basel travel card

Basel Card: Everything You Need To Know

The Basel Card provides visitors like you with a great way to explore Basel without emptying your wallet. You get free travel on local public transport and a range of discounts at local attractions.

There are two types of city cards in Switzerland. The ones you can buy, or the ones you get when you overnight at specific places. The Basel Card is one of the latter.

So, if you are staying at a hotel, hostel or participating apartment or Airbnbs then you might be eligible for the BaselCard. All you have to do is ask your accommodation.

Now, let’s take a look at what you get with the BaselCard.

Table of Contents

BaselCard Benefits

The BaselCard is great for a visit to all the attractions around Basel. Here is what you get

Free Public Transport

The BaselCard allows you to ride all public transport for free which includes TNW zones 10, 11, 13/EuroAirport, 14 and 15. You can use it when you arrive and are traveling to your accommodation, for example, from the airport. However, not outside the zones mentioned above.

Also be aware, that the Basel Card does not include free use the Reigoldswil-Wasserfallen cable car, although there is a 50% discount.

Discounted Entry To Museums & Attractions

You can get 50% discount on over 40 Basel museums with the BaselCard , such as:

• Kunstmuseum Basel
• Museum Tinguely
• Vitra Design Museum
• Museums of Cultures
• Basel Paper Mill
• Fine Arts Museum Basel
• Basel Historical Museum
• Foundation Beyeler
• Schweiz. Feuerwehrmuseum
• Museum of Contemporary Art

You can get a full list of all the museums on the Basel website .

There are also other attractions you get a 50% discount on such as:

• Theater Basel
• The sightseeing bus
• Basel Old Town tour ( more info )
• River cruises
• Reigoldswil-Wasserfallen cable car
• Volta Art Fair Basel

Just be aware that you can only use your BaselCard to enter these places or attractions once. And, you cannot combine it with any other discounts you may have access to.

Related Reading

Best museums in basel (famous & intriguing), rent an e-bike.

You can also get a discount on e-bike rental if you want to zoom around the streets of Basel. It will cost you only 20 CHF a day with the BaselCard. You can organise a bike on this page .

Free WiFi At Basel City Hotspots

There are around eight specific hotspots in Basel City where you can get free access with the BaselCard. All you have to do is register with your BaselCard and you will be able to log in and use the free wifi as you roam about the city.

You can find the specific location of all hotspots on this page , but below I have included a map to give you an idea of where they are.

How to Get Basel Card?

Your accommodation will issue you with the BaselCard directly. If you have not received it, please contact them directly.

Can I Buy A BaselCard?

Since 2018, the city of Basel no longer sells the Basel Card directly to the public. The reason is that if you do not stay overnight in Basel you do not contribute city tax which goes towards paying for the card.

How Can I Use The BaselCard From The Airport?

If you are traveling from the airport of main Basel train station, proof of your accommodation is enough to travel to your accommodation directly. Then you can get the BaselCard upon check-in.

Basel Airport To The City Center – The Best Options

Can i get a baselcard if i stay at an airbnb.

Yes, visitors who stay in Basel city with at an Airbnb are also eligible for a BaselCard. Just ask your host for your BaselCard upon arrival.

How Much Does A BaselCard Cost?

The BaselCard is free if you stay overnight at a hotel, hostel, participating apartment or Airbnb in Basel City. You can organise your BaselCard with your accommodation directly.

2 thoughts on “ Basel Card: Everything You Need To Know ”

We shall be staying with friends in Basel. Is it possible to get a Basel Travel Card?

Unfortunately not, only people staying at least one night in a hotel or other paid accommodation can get a Basel Card.

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Home to 40 museums, the city of culture for connoisseurs has the highest concentration of museums in the country. Basel also has a beautiful Old Town, modern architecture, and the Rhine – an inviting spot to rest a while.

Description

Basel is Switzerland's oldest university city. Historic landmarks of the city include the large market square with its richly decorated red sandstone town hall  and the late Romanesque-Gothic cathedral . During a walk through the old town , past small boutiques, antique book shops but also shops of modern designers, a visit to the " Läckerli Huus " to try the traditional Basel honey cake is well worth your while. Basel is tradition-conscious and open-minded at the same time, a fact born out by several modern buildings designed by renowned architects such as Herzog & de Meuron, Mario Botta, Diener & Diener and Richard Meyer. Almost 40 museums make Basel the city with the highest density of museums in the country. Internationally known museums, such as the Basel Art Museum , the museum devoted to the iron sculptor Jean Tinguely , the Fondation Beyeler  and the Museum of Cultures  attract a great many visitors, as do several galleries and playhouses. Basel is among other things home to the symphony orchestra and the chamber orchestra as well as the musical theatre featuring international productions. And a wide range of classical and contemporary productions are shown on the stages of the Basel Theatre and the Playhouse.   Basel is a green city. The Botanical Gardens , the Merian Gärten  and the banks of the Rhine are perfect places to relax and linger for a while. And the Etoscha House at the zoo Basel  offers spectacular insights into the Namibian Savannah. You can easily explore Basel on foot or by bike. There are four Rhine ferries  that connect Grossbasel with Kleinbasel. At nearby Augusta Raurica  near Augst impressive ruins and a great many finds at the museum bear testimony to the busy lives of the Romans in the region in the past. The charming countryside of the Basel region with its many cherry trees in spring boasts a particularly beautiful display of blooms. Germany and France, the Black Forest and Vosges Mountains are only a stone's throw away from the border city of Basel. The yearly Fasnacht  (Carnival) is the most important celebration for the people of Basel. On the Monday following Ash Wednesday the city rises with the "Morgenstraich". At four in the morning on the dot all the lights in the city go out and a colourful and brilliant procession through the streets of the city begins. BaselCard If you stay overnight in Basel, you can benefit from discounts on numerous cultural and leisure activities with the BaselCard . The personal guest card is available free of charge with every booking in Basel accommodation and can also be downloaded to a smartphone as a web app. 

