Trains from Frankfurt am Main to Basel
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Trip Summary
There are 17 daily trains from Frankfurt am Main to Basel. Traveling by train from Frankfurt am Main to Basel usually takes around 3 hours and 29 minutes, but the fastest DB Intercity-Express train can make the trip in 2 hours and 46 minutes.
| Distance | 183 mi (295 km) |
| Fastest train | 2h 46m |
| Lowest price | $31.42 |
| Trains per day | 15 |
| Most frequent service | Deutsche Bahn |
| Train lines | 5 |
Train service from Frankfurt am Main to Basel
- DB Intercity tickets: C$43 one-way
- DB Intercity-Express tickets: C$36 one-way
- Deutsche Bahn tickets: C$31 one-way
- Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company tickets: C$41 one-way
- Non-federally owned railway company tickets: C$68 one-way
What is the price of a train ticket from Frankfurt am Main to Basel?
In the last month, $45.22 was the average price of a train ticket from Frankfurt am Main to Basel. This is a good price that is inexpensive compared to most train fares. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 17 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around $57.62 more than that for a same-day booking.
Monthly average prices
If you are trying to decide when to travel from Frankfurt am Main to Basel by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for November. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just C$39 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Frankfurt am Main to Basel in August, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to C$111 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you have a high chance of scoring a ticket at a lower price.
Which train should you take from Frankfurt am Main to Basel?
There are 5 train lines with service from Frankfurt am Main to Basel. Deutsche Bahn is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 11 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DB Intercity | 1 | 3h 37m | $71.59 |
| DB Intercity-Express | 3 | 2h 58m | $83.71 |
| Deutsche Bahn | 11 | 3h 37m | $86.93 |
| Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company | 5 | 3h 44m | $88.95 |
| Non-federally owned railway company | 1 | 3h 53m | $92.23 |
DB Intercity
DB Intercity train tickets from Frankfurt am Main to Basel start from $42, and on average cost . Daily there are 1 DB Intercity schedules to Basel. DB Intercity in Frankfurt am Main leaves from Central Train Station and 2 other stations. And in Basel trains arrive at Basel SBB .
From Frankfurt am Main to Basel train travel on DB Intercity takes 3 hours and 37 minutes. If you are looking to get to Basel faster, DB Intercity offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 2 hours and 46 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, DB Intercity offers 2 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Basel.
DB Intercity-Express
DB Intercity-Express train tickets from Frankfurt am Main to Basel start from $37, and on average cost . Daily there are 3 DB Intercity-Express schedules to Basel. DB Intercity-Express in Frankfurt am Main leaves from Central Train Station and 4 other stations. And in Basel trains arrive at Basel SBB .
From Frankfurt am Main to Basel train travel on DB Intercity-Express takes 2 hours and 58 minutes. If you are looking to get to Basel faster, DB Intercity-Express offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 2 hours and 46 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, DB Intercity-Express offers 14 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Basel.
Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company
Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company train tickets from Frankfurt am Main to Basel start from $42, and on average cost . Daily there are 5 Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company schedules to Basel. Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company in Frankfurt am Main leaves from Frankfurt-Unterliederbach and 7 other stations. And in Basel trains arrive at Basel SBB .
From Frankfurt am Main to Basel train travel on Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company takes 3 hours and 44 minutes. If you are looking to get to Basel faster, Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 2 hours and 46 minutes.
If you're considering a weeked trip, Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company offers 27 schedules for you to choose from. You can expect to pay for a one-way train ticket to Basel.
Non-federally owned railway company
Non-federally owned railway company train tickets from Frankfurt am Main to Basel start from $68, and on average cost . Daily there are 1 Non-federally owned railway company schedules to Basel. Non-federally owned railway company in Frankfurt am Main leaves from Frankfurt-Unterliederbach . And in Basel trains arrive at Basel SBB .
From Frankfurt am Main to Basel train travel on Non-federally owned railway company takes 3 hours and 53 minutes. If you are looking to get to Basel faster, Non-federally owned railway company offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 2 hours and 46 minutes.
If you are looking to travel to Basel on a weekend there is typically one Non-federally owned railway company scheduled trip per day, which will cost for a one-way weekend reservation from Frankfurt am Main.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to travel by train from Frankfurt am Main to Basel during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.
