Moving in Basel – Grossbasel, Kleinbasel, Riehen and Bettingen

Basel-Stadt is the smallest canton by area and also the most densely populated: as of 30 September 2025, 203,570 people lived here, with 5502 inhabitants per square kilometre, almost 26 times the Swiss average. A move in Basel-Stadt is therefore almost always a move in an urban setting, with apartment buildings, limited street space and short distances.

A city on several terraces

Within the city area the Rhine has repeatedly cut down into its own gravel. As a result, the valley floor lies at different levels, connected by Raine, i.e. terrace steps:

• on the highest terrace, the Gundeldingen neighbourhood as well as Bachletten, Schützenmatt and Neubad
• lower down, the Münsterplatz, the St. Alban neighbourhood and the Petersplatz
• lower still, the St. Johann and Breite neighbourhoods
• right at the bottom, on the youngest level by the river, Kleinbasel

The raised bank on the left side of the river is 5 to 10 metres high. Anyone moving within the city from one terrace to another should expect gradients between the neighbourhoods. During the survey we clarify the stopping place, the carrying route and whether a furniture lift will make the work easier.

Basel, Riehen and Bettingen

Apart from Basel, the city canton includes only two rural municipalities north of the Rhine. Riehen stretches along the Wiese valley. Bettingen consists of Bettingen Dorf and St. Chrischona and lies on a hill of the Dinkelberg, whose most striking landmark is the television tower. Kleinhüningen has been part of the city of Basel since 1908.

A special feature: the canton itself runs almost all the affairs of the municipality of Basel, whereas Riehen and Bettingen have their own municipal bodies and administration. If you need a parking reservation for moving day, we identify the responsible office for your address and organise the reservation for you.

A hub at the Rhine bend

At the Rhine bend (Rheinknie), the Rhine changes direction from west to north, and the Upper Rhine Plain begins here. Basel is a hub for north-south traffic from France and Germany: the A3 from France runs via the Nordtangente to the A2 city motorway, the Osttangente. For a move from Zurich to Basel, we plan the journey so that the removal van is at the stopping place at the agreed time.

Economically, the chemical and pharmaceutical industries and trade shape the canton. With a GDP per capita of 209,782 francs (2022), Basel-Stadt ranks first in the country. For companies, medical practices and offices we handle office moves outside business hours, including furniture assembly at the new location.

Between the city and Baselbiet

The population has been declining since the 1980s, an important reason being migration to neighbouring municipalities in other cantons. For a move from the city to Basel-Landschaft or vice versa, we plan the stopping place and carrying route at both addresses individually. The two cantons have been separate since 1833; Basel-Landschaft last rejected a merger in 2014 with 68.3 percent voting no, while Basel-Stadt voted in favour.

Whether you are moving within Grossbasel, switching to Kleinbasel or moving out to the Baselbiet: as a removal company from Wallisellen, we also take care of end-of-tenancy cleaning, disposal and furniture storage if moving out and moving in do not take place on the same day.

Frequently asked questions

Who helps older people move from a house in Riehen to a flat in the city of Basel?
Our team supports this senior move: together we decide which furniture fits into the smaller flat, and then we pack, carry and assemble. Whatever stays behind in the house in Riehen we take for disposal on request, so the family does not have to rent a van.

How does furniture get into an old-town flat on the Münsterplatz or in the St. Alban neighbourhood?
Usually on foot for the last stretch: where lanes are narrow and steep, we use a compact vehicle, dismantle wardrobes and beds while still in the old flat and plan an extra person for the carrying route. We measure passageways, courtyard gates and stair widths during the survey.

How do you protect artworks and designer furniture in an old Basel flat?
Pictures and sculptures are padded individually and transported upright, and designer furniture is wrapped in blankets with additional protection on delicate edges. In the van each piece gets a fixed, secured place. We discuss particularly delicate objects during the survey, so that enough material is ready.

Where does the removal van stop in Kleinbasel if there are tram tracks in front of the building?
In a reserved space away from the tracks, for example in the nearest side street or in a parking bay next to the carriageway. We look at which spot is suitable during the survey. If this makes the route to the front door longer, we add an extra carrier.

When should planning start for a move from Basel to Germany or France?
As soon as the date is fixed, because export and import require a complete inventory list. We draw this up with you room by room during the survey. We handle customs clearance on both sides of the border, and you take care of deregistering in your Basel municipality.

What does a cost ceiling bring for a move from Zurich to Basel?
Planning certainty despite the longer distance and scarce stopping places: with a cost ceiling the maximum amount is fixed in advance, with a flat rate the final price. We agree either after the survey. If the move is finished sooner, with a cost ceiling you only pay for the time actually worked.

What does preparation involve when a Basel life sciences laboratory relocates?
A joint walk-through with the people in charge: we record equipment, refrigerators, samples and IT, set the order and decide what will be moved in the evening or at the weekend. We pack sensitive instruments individually, and at the new location our carpenters reassemble furniture and workstations.

Why does every quarter of an hour count for short moves within Kleinbasel?
Because we charge in 15-minute increments and not per hour started. After the minimum of three hours, each quarter of an hour is charged individually. For short distances between two Kleinbasel streets, the amount thus stays close to the actual work involved.

What does it cost to move a piano in a Basel apartment building?
Piano transport starts at CHF 250.–. In an apartment building, the floor, the width of the stairwell and tight turns determine the exact amount. We secure the instrument with padding and straps and fix it in the van; where the stairs are not enough, the furniture lift comes into play if needed.

What should you watch out for when moving from the Gundeldingen neighbourhood down to St. Johann?
The level difference between the two neighbourhoods: we load tall wardrobes and heavy chests of drawers so that nothing shifts on a downhill stretch and secure them with straps. At both addresses we clarify separately where the van can stop and whether a furniture lift will shorten the carrying route.