A Travel Price Comparison for Switzerland Murren vs. Basel for Couples, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Murren or Basel?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Murren and Basel can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Murren

Murren is a stunning, serene, and authentic town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and skiing.

Basel

Basel is a beautiful, vibrant, and historic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Murren and Basel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Murren or Basel?

Both Basel and Murren have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Murren is very popular for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Basel attracts visitors for its museums & sights, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping. Murren is more touristy than Basel and is known for its spectacular mountain views, authentically local atmosphere, and world class hiking and skiing. Basel is famous for its many museums and its nice old town.

How is Murren different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Basel and Murren. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Murren or Basel Better for Skiing?

Murren is a world-class destination for snow skiing. However, Basel is not a skiing destination.

The snow ski experience you'll have in Murren is among the best in the world. If you're visiting in the winter, you're in luck because the scenery and the slopes are both amazing. The top of Schilthorn is quickly accessed from the gondola and ski lifts, and heading down you'll find some difficult runs along with easier slopes. Enjoy your apres-ski in the village with cozy drinks and a dinner of fondue. And with more time, you can easily get across the valley to the Grindelwald-Wengen ski area, too.

Basel is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Murren or Basel?

Basel is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Murren is not particularly known for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Basel. The city is filled with history. Head to Minster Hill to see the beautiful historic church and Münsterplatz. There are also several unique museums around town including Jean Tinguely Museum, the Paper Mill Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Murren. You don't visit this area for the museums, so if you're looking for an indoor activity on a rainy day, your options are limited.

Is the Food Better in Murren or Basel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Murren and Basel can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Murren offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. If you can afford the prices, you'll enjoy some great meals of fondue or local steak. There aren't many restaurants in town and some of the best are attached to the hotels. Those on a tight budget will be frustrated because cheap eats are hard to come by. You may as well pay a little more and enjoy a high quality, fine dining experience.

Basel has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.

Is Murren or Basel Better for Nightlife?

Basel is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Murren is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Basel has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city's nightlife comes alive as the sun sets. There are bars, pubs, and dance clubs that stay active until the early morning hours.

Murren doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet and residential town that is more about the daytime activities than the nightlife scene.

Is Murren or Basel Better for its Old Town?

Basel is well known for its historic old town. However, Murren does not have a historic old town.

Basel is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The charming old town is fun to explore on foot with its quaint streets and meandering alleys. The beautiful architecture and ornate fountains give the area a unique personality. On the hottest days you may even see locals swimming in some of the fountains.

Murren does not have a historic old town.

Is Murren or Basel Better for Hiking?

Murren is a world-class destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Basel is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Murren draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. Hiking trails pass right through the town, connecting the many alpine towns in the area. There are hikes for all levels, and each offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks, which include Eiger, Jungfrau, and Monch.

Basel is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Murren or Basel?

Basel is well known for shopping. However, Murren is not particularly known for its shopping opportunities.

Basel is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The old town is filled with shops that you can wander through as you explore. Popular shopping streets include Freie Strasse and the area around Marktplatz, where you'll find boutique shops and interesting trinkets. You can also head to the city's oldest department store - Manor.

Shopping in Murren can be found for those interested. Aside from a food market or two, there aren't many shops in town and prices for everything are a bit high.

Is Murren or Basel Better for Families?

Both Murren and Basel are high quality to visit with kids.

Murren is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kid-friendly activities are everywhere in this amazing town. Take the Allmendhubel Funicular Train and explore one of the coolest playgrounds ever! Family-friendly trails abound and outdoor adventures with spectacular views are fun for everyone.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Basel is very family-friendly. The city has an impressive zoo, a really unique toy museum, as well as Aquabasilea with its pools and slides. It's also compact enough that little legs can explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer. If the weather's warm, head for the river to cool off.

Is Murren or Basel Better for Couples?

Murren is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Murren has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This small town offers charming hotels, hidden viewpoints, and romantic hikes through the Alps. If you want to experience an authentic side to the Alps, then stay in this town and explore the many hiking trails in the area.

Basel is a good town for couples to visit. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Is Murren or Basel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Basel is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Murren is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Basel is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels and a really useful City Pass that make this city an option for backpackers and budget travelers. It's also a major transit center so accessibility is convenient. If you're traveling around Europe by train, you'll likely pass through Basel at some point.

Murren is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any hostels in town so it's a bit difficult to stay in Murren as a backpacker. There are a number of charming hostels in the surrounding area though and they each have a unique local character.

Is Murren or Basel Better for Students?

Basel is well known for students. However, Murren is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Basel. The University of Basel brings in international students from around the world. The city makes a nice base for exploring Europe, but it's also a bit expensive which can be challenging on a student income.

Murren is not popular with students.

Is Murren or Basel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Basel is well known for its public transit. Also, Murren is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Basel. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

While Murren offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Train, cable car, and funicular are the only ways to reach this car-free town.

Is Murren or Basel a more walkable city?

Murren and Basel both are first-rate when exploring on foot.

Getting around Murren on foot is easy. It's a small town with a very limited number of vehicles so it's best explored on foot. There are also many walking trails in the area.

Basel is a very easy town to get around on foot. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Murren Worth Visiting? and Is Basel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Basel or Murren?

How long in Murren or Basel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Murren and Basel. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Murren than in Basel. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Murren, and 1-3 days is enough time in Basel.

Families should spend more time in Basel than Murren. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Basel, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Murren than Basel. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Murren that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Basel than Murren if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Basel.

One day in Murren or Basel?

Even though Murren is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Basel. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Murren or Basel?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Murren. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Basel is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Murren or Basel?

Murren is a fun place to experience. Murren is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Basel. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Murren or Basel?

Murren is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Basel. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Switzerland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Switzerland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Zurich, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Murren and Basel, we can see that Murren is more expensive. And not only is Basel much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Basel would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Basel and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Murren would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Murren than you might in Basel.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Murren Expensive? and Is Basel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Murren or Basel?

Basel has a larger population, and is about 370 times larger than the population of Murren. When comparing the sizes of Murren and Basel, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.