Jazmin Li
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is located entirely within French territory, but is jointly administered by France and Switzerland. The airport is located 8km (5 miles) northwest of Basel, Switzerland, and is connected to the Swiss customs area by a 2.5km customs-free road. The airport is split into two sections: Swiss and French, with separate duty-free shops, newsagents, and children's play areas. The Swiss section also has a hotel information desk and a Swiss Railways ticket counter.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg |
| Location | Basel, Switzerland |
| Country | France and Switzerland |
| Management | Run by two countries, France and Switzerland |
| Number of terminals | 2 |
| Number of exits | 2 |
| Number of IATA airport codes | 3 |
| Bus services | BVB, Distribus route 11, Flixbus |
| Taxi stand location | In front of the arrivals hall |
| Car rental services | Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt |
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What You'll Learn
EuroAirport Basel is located in France
EuroAirport Basel is an unusual airport in that it is jointly administered by two countries: France and Switzerland. The airport is located entirely within France, but it is close to the Swiss and German borders. The airport is connected to Switzerland by a 2.5-kilometre customs-free road, allowing travellers to access Switzerland without going through French customs clearance. The airport is also connected to the Swiss city of Basel by bus and train.
The airport building is divided into two distinct sections: the French sector and the Swiss sector. Each sector has its own duty-free shops, newsagents, and other facilities. The Swiss authorities have jurisdiction over customs, medical services, and police work in the Swiss section, while French police can conduct random checks. Passengers arriving from non-Schengen countries must go through the customs office of the country for which they have received a Schengen entry visa, which may be either France or Switzerland.
EuroAirport Basel has three IATA airport codes: BSL (Basel) for the Swiss sector, MLH (Mulhouse) for the French sector, and EAP (EuroAirport) as a neutral code. The airport is a major aviation hub in the region, serving the cities of Basel, Mulhouse, and Freiburg, and offering flights to European metropolitan and leisure destinations. It is one of the few airports in the world operated jointly by two countries.
The unique management structure of EuroAirport Basel is governed by an international convention established in 1949. The airport's board comprises eight members each from France and Switzerland, as well as two advisers from Germany. The airport's operations are headquartered in Blotzheim, France.
EuroAirport Basel offers a range of transport options to its surrounding regions. There are bus services, such as Flixbus, connecting the airport to Basel and other destinations. Passengers can also take a shuttle to the train station in St. Louis and board a train to Basel or other nearby cities. Car rental is another popular option for crossing the border, but travellers must ensure they have the required documents.
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The airport is jointly administered by France and Switzerland
The EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is an unusual airport in that it is one of the few in the world to be jointly administered by two countries: France and Switzerland. The airport is located entirely within France, just 8km (5 miles) from Basel in Switzerland, and 25km (15.5 miles) from Mulhouse in France. It is governed by a 1949 international convention and operated via a state treaty established in 1946, which allows both countries access to the airport without any customs or other border restrictions. The airport's board has eight members each from France and Switzerland and two advisers from Germany.
The airport terminal is divided into a French sector and a Swiss sector, each with its own duty-free shops, newsagents, and other facilities. The Swiss section has a dedicated Swiss Railways ticket counter, and there is an airport information desk between the two sides. The Swiss authorities have the authority to apply Swiss laws regarding customs, medical services, and police work in the Swiss section, including the customs road connecting Basel with the airport. French police can also execute random checks in the Swiss section.
The airport is served by several bus connections to Basel, Mulhouse, and Freiburg, as well as other nearby cities. There are also car rental options available for crossing the border, but travellers are advised to have the required documents. The airport serves as a base for easyJet Switzerland and mainly features flights to European metropolitan and leisure destinations.
The unique joint administration of the airport by France and Switzerland stems from the 1930s when Swiss planners identified Basel as a city for which a main urban airport would be developed. The existing airfield was too small and unsuitable for expansion, so a new airport was proposed across the Franco-Swiss border, leading to talks with French authorities about developing a single airport serving both countries.
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It has exits to both France and Switzerland
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is an unusual airport in that it is jointly administered by two countries, France and Switzerland. The airport is entirely within France, but it is close to the Swiss and German borders. The airport terminal is divided into two distinct sections: the French sector and the Swiss sector, each with its own set of entry procedures. This setup allows passengers to complete the necessary entry procedures for either country directly within the airport.