Conferences and congresses

Basel’s central location, first-class public transport connections and modern infrastructure make it a leading venue for trade fairs and conventions. The Congress Center Basel, located right in the middle of the city, is the largest and most modern convention centre in Switzerland. Basel is located in the heart of Europe, straddling the Rhine. The city is at the centre of the idyllic area where the borders of Switzerland, Germany and France converge. Getting here is easy, with the EuroAirport only around 15 minutes from the city centre. Rail passengers can arrive at either the city’s SBB railway station or the Basel Badischer station operated by Deutsche Bahn. The city’s proximity to the border means that visitors can also arrive by TGV and ICE.

The news listed here is maintained by the regional / local tourist offices, which is why Switzerland Tourism can not guarantee the content.

Transform! Design und die Zukunft der Energie | Vitra Design Museum 

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Kunsthalle Basel

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Price per person in double room valid: 08.05.2024 - 31.12.2024

Basel Mountainbike Holidays Jura Bike Basel - Nyon

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valid: 08.05.2024 - 20.09.2025

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valid: 08.05.2024 - 31.12.2024

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Without overnight stay valid: 08.05.2024 - 31.12.2024

Hotel Wettstein, Basel Team meeting for 8 people at Hotel Wettstein

valid: 08.05.2024 - 20.12.2024

Basel Cycling holidays Jura-Route

Der teufelhof basel ag, basel summer in the city – meeting pauschale.

Single room valid: 01.07.2024 - 31.08.2024

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Price per person in double room valid: 08.05.2024 - 31.05.2024

• Restaurants

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• until 25 Sep Flohmarkt Barfüsserplatz Basel, 27.03, 25.09.2024
• until 20 May GROWTH - Klára Hosnedlová Basel, 09.02. - 20.05.2024
• until 26 May Iberian Basel
• until 26 May Iberians Basel, 19.11.2023 - 26.05.2024

Travel information: Basel

Destination.

Tourist Information Barfüsserplatz Steinenberg 14 Im Stadt-Casino am Barfüsserplatz 4051  Basel +41 (0)61 268 68 68 +41 (0)61 268 68 70 [email protected] Website

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Discover Basel Region

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Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.​

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Fondation Beyeler

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• May 18, 2021

Transportation Essentials: Basel Transit 101

Basel’s public transportation system is simultaneously easy to use and complicated to understand. The simple part is that there is an excellent network of buses and trams in the city. The complicated part is knowing the ins and outs of all the different ticket types, the different ways to buy tickets and connecting to neighboring France and Germany.

Generally speaking, Basel buses and trams are on time, clean and safe to use at any time of day. Most routes run every 7 to 15 minutes with less frequency at night. People of all ages rely on it and you will see children as young as 6 riding without an adult. Even dogs and bikes are allowed (though bikes are frowned upon during rush hours). You can definitely rely on public transit alone to get around the city.

Basel transit operates on an honor system, which means you are required to buy your ticket before boarding, but only occasionally will anyone ever ask you to see it. However, if you do get asked for a ticket you better have it or it’s CHF100! (In the case where you have a monthly or annual pass and forgot it you can contest the ticket at the Barfusserplatz BVB office and they will likely refund you less a service fee).

At first you may just be interested in learning how you get from house to work or school but over time you will come to appreciate that the transit system is part of the TNW regional area and links into a country wide network of transit.

There must be 50 ways to buy your ticket...

Figuring out how to buy a ticket is a little like that Paul Simon song, “Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover.” There seems to be an endless variety of ticket types and multiple ways of buying them.

Virtual Tickets

Paper tickets.

TNW ticket machines at tram and bus stops

Multiple journey paper tickets must be validated by the kiosk machine

SBB ticket machines

the BVB Customer Service Centre at Barfüsserplatz (Barfi) 061 685 14 14

the BLT ticket counter at Heuwaage 061 406 11 11 or 061 406 11 99

Monthly/yearly tickets

Paper tickets at BVB Customer service Centre

online here

Photo ID is required

Transit Apps

Linked with credit card to purchase single tickets, multiple single tickets as well as single-day and multiple single-day tickets for the whole of TNW including TriRegio (Germany) and RVL (France)

Can select full or half priced tickets

Links to BVB for departure times and transfers

Can send and receive tickets

Monthly/yearly passes not available – see U-Abo

Scheduling, departure and transfer times for the whole TNW area

Maps of the entire TNW network including night transit

Written directions to nearest tram stop (no map)

Maps of transit network for Germany and France (not live)

Link to TNW for ticket purchase

Scheduling and departure and transfer times for the whole TNW area

Finds the nearest stations based on your current location

Purchase monthly and yearly tickets

Transfer Paper Abos

Refund unused monthly Abos (before the first day of use)

Google Maps

Scheduling, departure and transfer times within the country in which you are standing (not so great with cross border travel)

Live maps to tram stops etc.

