3 Best Hostels in Lyon

From dazzling museums to scrumptious culinary experiences, Lyon has an extraordinary blend of contemporary and quaint charms. Like a life-size art piece, the town bustles with historic industrial districts, a significant renaissance old town, ancient Roman ruins and the breathtaking 19th Century Presqu’île quarter to make for an endearing itinerary for the ordinary backpacker.

For the French, Lyon is known as the better Paris. Maybe for a reason?

We have visited Lyon several times and while eating homemade croissant, we wrote up this guide to the best hostels in Lyon for you. Get ready for luxury hostels and social vibes.

Our favorite hostels in Lyon are:

  1. Le Flâneur Guesthouse - best for Solo Travellers
  2. SLO Living Hostel - best for Female Solo Travellers
  3. Away Hostel & Coffee Shop - best for Couples

Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.

Found at the confluence of the Saône and Rhône rivers, the city was founded over 2000 years ago and was initially the capital for the Gauls during the reign of the Roman Empire. And this rich history has been a major fascination for hordes of tourists visiting the city today. Over 162 buildings have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…

  • are tired of crappy hostels!
  • want a social Hostel to actually meet people
  • are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience

Just like its renowned attractions, there is a myriad of accommodation options to pick from while in Lyon, but the smart choice for a backpacker would be a hostel. Luckily for you, we have compiled a list of the best hostels in the city to help you plan your trip better. Here are the best hostels in Lyon.

What we cover in this article?

You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.

Quick Introduction to Lyon

Average price for a bed: Lyon hostels cost 28€ – 38€ per night for a bed in a dorm. This is a rough average just to give you an idea. It is not as cheap, really, but totally worth it.

Prices always depend on season and holidays. Please always check exact rates on Hostelz.com or Hostelworld.com.

Check-In and Check Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3pm), while the Check-Out time is before 11:00 (11am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.

Safety in Lyon: Lyon is an overall safe city since the police force is highly effective. Tourists are sometimes targets for pickpockets and crooks, but the real security problems in the Lyon center are rare. Tourists should pay attention to Rue St. Catherine which is famous for a lot of drunk people on the street, who might be violent. It is probably better to avoid the area of Vieux Lyon, since similar problems may be encountered there. And for safety tips we have our guide – 39 Simple and effective Travel Safety Tips (both offline and online)

The Lyon City Card: This is a popular way of making your visit to Lyon as easy and affordable as possible. The card gives you free access to 23 museums as well as unlimited access to public transport, including the metro, trams, buses, and funicular railways.

Getting around Lyon: Walk! It is by far the easiest. Most of the main attractions are clustered around the pedestrian-friendly city centre, while the public transport network is extensive and effective. There’s even a very good bike-share system in operation.

Nightlife in Lyon: There is always something happening in Lyon. There are many parties in places like Loft and Le Petit Salon, other clubs are Maison Mère and Le Sucre which are good too. Vieux Lyon and Hotel de Ville are full of really nice bars too!

🎁 New to Hostels? Read my guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. I especially recommend reading:

The 3 Best Hostels in Lyon are …

Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Lyon.

  1. Le Flâneur Guesthouse – best for Solo Travellers
  2. SLO Living Hostel – best for Female Solo Travellers
  3. Away Hostel & Coffee Shop – best for Couples

These are our favorite hostels in Lyon. We want to make your life even easier, so we put all accommodations on a map for you. We even added our own tips for favorite restaurants, things to see, and more.

Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type

🦸 Solo Traveler: Le Flâneur Guesthouse
🙎‍♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: SLO Living Hostel
👫 For Socializing:Alter’ hostel
👩‍❤️‍👨Couple Hostel: Away Hostel & Coffee Shop
👨‍👩‍👦 Family Hostel: Away Hostel & Coffee Shop
👩‍💻 For Digital Nomads: SLO Living Hostel
🎒 For Backpackers:Le Flâneur Guesthouse

1. Le Flâneur Guesthouse

Arguably the first hostel to be run as a Co-operative or participatory company, Le Flâneur Guesthouse is an excellent alternative to putting up in a classic hotel or bed and breakfast. Unlike the inclined leadership at other hostels, Le Flâneur Guesthouse dwells on shared governance, with every decision from menus to events broadly debated to offer the hostel guest a remarkable experience while in town.