The Swiss section of the airport includes a hotel information desk and a Swiss Railways ticket counter. The Swiss authorities have the authority to enforce Swiss laws regarding customs, medical services, and police work in this area, including the customs road that connects Basel with the airport. This means that travellers can bypass French customs clearance and directly access Switzerland via the customs road.
The French sector, on the other hand, operates under French jurisdiction. Interestingly, French police are permitted to conduct random checks in the Swiss sector as well. The airport is governed by a 1949 international convention, and its headquarters are located in Blotzheim, France. The airport's board consists of eight members each from France and Switzerland, along with two advisers from Germany.
Basel Airport provides convenient access to various destinations in France, Switzerland, and Germany. On the French side, travellers can visit Strasbourg, Colmar, Mulhouse, and Freiburg. Crossing the Rhine, one can explore the Black Forest and the charming towns of Hinterzarten and Schluchsee in Germany. In Switzerland, travellers can discover Basel's architecture and museums, Lucerne's picturesque views and lake, and the Swiss Alps for skiing.
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The airport building is split into two sections: Swiss and French
The EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is unique in that it is one of the few airports in the world to be jointly operated by two countries: France and Switzerland. The airport is located entirely within France, but it is close to the Swiss and German borders. The airport building is divided into two distinct sections: the Swiss sector and the French sector. This division allows for entry procedures to be carried out for both countries, with each country's authorities applying their respective laws, customs, medical services, and police work within their designated section.
The Swiss section of the airport offers a range of amenities and services for travellers. It features a hotel information desk and a Swiss Railways ticket counter. Additionally, there are duty-free shops available for international passengers arriving in Switzerland. The Swiss sector is governed by Swiss laws and regulations, allowing for seamless travel for those entering or exiting Switzerland.
The French sector also provides a variety of facilities for passengers. It offers duty-free shopping for travellers departing from non-Schengen destinations. The French sector operates under French laws and regulations, ensuring compliance with the country's rules and requirements.
The airport's unique setup allows for efficient travel between the two countries. Passengers can choose to exit through the Swiss or French sector, depending on their destination. The airport is connected to Basel, Switzerland, by a 2.5-kilometre customs-free road, providing easy access for travellers bypassing French customs clearance. Additionally, there are bus services, such as BVB Bus No. 50, that connect the airport to Basel, as well as other nearby destinations.
The EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg serves as a hub for easyJet Switzerland, offering flights to various European metropolitan and leisure destinations. The airport's location and facilities make it a convenient gateway to France, Germany, and Switzerland, providing access to popular cities and attractions in the region.
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The airport serves as a base for easyJet Switzerland
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is jointly administered by France and Switzerland and is located entirely on French soil. The airport is connected to Switzerland by a 2.5-kilometre customs-free road to Basel, allowing travellers to bypass French customs clearance. The airport building is divided into two sections: the Swiss sector and the French sector. The Swiss sector is governed by Swiss laws regarding customs, medical services, and police work, while the French sector operates under French jurisdiction.
Basel Airport is accessible by bus and car from Switzerland, France, and Germany. From Switzerland, travellers can take bus 50 from Basel to the airport, or drive via the A35 motorway or route 5. From France, Distribus route 11 connects Saint-Louis station to the airport, and travellers can drive via the A35 motorway from Mulhouse. From Germany, travellers can take a Flixbus to the airport or drive via route 5 from Freiburg.
Basel Airport offers a range of facilities for travellers, including duty-free shops, newsagents, children's play areas, and conference rooms. The airport also provides access to various services, such as ATMs, currency exchange, and a hotel information desk. Additionally, there are car rental services available from companies like Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt.
Basel Airport serves as a convenient gateway to Switzerland, France, and Germany, offering easy access to nearby cities like Basel, Mulhouse, and Freiburg. With its unique international status and joint administration by two countries, the airport provides a seamless travel experience for passengers travelling to and from destinations in Europe and beyond.
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Frequently asked questions
Basel Airport, also known as EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, is located entirely within France. However, it is jointly administered by France and Switzerland.
There are three modes of transport from EuroAirport to Basel. You can take a bus, such as BVB bus No. 50 or Flixbus, a shuttle to the train station in St. Louis and then a train, or a rental car.
Due to its international status, Basel Airport has three IATA airport codes: BSL (Basel) is the Swiss code, MLH (Mulhouse) is the French code, and EAP (EuroAirport) is the neutral code.
Basel Airport has several duty-free shops in the international departures area, newsagents, and children's play areas.
