How can you get to Basel, Switzerland, without flying?

Question

How can you get to Basel, Switzerland, without flying?

Answer 1

swim, ferry, var, train, bus, bicycle or even shanks' pony!

Answer 2

We lived in Germany for three years. I think you will really enjoy your trip. We spent a weekend in Paris while we were there and that was super nice too. Do whatever you think you would enjoy doing but if it cost a lot to do its not always worth it. You will have to convert your Dollars to Euro, no where takes Dollars there. Also a lot of places only take cash and not cards so be aware of that. You can buy a converter for the outlets but it depends on what you think you will need to plug in. Some things need a transformer and some don't. A laptop won't need a converter because the box connected to the cord is a transformer. You can just buy a little adapter for like a dollar. As for speaking the language...well I didn't pick much up. Most people will speak english and some places have english menus too. Depends on how much military is in the area I guess. I could say I didn't speak German, ask them if the speak English...just the basic stuff. I could hold a small conversation by the time we left. Remember to try to talk a little slower than average. I talk super fast and that will confuse people sometimes.

Answer 3

Train - fast connections from Germany, for example, going south from Cologe, Karlsruhe etc.



Boat - you can take a boat on the Rhine, even upstream all the way from Rotterdam on the North Sea.



Road - fang it on the German autobahn, or do it at a more leisurely pace from France or within Switzerland. The traffic is pretty clear into Basel, although driving within the city is not so fun. Watch out for the killer trams!



Foot/bike: Basel is on the border to France and Germany. You can walk or ride a bike over the border. Most times you won't even have your passport checked.

Answer 4

To avoid flying and generating CO2, my wife has just booked a train to France via the Eurostar website - she found this the best site for trains by far - she's going to make the journey from Liverpool to the south of France in one day, so Basel should be similar

Answer 5

Train is definitely best! Eurostar to Paris than TGV to Basel on a newly built Strasbourg line branch. Minus on this one is need to change stations in Paris. If you want to avoid this, than go to Brussels, than Thalys (French TGV) to Cologne, followed by ICE (German Rail) to Basel. Whole journey should not be more than 7-8 hrs, all on fab and comfy high-speed trains, 1st or 2nd class coaches with on board restaurant. Good luck!

Answer 6

From Paris take the train at the "Gare de l'Est" Station, direct to Basel! But it is about 5h30!!!!

Now we have the TGV going to Strasbourg, so it can be faster if you have a short change...but almmost all tickets are sold out!

www.voyages-sncf.com

or for Swiss rails: www.cff.ch (also in English)

Answer 7

It obviously depends on where you are from. I'm currently in Australia and it would take me 6 weeks to get to Switzerland by boat - even longer if I swim!

Answer 8

I would try horseback. Very easy to get into switzerland on a horse.

Answer 9

The Train is the Best way.

Answer 10

If you are on continental Europe then a train would be your best bet. Look at the Swiss train site....http://www.sbb.ch/en/

Answer 11

Train, I should think. Eurostar to France then overland from there.

Answer 12

I personally can get there by train, but you may or may not be able to, depending where you live.

Answer 13

Depending on where you're arriving from, either train, bus,

car, or foot.

Answer 14

Rhine cruise?

Answer 15

Coach trip or sea trip first and then train.

Answer 16

Look at http://www.raileurope.co.uk/europeantickets/ ,for trains

Answer 17

but from where to Basel???

Answer 18

if you are anywhere in Europe.....trains, buses, cars, bicycles, skateboards, walking

Answer 19

you can always walk i guess