheapest price on 17 Sept
£11
Average ticket price on 17 Sept
£16
Fastest journey on 17 Sept
24 m
Average journey duration on 17 Sept
27 m
Trains on 17 Sept
5
Distance
34 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Basel to Olten is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Basel to Olten will cost around £16 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £11.
On Thu 17 Sept, we found 5 trains from Basel to Olten, including 5 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 34 km distance in an average of 27 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 24 m .
The slowest trains will take 33 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.










Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Basel to Olten among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £4 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 59m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.0kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £4, while a train costs an average of £11.
Distance: 34 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£11 Average Price | £4 Average Price Cheapest | £46 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
59m Average total duration Fastest 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 59m Average total duration 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 52m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Basel to Olten:
A coach is £7 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Basel to Olten costing on average £11.
Other travel options to Olten take longer:
Coach takes on average 29m.
The journey is about 23m faster (29m by train vs 52m by car) and roughly £35 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£11 vs £46). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with SBB, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS), Südostbahn.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Basel to Olten trains for tomorrow, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:16 Basel | 0h33 | 6:49 Olten | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 7:04 Basel | 0h24 | 7:28 Olten | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 9:30 Basel | 0h25 | 9:55 Olten | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 16:58 Basel | 0h27 | 17:25 Olten | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 17:04 Basel | 0h24 | 17:28 Olten | 0 changesdirect |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Basel to Olten run on average 12 times per day, taking around 29m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £9 but you can travel from only £4 by coach.
There are 12 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:08, the last at 23:56. The fastest train covers the 34 km distance in 24m.
Distance 34 km |
Average train duration 29m |
Cheapest ticket price £9 |
Trains per day 12 |
Direct trains 12 |
Fastest train 24m |
First train 0:08 |
Last train 23:56 |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Olten — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Olten trip today.
Olten’s main art museum, showing Swiss and regional art in a manageable setting close to the old town and station.
Literary museum dedicated to writer Martin Disteli and related collections, offering insight into regional culture and history.
Natural history museum with accessible displays on local wildlife, geology, and environment, suitable for families and casual visits.
Atmospheric old town area with historic houses, independent shops, and easy walking routes to bridges, churches, and the river.
Riverside promenade along the Aare, ideal for a relaxed walk with views of bridges, birds, and the town skyline.
Wooded local recreation area above Olten with walking trails, picnic spots, and viewpoints over the town and Jura landscape.
A rich potato rösti from nearby Solothurn, often topped with bacon, onion and cheese. It is a staple across north-western Switzerland and common in local inns.
A rustic soup from the Solothurn region made with flour, onions and stock, often enriched with cream. It is a traditional warming dish in local Swiss cooking.
Classic Swiss melted cheese served with bread, popular in Olten in cooler months. It reflects the strong cheese tradition of the surrounding cantons.
Established restaurant serving Swiss and seasonal cuisine in a warm, traditional atmosphere. Good choice for regional specialities.
Traditional brewery venue known for local beer, Swiss dishes and a lively casual setting close to the centre.
Elegant riverside dining with refined seasonal cooking and a calmer atmosphere, suitable for a more polished meal in Olten.
Olten is costly versus most European cities. Hotels, dining and local transport are priced at typical Swiss levels, though it is often a little cheaper than Zurich.
Service is usually included. Round up a little in restaurants, cafés and taxis for good service, such as CHF 1-5 or the next franc.
Official public transport app
Olten Bahnhof -> Olten city centre
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Basel to Olten by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Olten, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Basel to Olten trains use the Basel SBB to Olten station pair, with some services arriving at Olten Hammer. Use this guide to compare Basel and Olten train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Basel SBB is 1 km from Basel city centre. Public transport options include:
Basel SBB has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Restaurant Da Roberto, Brasserie Bahnhof Basel
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Basel SBB. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Basel SBB. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Basel SBB: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Basel SBB: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Basel SBB: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Victoria, Hotel Schweizerhof Basel, GAIA Hotel.
Basel Bad Bhf is 2 km from Basel city centre. Public transport options include:
Basel Bad Bhf has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Restaurant Les Gareçons, Restaurant Bahn Kantine
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Basel Bad Bhf. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Basel Bad Bhf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Basel Bad Bhf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Basel Bad Bhf: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Basel Bad Bhf: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Alexander, Hotel Wettstein, Hotel Balade.
Basel St Johann is 1 km from Basel city centre. Public transport options include:
Basel St Johann has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, WC and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Basel St Johann.
ATMs are available at Basel St Johann.
Available at Basel St Johann: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Basel St Johann: Bike Parking.
Olten has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Restaurant Aarhof, Restaurant Salmen
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Olten. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Olten. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Olten: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Olten: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Olten: Elevators, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Olten Swiss Quality, Hotel Amaris, Hotel Astoria.
Olten Hammer has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Olten Hammer.
ATMs are available at Olten Hammer.
Available at Olten Hammer: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Olten Hammer: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Olten Hammer.
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