9 days in Basel & Zurich Itinerary

Situated where the Swiss, German, and French borders meet, Basel is considered the hub of Dreilandereck, this "three countries corner." Its location makes Basel a center of culture and history, brimming with important theaters and museums.

Start off your visit on the 30th (Fri): pause for some serene contemplation at Basel Minster, get engrossed in the history at Basel Paper Mill - Swiss Museum for Paper, Writing and Printing, then explore the world behind art at Fondation Beyeler, and finally admire the masterpieces at Museum Tinguely. On the 1st (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take an exotic tour of SwissSafari GmbH, then look for gifts at Johann Wanner, and then take a stroll through Basel's Old Town.

For where to stay, other places to visit, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Basel itinerary builder app.

Washington, USA to Basel is an approximately 17.5-hour combination of flight and car. The time zone difference moving from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Central European Standard Time (CET) is 6 hours. When traveling from Washington in April, plan for a bit cooler days in Basel, with highs around 61°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 40°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sat) so you can go by car to Zurich.

The financial hub of Switzerland, Zurich is most often associated with money and banks.

Escape the urban bustle at Mt Pilatus and Lake Zurich. Let the collections at Museum of Art (Kunsthaus Zurich) and Uhrenmuseum Beyer Zürich capture your imagination. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Zurich: Lucerne (Chapel Bridge, Altstadt Luzern, &more). There's still lots to do: take an in-depth tour of Landesmuseum, stroll the grounds of Friedhof Fluntern, wander the streets of Bahnhofstrasse, and get a taste of the local shopping with Foundation E. G. Buhrle Collection.

For other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, read Zurich trip itinerary maker website.

Drive from Basel to Zurich in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In May in Zurich, expect temperatures between 65°F during the day and 47°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 6th (Thu) to allow enough time to travel back home.