Basel travel budget

Basel: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Basel

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Basel for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 92 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 31 per person
  • $ 17 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 2607* (2394 CHF)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 143 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 70 per person
  • $ 38 per person
  • $ 21 per person

Total budget:

$ 5575* (5110 CHF)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 175 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 123 per person
  • $ 76 per person
  • $ 42 per person

Total budget:

$ 9153* (8386 CHF)

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).



Cost of living in Basel compared to United States in 2025

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Basel in 2025 is 49% higher than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Basel in 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):




Local prices in Basel by expense type

Restaurant budget in Basel

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Basel is 58% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Lunch
Lunch
$ 28/person
($ 23 to $ 40)

44% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 68/person
($ 45 to $ 89)

84% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 37
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 18/person
($ 18 to $ 21)

57% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Local beer
Local beer
$ 8.9 for 500ml
($ 4.7 to $ 10)

53% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.8
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 2.6 for 330ml
($ 1.7 to $ 4.4)

25% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.4
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 6/cup
($ 3.9 to $ 8.9)

20% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 4.7/can
($ 3.3 to $ 5.6)

96% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 4.5/bottle
($ 3.3 to $ 5.6)

132% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

Hotel and accommodation budget in Basel

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Basel is 13% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 121/night
($ 63 to $ 278)

24% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 159
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 132/night
($ 62 to $ 373)

11% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 148
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 154/night
($ 53 to $ 391)

29% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 218
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 195/night
($ 83 to $ 460)

35% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 302
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 513/night
($ 467 to $ 714)

10% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 467
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 156/month
($ 89 to $ 330)

1% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 158
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 190/month
($ 60 to $ 535)

18% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 233
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 159/month
($ 74 to $ 390)

19% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 199
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 144/month
($ 96 to $ 275)

34% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 220
Family room
Family room
$ 246/month
($ 82 to $ 798)

27% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 194

Supermarket food budget in Basel

On average, the price of supermarket food in Basel is 39% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Milk
Milk
$ 2/litre
($ 1.3 to $ 2.3)

94% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Bread
Bread
$ 3.7/500g
($ 2.2 to $ 4.4)

9% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Rice
Rice
$ 4.7/kg
($ 2.2 to $ 5.6)

8% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.4
Eggs
Eggs
$ 7/12 eggs
($ 4.6 to $ 11)

98% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Chicken
Chicken
$ 34/kg
($ 19 to $ 45)

184% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12
Apples
Apples
$ 3.5/kg
($ 2.2 to $ 4.4)

30% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 6.3/kg
($ 3.3 to $ 8.8)

34% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.7
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 2.8/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 4.4)

3% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.8
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 1.2
($ 0.3 to $ 2.2)

42% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Public and private transport budget in Basel

On average, the price of transport in Basel is 84% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 4.2/ticket
($ 3.3 to $ 5)

75% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 4.2/km
($ 4.2 to $ 4.5)

153% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7
Petrol
Petrol
$ 2/litre
($ 2 to $ 2.1)

117% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 7.2
($ 6.6 to $ 7.2)

103% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Car hire
Car hire
$ 52/24hrs
($ 24 to $ 87)

27% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 72

Leisure activity budget in Basel

On average, budget for leisure activities in Basel is 60% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 21/ticket
($ 18 to $ 27)

48% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Tennis
Tennis
$ 36/hr
($ 18 to $ 45)

71% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Basel

On average, shopping budget in Basel is 69% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 10/pack
($ 10 to $ 12)

4% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 117
($ 78 to $ 145)

130% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 51
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 73
($ 45 to $ 101)

74% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42

Plane ticket budget

Manchester → Basel
Manchester → Basel
Manchester → Basel
$ 156
(fair price: $ 126)
London → Basel
London → Basel
London → Basel
$ 134
(fair price: $ 105)
New York City → Basel
New York City → Basel
New York City → Basel
$ 910
(fair price: $ 744)
Edinburgh → Basel
Edinburgh → Basel
Edinburgh → Basel
$ 179
(fair price: $ 144)
Dublin → Basel
Dublin → Basel
Dublin → Basel
$ 156
(fair price: $ 115)
Montreal → Basel
Montreal → Basel
Montreal → Basel
$ 813
(fair price: $ 749)

Book a flight Flight prices to Basel




About this information on the cost of living in Basel

The information about the cost of living in Basel shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including: Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

The information about the cost of living in Basel was updated on 12-11-2024.

Change currency