Ticket Types

Single tickets.

Single tickets allow for one-way travel within the period indicated on the ticket from the point of departure to the destination in one direction only. Single tickets can be purchased using a destination or by zone.

Short Journey Ticket

A short journey ticket has a validity period of 30 minutes including any changes of lines. It is valid one way only for four stops after boarding or up to 2 km on SBB trains within the TNW region.

Multiple Journey Ticket

A multiple journey ticket is valid for six journeys and offers a discount of 10% when compared to single tickets. The price for the multi-journey card is based on the number of zones in use and must be validated at a ticket-cancelling machine before the journey begins. It expires after 3 years from first validation.

Day Tickets

The day ticket allows you to take as many journeys as you want within the zones specified from the time purchase until 5.00 am on the following day. Day tickets can be are purchased in advance but must be validated before the start of the first trip. You can purchase a day ticket up to one year in advance. Day tickets are not valid for cross-border travel.

Multiple Day Tickets

Multiple day tickets are valid for 1, 2 or 7 days from the start time stamped at a ticket machine (or through an app) until 5am on the last day of validity. Multiple day tickets are also available in a 6-pack. They are not valid for cross-border travel.

The U-Abo is a monthly or yearly transit pass that allows unlimited travel within the entire TNW network including some cross-border travel. To obtain this card you must apply in person or online with photo ID. U-Abo cards that are lost or stolen can be replaced for 30CH.

Children Under 6 (accompanied)

Accompanied children under six years travel free of charge. The accompanying person must be at least 12 years old and hold a valid ticket. They may take up to four children with them free of charge. From 16 years of age, up to eight children may travel with them for free. For each additional child, half-price tickets must be purchased or any designated minimum fare paid.

All Unaccompanied Children

All unaccompanied children (to age 16) have to purchase a half-price ticket or pay any designated minimum fare.

Children’s Day Ticket (SBB no Junior Card)

When accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket, children aged 6 to 16 years can travel 2nd class for CHF 16 for the whole day. The 1-day travelpass for children costs CHF 32 for 1st class.

Junior Travel Card

The Junior Card is available for children ages 6-16 (accompanied by parents) and includes unlimited travel on Swiss public transit and the entirety of SBB (not just the TNW region). The Junior Card costs 30CHF per year and is available at all SBB ticket counters. A passport or other official ID is required. If you have more than 2 children the Junior Card is free for all children after the first 2, simply show the other 2 Junior Cards with purchase. If you have forgotten your Junior Card at home you can buy a replacement card from any SBB counter for 5CHF. ID is required.

Children’s Co-travel Card

A Children’s Co-travel Card is the same as a Junior Card, but the accompanying adult does not have to be the child’s parent. The accompanying person and child must be specified upon purchase. A separate travelcard is needed for every combination of child and accompanying person.

A maximum of four children with valid Children’s Co-Travelcard can be accompanied by one person. The Children’s Co-Travelcard is not valid for schools, institutions, associations, companies, institutions and organisations etc. that are travelling as a group.

Passengers with Reduced Mobility

At the bus/tram stop, signal to the driver to let him/her know you want to travel. They will help you get on and off and assist with folding access ramps if needed.

The VöV identity card for visually impaired passengers is valid with the BVB, BLT and in zones 10, 11, 13 and 15. This gives you the right to travel, as well as to take an accompanying person and a guide dog, free of charge. The card is available at the counter at Barfusserplatz.

Cats, dogs and other small, tame animals can be taken on the transit provided they do not bother anyone. Animals under 30 cm shoulder height that can be carried in bags, baskets or cages, are free of charge. Animals that exceed this size require a 2nd Class half-fare ticket (this option is available on apps and at ticket machines). Medical assistance animals are exempt.

Each passenger is allowed to transport 1 bicycle or e-bike on trams and buses and should use the doors marked for these purposes. Bikes require a 2nd class half-price ticket and should not be longer than 2m. Bikes that are more that 2m long; tandems and 3-wheel bikes with kid carriers require two 2nd class half-price tickets. Transport is generally possible only outside busy times and provided sufficient space is available Bikes with motors are not allowed on transit.

Year, day and multi-pack tickets for bikes are also available.

When travelling on SBB a bike reservation is required from April to October. Failing to reserve will result in a fine of 10CHF

Bikes are free for children under 6 and are also included in the GA card.

Other Stuff

Sbb discounts.

SBB, the Swiss wide transit organization, offers a variety of tickets that provide holders with discounts for local transit. The GA card allows you to travel on public transportation in Basel and countrywide. The Halb Tax (or Half Fare) card entitles holders to have price tickets on single or multiple journey tickets.

A single ticket to the airport must include the Greater Basel area (zone 13). This zone is included in monthly and yearly transit passes (U-Abo).

Visitors - Basel Card

All guests of hotels and B&B’s in Basel-Stadt are provided with a Basel Card when they check in. In addition to discounts on museums and attractions the Basel Card includes travel in TNW zones 10, 11, 13 and 15. The Basel Card is not valid for cross-border journeys. Baselland hotels also provide complimentary travel cards upon check-in. For transfer from Basel airport to the hotel, guests can ask hotels to annotate their reservation confirmations with the words "Mobility-Ticket", which allows for valid travel upon arrival at the airport.

