Zurich to Basel train

Mon, 04 Nov
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Cheap train tickets from Zurich to Basel

Showing times and prices for 04 Nov

Cheapest

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Zurich to Basel is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

Cheapest
SBB
IR 37 2258 | 2258
08:081h05
Zurich HB
09:13Basel SBB
£231One-way
0 changes
Cheapest
SBB
IR 36 1962 | 1962
08:361h14
Zurich HB
09:50Basel SBB
£231One-way
0 changes
Cheapest
SBB
IR 37 2260 | 2260
09:081h05
Zurich HB
10:13Basel SBB
£231One-way
0 changes
Cheapest
SBB
IC 3 560 | 560
08:340h54
Zurich HB
09:28Basel SBB
£231One-way
0 changes
SBB
IC 3 764 | 764
08:590h54
Zurich HB
09:53Basel SBB
£251One-way
0 changes

Zurich to Basel train times

Showing trains for tomorrow, Monday 4 November
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChangesTickets
SNCF | TGV Lyria
9206
07:34 Zurich HB2h11 09:45 Basel St. Johann1 change
SNCF | TGV Lyria
9206
07:34 Zurich HB2h04 09:38 Basel SBB1 change
SBB
IR 37 2258 | 2258
08:08 Zurich HB1h05 09:13 Basel SBB0 changesDirect
SBB
IC 3 560 | 560
08:34 Zurich HB0h54 09:28 Basel SBB0 changesDirect
SBB
IR 36 1962 | 1962
08:36 Zurich HB1h14 09:50 Basel SBB0 changesDirect
SBB
IC 3 764 | 764
08:59 Zurich HB0h54 09:53 Basel SBB0 changesDirect
SBB
IR 37 2260 | 2260
09:08 Zurich HB1h05 10:13 Basel SBB0 changesDirect
SNCF | TGV Lyria
9218
11:34 Zurich HB2h16 13:50 Basel SBB1 change
SNCF | TGV Lyria
9218
11:34 Zurich HB2h11 13:45 Basel St. Johann1 change
SNCF | TGV Lyria
9226
15:34 Zurich HB2h11 17:45 Basel St. Johann1 change
SNCF | TGV Lyria
9226
15:34 Zurich HB2h04 17:38 Basel SBB1 change
SNCF | TGV Lyria
9234
18:34 Zurich HB2h04 20:38 Basel SBB1 change
SNCF | TGV Lyria
9234
18:34 Zurich HB2h11 20:45 Basel St. Johann1 change

This is the last train of the day.

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Compare prices and tickets Zurich to Basel by train or coach

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Train times from Zurich to Basel

Showing times and prices for 04 Nov

Fastest Journey

54 m

Average

1 h 43 m

Trains per day

13

Distance

76 km

Of the 13 trains that leave Zurich for Basel every day 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

Fastest
SBB
IC 3 764 | 764
08:590h54
Zurich HB
09:53Basel SBB
£251One-way
0 changes
Fastest
SBB
IC 3 560 | 560
08:340h54
Zurich HB
09:28Basel SBB
£231One-way
0 changes
SBB
IR 37 2258 | 2258
08:081h05
Zurich HB
09:13Basel SBB
£231One-way
0 changes
SBB
IR 37 2260 | 2260
09:081h05
Zurich HB
10:13Basel SBB
£231One-way
0 changes
SBB
IR 36 1962 | 1962
08:361h14
Zurich HB
09:50Basel SBB
£231One-way
0 changes

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ReviewsReviews for the rail journey from Zurich to Basel

