We are in the final stages of booking our accommodations in Basel in December. We have narrowed down our options (based on current availability) to a few places between Basel SBB and the Rhine, but there are a couple of hotels on the East side of the Rhine we are considering as well.
We plan to take day trips during the week to Strasbourg and Colmar and would use public transportation from our accommodations to the train station. My question is, how reliable and packed (on weekdays/evenings - not weekends) are the trams in Basel during the Christmas Market season? Is it like the monorail at Disney after final fireworks display and closing, or is it possible to find a seat?
I understand that weekends are pretty busy so we will probably use the weekend to walk and tour Basel, and take breaks at our hotel. Just studying what to expect--if public transport is packed/onerous even on weekdays, we will likely stay closer to the train station - not across the river.
Posted by
Green Bay
23711 posts
With trams operating every few minutes, I would not worry about it. Locals use them all the time throughout the year for commuting, shopping, visiting, etc. Christmas Markets are just one of many festivals throughout the year in Basel. They are nothing like the Disneyland Monorail.
Of course finding a seat depends on how many people boarded the tram before you. You do not indicate your age, but I and others have been shocked in Europe at how readily younger people jump up and offer their seats if you look a bit older.
Posted by
OP
Northern Gulf Coast
343 posts
Thanks for the quick response - it is helpful information.
My husband is 70 and I am 58. Honestly, he does not look his age; he looks younger, but the gray is catching up with the dark brown. I look my age in spite of the chemical hair color; I may need to let that go for better seating...
Posted by
594 posts
I wouldn't expect it to be much different than any other time (except Fassnacht in February....). And why worry about seats for journeys of about 5 minutes? If the hotel is other side of the river you'll also have the option of trains from Badischer station to SBB
Posted by
OP
Northern Gulf Coast
343 posts
We are in pretty good shape, but my husband has a back issue, and I have a bad foot (plantar fasciitis, and at the moment also a blocked nerve in my heel); so saving a kilometer +/- walk across the river each way depending on our condition that day can make a difference.