Park and Ride

Park and Ride allows for free parking for 1 hour in a designated parking lot if a transit ticket is purchased. The designated parking lots are: Parkhäuser City, Storchen, Elisabethen, Steinen and St. Jakob. You can redeem your combined ticket before leaving the car park and, as usual, pay for your public transport ticket when you pick up the vehicle.

Lost and Found (Transit)

Basel has a truly impressive system for lost and found! I have heard amazing stories of people who have lost wallets and passports and had them returned intact. So if you lose something make sure to check it out!

Contact the Customer Service Centre in person at Barfüsserplatz

call 061 685 14 14 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 17:00)

email [email protected]

If your lost item is found, you will be notified and can pick it up at Barfüsserplatz. Fees may apply.

File an online report here

Contact the BLT ticket counter at Heuwaage personally (5CHF fee applies)

If you need a lost item urgently you can submit a search request for a fee of 50CHF.

Traveling To and From the Tri-country Area

Figuring out how to travel to France and Germany can be a little confusing; the best way to do it depends on how long you plan to be there and who is going with you.

Triregio Ticket

The ticket triregio is a day ticket valid for 24 hours covering the following areas:

Germany: whole district of Lörrach, RVL area (train/bus)

Switzerland: Northwestern Switzerland, the entire TNW area

France: SNCF stations between Basel SBB and Mulhouse as well as the whole area covered by the Distribus (Saint-Louis Agglomération).

The mini triregio , also valid for 24 hours, covers:

Germany: RVL zones 1, 2, 3 and 8 (train/bus)

Switzerland: TNW zones 10, 11, 13, 14, 15 and 40 (Swiss Rheinfelden)

France: the SNCF route from Basel SBB to Bartenheim, as well as the whole area covered by the Distribus (Saint-Louis Agglomération).

If you hold a U-Abo or GA card then then you can bring children 14 and under free of change. Without a U-ABO/GA card you can bring up to 2 children free of charge.

Phew! Well that should get you on your way. See something that is missing or incorrect? Have a helpful tip? Please leave us a comment!

Co-Written with Ariana McBride

• Settling In

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• Rent payments can only be made to one rental property per month

Why we chose it: The Bilt Mastercard® lets you earn travel rewards on rent payments without incurring any processing fees — unlike most credit cards that typically charge around 2.5% to 2.9% per rent payment.

You can use the card to pay rent without worrying about surcharges. Once you get approved for the card, all you have to do is set up an account through the Bilt app or website and use your assigned routing and account number to pay rent through your usual payment portal. You can also use your card even if your landlord only accepts checks, and Bilt will send a check on your behalf.

Additionally, Bilt doubles the card’s rewards rates on the first of every month, which means you can earn 6x points on dining, 4x points on travel and 2x points on other purchases (up to 10,000 points per month). However, this bonus doesn’t apply to rent rewards.

On the downside, the Bilt Mastercard® doesn’t offer a welcome bonus, and points redeemed for statement credits are only worth 0.55 cents each.

• Can transfer your miles to 16 travel partners
• Earns 5x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Doesn't earn bonus points on airfare
• No domestic travel partners

Why we chose it: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a great option if you’re looking for a no-annual fee travel credit card with a simple rewards structure.

You can use your miles to book travel through the Capital One Travel portal or as a statement credit to cover travel purchases made from airlines, hotels, rail lines, car rental agencies and more.

You can also transfer your points to one of Capital One’s 16 travel partners, which include international airlines such as Avianca and British Airways. This option is notable since travel credit cards with no annual fee don’t typically offer the option to transfer your reward to airline and hotel partners.

However, the card’s list of bonus categories is limited compared to some other no-annual-fee credit cards, and Capital One doesn’t offer bonus points on airfare booked through Capital One Travel.

• Includes trip cancellation/interruption and car rental insurance
• Features a high flat cash back rate combined and popular bonus categories
• 3% foreign transaction fee

Why we chose it: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is the best credit card for traveling domestically. It offers a 1.5% flat cash back rate on most purchases plus it has several appealing bonus categories, including travel and dining.

This card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, that is, on any transactions made in currency other than US dollars. However, if you mostly travel within the U.S., this card is an excellent option.

For one, you’ll earn an additional 1.5% on each of the card’s bonus categories during the first year of card membership (or up to the first $20,000 spent).

Also, although using this card abroad is not recommended, you can still use it to book international trips while you’re home, and you’ll earn 5% cash back if you book it through Chase Travel℠.

You can redeem your rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and even transfer them to other cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. It’s also worth noting that this card is one of the few no-annual-fee credit cards with rental car coverage and trip cancellation and interruption insurance.

• No annual or foreign transaction fees
• Discover matches the total miles you earned at the end of the first year
• Earns 1.5x miles on all purchases
• See your FICO score on the Discover mobile app, online and on statements
• Few benefits compared to other travel cards
• Doesn't include extended warranty or purchase protection

Why we chose it: The Discover it® Miles Credit Card is a no-frills card ideal for travelers who don’t want to keep track of bonus categories, earning caps or redemption values.

The card earns a flat 1.5x miles on all eligible purchases without any annual caps. You can redeem your miles for statement credits and account deposits at a rate of 1 cent per mile. You can also use your rewards through Amazon and PayPal checkout with the same value.

Also, the card’s welcome bonus is easily one of the best in the market: Discover matches every mile you’ve earned at the end of your first membership year — without any spending requirements.