userReviewImage
userReviewLogo
The customer opinion was acquired via Cimenio. Cimenio incentivises its users for giving an honest opinion and proving the booking with a photo of the travel ticket.
Pro
IconTravel stress free ,Meet people
Cons
IconThe announcements in our car were a bit quiet .
The space was OK, the train was not so crowded and the journey was pleasant. The toilets were clean and the wifi reception worked reasonably well. The train staff were polite and courteous. The food on offer appealed to me and the coffee was good.
Pro
IconConnection every 20 minutes
IconTGV can be used
IconAlmost never overcrowded
Cons
IconGerman ICE not very well maintained
In my opinion, the Zurich - Basel route is one of the best developed. On average, you can choose a connection every 20 minutes. The journey time is between 55 minutes for the slower Interregio trains and 1 hour 15 for Intercity, Eurocity and TGV. Yes, you can actually also use the French TGV. Thanks to the high frequency, the trains are usually only moderately busy and almost never overcrowded. If possible, however, I avoid the German ICE trains, because they are much worse maintained than the Swiss trains.
Pro
IconOn time
IconFast connection
IconClean
Cons
IconNo internet via wifi
IconFull
IconAccording to
On my journey from Zurich to Karlsruhe, I also travelled this section to Basel. There were plenty of power sockets, as you would expect from an ICE. Unfortunately, you can't access the internet via the wifi as long as the train is in Switzerland. That's a shame, especially if you don't have any mobile data there yourself. The seats were comfortable and the train and toilets clean, but unfortunately it was very crowded, especially on this section, and therefore very noisy. However, the train left Zurich on time and arrived in Basel on time. The price-performance ratio is also good, as long as you book in advance and get a saver fare.
Pro
IconRiding comfort
Cons
IconPunctuality
The journey on the ICE offered us spacious seats with sufficient and comfortable legroom. We were satisfied with the wifi reception. The staff were attentive and helpful, the food and drinks are varied and of good quality. We can recommend our journey to others.
Pro
IconComfort
IconFriendliness
IconPunctuality
IconSockets available
Cons
IconNo wifi
The journey was very pleasant overall and I would like to emphasise the positive aspects: The seats on the SBB trains offer pleasant legroom and are comfortable. The train staff were always friendly and helpful. Questions were answered patiently. The option to reserve a seat ensures that you have your preferred seat and can travel in comfort. The reservation is subject to a charge. It was not necessary on my journey as there were enough free seats. The cleanliness of the train is remarkable. The toilets were always well maintained and there are enough toilets so that you don't have to search for long. SBB trains are known for their reliability. Arrival in Basel was as planned. The cost of the journey was reasonable. You get a comfortable journey at a fair price. The trains have individual power sockets in 1st and 2nd class. This is particularly handy for charging devices. Unfortunately, this SBB train did not have a wifi service on board. This could be a disadvantage for some travellers. Nevertheless, the positives outweigh the negatives and I can highly recommend travelling from Zurich to Basel with SBB!
Pro
Iconspeed
IconComfort in 1st class
IconDirect connection
IconEnvironmental friendliness
Cons
IconBasel railway station confusing
We took the ICE 74 from Zurich to Basel and used our 1st class Interrail ticket. It was not necessary to reserve a seat, so there were no additional costs. The comfort in 1st class is very good: comfortable leather seats, plenty of space, tables, one power socket per seat - almost a shame that the train arrived on time in less than an hour. The toilet was clean (probably recently cleaned) and the control staff were friendly. The only thing we found rather confusing was the train station in Basel - if you're looking for the departure stop of a particular bus line, you can spend ages looking for it (we only found it because we saw a bus on that line).
Pro
IconEasy booking
Cons
IconExpensive
What I really liked about the train journey was that I could book my ticket very easily. However, the ticket wasn't exactly cheap, which I thought was a shame. I also really liked the fact that I could reach my destination in a very short time and didn't even have to change trains. I was very impressed by the clean toilets. I was also impressed by the very good wifi, which worked perfectly.
Pro
IconFast arrival
Cons
IconExpensive
In my opinion, the very expensive ticket was well worth it, because the journey was flawless and I had nothing to complain about. I arrived at my destination very quickly and didn't have to change trains during the journey. I was able to use the free wifi very easily during the journey. I was very impressed and delighted with the simple online booking, as there were no problems. The toilet was very well maintained.

Overview: Train from Zurich to Basel

distanceDistance47 miles
durationAverage train duration54 min
priceAverage train ticket price£26 (€29)
frequencyTrain frequency12 a day
changesDirect trainYes, there are 11 direct trains a day
carriersTrain providersSBB, SNCF | TGV Lyria or Deutsche Bahn

Trains from Zurich to Basel cover the 47 miles long trip taking on average 54 min with our travel partners like SBB, SNCF | TGV Lyria or Deutsche Bahn. Normally, there are 12 trains operating per day, including direct services available. While the average ticket price for this route costs around £26, you can find the cheapest train ticket for as low as £18. Travellers depart most frequently from Zurich HB and arrive in Basel SBB.

Train companies: SBB, SNCF | TGV Lyria and Deutsche Bahn trains Zurich to Basel

Find the best trains between Zurich and Basel with Omio's travel partners SBB, SNCF | TGV Lyria and Deutsche Bahn from £17. We can find you the best deals, timetables and tickets when comparing and booking the best journey.

SBB is Switzerland's main train company and for your next train trip from Zurich to Basel, SBB offers these ticket types: Round-trip Standard Ticket or First Class.

SBB from Zurich to Basel train information:

  • Average Duration: 54 min
  • Cheapest Price: £17

 Trains from Zurich to Basel

There are frequent daily direct trains from Zurich to Basel, with most services taking around one hour and 20 minutes. Direct trains make the trip west to Basel from Zurich Oerlikon station and Zurich central station roughly three times every hour from the early morning to late evening. Some additional indirect services require a change at Olten. 

Zurich to Basel train time: daily departures

The daily timetable offers frequent direct trains to Basel from Zurich seven days a week. Hourly direct services originate at Zurich Oerlikon station, while three to four trains an hour start from the central station in Zurich.  Some indirect services in the evening require a change at Olten. Schedules offer departures from very early in the morning throughout the day and evening until just before midnight.  

