Basler Fasnacht with a minibus: Morgestraich at four, cortège by day
On Monday 15 February 2027, at four in the morning, the Basler Fasnacht begins, and it ends 72 hours later. For a small group, the hard part is the first hour: being in the dark old town before the lanterns move off. A minibus with a driver takes care of that early start.
Three days, two very early mornings
At the Morgestraich the inner city goes dark, and the cliques set off carrying lit lanterns. Crowds are thickest around Marktplatz and Barfüsserplatz, in Falknerstrasse and Freie Strasse, and at Rümelinsplatz. Monday and Wednesday afternoons belong to the cortège: some 10,000 costumed participants on a fixed route, timed at 13:30 to 18:00 in 2026. Tuesday is the children's Fasnacht.
Once Monday's parade is over, the lanterns are displayed on the Münsterplatz through to Wednesday, a calmer way to see them with older relatives. The carnival ends with the Ändstraich at 04:00 on Thursday 18 February.
Where the minibus can take you
No vehicle arrangement is published for the Fasnacht, and Basel Tourism asks visitors to use public transport. Your driver sets you down outside the centre, at a point the operator agrees, and you walk in. Agree the pick-up point as well, before everyone scatters into the crowds.
Night driving bans do not apply to passenger vehicles, so a hotel pick-up in the small hours is fine. Coming from Zurich Airport, allow about 1 h 10 min for some 87 km to the Marktplatz in light traffic; EuroAirport is only about 7 km away through its Swiss sector.
When and where
- Streets and squares of central Basel (Grossbasel and Kleinbasel); the cortège follows a set route through the city centre
- 15-17 February 2027: Morgestraich on Monday 15 February 2027 at 04:00; cortège on Monday 15 and Wednesday 17 February (afternoons); Kinderfasnacht on Tuesday 16 February; Ändstraich at 04:00 on Thursday 18 February
Questions travellers ask
Can we stay in Zurich and come for the Morgestraich?
Yes, but leave very early. The drive is over an hour, and you need to be in place well before 04:00.
Are the museums open during carnival?
The Kunstmuseum closes for all three days. The Münster opens only from 11:00 to 14:00 for visitors.
Is the Fasnacht suitable for children?
Tuesday is the children's day. On Monday, the Münsterplatz lantern display is a gentler option than the crowded cortège route.
More places for your group
Other airports
Plan your Fasnacht trip
Send your hotel, how many of you there are and which days you want to see. The minibus and its driver come from a licensed partner operator.
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