However, while the Discover it® Miles Credit Card is a great starter travel card, its lack of bonus categories could hinder your reward-earning potential in the long run. Additionally, Discover cards aren’t as widely accepted internationally as Visa Signature and World Mastercard, for example.

All information about the Discover it® Miles Credit Card has been collected independently by Money.com.

• Earn 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, select streaming services and cell phone plans
• Includes cell phone protection plan
• No airline or hotel transfer partners
• Doesn't include travel insurance
• Netflix and HBO are not eligible for streaming bonus

Why we chose it: The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is the best travel reward card for everyday spending, offering high rewards on several popular spending categories, including travel, dining, gas, streaming services and cell phone plans.

Its travel bonus category is particularly noteworthy because you can earn points regardless of where you make your reservations, whether it’s directly with an airline or through a third-party travel site like Booking.com. (Most travel credit cards limit travel rewards to bookings made exclusively through the card issuer’s travel portal.)

The card also includes rental car insurance and a cell phone protection plan when you use it to pay your monthly bill.

All information about the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card has been collected independently by Money.com.

Best Low-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Cards

• Earn 2x miles per dollar on most purchases
• Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck(R)
• Includes travel accident and car rental insurance
• Fewer bonus categories than other cards with a similar annual fee ($95)
• Doesn't offer travel rewards for flights
• Car rental insurance is secondary

Why we chose it: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is the best credit card for travel miles if you want to earn a high reward rate and not worry about bonus categories.

The Capital One Venture Rewards is ideal for those who want to get the most out of their spending without worrying about tracking bonus categories and spending caps.

You can redeem your miles on the Capital One travel portal and as statement credits to cover travel purchases at a value of one cent per mile. Additionally, you may transfer your miles to more than 15 airline and hotel partners.

However, keep in mind that Capital One doesn’t have domestic travel partners, which can be a drawback if you mainly travel within the U.S.

• Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel purchases through Chase TravelSM
• Receive a point bonus each account anniversary
• Includes primary rental car insurance
• Earn 3x per $1 on dining, including eligible delivery and takeout meals, select streaming services and grocery purchases
• $95 annual fee
• Doesn't offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck(R) application fee credit

Why we chose this card: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best travel credit card for frequent travelers who want to earn valuable rewards while paying a low annual fee.

The card features six reward categories that offer outstanding rewards on flights, hotels, restaurants and more. You can redeem your points for statement credits, account deposits, gift cards and more. But you can get the most bang for your buck by redeeming them for travel purchases through the Chase Travel℠ portal, which increases your point’s usual one-cent value by 25%.

You can redeem your points for statement credits, account deposits, gift cards and more. But you can get the most bang for your buck by redeeming them for travel purchases through Chase Travel℠, which increases your point’s usual one-cent value by 25%.

You can also transfer your points to one of Chase’s 14 travel partners at a 1:1 ratio (one Chase point equals one hotel point or airline mile). These include popular airlines and hotels like JetBlue, Southwest, United, Marriott and Hyatt.

Best Premium Travel Credit Cards

• Earns 4x points on restaurants worldwide, takeout and food delivery within the U.S.
• Up to $120 in annual dining credits, issued as a $10 statement credit per month for select restaurants (enrollment required)
• Up to $120 as Uber Cash annually ($10 per month) for food delivery orders and rides in the U.S. after you add the American Express(R) Gold Card to your Uber account
• Earn 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x)
• High annual fee ($250)
• Includes few travel perks and insurance policies compared to similarly priced cards

Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.

Why we chose it: The American Express® Gold Card is ideal for foodies, offering a high reward rate at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, takeout and food delivery. (Terms apply.)

The American Express® Gold Card also offers statement credits worth up to $240 combined — almost enough to offset the card’s $250 annual fee. These include:

• Up to $120 every year in dining credits ($10 per month) for select restaurants and food delivery services. The list includes Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and Shake Shack (Enrollment required)
• Automatically get $10 monthly in Uber Cash to use on Uber Eats or Uber rides in the U.S. (after you add the American Express® Gold Card to your account)
• $100 credit for dining, spa services and other activities when you book a two-night minimum stay at a hotel from The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel
• Terms apply

However, note that the American Express® Gold Card offers fewer travel perks than some other premium cards — for instance, it doesn’t offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance or TSA PreCheck® or CLEAR® Plus fee credits.

• 10,000 bonus miles every year
• Statement credit of up to $300 for bookings made through Capital One Travel
• Up to a $100 credit on Global Entry or TSA PreCheck(R)
• Skip the line and get car upgrades when renting a car with Hertz
• High annual fee ($395)
• Fewer bonus categories than other premium cards
• No domestic airline transfer partners

Why we chose it: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the best credit card for travel miles if you want to earn a high reward rate and not worry about bonus categories.

The Capital One Venture X also includes noteworthy perks such as:

• 10,000 bonus miles every year (starting on your first anniversary)
• $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
• Up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges worldwide with Priority Pass™ Select and Plaza Premium Group
• Authorized users at no extra cost (many cards have an annual fee of $75 or more for each additional user)

All in all, the Venture X is a solid option that can easily compete with other premium travel cards, especially considering its more affordable annual fee.

• Up to $300 in statement credits each anniversary year to cover travel purchases
• Transfer your points to 14 travel partners (including United, Southwest, JetBlue and Marriott)
• Points worth 50% more when redeemed for travel expenses through Chase TravelSM
• Comprehensive travel insurance coverage, including emergency dental insurance
• High annual fee ($550)
• Doesn't include a cell phone protection plan

Why we chose it: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the best credit card for travelers looking for a high reward rate on travel and additional benefits like comprehensive travel insurance and airport lounge access worldwide.

