There are 8 ways to get from Madrid to Basel by plane, train, bus or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner.
Recommended option
Fly to Basel • 4h 58m
7 alternative options
Fly to Zurich, train • 5h 59m
Fly to Strasbourg, train • 6h 42m
Train • 12h 55m
Bus via Bilbao • 25h 10m
Bus • 27h 15m
Bus #2 • 3 days 5h
Drive • 14h 55m
Madrid to Basel by train
The train journey time between Madrid and Basel is around 12h 55m and covers a distance of around 1693 km. This includes an average layover time of around 2h 12m. Operated by Renfe AVE, Renfe SNCF, TGV inOui and others, the Madrid to Basel train service departs from Madrid-Puerta De Atocha and arrives in Basel Sbb. Typically seven trains run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance.
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Madrid to Basel is to bus which costs €75 - €110 and takes 27h 15m.
The quickest way to get from Madrid to Basel is to fly which costs €70 - €240 and takes 4h 58m.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Madrid and arriving at Basel. Services depart once daily. The journey takes approximately 3 days 5h.
No, there is no direct train from Madrid to Basel. However, there are services departing from Madrid-Puerta De Atocha and arriving at Basel Sbb via Barcelona-Sants, Lyon Part Dieu and Mulhouse Ville. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 12h 55m.
The distance between Madrid and Basel is 1200 km. The road distance is 1544.7 km.
The best way to get from Madrid to Basel without a car is to train which takes 12h 55m and costs €160 - €320.
It takes approximately 4h 58m to get from Madrid to Basel, including transfers.
Madrid to Basel bus services, operated by Union Ivkoni, depart from Madrid Mendez Alvaro Estacion Sur station.
Madrid to Basel train services, operated by Renfe AVE, depart from Madrid-Puerta De Atocha station.
The best way to get from Madrid to Basel is to fly which takes 4h 58m and costs €70 - €240. Alternatively, you can train, which costs €160 - €320 and takes 12h 55m, you could also bus via Bilbao, which costs €130 - €200 and takes 25h 10m.
- Distance: 1199.7 km
- Duration: 4h 58m
What companies run services between Madrid, Spain and Basel, Switzerland?
easyJet, Lufthansa and four other airlines fly from Madrid to Basel hourly. Alternatively, you can take a train from Madrid to Basel via Barcelona-Sants, Lyon Part Dieu, and Mulhouse Ville in around 12h 55m.
- Website
- lufthansa.com
Flights from Madrid to Basel via Munich
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 38m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- SFr 140 - SFr 400
Flights from Madrid to Basel via Frankfurt
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- SFr 140 - SFr 400
Flights from Madrid to Zurich via Frankfurt
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- SFr 110 - SFr 550
Flights from Madrid to Zurich via Munich
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- SFr 110 - SFr 550
- Website
- iberia.com
Flights from Madrid to Zurich
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- SFr 45 - SFr 390
Flights from Madrid to Strasbourg
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 10m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- SFr 150 - SFr 550
- Website
- airfrance.com
Flights from Madrid to Basel via Paris Charles de Gaulle
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 42m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- SFr 130 - SFr 500
Flights from Madrid to Zurich via Paris Charles de Gaulle
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 42m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- SFr 110 - SFr 600
- Website
- easyjet.com
Flights from Madrid to Basel
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 15m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- SFr 65 - SFr 410
Flights from Madrid to Basel via London Gatwick
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 55m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- SFr 65 - SFr 410
- Website
- aireuropa.com
Flights from Madrid to Zurich
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- SFr 40 - SFr 420
- Website
- klm.com
Flights from Madrid to Zurich via Amsterdam Schiphol
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- SFr 90 - SFr 550
- Website
- britishairways.com
Flights from Madrid to Basel via London Heathrow
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- SFr 140 - SFr 750
- Website
- swiss.com
Flights from Madrid to Zurich
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 15m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- SFr 110 - SFr 1200
- Website
- volotea.com
Flights from Madrid to Strasbourg via Toulouse
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 35m
- When
- Friday
- Estimated price
- SFr 60 - SFr 220
German rail company Deutsche Bahn is known for its efficient and comfortable service. It offers many different types of rail transportation, including ICE or Intercity-Express for high-speed services between major cities and regions, IC (InterCity) for long-distance trains, RE (Regional Express) trains that connect regions and cities, and the S-Bahn rapid transit service. There are two main tickets on offer: the Flexpreis that has full flexibility, and the Sparpreis which is the cheaper, advanced fare (bookings usually open 6 months in advance for domestic tickets).
