Private car transfer from Paris to Basel

Along the way, before you get to Basel, you can see how the kings and emperors of yesteryear lived in the lap of luxury at the Palace of Fontainebleau. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the largest chateaus in France and is worth a tour if you would like to imagine yourself in an alternate reality where you are royalty.

Afterward, you can stop at the moody and immaculately Gothic Sens Cathedral, which took four centuries to build, before visiting the medieval city of Troues, which has beautiful timbered houses and knitwear. Then, let's not forget about the Notre Dame du Haut chapel, the Belfort Square with its huge giant statue and citadel, and the Alsace Ecomuseum. The latter is perfect for history lovers since it gives visitors an authentic look into what life was like in rural France during the 19th and 20th centuries.

With all these places and more along the way, you're spoilt for choice, and your private English-speaking Daytrip driver won't mind accommodating your sightseeing requests. So what are you waiting for? Book with door-to-door car service Daytrip today to see these sights and Basel in Switzerland, with its rich mix of history, art, culture, and nature, offering an experience unlike any other.

Like many other European cities, Basel can trace its history back to Roman times when it was used as a fortification city. During the medieval period, Basel became a widespread trade and cultural center, which allowed the city to grow and flourish, leading to the development of universities like the University of Basel in 1460 – which is the oldest university in the city. Nowadays, the city is a major cultural and pharmaceutical hub and sees millions of visitors every year.

Some of the city's most fascinating historic landmarks include the large market square, which is home to a late Renaissance Gothic-style cathedral and a decorative red sandstone town hall. Then there's the Old Town, which is itself a historic hub. A stroll through the Old Town will take you past quaint antique bookshops, small boutique storefronts, modern design stores, and many restaurants. One restaurant you shouldn't miss is Lackerli Huus, which has scrumptious traditional Basel honey cakes!

Culturally, some must-visits include any of the more than 40 museums throughout the city, like the Basel Art Museum, the Museum of Cultures, and the museum devoted to the famous iron sculptor Jean Tinguely. There are also several playhouses and galleries worth exploring, not to mention that the city is home to a symphony and chamber orchestra that puts on international productions.

If staying within city limits is not on your agenda, the Basel countryside is picturesque and worthy of your exploration. The charming countryside is home to cherry trees in the spring, lots of hiking trails, and a beautiful display of blooms when in season. It also doesn't hurt that the Black Forest and the Vosges Mountains are only a stone's throw away from Basel itself.

If traveling by train, book regional trains

Many find themselves with an almost rabid desire to cast their eyes upon the moving scenery when completing a Paris to Basel transfer, and we can't blame them. This trip offers some of the most beautiful views, but if you take a high-speed train, these views can come at a steep price point.

If driving isn't your style, we respect your decision to travel by train, but we recommend booking a regional train instead. Regional train travel offers similar stunning views and saves money on travel fares.

Book accommodation with perks

Switzerland is a costly travel destination, so you can expect your pocketbook to feel dented after a trip to Basel. However, you can get more bang for your buck if you book your accommodation in advance and choose a hotel with perks.

The distance from Paris to Basel is about 324 miles (521 km), and depending on how you travel, it can take anywhere from three hours to eight and a half hours. This means you might want to stop along the way and stay somewhere. If you do, book accommodation with a kitchen to save big on food costs.

You should also look for stays in smaller villages outside big towns and resorts to enjoy cheaper per-night costs. It wouldn't hurt to look for freebies, including WiFi and meals. When you get to Basel, keep these tips in mind, too, to save.

Be prepared for the tourist tax

If you haven't heard of it already, we're sorry to be the ones to bring you the news, but Switzerland and, thus, Basel have a tourist tax. The Swiss tourist tax is usually paid per person and can cost between two and seven Francs per night.

So when you get to Basel, be prepared to pay this to stay overnight. Unfortunately, there is no way around it unless you stay over in one of the nearby cities, which you are in the unique position to do, considering Basel is close to two other European countries. If you're unsure where to stay, ask your Daytrip driver for a few recommendations.