Your points are worth 50% more when you redeem them for travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal. This means each point is worth 1.5 cents per point instead of one cent, like most travel cards. Also, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides several high-end benefits such as:

• $300 annual travel credit to cover travel-related purchases like airfare, hotels, car rentals, rideshares, buses, trains, tolls and/or parking
• Access for you and two guests to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide (after a one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select)
• Statement credit of up to $100 every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or Nexus

The Sapphire Reserve does have a $550 annual fee. But if you take advantage of the $300 annual credit and other perks, the benefits can definitely outweigh its cost.

• Access to the widest network of airport lounges of any card
• Complimentary elite status in the Marriott and Hilton hotel loyalty programs
• Hundreds of dollars in annual statement credits for travel, dining and more
• High annual fee ($695)
• Doesn't include baggage delay, travel accident and primary rental car insurance
• Limited bonus categories

Terms apply. Click here for rates and fees.

Why we chose this card: The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a list of premium benefits that no other travel card offers, including the widest network of airport lounges and room upgrades at Hilton and Marriott hotels. (Terms apply.)

The Platinum Card® from American Express features an impressive list of high-end travel benefits, including:

• Complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges, including Priority Pass, Delta SkyClub and Amex’s own Centurion lounges (enrollment required)
• Gold status in the Marriott and Hilton loyalty programs, which makes you eligible for room upgrades, free breakfast and late checkouts (enrollment required)
• $200 back each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings made through American Express Travel and paid with your Platinum Card® (Hotel Collection bookings require a minimum two-night stay)
• Up to $200 per year when incidental fees, such as checked bags, are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card® (with one selected qualifying airline)
• Complimentary premium status in Avis Preferred®, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards®, and/or National Car Rental® Emerald Club (must enroll through your Amex online account using your card)

The Platinum Card® from American Express does have a hefty $695 annual fee. However, for people who travel often and will take advantage of its annual credits and travel perks, it might almost pay for itself.

Best Business Travel Credit Cards

• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com
• Around $1,000 in yearly statement credits for select business purchases
• Access to a wide network of airport lounges (terms apply)
• Around $600 in perks in Fine Hotels + Resorts(R) locations booked through American Express Travel (for stays of two nights)
• Secondary rental car coverage**

Why we chose it: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express features an extensive list of benefits that make it an ideal travel and business credit card.

With this card, you can access over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, comprehensive travel insurance and extra amenities at hundreds of hotels, like daily breakfast and free internet access. Additionally, you get a $200 credit to cover baggage fees, in-flight refreshments and more and up to $100 for Global Entry or $85 for TSA PreCheck® every four or 4.5 years respectively. (Terms apply.) (Enrollment required.)

The card also offers several yearly statement credits for business-related purchases that include up to $400 per year ($200 between January and June and $200 between July and December) for U.S. purchases with Dell.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express does have one of the steepest annual fees ($695) among travel credit cards, but its extensive list of benefits makes it a no-brainer for business owners who travel frequently.

Best Airline Travel Credit Cards

• Free first checked bag for you and a companion
• Up to $100 as a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck(R) or NEXUS every 4 year
• 25% back as a statement credit on food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights
• Complimentary priority boarding for you and companions traveling on the same reservation
• $95 annual fee (after the first year)
• No intro APR period
• Rewards are only valuable when used with United

Why we chose it: The card_name has a low annual fee and gives you valuable benefits that make up for it, such as priority boarding for everyone on the reservation and a free checked bag for you and one companion.

Other perks the card includes are:

• Two one-time passes for United Club℠ airport lounges each account anniversary year
• 25% back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases like food, beverages and Wi-Fi
• Up to $100 every four years to cover the cost of TSA PreCheck®, Global Entry or NEXUS
• Comprehensive travel insurance (auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption insurance and trip delay reimbursement)

The United℠ Explorer Card earns miles on United purchases, including tickets, inflight food, beverages, Wi-Fi and more. You also earn rewards at restaurants and select hotel stays.

You can use your miles to book flights on United Airlines or its partners, including Avianca, Lufthansa and Air Canada. You can also redeem them for seat upgrades, inflight Wi-Fi passes and more — although United miles are usually more valuable when used for airfare.

Travel Credit Cards Guide

The best credit cards for travel do more than offer high reward rates on flights and hotel stays. They also provide rewards for everyday spending and perks such as travel insurance , airport lounge access and annual statement credits.

Here’s a rundown of how these cards work:

What is a travel credit card?

Travel credit cards offer benefits and rewards geared towards individuals who travel frequently or want to earn travel benefits.

They provide high rewards for travel-related expenses such as flights, hotels, rental cars and dining. You can then use these rewards (in the form of points or miles) to book travel reservations. Some cards also let you transfer your rewards to hotel and airline partners or redeem them for statement credits, cash back, gift cards and more.

On top of the rewards, these cards often feature several travel-related perks, such as no foreign transaction fees, hotel discounts, travel insurance, free checked bags and airport lounge access.

How do travel credit cards work?

Travel credit cards give you a certain number of points or miles per dollar on eligible purchases. They often offer around 5x points or more for airfare, hotel rooms, rental cars and more. Some cards may also count parking, bus fares, taxis, tolls and ferries as travel purchases.

