Hi, everyone:
My husband and I will be going to Basel for a one-day visit by car and after reviewing other posts in the forum about free parking in Basel, seems a little difficult to find a spot during the daytime. So we are thinking about driving across the border and parking in the French side (St. Louis). I stayed about 6 years ago in St. Louis and remember that used to bike to Basel. I didn't had a car at that time, so I did not worry too much about parking spaces. But now I'm thinking it could be easier to fin a free parking space in St. Louis and then take public transportation to Basel to visit the city.
Anyone has done this before? Any suggestions?
Thanks a lot in advance
Hi, Just over the St Louis border has been changed to 4 hour parking (free). I am not sure how far this new system goes, it's about a year old.
However on the CH side there are a few unlimited 'white boxes'. In Lichtstrasse & upto the casino there are various places that I park for free when I fly from Basel airport! The casino being 1 bus stop away.
Thanks, Fatmanfilms:
What about further in St. Louis? Like in the parking lot of any Carrefour, Geant or similar and then taking a bus into Basel? Would that be a good option?
Just for future knowledge...
If you want to park in Saint Louis for free (with unlimited time) there are some parking lots in town (not so close to the border) and you might even get lucky and find a space free in one (they usually are mostly full).
Most of the stores with parking lots are a very very long walk from the border. You could try taking the French bus (comes every 15 minutes on the main street Monday thru Saturday). It will take you to Schifflande. It stops running around 8pmish (earlier on Saturday).
For the day you would probably be ok in a supermarket car park, not sure if you can stay 24 hours or more, however further inland it's not a problem.
Good luck & report back, many thanks
Oops, I just realized I never reported back. What we did that day was basically drive up to Saint-Louis' Geant Casino (avenue du Général De Gaulle) and left the car there. It was a day trip, so no overnight was required. The day we visited Basel was actually a holiday in France, so we could have parked much closer to the border (mostly blue zone, except sundays and holidays). The supermarket parking lot was open (no barriers), so I assume it is possible to park there overnight also, though I don't know if that is safe. Just across the street from the supermarket there is a bus stop where you can take a special bus that will take you directelly to Basel. Unfortunatelly these buses don't run on holidays! We walked to Basel (around 15 minutes to border line), which may not be very pleasant specially as you must cross the industrial area of Basel city as soon as you enter. Maybe on a non-holiday day, the combination of free parking space + taking the special bus is good. Someone else will have to try it!!!
Regards
Those 4 hour (free) parking restrictions are new near the St Louis border, my girlfriend lives in the house by the Zoll, so I used them all the time, a year ago it was unlimited free parking. (OK I had a car radio stolen about 4 years ago)