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How to transfer from Basel airport to Basel train station

Flying into Basel but spending 2 nights in Lucern. Need detail notes on how to get from airport to train. Then will take train back to Basel to get on Viking cruise. How to get from train to Viking cruise ship.
Thank you

Posted by
23242 posts

With luggage and everything, I would just use a taxi. Has Viking given you docking information?

Posted by
8889 posts

There is a shuttle bus from the airport to Basel SBB station. Runs every 7½ minutes (extra buses at busy times), takes about 15 minutes.
Details:

  • When you land, after luggage reclaim, make sure you go through the exit marked Switzerland, NOT the one marked France, or you will be in the wrong country.
  • Walk straight out the building, the bus stop is in front and slightly to the right.
  • You must buy your ticket before you get on the bus, the driver DOES NOT sell tickets
  • The bus stops outside the station (last stop), just go inside, look at the big blue departure board and find the next train to Luzern.

Station to boat is more difficult, because there are three different places in Basel the cruise boats tie up at (St Johann, Klybeck and Dreiländereck). I have been told that sometimes the boats don't know which one they will dock at until a few hours before they arrive.

  • Makes sure you know which location your boat is at.
  • If is St Johann,
    • Take a tram No. 11 (destination "St Louis Grenze") from in front of the station (buy a ticket first, 1 zone from the machine).
    • Get off at "St Johanns-Tor". The boat station is in front of you across a park.
  • The other two are more difficult, they are in the docks, 5-10 minutes walk from the nearest public transport. The easiest option is a taxi. This will cost CHF 30-40.