Hi all,

Have been in Basel for just over a week now but am ready to explore the rest of Switzerland! Since the public transportation is so good here i figure i will take advanatge and start planning some weekend day trips.

Any suggestions on where to go from basel?

Is anyone interested in starting a group to plan a trip a month (or something like that)?

Cheers!

Hey Rose,

There are a LOOOTT of places for day-trips. Depends on what you want to do: sight-seeing or some activity...

Interlaken is a good place. Lots of options there: paragliding to hikes to sight-seeing.

Then of course, there are the cities. And the hikes everywhere, all over the place.

Count me in for any weekend-trips you may be planning. Or if I think of something, I'll let you know. Right now, I'm thinking of a hike to or around the Aletsch glacier the coming weekend. I dont have much details about it, but I've heard from friends that's it's a good experience.

Regards
Nikhil

Hi,

you must be the energizer bunny Well first thing would be to get a half price rail card. You can now get one combined with a prepay visa card which can be very useful.

They call Basel the turntable of europe so really you can go anywhere you want to from Basel. In terms of Switzerland there are so many things to do. Depending on what you like. Of course the ski-ing season will start soon.

Have fun

Martin

Hey there,

A friend mentioned recently that there is a specific guide book / map you can buy which is aimed at tram travel and hiking from Basel - ie. it tells you which tram to get on, gives you a hiking route and then tells you the tram for the return journey. I believe you can buy it from the travel shop in the SBB, although I'm not sure of the name (keep meaning to get one myself).

living in basel has been awesome. france southern germany all of schweiz....the black forest is a good trip....zurich, st. gallen, lugano, luzern......

I'm jealous! You are all doing some great stuff from Basel! I have to wait a few more months....though I will be there in a couple of weeks time, but sadly, just a fleeting visit this time.

Enjoy! It all sounds great!

Pam

I would recommend a short trip North to Alsace, Colmar is a lovely town, also Riquewihr is a very picturesque walled village with wine tasting at the various Alsation vineyard outlets. I would recommend Hugel but there are several very good ones.

Colmar or Strassbourg are easy day trips to France. Heidelberg or Stuttgart are also a mere 2 hours from Basel and all of Switzerland is within day trip range. Buy a good tour book (I like the DK books) for all three countries nad then you can make the most of your time off while living here.

Did a day trip to Titlis a few weeks ago. Even though there was a lot of cloud about it, it was highly enjoyable. If you take your wellies, you can row a boat on Trubsee for 10 francs.

Definitely get your half-abo.

Thanks all! Sounds like some good advice. Will have to aort out time for trips now. Is it worth it to day trip it somewhere on a Suanday or will it be a waste of time since everything is closed Sundays?

I recommend Lucerne.

Almost all tourist places are open on Sundays, so that's the best day to travel.

Plus one thing I forgot to mention yesterday: If you are planning to day-trip frequently, then there is the option of "Tageskarte" or Day-pass. With this, you get unlimited travel anywhere in Switzerland for the whole day (Sat, Sun and Holidays), except some mountain railways etc. One of this costs CHF 54.00 (with that Halb-tax card). But if you buy a six pack of these "Tageskarte", then you pay for only five CHF 270. Plus this can be used by other people with you - it doesn't have anyone's name on it. A very good option...

If you want to make a day trip in Alsace,

this website has a lot of info in English on fun things to do in Alsace...

Thanks for all the replies! I have decded to try and do at least one day trip a month form Basel. Planned a day trip to Bern for 8 November. If anyone is interested, see the social events page. More to follow!

Great initiative Rose.

How about Europa Park? I heard it's a lot of fun!! But not sure if it would be a good idea now, since winter is right round the corner.

Hi

the hiking book that gives you local walks using public transport to get to the starting place is called 'Wandern mit dem Abo'.

It is available from Bider and Tanner as well as the SBB:

It is excellent- the walks are wonderful.

The aletsch glacier is absolutely stunning........we did 3 day hike from belalp to riederalp to fischeralp

Hi, Is this booklet available written in English ? and...
Can i purchase it now, online ? or pay and collect it from the youth hostel maybe ?, give me a chance to read up first,
thanks.