Is Basel Expensive?

Is Basel expensive to visit?

Basel is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $240. Compared to the rest of Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It's ranked in the top 50% of cities in Europe for its travel costs, comparable to places like London and Venice.



Basel, Switzerland

How expensive is Basel?

On average, visitors spend about $240 per day when visiting Basel (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $480 per day. Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Basel here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Basel?

A weekend trip to Basel costs about $720 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $1,440.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Basel?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Basel costs around $1,680 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $3,360.

Is it expensive to backpack in Basel?

Basel is a fairly popular backpacker destination with more than 4 hostels around town. Dorm beds in hostels cost around $52 per night on average. There's a wide range in prices though, with the cheapest beds costing about $41 and the most expensive dorm beds costing around $67. (See hostel prices in Basel here.)

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Basel.

  • $47 for a dorm bed at Hyve Hostel Basel
  • $41 for a dorm bed at Basel Backpack
  • $67 for a dorm bed at Basel Youth Hostel

Are hotels expensive in Basel?

Considering our analysis of hotel prices in Basel, it becomes apparent that they are very affordable in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, you can expect to spend around $114 per night for a hotel room. The city is home to approximately 1 five-star hotels, presenting an average rate of $431 per night. For a balanced choice catering to both comfort and cost-effectiveness, three-star hotels provide an average rate of $115 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more budget-friendly alternative at $80 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Basel
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
5 stars 1 $431
4 stars 17 $129
3 stars 37 $115
2 stars 9 $80
1 star 5 $98
No rating 1 $96

Centralbahnstrasse 13-15, Basel
Overall Rating 9.1
Brunngaesslein 8, Basel
Overall Rating 9.0

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Basel?

Activities and things to do in Basel can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $38 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $56.

    • City tour Basel: $27
    • Discover Basel's Charm: Exclusive 3-4 Hour Private Walking Tour: $237
    • Basel's Cheese, Chocolate, and Local Pastry Tasting Private Tour: $168
    • Basel’s Historical Old Town Tour: $147
    • Private City Walking Tour in Basel-Customizable: $56
    • Basel : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Local Guide: $81
    • Introduction of Basel Tour: $27
    • The Best of Basel’s Hidden Treasures: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99

    Is food expensive in Basel?

    Food in Basel can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $62 on food per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $62. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

    Is transportation expensive in Basel?

    The prices of local transportation in Basel can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $46 on local transportation per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $38. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

    More for Basel

    If you're planning a trip to Basel, Switzerland, check out these other informative travel guides.



    We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



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