The hostel has a range of amenities to cater to the comforts of its guests, such as free Wi-Fi across the estate, private bathrooms for all private rooms, and shared bathrooms in all dorms. There is also a 24-hour reception desk, shared kitchen, living room, and shop. Guests can also access video games, board games, and two computers if they want to catch up on work. In addition, each bed in the dormitory has a secure private locker, a socket and private light.

Whether traveling solo or with a couple of friends, Le Flâneur Guesthouse offers an array of room options. Each room or dorm has minimalistic decoration, is clean and makes for a peaceful night’s sleep. The hostel provides 11 room options such as private rooms for 1-4 people, a 4-bed mixed dorm, a 6-bed mixed dorm, a 10-bed mixed bed, a 12-bed female dorm, and a 16-bed mixed dorm.

Check Prices for Le Flâneur Guesthouse

Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Hostelz.com

Le Flâneur Guesthouse Common Space

Location: Le Flâneur Guesthouse is 0.6 miles away from the center of Lyon.

It is located just 15 minutes from main tourist attractions, 10 minutes to the Rhone banks and only 2 metro stops Perrache and Part-Dieu train and bus stations!

In addition, the hostel is perched in a neighborhood with many attractions like the Rhône banks, which are only a 10-minute walk away. The Perrache and Part-Dieu train and bus stations are also within reach if you want to delve further into the city or nearby locales. The Parc Sergent Blandan should be high up on your itinerary for skate enthusiasts. The Parc de la Tête d’Or, only a few minutes away, is a beautiful spot to get some quiet time or enjoy a picnic.

This is one of the best hostels in Lyon for

  • Solo Travellers
  • Backpackers
Check Prices for Le Flâneur Guesthouse

Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Hostelz.com

Le Flâneur Guesthouse Dorms

Le Flâneur Guesthouse Living Room

2. SLO Living Hostel

If you are a bit skeptical about putting up in a hostel, then SLO Living Hostel is the perfect fit for acquainting yourself with hostels. With comfort on the priority list, the hostel has become a healthy alternative to hotels and is also a great place to connect with like-minded travelers.

The hostel is near various attractions in Lyon, such as Fresco (which has a wall painted like a library), Parc de la Tête d’Or (a public park), Fresque des Lyonnais (famous mural of historic local figures), and the Part-Dieu Train Station.

At an extra charge, guests are also offered an all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast, including croissants, bread, jams, cereal, fruit juice, and coffee. In addition, guests have kitchen access if they want to make themselves meals. There is also an outdoor patio and a bar at the estate serving local bars, wines and snacks. The hostel offers free Wi-Fi and a communal computer for guests to stay connected or catch up with work. And if you want to scour the city, SLO Living Hostel can arrange guided tours and activities.

SLO Living Hostel has an array of room options, such as double private rooms, which can fit one or two people and have private bathrooms, and dorms with bunk beds to accommodate up to eight people with shared bathrooms. The hostel also offers luggage storage for the entirety of your stay.

Location: SLO Living Hostel is situated in the heart of Lyon, 0.6 miles away from the city centre.

You will be able to reach Bellecour square, the city centre, in 10 minutes by walk. It is 1 km from Place Bellecour and 1.5 km from Lyon’s Old Town. Part-Dieu Train Station is 1.5 km away and Lyon – Saint Exupery Airport is 20 km away.

