Why rent a car in Basel?
A thriving hub of modern art and contemporary design, Basel is positioned on the banks of the Rhine, home to both a spectacular medieval old town and an array of striking new architecture, heavily influenced by pioneering architects Herzog & De Meuron, whose head office is based in the city.
Between high-end art fair Art Basel, luxury watch and jewellery expo Baselworld and the city’s annual winter carnival (the biggest in Switzerland and a tradition stretching back 700 years), there is always plenty to see and do in this lively city. With a hire car, you can explore the varied cultural experiences Basel has to offer, with a whole range of museums dedicated to everything from cutting-edge contemporary art to the Toy World Museum – home to the world’s largest collection of teddy bears.
How to get to and around Basel?
Fly into EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, situated around two miles northwest of Basel itself. From there, it’s an easy 10-minute drive down the A35 into the centre of town.
With a hire car you can drive to a range of picturesque towns and cities within easy reach of Basel, such as the Swiss capital of Bern (50 minutes’ drive) and the picturesque town of Baden (also 50 minutes in the car), where you can take a dip in the historic thermal springs. The urban metropolis of Zurich is also just an hour away, and you can even cross the border into France to visit the quaint city of Mulhouse (40 minutes’ drive) which boasts a spectacular 19th century church in the Gothic revival style.
What brands are available?
Choose from a wide selection of hire car providers in Basel to suit every budget and requirement, from Alamo and Sixt to Enterprise and Dollar.
Must-sees within an easy drive of Basel
Basel is packed full of museums and galleries dedicated to the artists who have called the city home, including sculptor Jean Tinguely. A museum dedicated to his surreal and playful installations sits on the banks of the Rhine, where you can interact with his kinetic sculptures to set them in motion. The Tinguely fountain in the centre of town was gifted to Basel by the artist. Just round the corner from this is the Kunstmuseum – showcasing one of the oldest public art collections in Europe, including the world’s largest collection of works by Holbein.
Venture across the German boarder (15 minutes’ drive) and you can explore the Vitra Design Museum – dedicated to furniture manufacturer Vitra, where you can watch furniture being made and even purchase a piece yourself, before hurtling down Carsten Höller's 38-metre-long Vitra slide. Further afield is Interlaken (two hours’ drive), where you can travel up to the snow-capped peaks of the Jungfrau and Schiltorn mountains.
Tips and tricks for driving in Basel
The speed limit is 31mph in built-up areas, 50mph on open roads and 75mph on motorways. Even during the day you must sound your horn before travelling round a sharp bend with limited visibility and, at night, flash your headlights instead.
Ready to plan your Basel city break?
Feeling inspired to start exploring Basel and other parts of Switzerland? Check out this city guide and use the Expedia search tool to help you find the best car hire, flight and hotel deals and research the best attractions and activities.
