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Basel / Bâle to Biel/Bienne by train
How to take the rail journey from Basel to Biel/Bienna (and on to Geneve or Lausanne)
A few years ago the Swiss national rail timetable was restructured and the direct trains from Basel to both Geneve and Lausanne were removed.
So the trains now travel no further than Biel/Bienne, but at that station the connections on to Geneve and Lausanne are as simple as can be, with the trains on to Genve typically leaving less than 5 mins after the arrival from Basel.
And making the connection usually involves simply stepping across the platform from one train to the other.
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Routes
From Basel Bad Bf to Biel/Bienne
Journey Summary
1hr 7 min
Daily
Travel Information
1 x train per hour
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes - If you book Supersaver tickets (more info is available on the SBB ticket guide below)
You may need to search through the departures to find them using the ‘earlier’ and ‘later’ buttons; the Supersaver tickets tend to sell out particularly quickly on this route.
Online bookings open: up to two months ahead of the travel date
Try and be flexible with your departure and arrival times, book as near to 60 days ahead as possibl
Seat reservations:
Seat reservations are optional on Swiss IC trains, so seats won't be assigned when booking online.
You can book reservations online for journeys by these IC trains, AFTER you have booked a ticket, by using the SBB (Swiss national railways) seat reservation service - OR request a reservation when booking at a station ticket office.
Travelling with a rail pass:
Rail pass users can jump on any train, without having to make reservations
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| SBB | * | |
| Trainline | * | |
| Happy rail | * | |
| Omio | * |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
The direct trains between Basel and both Geneve and Lausanne, which also called at Neuchâtel have been discontinued.
To reach these cities from Basel a change of train is now required at Biel/Bienne.
However, the change of train couldn't be simpler, you will only have to cross the platform from one train to another.
If you're heading to Neuchâtel or Geneve, then the connection at Beil/Bienne is only around 3 mins.
Though if you're heading to Lausanne, you'll usually have to wait at Biel/Bienne for around 35 min for your onward connection.
Between Delémont and Moutier, the train passes through a narrow river gorge, the best of the views are from the right of the train (when facing the direction of travel).
The train will reverse direction on departure from Delémont.
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