Yes, you can take public transport over the border easily (I do it every day). There are a few options if you want to go to shopping: The simplest way might be to take the S6 rail line that runs from Basel SBB via Basel Bad Bf and over the German border to Lörrach. There are also German regional rail services that start in Basel SBB and go through Weil am Rhein and run all the way up to Freiburg (to travel further, you'll need to take the long-distance ICE trains) From Kleinhünigen (end of the line for the #8 tram), you can also get a bus that goes over the German border through Weil am Rhein and Lörrach. Directly over the border in Weil is the RheinCenter, a huge (by German standards) shopping centre. From Schifflände, you can get buses that go over the French border, although I'm not sure if they will take you anywhere useful (in terms of shopping). Hope that helps.
I have lived in Basel for 20 years and I often been shopping in Germany and France. I have never needed a car. For Germany you can use the s bahn and go to Lorrach. Remember to get green tax free forms stamped at the border crossing at the German railway station. You could also get the train to Freiburg or colmar etc. The easiest is probably is take the 8 tram to Kleinhunigen and then walk across the bridge to the Rheincenter.
The RheinCenter is about 1km away from the Kleinhüningen stop.
For such small purchases you don't really need the green forms. Although there are plenty of people who insist on holding up the line at the checkout just to get the form filled out when buying a pack of chewing gum - much to the delight of us locals.
Thanks Dodger I am very grateful for your quiet morning at work So I get to the stop and just walk over the bridge for about a kilometer? Signs are everywhere pointing to the Rhine Center I take it? I don't have a map
I guess the green forms are for anything close to 300 CHF then......
Mucho Gracias! You guys have made one woman super happy today! I am in dire need of hair mousse and hairspray! You have saved me from a bad hair day!
I agree the Rheincenter is definately your best option. On the way there when walking over the bridge (not the small bridge by the tram) you pass the point where France, Germany and Switzerland meet. Its a nice place to stop on your way shopping your first time. The Rheincenter is definately larger than any shop i have been to in Basel and generally has more options per product. I will be going to do some shopping soon, maybe even this Saturday, if you want to join!
you get the forms when you pay in Germany or France you just have to say that you live in Switzerland and that you would like to reclaim the tax. Remember to take your work permit with you as they may want to see it and they certainly will at the border crossing.
in regards to the forms, I don't work in Switzerland. I'm a trailing spouse, do I still qualify? I'm Canadian-I will bring my passport. And is it worth it then to make sure my hubby does the shopping over the border? How much tax can be reclaimed then?
I plan on buying no more than 60 Euros today-- hairspray, hair mousse, toothpaste, batteries, Bugelhilfe spray, shampoo, mouthwash, etc.......
I went to Rheincenter via Kleinhüningen when I was in Ch for a few days, and I'd say if I could do it, am sure anyone living in Basel could easily find their way over to Rheincenter. (I did it just to get the 'thrill' of crossing international border on foot, with no custom checks etc- it was a first for me ). I think if you're not carrying anything too heavy, it should all be fine. Good luck!
Hi Gruyere77, I'm also going to try finding my way today. Any chance you would want to meet up? Between us 2 Canucks we should be able to figure things out!! Stephanie
Another option is to join the Mobility Car Sharing Scheme and then you can rent a car for a couple of hours and drive over the border with a Combi from Basel.
Be careful! The Germans are easy about the "green form" (which is actually only needed if the invoice of the shop doesn't mention your name and address) whereas the French can be a PITA, to say the least - they (the French) only pay the tax back if the purchase was 200 or even 250 €!
@ Gruyère77: You don't have to work in Switzerland in order to qualify for the tax return. You only need a Swiss address - so probably bring your permit that proofs it. And to answer your earlier question: The tax is fully returned, just see what the slip says.