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Partying at Eurovision in Basel: Navigating Your Way to the Musical Mecca
It's Eurovision time again! In 2025, the grand spectacle will take place at St. Jakobshalle in beautiful Basel, Switzerland. The fun kicks off with the first semi-final on May 13, followed by the second on May 15, and culminating in the spectacular finale on May 17. Party on at Arena Plus and EuroClub to extend the music madness! But how do you navigate your way to Basel without getting tied up in traffic or a parking nightmare?
Take to the Skies or Rails, it's Your Choice!
What's Cooking for Car Travel?Although paid parking spots are available in the city, Basel-Stadt strictly advises against traveling by car due to limited parking options. On May 17, there's an additional "Park & Ride Eurovision" offer with shuttle service from Kaiseraugst, a nearby municipality.
But Why Not Go for a Flying Spree?The EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, which is merely seven kilometers from the city center, is a convenient flying option. A bus runs frequently from the arrival hall to the city center, taking approximately 20 minutes, around the clock until 00:30 AM.
What's the Eco-Friendly Option?The environmentally wise choice would be to travel by train. There are numerous connections from German cities like Berlin, Frankfurt am Main, or Hamburg to Basel SBB, Badischer Bahnhof, or Bahnhof Basel SNCF. Passengers attending one of the official events can even avail themselves of a 20 CHF discount on public transport fares within Switzerland!
Enjoy the Journey with BaselCard
For hassle-free travel to the venues, public transportation is the way to go. Lucky ESC fans can enjoy stress-free transport, thanks to a BaselCard, which entitles free travel in Nordwestschweiz, Regio Verkehrsverbund Loerrach (RVL), and Distribus zones. To top it off, hotel guests, hostel residents, or those staying at a bed and breakfast in the canton automatically receive a BaselCard - digitally via app or in the traditional guest card form. This special card offers fantastic perks such as half-price admission to museums and attractions besides free travel on public transport.
The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) will make it effortless for Eurovision attendees with extra trains during the contest and reinforced regular trains, including the "ESC Nightlines" to extend the musical party into the wee hours. Taxis and rental bikes are also viable alternatives if you feel like exploring Basel on your own terms!
In a nutshell, open skies or rails, it's your Eurovision Song Contest call! Once you're in Basel, enjoy the convenience of free or discounted public transport with your BaselCard or ESC ticket, making it a breeze to move around during the bustling event.[1][5][4]
Footnotes:1. Overall: The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel is easily accessible from multiple points across Europe. You can choose to fly, drive, or travel by train, with various modes of transport available in Basel itself, or nearby cities like Zurich and Strasbourg. With a show ticket or BaselCard, enjoying free or discounted public transport within Basel makes moving around during the event a breeze.2. By Train: You can travel to Basel by ICE, Nightjet, or regional trains operated by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and international train services like TGV and ICE from neighboring countries, with direct routes from numerous European cities, including Zurich and Strasbourg.3. By Plane: The closest airports are in Basel itself, Zurich, and Strasbourg (France). From these airports, you can take direct trains to Basel city center, ensuring a seamless transfer.4. By Car: Basel offers paid parking spots, but parking options are limited. An additional "Park & Ride Eurovision" offer with a shuttle service from nearby Kaiseraugst is available on May 17. To avoid traffic jams and parking troubles, consider flying or taking the train.5. Travel Within Basel and Discounts: Basel is a compact city with many Eurovision venues within walking distance. The BaselCard, offered to accommodation guests in Basel, grants free travel on the city’s buses and trams and access to discounts at local attractions. ESC ticket holders also qualify for free public transport within Basel. Without either a show ticket or BaselCard, a 10% discount is offered on public transport tickets.
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft budget for the European Union, including the transportation costs for traveling to the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel. Lifestyle choices can extend beyond music and parties, such as opting for an eco-friendly travel option by taking a train to Basel, which offers a 20 CHF discount on public transport fares within Switzerland.
