Incentive trips
Day trips from Basel
Day trips from Basel showcase Switzerland’s remarkable diversity within a compact area. Depending on the programme, your guests can explore historic Old Towns, visit centres of traditional Swiss craftsmanship, experience spectacular landscapes or combine a boat trip with regional cuisine. Themes such as watchmaking, wine, cheese, architecture and culture can also be incorporated into the excursions.
The result is incentive travel that combines personal encounters, shared experiences and surprising insights. All tours are accompanied by a guide, start and finish in Basel, and are ideal for groups looking to complement their stay with an inspiring day trip.
The activities are available for groups of 15 people or more.
The tours listed are examples and can be tailored to your requirements. Prices are available on request and depend on the selected programme and number of participants.
Day trips from Basel
Emmental – Hills, cheese and Swiss tradition
Langnau im Emmental, spring panorama. © Switzerland Tourism/Jan Geerk
The Emmental’s gentle rolling hills form one of Switzerland’s most beautiful landscapes. Lush meadows, traditional farmhouses with sweeping roofs and, of course, the famous Emmental cheese define the region. Discover traditional craftsmanship at the Emmental Show Dairy and enjoy the idyllic scenery on a leisurely walk. A visit to Burgdorf, including lunch at the castle and time to explore its historic Old Town, rounds off the excursion perfectly.
Programme
- 9.00 am–10.15 am: Journey from Basel to Affoltern im Emmental
- 10.15 am–11.45 am: Visit to the Emmental Show Dairy, including a guided tour and tasting, or a visit to Kambly
- 11.45 am–12.15 pm: Journey to Burgdorf
- 12.15 pm–1.45 pm: Lunch at Burgdorf Castle
- 1.45 pm–3.30 pm: Tour of Burgdorf Castle and walk through the Old Town
- 3.30 pm–4.45 pm: Return journey from Burgdorf to Basel
Bern – Federal city, history, cuisine and nature
Bern, aerial view. © Bern Welcome
Switzerland’s federal city combines politics, history and quality of life in a unique way. Begin with an exclusive visit to the Federal Palace (subject to availability), Switzerland’s political centre, before exploring the beautiful Old Town with its historic streets, the Zytglogge clock tower and the River Aare. A leisurely lunch at the Altes Tramdepot, overlooking the BearPark, followed by a visit to the park rounds off the day.
Programme
- 9.00 am–10.30 am: Journey from Basel to Bern
- 10.30 am–11.30 am: Guided tour of the Federal Palace or, alternatively, the “UNESCO Old Town Walk” guided tour
- 11.30 am–1.00 pm: Explore Bern’s Old Town, see the Zytglogge and enjoy some free time
- 1.00 pm–2.30 pm: Lunch at the Altes Tramdepot brewery
- 2.30 pm–3.30 pm: Free time for a walk along the River Aare near the BearPark
- 3.30 pm–5.00 pm: Return journey from Bern to Basel
Zurich – Cosmopolitan flair, lake and culture
Zurich, Grossmünster. © Switzerland Tourism/Jan Geerk
Switzerland’s largest city combines a historic Old Town, experiences on the lake and cultural highlights. After a guided city tour and a boat trip with lunch, enjoy a fascinating tour of the renowned Zurich Opera House, followed by some free time in the city.
Programme
- 9.00 am–10.30 am: Journey from Basel to Zurich
- 10.30 am–11.45 am: Guided tour of the Old Town, including a visit to the Grossmünster and a walk along the River Limmat
- 12.00 pm–1.30 pm: Lunch during a boat trip on Lake Zurich
- 2.00 pm–3.30 pm: Guided tour of Zurich Opera House
- 3.30 pm–4.30 pm: Free time for a walk or coffee by the lake
- 4.30 pm–6.00 pm: Return journey from Zurich to Basel
Schaffhausen – City, Rhine Falls and boat trip
Schaffhausen Rhine Falls, SBB. © Swiss Travel System / Jan Geerk
Schaffhausen combines a historic Old Town with one of Switzerland’s most spectacular natural attractions. After a tour of the city and Munot Fortress, experience the Rhine Falls, one of Europe’s largest waterfalls, up close on a boat trip. It is a memorable highlight of this excursion.