Contact Details
- Phone
- +49 0180 6 99 66 33
- Website
- bahn.com
Train from Zuerich Hb to Basel Sbb
- Ave. Duration
- 54 min
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- SFr 24 - SFr 35
- Website
- Deutsche Bahn
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The national railway company of Switzerland, Swiss Railways operates trains throughout the country and adjacent European nations including Germany, France, Italy and Austria. Tickets are sold in two classes - First and Second - with most long-distance trains offering a bistro car serving beverages and snacks. Individual tickets can be bought easily at stands, while a variety of travel passes are on offer to suit different travel needs.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +41 51 220 11 11
- Website
- sbb.ch
Train from Zürich HB to Basel SBB
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 12m
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- SFr 30 - SFr 60
- Website
- Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS)
France’s high-speed TGV train network runs at speeds of up to 320km/h connecting major cities across France and into neighbouring countries. All TGV tickets include a seat reservation; seating is 1+2 in 1st class, 2+2 in 2nd class. Popular routes include Paris to Marseille and Paris to Strasbourg. Most TGVs have a cafe area, power points at each seat and WiFi.
Contact Details
- Phone
- 0033 892 353535
- Website
- sncf-connect.com
Train from Zuerich Hb to Basel Sbb
- Ave. Duration
- 54 min
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- SFr 25 - SFr 35
- Website
- Oui.SNCF
- 2nd Class
- SFr 30 - SFr 36
- 1st Class
- SFr 25 - SFr 30
Train from Lyon Part Dieu to Mulhouse Ville
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 46m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- SFr 65 - SFr 90
- Website
- Oui.SNCF
- 2nd Class
- SFr 65 - SFr 80
- 1st Class
- SFr 70 - SFr 90
- Phone
- +49 (0) 7531 915109
- info@sbb-deutschland.de
- Website
- sbb-deutschland.de
Train from Zürich HB to Basel SBB
- Ave. Duration
- 58 min
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Website
- SBB GmbH
France’s state-owned railway company is a fast and efficient way of travelling around the country, with over 14,000 trains operating daily. SNCF runs the country’s extensive rail network, including the high-speed TGV network, regional TER trains and local Intercités. It also operates international routes including Eurostar and Thalys, as well as the low-cost, long-distance Ouigo services that run on limited routes across France. Book up to 3 months in advance for the cheapest fares. The railway network consists of about 32,000km in total, of which 1800km are high-speed lines and 14,500km are electrified.