This is one of the best hostels in Lyon for

  • Female Travellers
  • Digital Nomads
Find Prices for SLO Living Hostel here

Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com

SLO Living Hostel Living Room

SLO Living Hostel Patio Area

SLO Living Hostel Dorms

3. Away Hostel & Coffee Shop

Away Hostel & Coffee Shop is the eco-hostel found in a 19th Century building is one of the most authentic ways to experience the city. The hostel strongly emphasizes sustainability and obtained the Green Key Label (a sustainable tourism label awarded to accommodations and restaurants).

In addition, Away Hostel & Coffee Shop is within walking distance of attractions such as Place des Terreaux (only 6 minutes away), Mur des Canuts, and Place Bellecour, among others. The hostel also can organize guided city tours for guests looking to scour the city.

The hostel also has a wide range of amenities, such as free Wi-Fi, a coffee shop serving delicious delicacies, yoga sessions, and on-site laundry services. The hostel also offers accessible relaxing areas, an electronically-operated luggage storage room, and kitchen access for guests to make themselves meals.

Away Hostel & Coffee Shop has an array of room options such as a premium double room, standard double room, double room with a shared bathroom, and dormitories accommodating up to 10 occupants. The private rooms are designed to meet the comforts of a modern traveler with a king-sized bed with bed linen, work desk, wardrobe, Nespresso machine, and a private bathroom fitted with a bath towel, shampoo and soap. In addition, some of these have exceptional views of the park right outside the hostel.

Location: Away Hostel & Coffee Shop is centrally located in Lyon 1st district, close to main city attractions.

This hostel is in the middle of the historical Unesco area, in a living district with a lot of bars and typical restaurants, and less than 5 minutes from the Opera House. You can easily reach all the touristic attractions by walking from the hostel. Lyon – Saint Exupery Airport is 28 km from the property.

This is one of the best hostels in Lyon for

  • Couples
  • Families
Find all Prices for Away Hostel & Coffee Shop here

Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com

Away Hostel & Coffee Shop a Kitchen with Dining Room

Away Hostel & Coffee Shop Dorms

Away Hostel & Coffee Shop Common Space

What about the cheapest hostels in Lyon?

Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Lyon.

  1. Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Lyon
  2. add your dates
  3. Order the listings by price

Simple as that.

Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.

Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.

Best Hostels in Lyon for Solo Travellers?

What is seriously the best hostel in Lyon for solo-travellers?

Have an amazing social experience at our top #1 hostel recommendation – Le Flâneur Guesthouse.

If you are traveling solo and have a hidden amazing talent you want to share, this is your chance. The common room is split into a kitchen, dining room, common space, place to read and working room, so you can be alone or you can meet other people. This is a charming and cosy place to stay for a solo traveler.

Check Prices for Le Flâneur Guesthouse

Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Hostelz.com

Le Flâneur Guesthouse Kitchen

Le Flâneur Guesthouse Dorms

Party Hostels in Lyon

Well, we will point you in the direction of Alter’ hostel. It is not really a party hostel, but this is a really nice, good social hostel. It can also be party-ish! Here you’ll feel you’re at home and you can stay in the common room working / reading / relaxing or meeting people feeling at ease.

Alter’hostel

The eco-hostel found on the banks of the Saône River is one of the most authentic ways to stay in touch with our natural surroundings. And that is initiated into the hostel’s design, from the transparent glass roof offering natural sunlight to the ambient fresh air flowing through the estate. In addition, guests can opt to participate in community work during their stay.

In addition, Alter’hostel is also within walking distance of attractions such as Pentes de la Croix Russes (just opposite the estate), Vieux Lyon (only 15 minutes away), Town Hall (only a 25-minute walk), and the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere (only 2km away).

Alter’hostel also offers a range of amenities to cater to the comforts of its guests, such as a shared kitchen, luggage storage, living spaces, bar, free Wi-Fi, and dorm beds fitted with curtains, light, socket and locker storage. In addition, guests can pick from various dorm types to suit their comfort levels and meet the desired travel experience. These include dorms accommodating six people up to those with 16 beds.

