Switzerland Guide
Basel
Arrival
Basel has two train stations straddling three countries. Basel SBB is the main one; most of it is in Switzerland, although platforms 30–36 at the far end, used by trains to and from France, form an area known as Bâle SNCF which is in French territory, divided from the main concourse by passport control. Lots of trams pass through Centralbahnplatz outside the main doors; trams #1 and #8 run to Barfüsserplatz and the city centre. Many fast trains from Germany serve Basel SBB, but plenty – including local trains from Freiburg-im-Breisgau – stop short at Basel Badischer Bahnhof (Basel Bad. for short), run by Deutsche Bahn (DB) and located within an enclave of German territory in Kleinbasel; passport control separates the platforms from the ticket hall. Tram #6 from outside runs to Barfüsserplatz.
The airport ( 
www.euroairport.com ) is 5km north in France, shared between Basel (Switzerland), Mulhouse (France) and Freiburg (Germany). A special customs-free fenced road links the Swiss terminal with Switzerland proper, along which express postbus #50 runs to and from Basel SBB station (daily every 15min 5am– midnight; Fr.6.80; Swiss passes valid; takes 15min). Several buses a day link the airport directly to Zürich's Sihlquai bus terminal – but they must be booked in advance (€12; takes 1hr 15min; 
0848 660 660, www.transferbus.net ). A taxi into the centre costs about Fr.40.
By car, the Basel-City autobahn exit delivers you directly to parking at SBB station, but car parks in Basel-Nord at the Messe and beneath Basel Bad. station are less outrageously priced. The most convenient cheap deal is at short-term car park S5 at the airport (Fr.15 for 24hrs; max. 5 days).