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Trip Summary
There are 18 daily trains from Basel to Kassel. Traveling by train from Basel to Kassel usually takes around 6 hours and 1 minute, but the fastest DB Intercity-Express train can make the trip in 5 hours and 6 minutes.
| Distance | 273 mi (439 km) |
| Fastest train | 5h 6m |
| Lowest price | €50.07 |
| Trains per day | 7 |
| Most frequent service | DB Intercity-Express |
| Train lines | 2 |
Which train should you take from Basel to Kassel?
2 train services operate from Basel to Kassel. DB Intercity-Express usually has more trains scheduled, with 8 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DB Intercity-Express | 8 | 5h 34m | €93.96 |
| Deutsche Bahn | 10 | 6h 36m | €87.76 |
The most popular Deutsche Bahn ICE routes travel to Berlin, Cologne, Paris, and Munich. Seating is spacious with a good amount of legroom, and onboard amenities include complimentary WiFi, restrooms, and a restaurant car selling beverages, snacks, sandwiches, and hot meals. Unlike the rest of the Deutsche Bahn network, ticket prices on Deutsche Bahn ICE services are not based on a per-kilometer rate but on specific station-to-station links.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Basel and Kassel is approximately 273 miles, or 439 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 1 minute, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 6 minutes.
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Saturday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Basel to Kassel. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Saturday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Saturday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Basel at 04:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 23:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 18 scheduled trains on most days. 7 of these are direct connections to Kassel. 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 Kassel to Basel.
City Information
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.
Kassel
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Located in central Germany, Kassel is a city with roots dating to the 10th century. These days, Kassel is perhaps best known for hosting documenta, a remarkable contemporary art exhibition that takes place every five years. However, if you're visiting outside of a documenta year, Kassel has many other exciting experiences to offer.
One of the most popular sites in Kassel is the Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a landscape park covering over 2.5 square kilometers of hillside. Construction of the park began in 1689, and the Baroque style of the Bergpark took 150 years to complete. The park's defining feature is a giant statue of Hercules, surrounded by a system of fountains and waterworks.
Kassel is also famed for being near the hometown of the legendary writers, the Brothers Grimm, and Grimm World is the newest attraction in the city. It commemorates the brothers’ legacy through interactive and multimedia exhibits inspired by their iconic works, such as Rapunzel, Cinderella, The Frog Prince, and Snow White. The museum is not just for children, though. Prepare your worst insults to shout into the swear word generator, which translates modern German curse words into older linguistic versions.
The easiest way to reach Kassel is via one of the ICE (Inter-City Express) trains that run throughout Europe. Rail service is convenient and affordable from nearby destinations like Berlin, Leipzig, and Hamburg. Buses also provide easy travel into Kassel, and FlixBus and Sindbad operate most bus routes.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Basel?
Image credit: Alexandre Prevot
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Basel SBB
Basel SBB in Switzerland is Europe's largest border station. The SBB stands for Schweizer Basel Bahnhof, which was its former name before it was completely rebuilt in 1900 with a gorgeous new exterior. More than 1,000 trains depart from here daily, including Deutsche Bahn ICE trains to cities across Germany. There are daily trains to Amsterdam, plus more to Paris and Milan, plus a few local buses and airport services. Inside the station are shops, cafes, a supermarket, and a pharmacy. Forgot your toothbrush? There's even a dentist in the building if needed!
All train stations in Basel:
Basel SBB
EuroAirport (Ausgang Schweiz)
Where is the train station in Kassel?
Main arrival station: Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe
Kassel receives travelers from Basel at its two active train stations.
Train stations in Kassel:
Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe
Train Station
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Need a return trip from Kassel to Basel?
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