Roberta Aguirre
EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, also known as Basel Airport (BSL), is an international airport located near the borders of Switzerland, France, and Germany. The airport is unique in that it is jointly operated by France and Switzerland and serves the three cities of Basel, Mulhouse, and Freiburg. While the airport is entirely within France, it has direct access to Basel, Switzerland, and is connected to the Swiss customs area by a customs-free road. The airport building is divided into two sections: French and Swiss, each with its own customs and entry procedures. EuroAirport is a major aviation hub in the region, offering flights to various European destinations and serving as a base for easyJet Switzerland.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg |
| Location | France |
| Jointly Administered By | France and Switzerland |
| Headquarters | Blotzheim, France |
| Distance from Basel | 8km (5 miles) |
| Distance from Mulhouse | 25km (15.5 miles) |
| Distance from Freiburg | 70km (43 miles) |
| Number of Terminals | 2 |
| Bus Services | BVB, Distribus, Flixbus |
| Train Services | Basel Station, St. Louis |
| Car Rental Services | Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt |
| Duty-Free Shops | Available in international departures and arrivals |
| Conference Rooms | 10 |
| Business Center | Available |
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What You'll Learn
EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg is jointly administered by France and Switzerland
EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg is an international airport located in the administrative commune of Saint-Louis, in the French Alsace part of the Trinational Eurodistrict of Basel. The airport is located 3.5 km (2.2 mi) northwest of the city of Basel in Switzerland, 20 km (12 mi) southeast of Mulhouse in France, and 46 km (29 mi) south-southwest of Freiburg im Breisgau in Germany.
EuroAirport is one of the few airports in the world that is jointly operated by two countries, in this case, France and Switzerland. The airport is governed by a 1949 international convention and an earlier state treaty established in 1946. The headquarters of the airport's operations are located in Blotzheim, France. The airport is located entirely on French soil and under French jurisdiction, but it also has a Swiss customs border. A 2.5-kilometre (1.6 mi) customs-free road connects the airport to Basel, allowing travellers to bypass French customs clearance and enter Switzerland directly.
The airport building is divided into two sections: Swiss and French. In the Swiss section, Swiss authorities have the authority to apply Swiss laws regarding customs, medical services, and police work, including on the customs road connecting to Basel. Meanwhile, French police are permitted to conduct random checks in the Swiss section. With Switzerland's accession to the Schengen Treaty in 2009, the airport was reorganised to include a Schengen and non-Schengen zone. Border control is jointly staffed by Swiss and French officers, and passengers arriving from non-Schengen countries must proceed to the customs office of the country corresponding to their Schengen entry visa.
EuroAirport serves as a base for easyJet Switzerland and offers flights primarily to European metropolitan and leisure destinations. The airport is connected to motorway A3, which leads from Basel to southeastern Switzerland, passing through Zürich. Several bus connections, including BVB bus No. 50 and Flixbus, provide service to and from the airport to Basel and other destinations in Switzerland, France, and Germany.
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The airport is located entirely on French soil
EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg is located entirely on French soil, just 8km (5 miles) northwest of Basel, Switzerland. The airport is jointly administered by France and Switzerland, with a governing board comprising members from both countries, as well as Germany. This unique arrangement is governed by a 1949 international convention.
The airport building is divided into two distinct sections: one for Switzerland and one for France. Despite being located in France, the Swiss section operates under Swiss jurisdiction, allowing Swiss authorities to apply Swiss laws regarding customs, medical services, and police work. French police are permitted to conduct random checks in the Swiss section. Passengers arriving from non-Schengen countries must proceed to the customs office of the country for which they have received the Schengen entry visa, either France or Switzerland.
The airport is easily accessible from both countries. From the Swiss side, travellers can take bus services such as BVB bus No. 50, which connects the airport to the Basel SBB railway station. This journey takes approximately 20 minutes. On the French side, Distribus route 11 connects the airport to St. Louis station, from which travellers can take a train to Mulhouse.
EuroAirport is a major aviation facility in the region, serving as a base for easyJet Switzerland and offering flights to various European destinations. The airport features duty-free shops, newsagents, and children's play areas. It also has a business centre that caters to meetings, seminars, and professional training sessions.
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It is governed by a 1949 international convention
Basel Airport, officially known as EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, is located in the administrative commune of Saint-Louis, in the French Alsace part of the Trinational Eurodistrict of Basel. It is one of the few airports in the world that is jointly administered by two countries, in this case, France and Switzerland. The airport is located entirely on French soil, just 3.5 km (2.2 mi) northwest of the city of Basel in Switzerland.
The unique governance structure of Basel Airport is governed by an international convention dating back to 1949. The history of this arrangement can be traced to the 1930s when plans for a joint Swiss-French airport were initiated. However, these plans were interrupted by the Second World War. It was only after the war, in 1945, that discussions resumed between France and Switzerland, leading to a foundational agreement. France agreed to provide the land, and Switzerland committed to covering the construction costs.
