Basel

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SteveW77

Jul 31, 2010
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I am thinking of going to the Italian lake next year, all the route information I am getting off of the web says that Basel is to be avoided like the plague, can anyone tell me why and suggest a better route.

Many thanks

Steve W
 
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rob_jax

Jul 15, 2005
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Hi Steve,

We have busniess clients in Basel city centre, and it's a bi-annual drive from my Rotterdam office.

The answer depends on which country you use to enter Switzerland:

If you enter from France (via Mulhouse) the motorway splits and one route ends rather abruptly and dumps you onto city streets - or rather more accurately into on-going road improvements - but these should have all ended by next year (check though). The other route from the motorway split takes you through a link motoway (in tunnels) to join the German motorway.

If you enter via Germany - other side of the Rhine - then that parallel motorway is a straight run through and usually not a problem. There is a segement of motorway that links the French motorway into this section - but that link was closed earlier this year (because of the road works)

If you have any doubts or get some updated traffic info before you travel, then an alternative is to skip Basel by travelling on the German motorway, turning off about 5km before the border onto another motorway which curves around Basel about 3km to the east via Lorrach

Robert
 
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SteveW77

Jul 31, 2010
1,285
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19,180
Many thanks for the info Robert. I will probably cross into Germany at Strasbourg and go down the east of the river from there.

Steve W
 
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rob_jax

Jul 15, 2005
2,175
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Steve

Strasbough is a great place to visit - particularly the old town - we've stayed a few times near Brumath about 1/2 hour to the west of Strasbourg. Brumath is an old mining town with one great restaurant (L'ecrevisse) run by Michel Orth

However - the road bridge into Germany at Strasbourg can be a real nightmare - any crossing point further north would be better.

Robert
 
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SteveW77

Jul 31, 2010
1,285
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19,180
Once again my thanks, you can't beat local knowledge. This is what makes this forum work.

Steve W
 
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Pat_374304630

May 21, 2007
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As we are thinking of going to Switzerland next year I am finding this topic very informative.

Patman.Bugbrooke near Daventry.
 
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DavidKlyne

Mar 14, 2005
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Earlier in the year on our way to Switzerland we had intended to cross the Rhine a bit south of Colmar but missed the junction so were committed to going through Basel. Now I had also heard all the stories about the roads works (they seem to have been going on for years) We went through at around 11.00am in the morning and I have to say it was no where near as bad, or as slow as I thought it would be. OK in places it was a bit like the Dartford Tunnel with roadworks but we got through.

David
 
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taffia

Apr 9, 2005
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Hi Steve,

We have busniess clients in Basel city centre, and it's a bi-annual drive from my Rotterdam office.

The answer depends on which country you use to enter Switzerland:

If you enter from France (via Mulhouse) the motorway splits and one route ends rather abruptly and dumps you onto city streets - or rather more accurately into on-going road improvements - but these should have all ended by next year (check though). The other route from the motorway split takes you through a link motoway (in tunnels) to join the German motorway.

If you enter via Germany - other side of the Rhine - then that parallel motorway is a straight run through and usually not a problem. There is a segement of motorway that links the French motorway into this section - but that link was closed earlier this year (because of the road works)

If you have any doubts or get some updated traffic info before you travel, then an alternative is to skip Basel by travelling on the German motorway, turning off about 5km before the border onto another motorway which curves around Basel about 3km to the east via Lorrach

Robert
Click to expand...
The journey on the east of the rhine via Lorrach is a lot less stressful,compared to entry via France,It avoids Basle city centre.
 
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taffia

Apr 9, 2005
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Use the motorway to the East of the Rhine via Lorrach,as this avoids Basle city centre roadworks and jams. Also the queues at the border are a lot shorter
 
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Tim2

Mar 14, 2005
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I agree with all that has been said regarding Basle have passed through Switzerland in 2006 and 2007 enroute to Italy.

2006 we entered Switzerland on the French side - motorway suddenly ends in city streets plus awful roadworks not least because traffic was sometimes split into different types by picture rather than width indication. Unsure whether to follow car or HGV symbols. Followed car but added stress that might become stuck in a narrow lane.

This year took note of advice on this, and other websites, and entered from Germany. Missed out Basle centre and its roadworks, MUCH BETTER, and not much further.

I would strong advise entry from the German side.

Tim
 
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EvansofSprot

Mar 14, 2005
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I could not believe it when I went through Zurich earlier this year as the route had not altered since I last went through it in 1975!!!! Some nice looking girls in the streets!

Bless the Swiss!
 
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Pat_374304630

May 21, 2007
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Swanseajack,

We havn't quite decided yet whereabouts in Switzerland we are going.We will be using camping cheques,the idea is that we will travel through Belgium into Germany,stay 2 nights,into Switzerland for 10 nights,and then stop another 2 nights on the way back.Currently we are checking the ferries.We will be travelling the latter part of June.

We will certainly take into account all the excellent advice given on this topic.

( Patman.Bugbrooke. 8 miles from Daventry )
 
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