SwitzerlandBaselChristmas marketsChecked Oct 2026

London to Basel Christmas Market

Basel's Christmas market is one of Switzerland's biggest, spread over two old-town squares by the Rhine. This guide covers direct flights to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse, the bus into town, the train via Paris and the 2026 market dates.

26 Nov – 23 DecBasel Christmas market 2026
Basel-Mulhouse (BSL)Best airport from London
~1h 45mFlight time from London

The short answer

Fly direct to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse (about 1h 45m) with British Airways from Heathrow or easyJet from Gatwick. Leave by the Swiss exit and take bus 50 to Basel SBB station (about 20 minutes), then a tram or a 15-minute walk to Barfüsserplatz.

Market essentials

The Basel Christmas market (Basler Weihnachtsmarkt) has around 150 stalls on two main squares.

Dates

The market runs from 26 November to 23 December 2026. The separate Basler Wienachtsdorf on Theaterplatz carries on until 3 January 2027.

Opening hours

Daily from 11:00 to 20:30. On 23 December, Barfüsserplatz closes at 20:00 and Münsterplatz at 18:00.

Where

Barfüsserplatz, around the Barfüsserkirche, and Münsterplatz, in front of the cathedral, which has a children's fairytale forest. There's also a food and drink area on Claraplatz across the river. The squares are a 5-minute walk apart.

Good to know

Switzerland uses Swiss francs and is expensive, so budget more for food and drink than you would in Germany or France. Cards are widely accepted. If you stay overnight in Basel, your hotel gives you a free BaselCard, which covers local trams and buses.

Every way to get there

From London to Basel, best options first. Times are typical door to door; check live schedules for your dates.

1

Fly to Basel-Mulhouse, then bus 50

Best for most
Door to door4–5h
£ Cost££
Best forMost trips and short breaks
  1. London to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse (BSL)About 1h 35m–1h 50m. British Airways flies from Heathrow and easyJet from Gatwick, both most days. easyJet adds a twice-weekly Luton service (Thursdays and Sundays) from 26 November 2026, and Ryanair has a few flights a week from Stansted. Check current schedules.
  2. Bus 50 to Basel SBBThe airport sits in France, so follow the signs for the Swiss sector exit. Bus 50 leaves from the arrivals forecourt every 7–10 minutes and takes about 20 minutes to Basel SBB station. A single ticket is around CHF 4.50, and a BaselCard from your hotel covers it. A taxi costs about CHF 45–50.
Find LHR–BSL flightsExpediaSkyscannerFind LGW–BSL flightsExpediaSkyscannerBook a private transferWelcome PickupsBus and train: EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse → Basel SBB

Typical return fares are about £60–£200, highest on December weekends.

2

Eurostar to Paris, then the TGV Lyria

Flight-free
Door to door7–8h
£ Cost£££
Best forAvoiding flying, or stopping in Paris
  1. Eurostar: London St Pancras to Paris Gare du NordAbout 2h 20m, with frequent departures through the day.
  2. Cross Paris to Gare de LyonRER D runs from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon in about 10 minutes. Allow at least an hour between trains.
  3. TGV Lyria: Paris Gare de Lyon to Basel SBBAbout 3 hours, with around six direct trains a day. Advance fares start from about €30–€40 one way. Engineering works are changing some Lyria times into early 2027, so check your train before you book.
Train tickets on KlookTrain times: London → ParisTrain tickets on KlookTrain times: Paris → Basel

Basel SBB is about a 15-minute walk or a short tram ride from Barfüsserplatz.

3

Fly to Zurich, then the train

Door to door5–6h
£ Cost££
Best forMore flight times to choose from
  1. London to Zurich (ZRH)About 1h 40m–2h. SWISS and British Airways fly from Heathrow many times a day, and SWISS and easyJet fly from Gatwick. Check current schedules.
  2. Train: Zurich Airport to Basel SBBAbout 1h 10m–1h 30m, with trains at least every half hour. Some are direct, and others need a change at Zurich HB.
Find LHR–ZRH flightsExpediaSkyscannerTrain tickets on KlookTrain times: Zurich Airport → Basel SBB

Swiss trains are expensive on the day. Look for Supersaver tickets on the SBB app if you know your train in advance.

Where to stay in Basel

Compare hotels and apartments, many with free cancellation. Book early for December weekends.

See hotels in Basel Expedia KKday

Plan the rest of your trip

🎟️ Tours & tickets 🚕 Airport transfer 📶 Travel eSIM 🚗 Car hire 🎫 City passes 🧳 Luggage storage ⏱️ Flight delay claim

All options compared

Typical times and relative costs. £ is cheapest, £££ is priciest.

OptionDoor to doorCostBest for
Fly to Basel-Mulhouse, then bus 504–5h££Most trips and short breaks
Eurostar to Paris, then the TGV Lyria7–8h£££Avoiding flying, or stopping in Paris
Fly to Zurich, then the train5–6h££More flight times to choose from

Add more markets by train

Basel sits where Switzerland, France and Germany meet, so other famous markets are under 90 minutes away.

Your base

Basel

Stay in Grossbasel near Barfüsserplatz, or around Basel SBB for easy trains and the airport bus. Kleinbasel, across the river, is often a little cheaper.

Hotels in Basel Expedia
About 45 min by train

Colmar, France

Colmar's half-timbered old town has several small markets close together. Regional TER trains run from Basel SBB's French platforms.

Hotels in Colmar Expedia
About 45 min by train

Freiburg, Germany

Freiburg's market fills the Rathausplatz and the streets around it, in the shadow of the Black Forest.

Hotels in Freiburg Expedia
About 1h 30m by train

Strasbourg, France

The self-styled 'capital of Christmas' has one of Europe's oldest and biggest markets. It's a long day trip or a good second stop.

Hotels in Strasbourg Expedia

Local tip: At EuroAirport, the Swiss and French exits lead to different buses and taxis. For Basel, always follow the Swiss sector signs.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

When is the Basel Christmas market in 2026?

From 26 November to 23 December 2026, open daily from 11:00 to 20:30, according to the Canton of Basel-Stadt. The Wienachtsdorf on Theaterplatz runs until 3 January 2027.

Which London airports fly to Basel?

British Airways flies from Heathrow and easyJet from Gatwick, both most days. easyJet adds Luton flights twice a week from 26 November 2026, and Ryanair has a few weekly flights from Stansted. Check current schedules.

Is Basel airport in France or Switzerland?

EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse is in France, but it has a Swiss sector with its own exit. Use the Swiss exit for bus 50 to Basel SBB, which takes about 20 minutes.

Can I get the train from London to Basel?

Yes. Take the Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord, cross to Gare de Lyon, then take the direct TGV Lyria to Basel SBB in about 3 hours. The whole trip takes about 7–8 hours.

Do I need Swiss francs?

Not necessarily. Cards and phone payments are widely accepted in Basel, but it's worth having a few francs for small purchases in case a stall prefers cash.

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Times and prices are typical estimates, checked Oct 2026. Always confirm with the operator before booking. Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.