Cheap Flights from Christchurch to Basel

Know Before You Go

• If you're travelling on a budget, one of the best ways to save money is with a BaselCard. It gives you unlimited travel on public transport, a free cruise, city tour, discounts to museums and much more. The card costs CHF 20 for 24 hours.
• Book a hotel room on the Rhine, and you can get the Basel Mobility Ticket. It's valid from accommodations which are officially registered, and it will give you free use of the public transport system for up to 30 days.
• Street food is the cheapest way to fill your hunger pains. Pay CHF 3 to CHF 5 for a snack on the go or about CHF 10 for something more substantial.
• Alcohol and meat are expensive in Switzerland. Expect to fork out CHF 8 for a beer and up to CHF 25 for a bottle of wine. Meat will set you back CHF 12 to CHF 14 a pound, so if money is tight, it's cheaper to adopt a vegetarian diet while in the city.
• Instead of paying CHF 2 to CHF 4 per bottle of water, bring a reusable water bottle. The tap water in Basel is safe to drink, and you'll have more money to spend on other things.

Getting Around Basel

• Old Basel is small and easy to navigate on foot. Spend a few hours getting lost in the winding side streets and bring along some cash for the shops that flank its shopping district. Just make sure you wear a comfortable pair of shoes to tackle Basel's cobblestone walkways.
• Once you've tired yourself out, hop on board the city's extensive tram system or bus network. Both services are reliable, cheap and will take you to most the places you want to go. Fares for inside the city limits are CHF 3.40, and each stop has a list of arrival times and a map.
• If you want more independence getting around, but you're on a budget, hire a bicycle for the day. Basel has a number of commuter bike lines across the city as well as mountain bike trails that will have you exploring the wilderness in no time.
• Driving in Basel is challenging for visitors. The inner city streets are shared with trams and parking is expensive and scarce. If you decide to go ahead and rent a car for your stay, try to book with a hotel that offers its guests free parking to cut back on costs.

When is The Best Time to Visit Basel?

If you want to see the city covered in snow, visit between December and February. Although Basel will be cold with temperatures dipping to -2°C at night, the winter wonderland left behind is worth it.

For those that can't handle the freezing temperatures, the best time to visit is during the summer months. From June to August, Basel is one of the warmest cities in Switzerland, with temperatures reaching 24°C. But it's also the busiest time of year, as European summer holidaymakers descend upon the city. Book your hotel and flights well in advance to lock in prices before they increase for the high season.

If you want to avoid the tourists and save some money, travel to Basel during its shoulder season. In May and September, the city will be free from crowds, and you'll have it's attractions all to yourself. But you'll still need to book ahead if you want to secure lower hotel rates.

Airports in Basel

EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg

EuroAirport is 8 km from the city centre of Basel and is located in France. It serves as a base for EasyJet Switzerland and Belair with regular flights to popular European cities and leisure destinations.

Getting To and From EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg

If you want to avoid the crowds on public transport or you have a lot of luggage, take a taxi. It costs around CHF 50 to get from the airport into Basel and will take about 15 minutes depending on traffic. You can also book a taxi ahead of your arrival to avoid waiting and haggling with drivers.

The cheapest way to get from the airport is on the bus. Bus Line 50 runs from the airport to the Basel railway station. Trains run eight times per hour and are available from 5:00 a.m. to midnight every day. Tickets cost CHF 4.70, and the journey will take 15 to 20 minutes.

For those that want more freedom exploring Basel, you can rent a car from the airport. There are several car rental companies available at the airport in halls 1 and 4 on level 2.