Besides travel, you’ll typically get bonus points in additional spending categories. For example, some cards may offer 3x points per dollar on dining, groceries, drugstores or streaming services. All other eligible purchases usually get at least one point (1x) per dollar.

You can then redeem your points for flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and more. Card issuers also usually let you redeem your points for non-travel options like statement credits, cash back or gift cards.

How to use credit card points for travel

Travel credit cards have rewards programs through which you can earn points (or miles). Well-known point programs include Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express Membership Rewards® and Citi ThankYou® Rewards.

To redeem your points, go to your travel card’s rewards program portal. The process may differ across credit card issuers, but you’ll usually be able to access it through your online account on the issuer’s website or app.

Points are usually worth one cent each. However, some issuers increase their value if you redeem them for travel. For example, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card points are worth 1.25 cents when used to book flights through the Chase Travel℠ portal.

Points may also be worth less than a cent, depending on how you redeem them. For example, some cards allow you to use your points at Amazon checkout. While this might sound convenient, this option may bring down the value of points to around 0.8 cents.

Some cards also allow you to transfer your rewards to select airline and hotel partners. Typically, you can transfer rewards to these loyalty programs on a 1:1 ratio, meaning that 1,000 credit card points are worth 1,000 loyalty program points.

Difference between points and miles

You’ll earn points or miles depending on which travel credit card you have. For example, Chase travel credit cards earn points, while Capital One travel cards earn miles. Miles and points typically have similar value (around one cent each) and redemption options.

However, keep in mind that several cards that earn miles are tied to a specific airline — like the United℠ Explorer Card. In this case, you can only use your rewards for purchases with the issuing airline such as flights, seat upgrades, inflight dining and more.

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

• Some cards offer up to 10x points per dollar on travel purchases.
• Many have additional bonus categories for dining, grocery shopping and more.
• They may include travel benefits like priority boarding, airport lounge access and late hotel checkouts.
• Points or miles can also be redeemed for cash back, statement credits, gift cards and more.
• Highest reward rates are usually limited to purchases made through the card issuer's travel portal.
• They might not offer high rewards on spending outside of the travel category.
• Some of the best ones can have steep annual fees and require good to excellent credit
• Redeeming points or miles for anything other than travel can reduce their value to less than one cent per dollar.

Types of travel credit cards

Here’s a rundown of the differences between the three main types of travel credit cards:

Airline credit cards

Airline credit cards are ideal for people who regularly fly with the same airline. These cards earn miles you can redeem for flights, seat upgrades, inflight dining, airport lounge access and other travel-related purchases but typically only with the issuing airline.

Some of the best airline travel credit cards include benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding and discounts on in-flight purchases.

Hotel credit cards

With hotel credit cards, you can only redeem your points for stays, discounts and other benefits with one particular hotel chain.

For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card earns points for Hilton’s loyalty program, which you can redeem for free nights in the company’s properties, including Hilton Garden Inn and Waldorf Astoria hotels.

Hotel credit cards may also offer complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, late checkouts and bonus points for purchases made during your stay.

General travel credit card

General travel credit cards are more flexible than airline or hotel cards. They aren’t affiliated with a single airline or hotel chain, so their points can be used to book flights, hotel stays, rental cars and more from different companies.

These cards may also offer useful perks for frequent travelers, like airport lounge access. They can also cover the cost of a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership, which allows you to skip the long lines at airport security or customs.

How to choose a travel credit card

Picking the best travel rewards credit card boils down to how often you travel, which cardmember perks you’d benefit the most from and the categories you spend the most on.

Here are some factors to keep in mind when choosing the best card for you:

• Do you travel often? A travel rewards credit card offers high reward rates on travel spending, and you’ll get the most bang for your buck when you use their points on flights, hotels and car rentals. If you don’t take trips often but want to pile up rewards, a cash-back credit card might be a better fit.
• Assess your everyday spending. Many travel cards have additional bonus categories other than travel, like dining, supermarkets, streaming services and drugstores. Consider your day-to-day spending habits and pick a card with bonus categories that fit your lifestyle.
• Consider the card’s annual fees. No-annual-fee travel cards usually have few travel benefits. The best travel credit cards charge annual fees of at least $90 and can go as high as $700. However, these are often best for those that travel enough to take advantage of their benefits.
• General travel card vs co-branded cards. General travel cards have more flexible redemption options. On the other hand, co-branded cards are often tied to a specific airline or hotel, which can limit your options. Still, they do provide valuable perks like free checked bags, in-flight discounts and hotel upgrades.
• Compare extra travel perks. Some cards offer extras like annual statement credits for flights and hotels or upgrades when renting cars. Take the time to compare each card’s roster of add-ons and pick one that will best suit your travel plans.
• Compare insurance policies. The best credit card travel benefits include insurance policies that cover travel accidents, rental cars, trip cancellations and more. These policies can vary widely based on the issuer and the card’s annual-fee tier.
• Beware foreign transaction fees. Most travel credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees. Some cash-back cards may offer outstanding rewards for travel purchases but charge around 3% fees on purchases outside the U.S.
• Look beyond welcome offers. A 60,000-point welcome bonus can be enticing. However, it shouldn’t be your deciding factor, especially if you’ll end up paying a high annual fee without getting your money’s worth.