The airport's construction began even before the international treaty was officially signed on July 4, 1949, in Bern. The first provisional airport infrastructure was completed and inaugurated on May 8, 1946, with the first civilian plane landing a few days earlier on May 2. This early version of the airport featured a 1,200-meter (3,900 ft) runway. Over the years, the airport underwent several enlargement projects, with extensions to the terminals and runways.
The 1949 international convention has allowed Basel Airport to become a symbol of international cooperation. The airport has a binational status, with a Swiss and a French sector within the terminal. Swiss authorities can apply Swiss laws regarding customs, medical services, and police work in the Swiss section, including the 2.5-kilometre (1.6 mi) customs-free road connecting Basel with the airport. Similarly, French police can conduct random checks in the Swiss section. This unique arrangement ensures smooth travel between Switzerland and France, enhancing the airport's international status.
Basel Airport is served by various transport options, including bus services, shuttle services to train stations, and car rental options. It is easily accessible from nearby cities like Zurich, Frankfurt, and Basel itself. The airport is a base for airlines such as easyJet Switzerland, offering flights to European metropolitan and leisure destinations.
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The airport is split into two sections: Swiss and French
EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg is an international airport located near the borders of Switzerland, France, and Germany. It serves the cities of Basel in Switzerland, Mulhouse in France, and Freiburg in Germany. The airport is unique in that it is jointly administered by France and Switzerland and is located entirely on French soil. The airport's headquarters are in Blotzheim, France, and it is governed by a 1949 international convention.
The airport building is divided into two distinct sections: Swiss and French. Despite being on French soil and under French jurisdiction, Swiss authorities have the authority to enforce Swiss laws regarding customs, medical services, and police work in the Swiss section. This includes the customs road connecting Basel with the airport. Passengers arriving from non-Schengen countries must proceed to the customs office of the country for which they have received the Schengen entry visa, which could be either France or Switzerland.
The Swiss section of the airport features a Swiss Railways ticket counter and a duty-free shop for international passengers travelling into Switzerland. There are also duty-free shops in the international departures area for passengers travelling to non-Schengen destinations. The airport is connected to the Swiss customs area by a 2.5-kilometre customs-free road to Basel, allowing travellers to bypass French customs clearance.
The French section of the airport includes various facilities such as parking, which can be cheaper when paying in Euros. Additionally, there are car rental options available from companies like Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt. However, it is important to have the required documents when crossing the border.
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It is located 8km (5 miles) northwest of Basel, Switzerland
EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg is located 8km (5 miles) northwest of Basel, Switzerland. The airport is unique in that it is jointly administered by two countries, France and Switzerland, and is governed by a 1949 international convention. The airport is located entirely on French soil, but it has a Swiss customs border and is connected to the Swiss customs area by a 2.5-kilometre customs-free road to Basel, allowing travellers to bypass French customs clearance. The airport is operated under a state treaty established in 1946, which grants both Switzerland and France access to the airport without any customs or other border restrictions.
The airport building is divided into two distinct sections: Swiss and French. While the entire airport is on French soil and under French jurisdiction, Swiss authorities are authorised to apply Swiss laws regarding customs, medical services, and police work in the Swiss section, including the customs road connecting Basel. French police are permitted to conduct random checks in the Swiss section as well. The airport's central location between Switzerland, France, and Germany justifies its unusual name, with Basel being the closest city.
EuroAirport serves as a base for easyJet Switzerland and primarily offers flights to European metropolitan and leisure destinations. It is one of the few airports in the world operated jointly by two countries. The airport is a major aviation facility in the region, hosting airlines from across Europe. There are several duty-free shops in the international departures area, as well as newsagents selling books, magazines, and confectionery goods.
Basel Airport has a variety of transportation options to and from the city. The BVB bus No. 50 connects the airport to the Basel SBB railway station, the main Swiss and French railway station in Basel. During weekdays, this bus runs every 7–8 minutes, and on weekends, it runs every 10 minutes during the daytime, with a trip duration of about 20 minutes. Additionally, there are several car rental options available for crossing the border, but travellers should ensure they have the necessary documents.
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Frequently asked questions
Basel Airport, also known as EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, is located in France. However, it is jointly administered by France and Switzerland and is governed by a 1949 international convention.
The airport has three IATA codes: BSL (Basel) is the Swiss code, MLH (Mulhouse) is the French code, and EAP (EuroAirport) is the neutral code.
There are several ways to get to Basel, Switzerland, from the airport. You can take a bus, such as Flixbus, or a shuttle to the train station in St. Louis and then board a train to Basel. You can also rent a car, but make sure you have the required documents to cross the border.
Basel Airport has duty-free shops in the international departures and arrivals areas, newsagents, and children's play areas. There is also a hotel information desk and a Swiss Railways ticket counter in the Swiss section of the airport. Additionally, there are 10 fully-equipped conference rooms available for meetings and events.
Basel Airport serves as a base for easyJet Switzerland and hosts airlines from across Europe. It was previously the headquarters of Crossair and Crossair Europe before their dissolution.