Programme
- 8.30 am–10.45 am: Journey from Basel to Schaffhausen
- 10.45 am–12.30 pm: Guided tour of the Old Town and visit to Munot Fortress
- 12.30 pm–2.00 pm: Lunch in Schaffhausen’s Old Town
- 2.00 pm–2.15 pm: Journey to Neuhausen am Rheinfall
- 2.15 pm–3.45 pm: Boat trip and time at the Rhine Falls, including visits to the viewpoints
- 4.00 pm–5.45 pm: Return journey from Schaffhausen to Basel
Jura – Nature, watchmaking and medieval towns
Creux du Van, Overview. © Switzerland Tourism / Dominik Baur
The Jura is known not only for its natural beauty but also for Switzerland’s renowned watchmaking industry. This excursion takes you through the striking rocky landscapes of Switzerland’s “Grand Canyon” and to a UNESCO World Heritage city renowned for watchmaking.
Programme
- 8.00 am–10.00 am: Journey from Basel to Creux du Van in the Neuchâtel Jura
- 10.00 am–11.30 am: Free time for a walk and to explore Creux du Van, with views of the impressive natural rock amphitheatre and surrounding landscape (May to October)
- 11.30 am–12.30 pm: Journey to La Chaux-de-Fonds
- 12.30 pm–2.00 pm: Lunch in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the centre of Switzerland’s watchmaking industry
- 2.00 pm–3.45 pm: Visit to the Musée international d’horlogerie, offering insights into the history and techniques of watchmaking
- 3.45 pm–4.30 pm: Walk through La Chaux-de-Fonds to discover its characteristic watchmaking architecture
- 4.30 pm–6.30 pm: Return journey from the Jura to Basel
Biel – Lake, vineyards, wine and the world of watches
Ligerz, Lake Biel. © Switzerland Tourism / Dominik Baur
This excursion combines water, scenery, cuisine and the history of Swiss watchmaking. In the morning, explore Lake Biel on a boat trip before travelling through the vineyards of the Three-Lakes region, with a stop at a local winegrower’s. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the world of Swiss watches at Swatch and Omega before returning to Basel.
Programme
- 8.00 am–9.30 am: Journey from Basel to Biel/Bienne
- 9.30 am–10.30 am: Boat trip to Ligerz, with views of the vineyards and wine-growing landscape
- 10.30 am–11.00 am: Funicular ride to Prêles
- 11.00 am–12.30 pm: Guided scooter tour through forests and vineyards towards Twann
- 12.30 pm–2.00 pm: Visit to a local winegrower, including an aperitif, followed by lunch in the Twann region
- 2.00 pm–4.00 pm: Journey to Biel/Bienne and independent visit to the world of watches at Swatch and Omega, or a guided tour of the Swatch Museum or Planet Swatch
- 4.00 pm–5.30 pm: Return journey from Biel to Basel
Lucerne and Mount Pilatus
The City of Lights, Lucerne, looks forward to welcoming you. Explore this city in the heart of Switzerland on foot before taking a boat across Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad. From there, travel aboard the world’s steepest cogwheel railway and reach Pilatus Kulm in just 30 minutes, where breathtaking panoramic views await you at over 2,000 metres above sea level. Mount Pilatus, Lucerne’s local mountain, is the crowning highlight of the excursion. If you are lucky, you may spot ibexes and marmots among the rocks or see eagles and Alpine choughs soaring overhead.
Programme
- 9.00 am–10.30 am: Journey from Basel to Lucerne
- 10.30 am–12.30 pm: Guided tour of Lucerne’s Old Town
- 12.45 pm–1.45 pm: Boat trip to Alpnachstad with lunch on board
- 1.45 pm–2.15 pm: Cogwheel railway journey from Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm
- 2.15 pm–3.00 pm: Free time at the summit
- 3.00 pm–3.30 pm: Aerial cable car journey to Kriens
- 3.30 pm–5.00 pm: Return journey from Kriens to Basel
