St. Johann Pier (Voltastrasse) → Marktplatz (Old Town Center)
Walk 3 minutes from the pier to the Voltaplatz stop, then take BVB tram 11 toward Aesch and get off at Marktplatz.
Cruise port in Switzerland
Basel
Allow about 15 min each way from the terminal to the city center. Average time in port: 9 hours. 22 places to explore.
- Ships calling here
- 8 ships
- Upcoming sailings
- 513 sailings
- Average time in port
- About 9 hours
- Lowest fare
- From USD 2,078
After disembarking
Cruise ships dock at Cruise Terminal Basel St. Johann & Klybeckquai. Allow about 15 min each way from the terminal to the city center.
- Where the ship docks
Cruise ships dock at Cruise Terminal Basel St. Johann & Klybeckquai.
- Basel's traditional non-motorized ferry
Four historic non-motorized Fähri ferries operate on the Rhine in Basel, powered only by the river's natural current and a wire cable, offering a distinctive way to cross the river.
- Swiss franc currency and payment information
Switzerland's official currency is the Swiss franc (CHF). Credit and contactless payments are widely accepted at most restaurants, shops, and public transport ticket machines, so there is no need to exchange a large amount of cash.
- Basel city tram single-ride fares
A BVB tram or bus short-distance ticket (Kurzstrecke) in Basel costs about 2.50 CHF; a single ticket covering 1–2 city zones costs about 3.80 CHF for adults.
About 9 hours in port: where can you go?
Time available at the destination after subtracting return travel.
Return travel Time at destination
Calculated from the average time in port. Return deadlines vary by sailing; check the daily programme on board.
Between the terminal, city and airport
Travel between the terminal, city center, railway station and airport.
Klybeckquai Pier → Basel SBB (Central Railway Station)
At the Kleinhüningen stop near Klybeck quay, take BVB tram 8 toward Neuweilerstrasse for a direct ride to Basel SBB station.
Basler Münster (Cathedral Terrace) → Kleinbasel Riverbank
At the Münsterfähri landing below the steps from the Pfalz terrace behind the cathedral, take the non-motorized wooden ferry across the Rhine to Kleinbasel.
Marktplatz → Spalentor (Medieval Gate)
From Marktplatz in front of the Town Hall, walk 800 m west up Spalenberg, browsing its charming boutique shops.
Basel places to explore
Explore 22 checked places. Select a pin to see its card, or choose View on map from a card.
Kunstmuseum Basel
Founded in 1661, this was the world's first public art museum. Its European masterpieces range from Northern Renaissance works by the Hans Holbein family to Picasso, Monet, and modern and contemporary art.
- Visit
- about 1 hr 30 min
- Admission
- CHF 16~CHF 25
Closed every Monday.
Basel Minster
This Basel landmark has red sandstone walls, a colorful glazed-tile roof, and twin Gothic spires. The sarcophagus of humanist Erasmus is housed here.
- Visit
- about 50 min
- Admission
- Free
Museum Tinguely
Designed by architect Mario Botta, this Rhine-side art museum lets visitors operate Jean Tinguely's huge interactive kinetic sculptures combining sound and movement.
- Visit
- about 1 hr 15 min
- Admission
- CHF 18
Closed every Monday.
Middle Bridge
First built across the Rhine in 1226, this historic bridge links Grossbasel and Kleinbasel and offers photo views with the cathedral and riverbanks.
- Visit
- about 30 min
- Admission
- Free
Gate of Spalen
This 14th-century tower is the most imposing surviving gate in the old city walls built after the 1356 Basel earthquake. It is noted for 2 round towers and pointed wooden lattice windows.
- Visit
- about 30 min
- Admission
- Free
Three-Country Corner
Here the borders of Switzerland, France, and Germany meet in the middle of the Rhine, with a rocket-shaped steel border monument and harbor panorama.
- Visit
- about 35 min
- Admission
- Free
Cruises calling at Basel
513 sailings are grouped into 133 cruises by ship and route.
