6 best hostels in Zurich

Zurich is more than just Switzerland’s financial capital. It's also home to numerous art galleries and museums and offers countless summer adventures, including hiking, biking, canoeing, or simply taking in the views on a sunset cruise. From the spectacular views across the lake and alpine flowering valleys to dining, shopping, and entertainment, there’s no shortage of reasons to visit Zurich.

Whether you’re a frequent visitor or heading off to your first Swiss city adventure, you’ll need a safe and clean place to stay on your trip. Hotels are a popular option if you want complete privacy, but cheap hostels are ideal for solo travelers and those keen on meeting others who don’t want to hang out in their rooms during their stay. Also, many best hostels in Zurich have private rooms if you travel with a friend or a partner.

If you’re looking for budget-friendly accommodation, this guide covers some great hostels in Zurich and why they’re worth considering. You’ll also be pleased that Bounce partners with hostels, providing secure luggage storage facilities in Zurich. And if your chosen accommodation isn’t a partner, don’t worry! Bounce has storage lockers in convenient locations throughout the city, near major streets, main attractions, and bus and train stations.

Oldtown Hostel Otter

Right in the heart of Zurich, amidst the many trendy attractions in the city, is the Oldtown Hostel Otter. It’s only walking distance from the Bahnhofstrasse Pedestrian Street, renowned for being one of the most luxurious shopping destinations worldwide. The Lake of Zurich is also only 200 meters away from the property.

Oldtown Hostel Otter has 87 rooms available, which includes the shared and mixed dormitories on the lower floors and the private suites on the upper floors. The living spaces also have a mini kitchen with a fridge, microwave, and oven. However, if you prefer to dine with others, you can come to the common room and get a free coffee or tea anytime. You can also spend a night at the bar to meet locals and other travelers while enjoying your favorite drinks.

What makes Oldtown Hostel Otter unique

What sets this hostel apart is its perfect location, ideal for tourists who want to explore the city’s shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations. Bars and cafés are all over the area, and you may also be interested in browsing nearby luxury boutiques. Other renowned attractions near Oldtown Hostel Otter include the Museum of Art, Zurich Opera House, and Zentralbibliothek Zürich, among many more.

Oldtown Hostel Otter pricing

You have multiple room options, depending on your requirements and budget. Couples or travelers who want privacy can opt for a budget double room that can cost about CHF 140.00. For holidaymakers on a budget, there are three-bed and six-bed dorms, with prices ranging from CHF 52.00 to 60.00. Always check before booking, as some rooms can be rented if you’re staying for at least two or three nights.

Friendly Hostel Zurich

If you don’t want to leave Zurich City Centre and are looking for convenient lodging around the area, check out Friendly Hostel Zurich. It's a short walk from Bahnhofstrasse, the city’s primary downtown street and one of the world’s most exclusive and expensive shopping boulevards. Apart from world-class shopping opportunities, the hostel is near several popular attractions, including the Romanesque-style cathedral Grossmünster, Zurich Opera House, and Fraumünster Church. Zurich Airport is also only seven miles away, and the main train station is 950 meters from the hostel.

Friendly Zurich Hostel has fourteen rooms, including private and shared dorms. The units have a coffee machine and refrigerator, and guests can access a shared bathroom and enjoy a view of the city.

What makes Friendly Zurich Hostel unique

It may not be as big as other hostels in Zurich and doesn’t have special features like bars and restaurants. But what sets it apart is its convenient location, making it the perfect hostel for those who want to sightsee, shop, and dine without traveling long distances. Everything is accessible and within a short walk from the property.

Friendly Zurich Hostel pricing

If its central location doesn’t convince you to stay in Friendly Zurich Hostel, the price may give you enough reason to book a night or two here. It’s a cheap hostel that only costs about CHF 53.00 a night for an eight-bed dormitory room and CHF 62.00 for more privacy at a three-bed mixed dorm room.

Zurich Youth Hostel

The Zurich Youth Hostel is located in Zürich Wollishofen near the famous Lake Zurich, one of Switzerland’s top five biggest lakes. It’s also near Landiwiese Park and the Rote Fabrik cultural center. It’s an accessible location, with a direct rail connection from Zurich Airport to the Wollishofen Station.

This Zurich hostel has single, double, family, shared, and barrier-free options for the room categories. It has 282 beds, many of which are mobility accessible. Aside from the living spaces, the hostel features a shared kitchen and a cozy bar. You can also stay at the pergola, courtyard, reading room, and playground. Due to its location near the lake shore, it’s the ideal place to relax or begin a discovery tour of the dynamic city of Zurich.

Business travelers and digital nomads can remain productive during their stay. It boasts a bright inner courtyard and a seminar room you can book for a training session or informal meeting.

What makes Zurich Youth Hostel unique

The Zurich Youth Hostel is known for its unique history as a former school cabin until 1936. Although multiple renovations have passed, they were careful to preserve the value of the building as one of the best examples of the 1960s architectural style Brutalism. It was even awarded the Historic Hotel of the Year 2008 by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). Not many other hostels in Zurich have as much relevance to the city’s history and architecture as Zurich Youth Hostel.

