km · Landmark
Troyes
The A5 skirts the historic capital of southern Champagne.
Paris → Basel, where three countries meet
Paris to Basel by private chauffeur
Basel sits where three countries meet: France and Germany are just minutes from the centre. Your chauffeur drops you on the Swiss or French side, at the Messe or at EuroAirport.
Paris → Basel
- Distance
- 525 km
- Driving time
- 5h 15min
- Route
- A5 · N19 · A36
- Estimate
- €1,050
about €263 per person with 4 passengers
Over the Langres plateau and through the Belfort Gap
The trip leaves Paris on the A5 towards Troyes and the Langres plateau. We then join the N19, largely dual carriageway, via Vesoul to Belfort, then the A36 towards Mulhouse. We cross the border at Saint-Louis, on the edge of Basel.
Basel is a city of business and culture. It is home to the headquarters of major pharmaceutical groups, to Messe Basel and, every June, to Art Basel, one of the leading events on the art market calendar.
What makes it special is its position: France and Germany are minutes from the centre. EuroAirport, the Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg airport, actually stands on French soil, with a Swiss sector and a French sector.
In summer, locals swim in the Rhine, letting the current carry them along. In winter, the carnival and the autumn fair bring the city to life. Either way, your chauffeur drops you at the exact address, on whichever side of the border.
The road log
Paris → Basel, kilometre by kilometre
km · Rest stop
Langres
The first break, on the Langres plateau, then we join the N19.
km · Landmark
Belfort
The Belfort Gap, the natural passage between the Vosges and the Jura.
km · Rest stop
Mulhouse
A possible second break. Basel is half an hour away.
km · Border
Frontière à Saint-Louis
The Saint-Louis border crossing: entering Switzerland. ID required.
ParisBasel · 525 km
Unique to this route
Basel and its three borders: what to know before you go
Between France, Switzerland and Germany, a few details make all the difference. Here is what we check with you before the trip.
Valid ID for every passenger: Switzerland is not in the European Union.
The Swiss motorway vignette: it is on us, so you have nothing to arrange.
Which EuroAirport sector, Swiss or French, depending on your airline and flight.
The Messe entrance shown on your badge, so we can drop you as close to your hall as possible.
Currency: the Swiss franc, although euros are often accepted.
Your mobile plan: free EU roaming does not always cover Switzerland.
A possible stop on the German side, in Weil am Rhein or Freiburg im Breisgau.
The dates of major events (Art Basel, the carnival) so you can book early enough.
The route
Paris → Basel on the map
525 kilometres via A5 · N19 · A36. The line on this map follows the route we take in normal traffic; it may vary with the time of day and road conditions.
An honest comparison
Door to door: private car or train?
Car with driver
5h 15min
From your front door to your destination address, with no changes and no luggage to carry.
VS
Train, door to door
4h 35min
3h 05min on the train, plus around 1h 30min to get to the station, wait for departure and complete the journey at the other end.
Our straight-talking verdict
The TGV Lyria links Paris and Basel in about three hours: on your own and travelling light, it is faster. A car with driver takes the lead for the Messe with equipment, for EuroAirport, which has no railway station, for a group, and for combining Basel with Alsace or the Black Forest.
Where we drop you off in Basel
- 01 The historic centre, the Rhine and the Mittlere Brücke.
- 02 Messe Basel and its exhibition halls.
- 03 The headquarters and campuses of the pharmaceutical groups.
- 04 EuroAirport, Swiss side or French side.
- 05 Saint-Louis, Mulhouse, Weil am Rhein and Freiburg im Breisgau.
Good to know before you set off
- → Switzerland is not in the European Union: customs checks are possible and ID is required.
- → Swiss motorways require an annual vignette: it is on us.
- → EuroAirport has a Swiss sector and a French sector: tell us which one your flight uses.
- → Between Langres and Belfort, the N19 is toll-free; the A5 and A36 tolls are included in the quote.
Calendar
The best times to travel to Basel
Art Basel
In June, galleries and collectors from all over the world gather at the Messe. Hotels are fully booked, so book early.
Basel Carnival
In late February or early March, three days of processions and fifes, starting with the Morgestraich at 4am.
The Autumn Fair
In late October and early November, one of Switzerland’s oldest fairs sets up on several of the city’s squares.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a private driver from Paris to Basel? +
Our estimate is around €1,050 for 525 km, or about €260 per person for four. The final price depends on the addresses and time of travel.
What documents do I need to enter Switzerland? +
A valid national ID card or passport. If you are not an EU national, check the entry requirements.
Can you drop me at EuroAirport? +
Yes, on the Swiss or French side depending on your flight. Just mention it in your request.
Do you run trips during Art Basel? +
Yes, it is actually one of our busiest periods. Book as soon as your dates are confirmed.
Can we stop in Mulhouse or elsewhere in Alsace? +
Yes, Mulhouse is on the way and Colmar is a short detour. Tell us the stop and we will recalculate the estimate.
Your Paris → Basel trip, priced in 2 minutes
The calculator already includes the distance for this trip: just add your addresses, date, number of passengers and luggage. We then confirm the price and the vehicle.