Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel: travel by night train & night bus
From May 10 to 17, 2025, the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) will occur in Basel, Switzerland. This blog shows you how to get to Basel by night train or night bus. You will also receive exclusive insider tips about Basel, which is perfect for your ESC trip! The author has lived in Basel for five years and knows the best recommendations.
How to travel to Basel by night train
Here you will find out from which cities you can travel directly to Basel by night train. Click on the links to check the best connections and availability for your travel date.
You can choose between the comfortable NightJet/ÖBB night trains and the more affordable night ICs of Deutsche Bahn: In the NightJet/ÖBB night trains, you travel comfortably in a couchette or sleeper car.
The night ICs of Deutsche Bahn are cheaper but only offer seating. Tip: With an Interrail pass, you pay nothing for the night ICs except for possible reservation fees.
Direct connections from Germany
- Night train from Berlin to Basel
- Night train from Bonn to Basel
- Night train from Bremen to Basel
- Night train from Dresden to Basel
- Night train from Fulda to Basel
- Night train from Hamburg to Basel
- Night train from Hanover to Basel
- Night train from Leipzig to Basel
- Night train from Riesa to Basel
Direct connections from the Netherlands
How to travel to Basel by night bus
FlixBus offers numerous night bus connections to Basel. Until we integrate it into our platform, you can find current connections and tickets directly at https://www.flixbus.ch/.
Insider-Tipps Basel
Accommodation
Accommodation in Basel is likely to be scarce and expensive during the ESC. Alternative options within 20 minutes by train include Liestal and Olten. A cheaper option may also be renting a place in France or Germany (Basel is located at the border of both).
Food
- Author’s favorite restaurant: Poké bowls at L’Atelier, about 500 meters from Basel SBB station.
- If it’s warm enough for ice cream: Gelateria di Berna
- Regional specialties & surprise menu: Viertel-Kreis
- Excellent pizza: Vito
Excursions
- Take a trip to Gempen, Basel’s local mountain, or the nearby Jura.
- Recover from the party at Sole Uno.
- Take the train and explore a nearby Swiss city. Within an hour, you can reach Delémont, Zurich, Solothurn, and Lucerne.
- The Basel Zoo ("Zooli") is just 5 minutes from the main train station.
Key Facts about ESC in Basel
- Nemo won ESC 2024 in Malmö with the song The Code. That’s why the ESC 2025 is being held in Basel.
- Final: May 17, 2025, at St. Jakobshalle.
- Participants: 27 nations will compete in ESC 2025.
- Swiss ESC history: This is the third time Switzerland is hosting the ESC (previously in 1956 & 1989).
- Public vote: In June 2024, 66% of Basel’s population voted in favor of hosting the ESC.
For more information, including tickets, visit the official ESC website.