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Private taxis from Basel Airport to hotel in town

Posted by (Stockton, CA) on

We'll be taking a river cruise in May, Basel to Amsterdam. Arrive Basel airport, and need to get to hotel in town. I know there is tram service, but I don't walk so well, we will have luggage, and aren't interested in shlepping on/off trams. I've found some taxi booking sites (ZIP Transfer, Swiss Taxi, GET Transfer), with fees ranging from 33 Euro to 38 Euro for private, direct service, with meet and greet at airport. They seem to all want 20% upfront by credit card, the balance paid in cash to the driver. Free cancellation.

Anyone tried any of these, or recommendations for standard taxi? Thanks.

Posted by
8889 posts

Jerry, No, I haven't used any of them, because I always use the bus (not tram, it then connects at Basel station with trams to anywhere in the city). Fare is CHF 4.70 including connecting tram to anywhere in Basel.

I would just get a normal taxi from the taxi rank outside arrivals. There are always taxis waiting there. It will cost CHF 35-45 depending on where in the city you are going. I see no advantage in pre-booking a taxi and paying up front.

Once you check in to your hotel, you will get a ticket for free unlimited use of the trams and buses for the duration of your stay.

P.S. were the quotes really in Euros? €33 to €38 = CHF 40 to CHF 45.
Some places in Basel accept Euros, but at an inferior rate because of the inconvenience and time cost. Better to use Swiss Franks (CHF).

P.P.S: At Basel airport, after picking up your bags make sure you exit by the door to the right marked Switzerland, NOT the door to the left marked France, or you will be in the wrong country and find neither the bus to Basel nor your taxi.

Posted by
152 posts

Chris, thanks for your reply. I think we will follow your advise. After double checking the pricing of the private taxis, their quotes are actually in Euros. However, these are merely booking services, based all over. Hence, they charge a 20% deposit, payable by credit card in Euros. And the balance is paid to the driver, cash, in whatever the local currency may be. In Basel, it would be Swiss francs.

It looks like the cost would be the same using the regular taxis. I have not been very happy with that arrangement in previous travels in Ireland, Italy, and England. There is always some little wrinkle, so that the published meter rates become irrelevant: maybe it's Sunday, after 5 PM, heavy traffic, fuel surcharge, etc., etc. After a long flight, it has been more relaxing to have someone waiting, with a card showing your name, and the price already agreed, and paid.

So, I'm still thinking, and appreciate your insights.

Jerry

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