Boat trips on the Rhine
Trips
Experience Basel and the Rhine from a different perspective aboard the ships of Basler Personenschifffahrt. On the brunch ship, taking a sunset or lock cruise, even people from Basel feel like they are on vacation themselves every time!
What round trips does the Basler Personenschifffahrt offer?
Buy tickets
Our team at the Tourist Information office, located at the Stadtcasino at Barfüsserplatz, will be happy to advise you – and you can also get tickets for your boat trip right here, of course. Tickets and reservations are checked directly at the boarding point. Holders of an annual pass are advised to reserve a free ticket online before departure. This helps secure a seat on board during busy periods and allows a table reservation to be made at the same time.
Staying overnight in Basel? With a valid BaselCard, you get 25 % off tickets for scheduled cruises offered by Basler Personenschifffahrt. The public day cruises include city cruises, port cruises and lock cruises. The discount does not apply to evening cruises.
City and port cruise
Discover Basel from the Rhine on a 75-minute tour of the city and harbour. Right in the heart of Basel, you’ll the Grossbasel bank of the Rhine, the imposing Basel Cathedral (Münster), the Roche Towers, picturesque old town houses, the Museum Tinguely and the Birsfelden lock. You’ll also discover the Kleinbasel bank of the Rhine, the Klybeckquai, the bustling Rhine harbour and the tri-border area with views of the Dreiländerbrücke bridge and of France and Germany.
The on-board kiosk is open during the journey.
Evening cruise
In the evenings, you can enjoy a relaxing aperitif and dinner cruise on board the Rhystärn (the on-board restaurant is open). Get away from everyday life, cast your view afar, and discover Basel from a whole new perspective. As a couple, with friends, or with family. Raise a toast with a refreshing drink, enjoy tasty snacks and a delicious dinner, while sharing convivial moments. Totally relaxed and just as the mood takes you – with constant views of the setting sun and the passing cityscape. A special experience with the feel-good factor. The perfect way to see, feel and experience Basel.
Lock cruise to Rheinfelden
The lock cruise is the top cruise among the boat trips on the Rhine: enjoy a leisurely journey through the city of Basel to Rheinfelden. You will get to see two impressive locks and discover the countryside from the Basel region to the canton of Aargau.
With various excursions in Basel, Muttenz, Augst and Rheinfelden, the lock cruise is the perfect boat trip for associations, school classes, families and businesses: from the port tour to the Rheinsaline (Swiss Salt Works), via Kraftwerk Augst (Augst power station) and the picturesque old town of Rheinfelden, to a view of the Feldschlösschen brewery.
Brunch ship
On Sunday from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm, the brunch ship cruises on the Rhine and invites passengers to enjoy a relaxing brunch, linger and get together. Indulge in a generous and delicious brunch with fresh, seasonal and regional delicacies.
The chef will spoil you with a tasty and richly varied brunch: fresh breads and croissants, plaited loaves from local confectioner Confiserie Beschle, muesli, scrambled eggs, salmon, speciality meats, Swiss honey, jams, fruit, cheese and yoghurt – there is something for everyone here! You can help yourself to refreshing juices including local apple juice, mineral water, coffee or tea by London Tea from the buffet.
Boarding times are at 10.00 am, departures at 10.30 am. You can disembark at any chosen time. The timetable after 1.30 pm is identical to the city harbour cruise timetable until 3.00 pm.
Brunch is served at the table. You can reorder as often as you please between 10.30 am and 12.45 pm.
Tea Time Basel style
Celebrate our regional interpretation of an afternoon tea – a teatime for those who’d like to indulge while enjoying the Basel lifestyle. The Rhystärn invites you to enjoy a classic spot of tea with a Basel twist in a relaxing atmosphere in the heart of the city. Teatime on the Rhine is an afternoon break for conversation and culinary delights. The selection of the finest teas from London Tea is accompanied by a vegetarian assortment of savory, sweet regionally inspired delights sourced from Milchhüsli beider Basel, Beschle, Jakob's Basler Leckerly and Dream of Ice from Allschwil.
Good to know.
-
The Basler Personenschifffahrt operates several trips along the Rhine. Tickets are available from BPG at Schifflände (only in summer), on the boat and at the Tourist Information. Having the BaselCard means getting a 25 % discount.
The Rhytaxi and the taxiboat can be rented for city and harbour tours, business events, birthdays, weddings, etc.
-
A ride on the Rhystärn is a special experience for the whole family. The great lock cruise takes you over two impressive locks from Basel to Rheinfelden and back. The excursion can be combined ideally with a tour of the harbour or a visit to the Rhine Saltworks, the Roman city of Augusta Raurica, the Augst power plant or the Old Town of Rheinfelden. Find more great ideas for your family trip here.
-
School classes and youth groups (at least nine young people and one chaperone) get a discount of 50% off the normal ticket price for all scheduled trips. All people in this group up to and including 25 years of age pay half the price. This includes children under 6 and their adult chaperones. The discount for school classes cannot be combined with other discounts (e.g. BaselCard).
-
Gift vouchers for Basler Personenschifffahrt boat trips make great presents. All gift cards are valid for cruises and for the onboard catering options.
Gift vouchers (available from the Tourist Information):- Brunch voucher worth CHF 75 per person
- Tea Time voucher worth CHF 59 per person
- Tea Time voucher worth CHF 118 for two people
- Apéro uff em Rhy voucher worth CHF 86 for two people
- Winterapéro uff em Rhy voucher from CHF 30
- Season ticket voucher worth CHF 140
- Paper vouchers CHF 20, CHF 50, CHF 100, CHF 150, CHF 200, CHF 250, CHF 300, CHF 500 or any value you choose
- Lock cruise voucher worth CHF 48 per person
- City and port cruise voucher worth CHF 20 per person
- Evening cruise voucher worth CHF 14 per person
- Evening cruise voucher with fondue à discrétion worth CHF 79 per person
- Winter aperitif voucher worth CHF 30, CHF 60, CHF 90, CHF 120 or an amount of your choice
- After-work cruise voucher worth CHF 40, CHF 80, CHF 120, CHF 160 or an amount of your choice
- Gift voucher for a relaxing break worth CHF 40, CHF 80, CHF 120, CHF 160 or an amount of your choice
-
The Rhystärn is fully wheelchair-accessible. It has a lift on board that takes you to the various decks.
There is also a lift available at the Schifflände landing pier (78 cm wide × 210 cm long, max. load 1125 kg).
Find out more about the accessibility of the MS Rhystärn.
This is where people with disabilities can find information on the accessibility of hotels, museums and events, so that they can plan their visit to Basel in advance.
-
Yes, dogs are welcome on board and travel free.
-
Yes, you can take your bike with you for free on the cruises.
-
That depends on the cruise. City and port cruise: Tickets are valid once for a tour (75 min). Evening cruise: tickets are valid for several successive cruises – so stay on board for as long as you like. Lock cruise: tickets are valid once for the purchased cruise.