The Black Forest lies just across the Rhine from Basel, so a trip from Geneva Airport combines a comfortable drive north through Switzerland with three or four days among wooded hills, half-timbered villages and spa towns. A private chauffeur from AirportsTransfers.ch takes you via Basel to Freiburg and then links the villages, which are spread out and awkward to reach by public transport.
- Route: Geneva, Bern or Neuchâtel, Basel, Freiburg, Titisee, Triberg, Gengenbach, Baden-Baden
- Border crossing: the route crosses the border into Germany near Basel
- Time to allow: three to four days
- Known for: forests, cuckoo clocks, Black Forest cake, ham and thermal spas
- Best season: late spring to autumn; Advent for Christmas markets; winter for cross-country skiing
From Geneva to Basel and across the Rhine
The drive north follows the motorway along Lake Geneva and across the Swiss plateau, either via Bern, 160 km and about 1 h 50 from GVA, or along the lakes of Neuchâtel and Biel at the foot of the Jura. At Basel the Rhine turns north, forming the border between France and Germany, and the Black Forest rises immediately on its eastern bank. A coffee stop on the Basel riverbank breaks the journey nicely.
Freiburg im Breisgau
Freiburg is the gateway to the southern Black Forest and one of Germany's sunniest cities. Its old town clusters around the red sandstone Minster, whose openwork Gothic spire is a landmark of the region, with a busy farmers' market on the square around it. Running along many streets are the Bächle, narrow water channels that once served as fire protection; local legend says that stepping into one means you will marry someone from Freiburg.
As a historic university town, Freiburg has a youthful atmosphere and plenty of wine taverns serving wines from the Kaiserstuhl and Markgräflerland, two of Germany's warmest wine regions. The Schauinsland cable car, just outside town, climbs to a summit with views across the forest and, on clear days, to the Alps.
Titisee, the Feldberg and the high forest
East of Freiburg, the road climbs through the dramatic Höllental valley into the high Black Forest. Lake Titisee is a popular glacial lake with boat hire and a lakeside promenade, while the nearby Schluchsee is larger and quieter. The Feldberg, the highest summit of the Black Forest, offers marked walks in summer and is the region's main ski area in winter.
This is the landscape of large farmhouses with deep sloping roofs, dark fir forests and open upland pastures. Walking trails are well signposted, and many villages offer short circular routes suitable for families.
Triberg, Gengenbach and Baden-Baden
Further north, Triberg is home to some of Germany's highest waterfalls, cascading through the forest in a series of steps, and is also the heartland of cuckoo-clock making, with clock shops and a museum devoted to the region's traditions. The Black Forest gâteau, with layers of chocolate sponge, cherries, cream and kirsch, is on every café menu.
In the Kinzig valley, Gengenbach has one of the prettiest half-timbered town centres in the region. At the northern edge of the forest, Baden-Baden is an elegant spa town known since Roman times for its thermal waters, with grand bathhouses, a famous casino in the Kurhaus, and the Lichtentaler Allee park along the river. It makes a relaxing final stop before heading back south or on to Strasbourg, which is just across the Rhine.
Practical tips
- Distances between villages are short but roads are winding; allow time.
- Pack walking shoes and a light waterproof; weather in the forest changes quickly.
- Black Forest ham and kirsch make good souvenirs; check your airline's rules for liquids.
- In winter, the high roads require winter tyres; your chauffeur's vehicle is equipped.
A Black Forest trip combines easily with Alsace, just over the Rhine, for a week split between German forest villages and French wine villages, returning to Geneva Airport via Basel at the end.
Booking the transfer
Reserve your Black Forest transfer, or a chauffeur for several days of touring, through the AirportsTransfers.ch website. You see the fixed vehicle price before checkout and pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. On arrival at Geneva Airport your driver is waiting with a name sign, already aware of your flight's status, with waiting included if it is delayed. Child seats are fitted on request; a V-Class van takes up to seven people with luggage, and a Sprinter minibus suits larger groups. Call or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77 at any hour to discuss the route.