In addition, federal law requires all train passengers to wear a face covering for the entire duration of the trip. Please make sure you are wearing a face mask or you may not be allowed to board the train.
Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.
Can you take a train all the way from Frankfurt am Main to Basel?
How long is the train journey from Frankfurt am Main to Basel?
When are trains the most crowded?
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Frankfurt am Main to Basel on Wednesday. Tickets for Wednesday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Saturday. Saturday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
When are the first and last trains of the day?
The earliest train departs Frankfurt am Main at 12:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 8:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Is there a direct train from Frankfurt am Main to Basel?
There are 17 scheduled trains on most days. 15 of these are direct connections to Basel. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Basel to Frankfurt am Main.
City Information
Frankfurt am Main
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Frankfurt is Germany's financial hub, home to the European Central Bank. This riverside city offers a variety of cultural and historical attractions scattered between its financial institutions and shops.
Your first stop should be Old Town, along the river Main. Once the center of the city, the Old Town district is now the site of the Römer, or city hall, along a row of picturesque timber houses. Stop in Kleinmarkthalle, a bustling indoor market, to grab a sausage for a snack before wandering through some of Old Town's museums: Saalgasse, Dommuseum, and Museum für Moderne Kunst (Museum MMK) will get you started. Two of Frankfurt's most prominent churches, St. Bartholomew Cathedral and St. Nicholas Church, are also in the area.
Food is always delightful in Frankfurt. Several Michelin-star restaurants will entice you, including Restaurant Lafleur, Restaurant Gustav, Restaurant Villa Merton, and Carmelo Greco. If you prefer more affordable dining and lively nightlife, head to the Bahnhofsviertel neighborhood near the city's train station.
The train station in Bahnhofsviertel serves national and international rail lines for Deutsche Bahn, DB Intercity, FlixTrain, vlexx, and Railjet. You can also reach Frankfurt easily on bus carriers like FlixBus and Sindbad. Plus, flying in and out of Frankfurt is a breeze, as the airport is one of the largest in Germany and the main hub for the Lufthansa airline.
Basel
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Basel is bordered by France to the west and Germany to the east, with the river Rhine running directly through the city. This culture-centric destination is known for containing Switzerland's highest concentration of museums. With over 40 museums, roughly one per square kilometer, you're guaranteed to find at least one museum that fits your interests. Of course, it's got classic art museums like the Fine Arts Museum and the Jean Tinguely Museum, but you'll write home about the niche ones like Basel Paper Mill (a museum about paper and printing) and Toys Worlds Museum.
Basel's Old Town area will give you a taste of the city's history, with its cobblestoned streets and medieval churches, as well as several beautiful fountains. In the Marktplatz, or market square, check out the bold red City Hall, as well as even more museums, these ones devoted to Basel's history.
Basel is also home to Switzerland's oldest zoo, founded in 1874. Conveniently located in the heart of Basel, the zoo lets you get up close and personal with animals from the tiniest insects to the grandest elephants. Plus, you can learn more about the zoo's conservation projects.
Basel is well-situated for easy travel to other countries due to its proximity to France and Germany, as well as its transportation options. The world's only tri-national airport, EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, is only 4km from Basel. This unique airport is located on both French and Swiss territory but also serves travelers to nearby Freiburg, Germany. Basel also welcomes national and international train routes, and many European bus services stop in the city.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Frankfurt am Main?
Main departure station: Central Train Station
Because some trains make multiple stops before leaving the city, there are 13 stops and stations in Frankfurt am Main where you can board the train.
All train stations in Frankfurt am Main:
Central Train Station
Frankfurt-Höchst Farbwerke
Frankfurt-Sindlingen
Frankfurt-Zeilsheim
Frankfurt-Unterliederbach
Frankfurt-Höchst
Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf
Frankfurt-Sossenheim
Frankfurt-Mainkur
Frankfurt-Nied
Frankfurt-Griesheim
Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Regionalbf
Central Train Station
Where is the train station in Basel?
Image credit: Alexandre Prevot
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Basel SBB
Basel has one train station.
Train stations in Basel:
Basel SBB
Need a return trip from Basel to Frankfurt am Main?
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