Enter custom title (optional)
This topic is locked
Last reply was
1.2k

I will get a rental car to drive fom Basel airport to Bern. I have about 4 hours time - what route would you suggest? I would really like to see some scenery and stay on smaller streets. Maybe a stop on the way?

Report
1

Superb little trip. It's only about 55 miles and directly - without a stop, should take little more than an hour or so.
I'd recommend, as a quickie - coming off the A1 at Dietingen, joining the A5 - down to Biel/Bienne and doing a bit of the Eastern coast road along Lake Biel (Bielersee) as far as Ins - then rejoining the A1 onward to Bern.
That should add about 90 minutes or so to your journey - so well within your 4 hours.
Please - be wary of the Swiss traffic police. They hand out the nastiest of on-the-spot fines for the smallest speeding violations.... I know ! !
Have a nice drive.

Report
2

In which season? In winter, there is often (but not always!) thick fog over the midlands (between Belchen Tunnel and Berne) whereas the Jura hills are in the sun.
Under these circonstances, an itinerary like
Basel Airport - Folgensbourg - Lucelle - Les Rangiers - St. Ursanne (small medieval town) and back - Saignelegier - La Chaux de Fonds (Swiss Watchmaking Museum) - Col de la Vue des Alpes (view point) - Neuchatel (medieval town center, Celtic lake Dwelling Museum) - Berne could make sense.

Otherwise, you may go from Basel airport to Basel - Aesch - Zwingen - Passwang - Oensingen - Langenthal - Affoltern im Emmental (Cheese diary) - Hasle - Utzigen - Berne (through the Emmental)

Report
3

Thanks for the suggestions!
I will be traveling next week. Would like to do some driving in the mountains.
How about going to Thun, then backtracking to Bern via Oberschrot?

Report
4

I expect your post about the trip, I am sure that it was picturesque and very nice - like everything in Switzerland.....

Report
5

How about a trip to Lucerne, it's a one hour drive from Basel. Lucerne is a small picturesque city with nice views of the alps. If you have the time you might go up mount Pilatus by aerial cableway.

This is my tip you want to see the mountains otherwise I would do less driving and enjoy the region. There is nice things to do and see too. I am originally from this region and happy to help.

Report
6

Mexijo asked for a nice route. I don't think that the highway (full of all kind of trucks in international and domestic traffic) Basel - Oftringen - Lucerne - Oftringen - Berne falls into this category.

BTW: Berne "is a small picturesque " medieval "city with" beautiful "views of the alps".

Report
7

Thank you all for your input. Went via Passwang - spectacular!

Report
8

Thanks for the feedback

Report
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
trusted partner