Basel (Zurich, Switzerland)

Basel (aka Basle) is a Rhine River cruise port and city in Switzerland, with population around 200,000 (ranking it Switzerland's 3rd most - after Geneva and Zurich). Basel is also country's only cargo port serving ocean-going cargo ships docking at Rotterdam. The city is located near three country borders (French, German and Swiss). Some of its suburbs are on the territories of Germany and France. The official language is German.

All major European river cruise companies offer cruisetours to and from Basel. Most cruises are between Basel and Amsterdam (northbound and southbound). As cruise port for Zurich, Basel is the embarkation-debarkation point. The distance between both cities is approx 76 km (48 ml). Train travel time is 1 hour.

Zurich is located on Lake Zurich (Limmat River). Most cruisetours are from Zurich to Vienna Austria, and include passing the Main-Danube Canal. Itineraries start in Zurich, with included travel to Basel for boarding the riverboat. Zurich is Switzerland's largest city (population over 400,000, metro around 2 million) and is located at the lake's northwestern tip. Zurich is among world's largest financial centres being a home to major financial institutions and banks.