What is the best train route from Basel Switzerland to Salzburg Austria?
I will be arriving at the port from a river cruise. From which train station in Basel should I depart to Salzburg?
How far away from the port is it? Usually ships dock at 07:00...is it possible to catch an 08:30-09:00 train?
Off the top of my head. Basel to Zurich, then Railjet train to Salzburg.
What is "best"? Cheapest? Fastest? Most Scenic? What? (It does look like via Zürich meets the first two.)
I concur with Sam and Lee. The quickest route (and therefore the route railway route-planners will give you) is Basel - Zürich - Salzburg. This is also a scenic route as it is going along the Alps.
But what do you mean by best (cheapest, fastest, modest scenic, ...)?
By best I mean fastest and cheapest
The answer is still the same route. RailJet departs Zurich every two hours. Trains that make a good connection with these depart Basel about 9:30, 11:30, and 13:30. See http://www.oebb.at/en/Tickets/SparSchiene/index.jsp for advance-purchase discounts on the Zurich-Salzburg leg. Swiss trains don't offer advance discounts; you can buy tickets at the station or at www.sbb.ch.
I would recommend to rent a car, and take your time... rail in ch is expensive.