Emerald Cruises4 departure dates6 sailings available to book
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2026.12Europe cruises · 7 nights
Christmas Markets on the Rhine
Basel → Amsterdam
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 3,993
Emerald Cruises2 departure dates
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2026.12Europe cruises · 7 nights
Christmas Markets on the Rhine & Lucerne - Zurich
Amsterdam → Zurich
Lowest departure fareCheck with the booking provider
Emerald Cruises4 departure dates
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2026.12Europe cruises · 7 nights
Christmas Markets on the Rhine
Amsterdam → Basel
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 5,114
Emerald Cruises2 departure dates
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2026.12Europe cruises · 7 nights
Zurich - Lucerne & Christmas Markets on the Rhine
Zurich → Amsterdam
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 6,344
Emerald CruisesSailing 2026.12Europe cruises · 7 nights
Zurich - Lucerne & Christmas Markets on the Rhine
Zurich → Amsterdam
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 6,348
Emerald Cruises2 departure dates2 sailings available to book
Sailing 2026.12Europe cruises · 7 nights
Christmas Markets on the Rhine
Amsterdam → Basel
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 5,235
Emerald CruisesSailing 2026.12Europe cruises · 7 nights
Christmas Markets on the Rhine & Lucerne - Zurich
Amsterdam → Zurich
Per person, double occupancyCheck with the booking provider
Emerald CruisesSailing 2026.12Europe cruises · 7 nights
Zurich - Lucerne & Christmas Markets on the Rhine
Zurich → Amsterdam
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 6,465
Emerald Cruises3 departure dates2 sailings available to book
Sailing 2026.12 ~ 2028.12Europe cruises · 7 nights
Christmas Markets on the Rhine
Amsterdam → Basel
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 3,384
Emerald Cruises6 departure dates
Sailing 2027.03 ~ 2028.03Europe cruises · 7 nights
Early Season on the Rhine
Amsterdam → Zurich
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 2,078
Emerald Cruises5 departure dates
Sailing 2027.03 ~ 2027.04Emerald CruisesSailing 2027.03Europe cruises · 7 nights
Tulips of the Rhine & Lucerne - Zurich
Amsterdam → Zurich
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 4,187
133 cruises call at this port.
Ships calling at Basel
Explore cabin types, dining and deck facilities for each ship.
Emerald Cruises · 136 sailings
Emerald Sun
5 cabin types · 4 dining venues · 15 entertainment options · 4 decks
Explore the ship
Emerald Cruises · 118 sailings
Emerald Destiny
5 cabin types · 4 dining venues · 14 entertainment options · 4 decks
Explore the ship
Emerald Cruises · 74 sailings
Emerald Luna
5 cabin types · 4 dining venues · 15 entertainment options · 4 decks
Explore the ship
Emerald Cruises · 62 sailings
Emerald Dawn
5 cabin types · 4 dining venues · 14 entertainment options · 4 decks
Explore the ship
About Basel
Basel is a city in northwestern Switzerland on the Swiss, French and German borders. It is located on the bend of the River Rhine and benefits from a Mediterranean climate. It is the third most populated city in Switzerland and has been the commercial hub for Swiss arts and culture since the Renaissance. In 1967 the people of Basel voted to acquire two paintings by Picasso, who was so moved by the Basel people that he donated 3 paintings and a study to the city's Kunstmuseum (Museum of Fine Arts). Visit the Augusta Raurica, one of the largest Roman archaeology parks in Switzerland, and enjoy a river crossings over the River Rhine by non-motorised ferries. During the summer months, time is spent outdoors, either swimming in the River Rhine, dining al fresco, enjoying open air concerts, cinema, street parties and festivals. Basel is home to over 20 restaurants that have won GaultMillau or Michelin awards, and boasts Switzerland's largest collection of theatre shows, including modern contemporary dance, touring and puppetry theatre.
Cruise lines calling here: 1 places
Emerald Cruises
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