Regensburg to Basel train

Lying in the southwest of Germany along the Danube River, Regensburg is one of the most picturesque cities in the country, thanks to its well-preserved medieval city center. Regensburg is also one of the oldest towns in Germany, founded by the Romans in 179 AD.

To experience the city's ancient history, place the Old Town at the top of your itinerary. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to over 1,000 monuments and relics dating to the Roman Empire, each surprisingly well-preserved. In the Middle Ages, the Old Town was a fast-growing merchant city that often received goods from China and India, and this transcontinental exchange influenced Regensburg’s culture and architecture.

In contrast to the city's extensive history, Regensburg also has a large student population. The students give the town a modern, laid-back feel, and the many contemporary bars, restaurants, cafes, and shops cater to this younger crowd and visitors alike.

Regensburg is also renowned for its coffee. Coffee-lovers will struggle to walk through the streets without landing in one of the many cafes, each offering a beverage as exciting as the last. Bring a spare bag to take home as much of the hand-crafted German coffee you can carry.

Regensburg is located close to Munich and Nuremberg's international airports. The central train station is also well-connected to the rest of the country and parts of Europe via ICE, IC, and EC trains. Bus carriers including FlixBus and Sindbad operate affordable ground travel to destinations like Prague, Krakow, and Vienna.

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.