Day trip from Lyon to Basel
Basel lies 289 km (180 mi) north-east of Lyon, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there.
At 289 km (180 mi) apart, Basel is a realistic day trip from Lyon: about 4 h 42 min each way by road.
| Lyon | Basel | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | France | Switzerland |
| Population | 520,774 | 177,595 |
| Elevation | 173 m (568 ft) | 279 m (915 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+2 (Europe/Paris) | UTC+2 (Europe/Zurich) |
| Postal codes | 69000–69998 CEDEX 07 | 4000–4091 |
What changes when you arrive in Basel
Crossing from France into Switzerland: money changes from the Euro to the Franc (CHF); sockets are Euro, SN 441011; the dialling code becomes +41; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1061257 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q11185210.
Where to book tours and tickets in Basel
We take no bookings for these providers and hold no reservation with them. The provider you choose handles payment, confirmation, changes and refunds. How that works.
Staying in Basel
Live rooms and prices for Basel are in the search below.
Book a hotel in Basel
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Basel from Lyon?
289 km (180 mi) in a straight line, north-east of Lyon; by road roughly 353 km (219 mi).
How long does it take to get from Lyon to Basel by road?
About 4 h 42 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Lyon and Basel?
No, both are on the same offset at the moment.
What currency do I need in Basel?
The Franc (CHF).
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 13 September 2026. Hotel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.