How long is the journey by train from Zurich to Basel?

The fastest train from Zurich to Basel completes the 54-mile trip west in one hour and seven minutes. Most direct and indirect connections take between one hour and 19 minutes and one hour 31 minutes. Due to the frequency of services on this line, connections between trains on indirect journeys are usually very short. 

What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Zurich to Basel?

Departure station: Zurich Oerlikon station is located about two miles north of the city centre, connected by buses and local trains taking around 15-20 minutes. The central Zurich station is located in the heart of Zurich. Both stations have luggage storage facilities, coffee-bars, food mini-markets, newsagents, cash points and WiFi. 

Arrival station: Basel station is situated on the south-east side of the city, about 20 minutes' walk from the centre, with numerous local tram connections and S-Bahn trains making the trip downtown in about 10 minutes. Station facilities include cafes, bakeries, a food supermarket, car rental desks and luggage storage lockers. 

Which train companies travel from Zurich to Basel?

Swiss Federal Railways, abbreviated to SBB in German, CFF in French, and FFS in Italian, operates all the direct and indirect trains on this route from Zurich to Basel. SBB services on this route include InterCity express trains, Interregional local services, and some international express departures en route to German destinations. 

Swiss Federal Railways: Zurich to Basel

Swiss Federal Railways trains from Zurich to Basel are mostly a mix of InterRegional and InterCity services but also include some ICE or EC international departures. Schedules offer a frequent direct service from early morning to late at night, with three to four trains an hour to Basel throughout the day and evening. Timings for the journey range from one hour and seven minutes to one hour 31 minutes. 

Zurich to Basel trains: services on board

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) operates InterCity and InterRegional trains from Zurich to Basel with a choice of first or second-class seating. InterCity trains have a cafe-bistro and a family zone. SBB trains have low-floor access for wheelchair users and dedicated wheelchair spaces. Cyclists can take their bike on board but must purchase a bike ticket. Dogs can travel with their owners for the cost of half the second-class fare. Small pets in carriers travel for free. For passengers with a lot of luggage there is a door-to-door or station-to-station check-in service for a small charge. 

How to find cheap train tickets from Zurich to Basel

As this route to Basel is one of the most popular journeys within Switzerland, it is advisable to book in advance if timing is crucial. The frequency of services between the two cities does mean that if the traveller is willing to be a little flexible about departure times, it is usually easy to find the best-priced tickets. Tickets for InterRegional services are usually the most economical option. 

FAQs: Zurich to Basel train

FAQs: Travel by train from Zurich to Basel easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Zurich to Basel.
FAQs
Cheap train tickets from Zurich to Basel can start from as little as £18 when you book in advance. The average train ticket price for Zurich to Basel is £26; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The train time from Zurich to Basel is on average 54 min   for the 47 mile long journey, but the time it takes to go from Zurich to Basel by train can vary depending on specific dates or if traveling on weekends and holidays.
The first train from Zurich to Basel leaves at 00: 06. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner   from Omio.
The last train from Zurich to Basel leaves at 23: 57.
Yes, it is possible to travel from Zurich to Basel without having to change trains with SBB or Deutsche Bahn. There are 11 direct trains from Zurich to Basel each day. There may be fewer direct services available on weekends or holidays.
Yes, there's a high-speed train to Basel. Take the fast train with SNCF | TGV Lyria from Zurich to Basel.
For the route from Zurich to Basel you can take a train with SBB, SNCF | TGV Lyria or Deutsche Bahn. Be sure to check out all possible train providers that offer services between Zurich and Basel on Omio to compare what amenities they may have.
No, there are no night trains, the latest train for this route is 23: 57.

When departing from Zurich, you have various train station options to start your trip from including Zurich HB, Zurich Airport, Zürich Oerlikon and Zurich Altstetten. When arriving in Basel, you can end your route in train stations like Basel SBB and Basel Bad Bhf.

Passengers board the train most frequently from Zurich HB, which is located around 1.9 miles (3 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the train at Basel SBB, located 1.3 miles (2.1 km) away from the city centre.

A day trip to Basel from Zurich is worth doing with a journey time of 54 min each way. Check with Omio app   the best way to travel.
The cheapest month to travel from Zurich to Basel by train is December.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Zurich and Basel including taking a train or coach.

Important Stations and Airports in Zurich and Basel

Zurich
Basel
The major train station for departures in Zurich is Zürich HB. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Zürich HB for your trip from Zurich to Basel.
Zürich HBWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibility
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Zürich FlughafenParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibility
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The major train station for arrivals in Basel is Basel SBB. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Basel SBB for your journey to Basel from Zurich.
Amenities at train station
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