Basel for 2 days

Last question first:
"Uber or taxi from airport?" - neither, just take the airport bus.
Taxis are expensive. Expect CHF 40-50 for Basel airport to central Basel.
The bus leaves every 7½ minutes. Bus will cost CHF 4.70 per person, that fare is to anywhere in Basel. You do not need to buy another ticket when you change onto a tram or another bus.

When you check in to your hotel, you will be given a pass for free public transport in Basel for the duration of your stay.

Things to do in Basel.

It is a city for wandering around. The city centre is car-free. Either side of the main shopping streets there are old lanes, where you can get lost and it is impossible to tell which century you are in.
The highest point is the Münster (Minster = Cathedral) on Münsterplatz.

• This website has some 360° panoramas. On the right side there is a menu, scroll down and click on "Münsterplatz": https://www.basel.com/en/360
• Then select "Pfalz". This is a lookout point at the back of the cathedral, overlooking the river.
• Then take one of the ferries across the river. Website with photos: https://www.basel.com/en/Media/Attractions/Ferries
• Then walk along the riverside (click for photo)
• Then cross back over and get totally lost in the back lanes (click photo 1) (photo 2, there are many of these fountains, they all have drinking water.)
• Finally find a café for a well deserved break (click for photo of my favourite café).

The tourist office has leaflets about signposted walks you can take.

It is also a city for museums. There are over 30, starting with the Kunstmuseum (conventional Art museum) and the Fondation Beyeler (20th century Art). Both recommended.

One final thing about Basel airport. Once you have picked up your bags after landing, make sure you go through the exit on the right marked "Switzerland", and not the one on the left marked "France", or you will end up in the wrong country.
See photo here: https://danmarkrejse.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/sam_0202.jpg

We took a tram from the airport. It is basically free if you are staying in a hotel. Get instructions from your hotel. Make sure to exit the airport on the "Switzerland" side. Basel is well served by trams. Find out where your cruise will depart. You may also want to double check the day before. We took a tram to the cruise departure point as well. I believe it was St. Johann. Basel is very colorful and has a fun old town. The muenster and rathuis/marktplatz are highlights. There are nice views of the Rhine from the plaza behind the muenster. We walked on the other side of the river, too. We crossed the river at the art museum and walked to the bridge that goes to the marktplatz. I contacted Basel tourism a few months in advance and they sent me info as well as four or so walking tour maps.

Chris, you and I must have been typing at the same time! Regarding the tram/bus from the airport. I was told that with the hotel confirmation, I would not have to pay a bus fair. We didn't and nobody seems to check (not that I would test it, if I didn't have a hotel reservation) you of course, know more about Basel than I do.

Jules, see here: https://www.tnw.ch/en/service/hotelgaeste-1

For transfer from Basel airport to the hotel, some hotels annotate reservation confirmations with the words "Mobility-Ticket", which is also valid for travel upon arrival at the airport.

So you need a written confirmation with the magic words on it. In practice, I don't think they ever check the airport bus (not a tram). Too full of visitors who don't speak German

The checking is random, the fine for not having a ticket is CHF 100. Since a monthly pass (what the locals have) costs CHF 80, they don't need to check tickets very often to make it cheaper to be legal.

BTW, the driver doesn't sell tickets, you have to get these from the machine at the stop. At the airport strangers are always asking the driver for tickets, and he has to turn them away. Not selling tickets make the bus faster.

I've written a few blog posts on Basel if you're interested. I have a list of our top 25 things to do and a post about general details in Basel like transit, our fav restaurants, etc. It might help a bit. https://sunsetsandrollercoasters.com/destinations/europe/switzerland/

Special interest site very close by: Vitra Design campus and museum in Weil am Rhein. Amazing architecture and industrial design site. I went to see Zaha Hadid’s first constructed job.

Also close, were some Roman ruins (Augusta Raurica). We didn't go, didn't have the time, but they sound pretty impressive. I believe it was about a 30 minute journey by bus or train.

Thanks to all of you for your wonderful responses!

We really enjoyed Augusta Raurica. It’s been a couple of years since we visited but it was easy to get there by train. With only two days I’d recommend staying in Basel though. There’s plenty to see.