Basel (Zurich, Switzerland)

Basel (aka Basle) is a Rhine River cruise port and city in Switzerland, with a population of around 200,000 (ranking it Switzerland's 3rd most - after Geneva and Zurich). Basel is also the country's only cargo port serving ocean-going cargo ships docking at Rotterdam. The city is located near three country borders (French, German and Swiss). Some of its suburbs are on the territories of Germany and France. The official language is German.

On shore excursions/roundtrip bus tours from Basel can be visited Alpnachstad (from where via the mountain railroad Pilatus Railway is accessed the Pilatus Mountain) and also Berne, Interlaken, Lucerne, Kriens. Cruisetours may also include bus excursions to Kembs (France's Alsace region, Haut-Rhin department). Bus tours from Zurich visit Bienne, Neuchatel, Geneva, Gruyeres, Broc, Charmey, Gstaad, Grindelwald (train travel to Jungfraujoch).

Some cruisetours have their itinerary's first leg ending in Austria (Salzburg) from where tourists are transported by luxury coaches to Switzerland (St Moritz via Innsbruck). The buses then leave from St Moritz to Basel, visiting Chur (train travel to Tasch and Zermatt), Chateau de Chillon, Berne, Interlaken, Lucerne, and end in Basel (ship embarkation port for the itinerary's second leg).

Basel Switzerland is also the flag-state (port of registry) for many European river cruise ships. All major European river cruise companies offer voyages to and from Basel. Most itineraries are between Basel and Amsterdam (northbound and southbound). As a riverport for Zurich, Basel is the embarkation-debarkation point. The distance between both cities is approx 76 km (48 mi). The train travel time is 1 hour.

Zurich is located on Lake Zurich (Limmat River). Most cruise tours are from Zurich to Vienna Austria and include passing the Main-Danube Canal. Itineraries start in Zurich, with included travel to Basel for boarding the riverboat. Zurich is Switzerland's largest city (population over 400,000, metro around 2 million) and is located at the lake's northwestern tip. Zurich is among the world's largest financial centers being home to major financial institutions and banks.

From Basel are also offered bus tours to Schaffhausen.