Rome2rio's guide to SNCF
Contact Details
- Phone
- +33 9 70 60 99 70
- Website
- sncf.com
Train from Strasbourg to Basel Sbb
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 17m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- SFr 18 - SFr 40
- Website
- Oui.SNCF
- 2nd Class
- SFr 18 - SFr 27
- Rail 1st Class
- SFr 27 - SFr 40
Train from Lyon Part Dieu to Mulhouse Ville
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 47m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- SFr 45 - SFr 90
- Website
- Oui.SNCF
- 2nd Class
- SFr 45 - SFr 70
- Rail 1st Class
- SFr 60 - SFr 90
Rome2rio's guide to Renfe AVE
Contact Details
- Phone
- +34 91 232 03 20
- comunicacion@renfe.es
- Website
- renfe.com
Train from Madrid-Puerta De Atocha to Barcelona-Sants
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 30m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- SFr 60 - SFr 120
- Website
- Renfe AVE
- Promo
- SFr 60 - SFr 80
- Promo+
- SFr 69 - SFr 74
- Flexible
- SFr 90 - SFr 120
- Phone
- +34 902 320 320
- comunicacion@renfe.es
- Website
- renfe-sncf.com
Train from Madrid-Puerta De Atocha to Barcelona-Sants
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 57m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- SFr 60 - SFr 85
- Website
- renfe-sncf.com
Train from Barcelona-Sants to Lyon Part Dieu
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 5m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- SFr 60 - SFr 90
- Website
- renfe-sncf.com
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A Spanish subsidiary of National Express, ALSA provides bus and coach services across Spain and neighbouring countries including Portugal, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland and Malta. Founded in 1923, ALSA values service and the customer experience. Buses are equipped with communal TV screens showing movies, individual behind-seat screens, ALSA radio, app for books and music, and free WiFi. ALSA services are accessible to people with disabilities, and guide dogs are welcome on all journeys. There are three types of tickets on offer (Frequent Traveller Pass, Share Pass and ALSA Pass), along with discounts for senior citizens, students and children.
Contact Details
- Phone
- +34 902 42 22 42
- alsa@alsa.es
- Website
- alsa.es
Bus from Madrid to Bilbao
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 10m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- SFr 30 - SFr 45
- Website
- alsa.com
Bus from Bilbao to Basel
- Ave. Duration
- 20h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- SFr 110 - SFr 160
- Website
- alsa.com
Bus from Madrid to Basel
- Ave. Duration
- 3 days 5h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- SFr 230 - SFr 320
- Website
- alsa.com
- Phone
- 02/989 0000
- Website
- union-ivkoni.com
Bus from Madrid Mendez Alvaro Estacion Sur to Lyon Gare Perrache
- Ave. Duration
- 20h
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- SFr 40 - SFr 65
- Website
- Union Ivkoni
One of Europe’s leading bus companies, Flixbus serves 2000+ destinations in 29 countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands and Croatia and into Scandinavia and eastern Europe, as well as some US cities. Coaches have toilets, free WiFi and power outlets, plus snacks and drinks for purchase on board. Flixbus is a good choice for the budget-conscious traveller; purchase tickets in advance for the cheapest fares (note: there is no option to reserve a seat in advance).
Rome2rio's guide to FlixBus
Contact Details
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- service@flixbus.com
- Website
- flixbus.de
Bus from Madrid to Lyon Perrache
- Ave. Duration
- 16h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- SFr 65 - SFr 80
- Website
- flixbus.co.uk
Bus from Lyon Perrache to Basel SBB
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 15m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- SFr 21 - SFr 26
- Website
- flixbus.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
- Phone
- +420 542 42 42 42
- info@regiojet.cz
- Website
- regiojet.com
Bus from Lyon, de Perrache - Galerie A to Basel, Meret Oppenheim-Strasse
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 45m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- SFr 12 - SFr 18
- Website
- RegioJet
Want to know more about travelling around Switzerland
Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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Read the travel guideMore Questions & Answers
The quickest flight from Madrid Airport to Basel Airport is the direct flight which takes 2h 15m.
Madrid to Basel bus services, operated by FlixBus, arrive at Basel SBB station.
Madrid to Basel train services, operated by TGV inOui, arrive at Mulhouse Ville station.
Yes, the driving distance between Madrid to Basel is 1545 km. It takes approximately 14h 55m to drive from Madrid to Basel.
British Airways, easyJet, Air France and Lufthansa offer flights from Madrid Airport to Basel Airport.
Book your Madrid to Basel bus tickets online with Omio and Busbud.
There are 147+ hotels available in Basel. Prices start at SFr 87 per night.