How get the most out of your travel credit card

To get the most out of your travel credit card, you need to use it as often and strategically as possible. This way, you can earn points or miles with each purchase, which you can then redeem for free or discounted flights, hotels and more.

Use your travel card to pay most of your purchases and bills and then pay your card off in full each month. This will help you earn points while avoiding interest charges and high credit card debt , which can impact your credit score.

Here are some other tips to maximize your rewards and benefits:

• Consider adding an authorized user to your account. They’ll earn points with every purchase they make, and those will get added to your overall total. However, make sure to pick someone who will use the card responsibly since you’ll be legally liable if they ever fail to pay their monthly bills.
• Redeem your rewards for travel through the card issuer’s website. This redemption option usually offers the highest value compared to gift cards or merchandise, for example.
• If your card offers travel protections (like travel accident or luggage insurance), use it to pay for your passenger fares. This way, you could be reimbursed in the event of an accident or lost luggage, for example.
• Use your airline or hotel card to sign up for the company’s frequent flyer or frequent guest loyalty program. You’ll often earn extra points or miles when you’re a member and use your co-branded card to pay for flights, hotel stays and more.
• If you can transfer points from other credit cards to your travel card, take advantage of this feature. This way, you can accumulate extra points for travel booking and sometimes even increase their value.

Best Travel Credit Cards FAQs

What is the best travel credit card, what is the best credit card for international travel, how to travel for free with credit cards, what is the best credit card for travel miles, what is a welcome bonus on a credit card, how we chose the best travel credit cards.

We ranked the best credit cards for travel based on their annual fees, benefits, reward rates and redemption flexibility.

Fees: We compared interest rates and foreign, cash advance and balance transfer fees for more than 50 credit cards. We also considered their annual fee, looking for those that offered the most for the money.

Ongoing benefits: Intro APR and bonus offers are attractive, but they can only get you so far. We focused on cards with year-round benefits such as travel insurance or cell phone protection plans.

Reward rates: We preferred cards that allow you to earn extra points from travel expenses, as well as those that provide significant bonus rewards in popular spending categories, like dining, supermarkets or streaming services.

Redemption flexibility: Our picks don’t limit your redemption options to just travel. Some let you use your points for Amazon purchases, for example. We also preferred issuers that allowed cardholders to transfer their points to airline and hotel partners.

Summary of Money’s Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024

• Discover it® Miles Credit Card – Best no-annual-fee travel card for simple rewards

Money.com has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Money.com and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

To see rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card, visit this link . Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express, visit this link . Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, visit this link . Terms apply.

* Insurance disclosures for American Express Cards on this page:

Trip Delay Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Baggage Insurance Plan: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Global Assist Hotline: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

** Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

*** Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

© Copyright 2024 Money Group, LLC . All Rights Reserved.

This article originally appeared on Money.com and may contain affiliate links for which Money receives compensation. Opinions expressed in this article are the author's alone, not those of a third-party entity, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed. Offers may be subject to change without notice. For more information, read Money’s full disclaimer .

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Swiss Half Fare Card.

Planning a longer stay in Switzerland? Would you like to go on excursions throughout the whole country? Then we recommend the Swiss Half Fare Card for CHF 120 per month.

The Swiss Half Fare Card entitles passengers who are resident abroad to travel on trains, buses, boats and most mountain lifts or railways at half price (?) Show note half price The Half Fare Travelcard discount may be less than 50% on short-distance routes because of the minimum price. This also applies to reduced offers or combined offers which include a train journey and additional services. Close note  – perfect for short trips or excursions throughout Switzerland. The Swiss Half Fare Card is valid for one month and is available at almost all Swiss railway stations, at all points of sale worldwide, or online.

The advantages for you.

Discount of up to 50% on journeys by train, bus, boat and on most mountain lifts or railways, gondola lifts and panoramic routes.

Discount of up to 50% on journeys by public transport in over 90 Swiss cities and towns.

The Swiss Half Fare Card is available online or at any staffed public transport point of sale.

The Swiss Family Card enables children aged under 16 to travel for free.

Swiss Family Card.

The Swiss Family Card enables children aged at least 6 and under 16 to travel free of charge when accompanied by a parent with a valid Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card. The Swiss Family Card is issued free of charge. Simply enter the children you are travelling with under ‘Add passengers’ on SBB.ch during purchase.

Information.

• Valid 1 month.
• Only persons domiciled outside Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein are entitled to purchase this ticket.
• Children under 6 years of age travel free of charge.
• The Swiss Half Fare Card is available as e-ticket.
• For online purchasing, purchase as a “guest”. You do not need a login.

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• 1 month CHF 120.–

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We are aware that switching to a new browser may take some getting used to and cause some uncertainties. A more modern browser will allow you to benefit from faster and more secure internet access in future. We are committed to continuing our work with the utmost enthusiasm in the future to guarantee you accessible and inclusive access to SBB.ch.

Help & Contact

Do you have questions, need help or want to get in contact with us?  We’re here to help you.

Rail traffic information

Find the latest information on the current service situation, information, disruptions as well as planned construction work on the Swiss rail network and on strikes and on important disruptions and strikes abroad.

Newsletter & Social Media

Our newsletter regularly informs you of attractive offers from SBB via e-mail.

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Timeless SBB design.

Would you also like to get your hands on an official Swiss station clock by Mondaine? Whether you’d like it as a watch, wall clock, pocket watch or alarm clock, order the model you want online now. Link opens in new window. Take a look and order Link opens in new window.

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