From Paris to Basel by Bus

Flixbus is the most popular option for those who want to travel from Paris to Basel by bus. These buses are known to provide reliable services with a few onboard amenities like bathrooms, charging outlets, and WiFi to make life easier.

Bus travel's biggest downfall is usually its length; this route is no different. If you book with Flixbus or a different bus line, expect the trip to take between seven and nine hours. However, cost-wise, it's cheap. On average, a ticket costs $20 to $40 (€19-€37), and multiple trips are offered daily.

From Paris to Basel by train

Those who want to travel by train have two choices: a regional or high-speed train. The regional train is cheaper than the high-speed train but takes longer.

Regional trains will take four to five hours to travel from Paris to Basel, while high-speed trains like TGV Lyria will take about three hours.

Additionally, a regional train costs between $50 and $100 (€47-€93) one way, while a high-speed train costs between $100 and $150 (€93-€140) or more, depending on whether you travel first or second class.

You should note that traveling by high-speed train is often more comfortable and luxurious than a regional train, but both offer the same scenic views.

From Paris to Basel by private car transfer service

Often, a private car transfer service is one of the best ways to travel the route from Paris to Basel. It might not be a cheap option—or at least the cheapest—with booking prices beginning at $182 (€170) per seat per way, but it offers many benefits.

First and foremost, the booking fee will include all fuel and tolls. Secondly, you will have a private English-speaking driver who knows the route and can get you to Basel safely. Thirdly, you can sightsee along the way in places like Troyes if you want to explore before beginning your adventure in Basel.

Driving with a private car service like Daytrip will also mean you will get to your destination in only five and a half hours, and you won't need to worry about uncomfortable seating and crowded cabins. It is also a far less tiring way to travel, and if you feel like doing so, you can chat with your driver to pick their brain for travel tips.

From Paris to Basel by flight

Flights are also an option if you want to complete a day trip to Basel and get to the city quickly. Air France and EasyJet often offer trips from Paris to Basel multiple times daily, and the flight only takes about an hour and a half.

However, you need to account for travel time to and from the airport, which can increase the travel time to about four hours, making a train faster. Price-wise, flights can be cheap if you book in advance, but you can budget between $50 and $150 (€47-€140) per way.

Flights are quick, but they involve airport hassle, and there is no opportunity to visit places like Belfort, Troyes, Notre Dame du Haut, or the Palace of Fontainebleau along the way.

Zoologischer Garten

Families traveling with young children will love the opportunity to visit the Zoologischer Garten, Switzerland's oldest and biggest zoo. Locals affectionately refer to this zoo as the 'zolli', and it's a place you'll want to explore, considering it has been named one of the fifteen best zoos in the world.

Founded in 1874, the Zoologischer Zoo has some of the world's most exotic species. From mammals and predators to primates, birds, reptiles, and aquatic life, you'll see some of the world's best and little-known animals in one place. The zoo's highlights are its monkey, lion, and elephant enclosures, each featuring unique habitats.

Basler Münster

It might not be what it once was, but that doesn't mean Basler Münster isn't a church you should explore when visiting Basel. This church is easily spotted and recognizable thanks to its brightly patterned roof tiles and prominent spires.

After being nearly completely destroyed by the Protestants in 1529, much of the church was rebuilt, and some of its most precious treasures survived. Many of these treasures were hidden in the church's sacristy vaulting, and you can see some of them in the historical museum.

Paper Mill Museum

With more than 40 museums to choose from when visiting Basel, we understand that it can be difficult to narrow down which are worth your time. But if we had to recommend just one, we would choose the old Paper Mill Museum because of its uniqueness.

This museum is nestled upon a medieval canal. It once was a paper mill that was operational thanks to a still-operating waterwheel. Nowadays, the museum demonstrates how paper was made and showcases the art of writing, printing, and papermaking.

When you visit, you will learn all about the printing and papermaking processes with working machinery from years ago! You'll also get to see how laborious making paper by hand used to be and why it was such a rare commodity until modern times.