AONISC
Our Fans’ Embassy Team have been carrying out their usual work in gathering information for those supporters travelling to Basel next week for the second leg of our massive World Cup Play-off.
Our thanks go to the Switzerland and England Fans’ Embassies as well as the Irish FA and PSNI for their help in putting this information together.
If you’re flying into Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, you can take the bus into Basel for just over 4 Swiss Francs (CHF). Buses run every ten minutes and the journey takes about twenty minutes.
Eating and drinking isn’t cheap. While not on the scale of Oslo, a beer costs around 5 CHF for 33cl or 7 CHF for a half litre glass. You’ll pay more in some of the trendier bars. A main meal will cost between 20-35 CHF, lunch is slightly cheaper and if you’re happy with fast food, a McDonald’s meal is around 12 CHF.
On matchday, the Swiss police have designated the Barfusserplatz square to Northern Ireland fans. The area has lots of bars and restaurants, fast food outlets etc. and is beside the tram line. Drinking in public is permitted, but like Oslo, the sale of alcohol in shops isn’t permitted on Sundays. The square can be found via our link here: basel.aonisc.co.uk
The Swiss police will accommodate a walk to the stadium on the afternoon of the match, from the square. The distance is just over 3km. For those who can’t manage that or who would prefer not to, you can use the tram. Tram 14 will take you to St Jakob Park and is free for four hours before the match and on leaving the stadium upon production of your match ticket.
Be aware that the St Jakob’s rail station is closed on matchday. The nearest alternative station is only 300 metres away though, at Dreispitz.
Travel on public transport throughout Basel is generally free for tourists anyway with a Mobility card, which you can ask your hotel for. You must pay if you’re travelling between cities though.
The away area of the stadium is in Sectors B1, B2 and B3. We know that quite a lot of people have bought tickets for the home end. The Swiss police have said that you’ll be admitted to the home sections without any issues but should behave appropriately and follow any instructions from the stewards or police.
As always, our Mobile Phone Network will be operational to help with issues such as lost Passports. The number is +447943 542100. Our Fans’ Embassy volunteers will be in Basel to help with any problems.
Have fun, stay safe and be a good ambassador for Northern Ireland.