The first of three major live shows of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 kicks off this evening at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, with the semi-finals leading up to the grand final on Saturday. As tens of thousands of Eurovision fans descend on the Swiss city from more than 80 countries, hotel prices in Basel have skyrocketed.
According to ticket sales data, Swiss fans lead the pack, followed by those from Germany, the UK, France, and Spain. Since Basel was announced as the host city last August, demand for accommodation has surged.
New figures from Forward STAR data (CoStar) reveal that hotel occupancy in Basel is expected to hit 97.3% on the night of the final. The night before sits at 92.6%, and the three semi-final nights show occupancy rates hovering around 80%.
‘The level of compression – allowing demand to drive occupancy to near-capacity – also reflects the relatively low number of hotel rooms in Basel, especially compared to past hosts like Vienna (2015) and Düsseldorf (2011),’ said Alex Robinson, regional director at STR.
With under a week to go until #Eurovison kicks off, Basel hotel bookings are topping 97% on the final night of the contest. More here: https://t.co/euNsrVJwPa pic.twitter.com/4VXOz9hbZt
— STR (@STR_Data) May 8, 2025
Accommodation costs for Eurovision week
According to Wettfreunde.net, average accommodation costs across over 1,000 listings have soared. On Booking.com, a week-long stay during Eurovision 2025 now starts at €6,024, or 140% more than the weeks before or after the event.
On Airbnb, the average for a six-night stay is €1,804, 130% above usual rates. At the top end, a luxury Airbnb loft 2.5 km from St. Jakobshalle is listed at €67,369, and a studio 8 km away on Booking.com is offered for €21,906.
Budget-conscious visitors still have a few options. A capsule hotel double room in Basel is available for €1,178 on Booking.com, and an apartment 30 km from the venue can be found on Airbnb for only €252.
€178 PER night for a dorm bed in Basel during Eurovision – these places should be fined by the Swiss tourism Board for their insane greed pic.twitter.com/BvmK9X435u
— ESC Tom (@EurovisionTom) March 6, 2025
Cheaper alternatives near Basel
For those unwilling or unable to pay Basel’s peak prices, nearby towns like Liestal, Rheinfelden, Olten, or Mulhouse (France) offer more affordable alternatives. These are all within easy reach of Basel by train or bus, and often offer more affordable lodging options.
Extra perk: Free public transport with event tickets
All official Eurovision event tickets include free 2nd-class public transport on the day of the show, valid across the Swiss TNW, German RVL, and French Distribus networks. This covers return travel to and from St. Jakobshalle until 5 a.m. the next morning, allowing fans to enjoy the full Eurovision experience without worrying about getting home, even if they’re celebrating a win well into the night.
