Arrival
The easiest way to arrive in Basel is often to fly directly into Basel–Mulhouse–Freiburg Airport (BSL/MLH/EAP). This unique tri-national airport serves Switzerland, France, and Germany and is well connected to major European hubs such as Amsterdam, Paris, and Frankfurt. From the airport, Basel’s city center is just 10–15 minutes away by tram or taxi, making this the most straightforward option when direct or one-stop flights are available.
If direct flights to Basel are limited or expensive, a very smooth alternative is to fly into a major European hub and continue by train. Zurich Airport (ZRH) is particularly convenient, with frequent direct trains reaching Basel in about 1 to 1.5 hours. Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) is another strong long-haul gateway, offering regular direct train connections to Basel in roughly 3 to 4 hours. Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) also works well, with high-speed TGV services linking the airport to Basel in around 3 hours.
Overall, travelers coming from outside Europe will usually find the best balance of flight choice and ease by arriving via Zurich, Frankfurt, or Paris, then finishing the journey by train. For those already in Europe, flying straight into Basel’s EuroAirport is often the quickest and most convenient solution.
Departure
The tour ends in Strasbourg, a city that is exceptionally well connected by high-speed rail.
The most convenient way to depart is to take a direct train from Strasbourg to to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport and take a direct train to Strasbourg.
Direct TGV trains run from Strasbourg to inside the airport.
Travel time: ~2 hours
No need to enter Paris city
Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) is also very popular for long-haul arrivals. It has direct ICE/TGV train connections to Strasbourg
Travel time: ~2–2.5 hours
Zurich Airport (ZRH) is another smaller but efficient option.
Direct or 1-change trains
Travel time: ~2.5 hours
This option offers the best balance of flight availability, comfort, and simplicity, especially after a long-haul journey.
Strasbourg also has a small international airport, and it is possible to fly directly from Strasbourg Airport (SXB). However, the airport offers limited international flights (mostly European connections), and often requires a connection via Paris, Amsterdam, or Frankfurt
Convenient if timings align, but usually more expensive and less flexible. It takes 10-minutes by train from Strasbourg city center to reach the Strasbourg airport or a taxi (~15 minutes)