Zurich Youth Hostel pricing

For its history, beauty, and features, one may think it will cost a fortune to stay in this hostel, but that’s not the case. A night at a six-bed dorm with a complimentary breakfast buffet costs about CHF 50.00 to 56.00. For families that need an entire room, the cost of a single-family room with free breakfast starts at around CHF 88.00.

Stay2Night Hostel

Set in the lovely Aussersihl district, Stay2Night Hostel is a popular choice among solo travelers. It's also near famous points of interest, including Fraumünster and the Swiss National Museum. The central railway station is also within a short walking distance from the hostel, as well as famous streets and tourist attractions, including Bahnhofstrasse and Paradeplatz.

Don’t expect a modern dorm with an elegant interior, but you can enjoy the comfy beds and spacious rooms. There are mixed dorm rooms, and guests can choose to rest in a single or bunk bed.

What makes Stay2Night Hostel unique

Whether you can cook or not isn’t an issue at this hostel. A shared kitchen is available if you want to prepare your own meal, or you can go to a café or restaurant near the property. Don’t worry about breakfast since a continental breakfast is available every day. It also features free WiFi and a shared lounge where guests can meet other travelers and make new friends.

Stay2Night Hostel pricing

Stay2Night is one of the cheapest hostels in Zurich, with hostel prices ranging from CHF 49.00 to CHF 75.00. Like most hostels, a single bed costs more than a bunk bed.

Victoria Budget Hostel

Victoria Budget Hostel is located in the beautiful district of Hongg, about 3.1 miles from the Museum of Art and a short drive from the city’s most famous shopping street. It’s perfect for those looking for cheap hostels in Zurich near many attractions, shops, and restaurants. If you’re craving Mediterranean cuisine, you can go to Restaurant Rapido, which is only about 300 meters from the hostel.

In Victoria Budget Hostel, you can book a dormitory room for either four or six people. Both options have complete amenities for the bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. For the general facilities, this budget hostel has free WiFi, a gaming room, a terrace, a seating area, and a garden, where you can chill and escape from the city’s hustle.

What makes Victoria Budget Hostel unique

Victoria Budget Hostel is one of your best options if you're exploring Zurich on a budget. Besides its reasonable rates for its quality amenities, it’s near many local attractions, allowing you to save on transportation expenses. Nearby famous destinations include the Swiss National Historical Museum, Vogelzucht Martins, and Niederdorf, among many others. It’s also only 15 minutes by car to the Kloten airport, which makes it an even more practical choice for tourists.

Victoria Budget Hostel pricing

The rate for a bed in a shared dormitory starts at about CHF 46.00 per night. It features a shared bathroom, kitchen facilities, and access to a terrace.

Fällanden Youth Hostel

Ideal for groups and families, Fällanden Youth Hostel offers a relaxing escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. It's located outside the Fällanden village, approximately 7.5 miles (12km) from Zurich City Centre. It may not be perfect for solo travelers since the accommodation is reserved for just one group, but you can expect exclusive use of the hostel and its amenities.

This youth hostel has shared rooms and a double room with a washbasin. There’s a playground, a fireplace, a self-catering kitchen, and a garden. Guests can also play table tennis, table football, and volleyball on the big lawn or head to the lake for boating or rafting.

What makes Fällanden Youth Hostel unique

If you think you’ve seen enough of Zurich or want a serene place to recharge, this youth hostel is the ideal accommodation for your group. Its primary draw is its location near the scenic Greifen Lake, offering plenty of water adventures perfect for steamboat enthusiasts, water sports fans, and nature lovers. The reed belts and wetlands along the lake provide a peaceful habitat for over 120 migratory bird species and 400 plant species. If you’re here in summer, don’t miss the chance to watch the beautiful sunset as the lake meets the horizon.

Fällanden Youth Hostel pricing

The standard rate for staying at the hostel varies, depending on the season. Expect to spend more during the high season (from May to September) and on weekends. It also offers weekend and weekday packages during low and peak seasons.

For a regular weekend package from Friday to Sunday, the pricing starts at CHF 1160.00 for up to 25 people, but the rate increases during peak tourist season. If you want to book your stay on weekdays, from Monday to Friday, the pricing starts at CHF 400.00 to accommodate up to 25 people.

Experience convenience on a budget at the best Zurich hostels

Let’s face it; a trip to Zurich isn’t cheap. Since Switzerland is one of the world’s most expensive countries to travel to, it’s not surprising that its largest city is one of the costliest places to visit in Europe. But for a city with fantastic shopping opportunities, excellent cuisine, rich history, and picturesque scenery, every penny you spend is worth it. And if you stay in one of the top hostels in Zurich, you can save more while making the most of your adventure!

Do you want to get to know the city better before your trip? Get helpful tips and advice from our guides on the best museums in Zurich and where to shop in Zurich.