A Travel Price Comparison for Switzerland Zermatt vs. Basel for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Zermatt or Basel?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Zermatt and Basel can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Zermatt or Basel?

Zermatt

Located at the foot of the Matterhorn, Zermatt is a Swiss village best known for its skiing, climbing, and hiking opportunities. It has become a popular mountain resort town due to its location and also features a number of boutique shops, hotels, and restaurants that cater to the vacationers who come to enjoy the many winter activities of the Alps.

Basel

Basel is often overlooked as a tourist destination in Switzerland, but despite this, it does have a lot to offer visitors as well as a beautiful medieval historic center. Every year it also hosts a Carnival festival that is one of the most popular in Europe, competing with those in Venice and Rio de Janeiro in its popularity. There are also some excellent museums and great examples of regional architecture around town. Basel also serves as an excellent entry point to the Swiss Jura mountains and a jumping off point to visit more popular cities such as Zurich or Lucerne.

Which place is cheaper, Basel or Zermatt?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zermatt is $225, while the average daily cost in Basel is $237. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Zermatt and Basel in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zermatt $126
    Basel $144
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zermatt $252
    Basel $288
Compare Hotels in Zermatt and Basel

Looking for a hotel in Zermatt or Basel? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Zermatt


Hotels in Basel


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Zermatt Hotel Prices and Basel Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zermatt $53
    Basel $46

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zermatt

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zermatt:

  • Airport Transfer to Zermatt or vice versa: $1,078
  • Airport Transfer Zermatt to Geneva or vice versa: $1,219

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Basel

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Basel:

  • Private Airport Transfer: Basel to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL): $40
  • Basel to Basel Airport - Departure Private Car Transfer: $50
  • Lazerfun included Transfer: $65
  • Private Transfer: Basel Airport to Basel Hotels: $86
  • Basel Airport Transfers : Basel City to Basel Airport BSL in Business Car: $95
  • Basel Airport Transfers : Basel City to Basel Airport BSL in Luxury Van: $98
  • Basel Airport Transfers : Basel Airport BSL to Basel City in Luxury Van: $98
  • Departure Private Transfer from Basel City to Basel Airport BSL by Business Car: $98
  • Basel Airport Transfers : Basel Airport BSL to Basel City in Business Car: $100
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Basel Airport BSL to Basel City in Business Car: $100
  • Departure Private Transfers from Basel City to Basel Airport BSL in Business Car: $100
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Basel Mulhouse Freiburg to Basel City - One Way: $103

Is it cheaper to fly into Zermatt or Basel?

Prices for flights to both Basel and Zermatt change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Zermatt $57
    Basel $61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Basel

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Basel.

  • Self-Guided Food Tour: $36
  • Taste My Swiss City Self Guided Food Tour: $38

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zermatt $57
    Basel $37

Tours and Activities in Zermatt

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zermatt are as follows:

  • Standard Flight Experience with Matterhorn View from Zermatt: $261
  • Zermatt Village plus Mt. Gornergrat Private Tour: $305
  • The best of Zermatt walking tour: $496
  • Guided tour “Love stories of Zermatt”: $496
  • Zermatt and Gornergrat Private Day Tour: $512

Tours and Activities in Basel

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Basel are as follows:

  • City tour Basel: $21
  • Basel City Sightseeing Bus Tour: $28
  • Basel Adventure Tour - The city quiz: $38
  • 1-Hour Must-See Express Tour: $72
  • Basel Selfie Tour 7 Attractions in 90min: $85
  • Basel Zoo Entrance Ticket with Hotel Pick and Drop Off Included: $98
  • Adventure Pool with 7 slides Entrance 4 hour Ticket with Hotel PickUp & DropOff: $105
  • Mount Rigi with Lake Cruise Small Group Tour from Basel: $132
  • Schilthorn Piz Gloria (James Bond Location) Small Group Tour from Basel: $179
  • Luzern City Tour with Lake Cruise Small Group Tour from Basel: $190
  • From Basel to Freiburg:The full day tour to the Black Forest!: $194
  • Basel City Center Private Tour: $204

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zermatt $28
    Basel $33

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Zermatt and Basel, we can see that Basel is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.


When is the best time to visit Zermatt or Basel?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Zermatt or Basel in the Summer?

Both Basel and Zermatt are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Basel for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Zermatt is around the same temperature as Basel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zermatt in July are around 23°C (73°F), and Basel is about 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Basel. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zermatt. Zermatt usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Basel during summer. Zermatt gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Zermatt. In July, Zermatt usually receives more rain than Basel. Zermatt gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zermatt 23°C (73°F) 
    Basel 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Zermatt or Basel in the Autumn?

Both Basel and Zermatt during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Basel in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Zermatt is generally a little warmer than Basel. Temperatures in Zermatt average around 15°C (58°F), and Basel stays around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Zermatt often gets more sunshine than Basel. Zermatt gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Zermatt. Zermatt usually gets more rain in October than Basel. Zermatt gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zermatt 15°C (58°F) 
    Basel 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Zermatt or Basel in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zermatt and Basel. Furthermore, most visitors come to Basel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Basel can be very cold during winter. Zermatt can get quite cold in the winter. Zermatt is much warmer than Basel in the winter. The temperature in Zermatt is usually 5°C (41°F) in January, and Basel stays around 3°C (37°F).

Zermatt usually receives more sunshine than Basel during winter. Zermatt gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Zermatt usually receives around the same amount of rain as Basel. Zermatt gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zermatt 5°C (41°F) 
    Basel 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Zermatt or Basel in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Zermatt as well as Basel. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Basel because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Zermatt is a little warmer than Basel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zermatt in April are around 13°C (55°F), and Basel is about 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Zermatt often gets more sunshine than Basel. Zermatt gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun.

Zermatt receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zermatt usually gets more rain in April than Basel. Zermatt gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zermatt 13°C (55°F) 
    Basel 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Basel and Zermatt

Zermatt Basel
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (41°F) 76 mm (3 in) 3°C (37°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Feb 6°C (44°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Mar 10°C (49°F) 106 mm (4.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 13°C (55°F) 152 mm (6 in) 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
May 17°C (62°F) 194 mm (7.6 in) 16°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Jun 20°C (69°F) 171 mm (6.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 133 mm (5.2 in) 21°C (70°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 166 mm (6.5 in) 21°C (69°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Sep 19°C (67°F) 153 mm (6 in) 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 15°C (58°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 13°C (56°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 9°C (49°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 7°C (45°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 6°C (42°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 4°C (39°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)


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Zermatt vs. Basel Travel Comparison

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