Book Alter’hostel here

Check prices: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Hostelz.com

Alter' hostel Common Space

Alter' hostel Dorms

More Lyon hostels worth a mention

Still looking for more? We have listed two more Lyon hostels that are worth considering. Actually it is one hostel and one hotel, but we’ll explain it.

  • ho36 Hostel
  • MEININGER Hotel Lyon Centre Berthelot

ho36 Hostel

ho36 Hostel is located in Lyon, a 15-minute walk from Place Bellecour. Guillotière metro stop is 350 m from the hostal, which provides direct access to both Part Dieu and Perrache train stations in 10 minutes.

The hostel offers hotel rooms as well as beds in a dormitory. It features a shared lounge with sofas, books and a shared dining room with refrigerators and microwaves. They also have a great bar and restaurant with fabulous food.

You can use laundry and dryer with small costs for each. It’s available only daytime but it’s still helpful for long term back pack trip! Also some delicious bakery are around hostel just few minutes walk distance. Additionally hostel’s cafe opens until late evening, and it is good for socializing with drinks before you go to bed.

Book ho36 Hostel here

Check prices: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Hostelz.com

ho36 Hostel dorms

ho36 Hostel common space

MEININGER Hotel Lyon Centre Berthelot

Although it’s labeled as a hotel, MEININGER Hotel Lyon Centre Berthelot is more like a budget hotel with hostel-style facilities. This means that you have access to a kitchen and laundry room, which is something you don’t usually get if you stay in a low cost hotel. Private rooms range from simple doubles up to eight-bed bunk rooms, ideal for large groups. All rooms come with en-suite bathrooms and include access to a shared kitchen and laundry facilities. For some fun, head down to the bar for table football and a cold beer. Pets are welcome for an extra fee.

Location is great, only 5 min walking from Jean Mace train and metro station, and 20 minute walk to old town and centre of Lyon. They offer a  breakfast, hot and cold food, and if you didn’t want the breakfast there is a kitchen where you could make yourself meals.

Parking availability is also well appreciated, although it is good to know that the space is relatively tight for a wide-bodied vehicle.

Book Meininger Hotel here

Check prices: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Hostelz.com

MEININGER Hotel Lyon Centre Berthelot Common Space

MEININGER Hotel Lyon Centre Berthelot Room

Any Discounts?

From time to time, I receive special promo codes for booking platforms, hotels, or hostels. I will be sharing these here once received. Bookmark this page to get an update.

How to book?

The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.

I included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.

I recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Lyon best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.

Hostel Map Lyon Nomadic AnnaMy Best Hostels in Lyon for Female Traveler on a Map + Sights

Let us have a look on the map. Below, we list all three best Lyon hostels on a map.

Personally, we love to plan our trips with a map having all sights and potential hostels on it. We thought this map will help you with planning your trip too.

We also included the main tourist attractions you’ve to know in this list:

  • La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière
  • Place Bellecour
  • Vieux Lyon
  • Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste
  • Parc de la Tete d’Or
  • Ayuntamiento de Lyon
  • Bartholdi Fountain
  • Musée Cinéma et Miniature
  • Parc Sergent Blandan
  • Palais de la Bourse de Lyon
  • Mur des Canuts
  • Gallo-Roman Museum

Best Things To Do in Lyon

Now that you have accommodation under lock and key, let us look at some things you can do while in the city. There is no doubt that Lyon strikes a balance between archaic landmarks and modern-day attractions. So here is a list of things to do while in Lyon.

Vieux Lyon

Take a trip down memory lane in Vieux Lyon as you scour the most extensive renaissance quarters on the continent. From the 15th to 17th Century, Lyon had a thriving silk industry which prompted merchants from different parts of Europe to put up in the city.

They ultimately built lavish homes in gothic French and Italian renaissance styles, which today make for a beautiful day trip in the city. Therefore, visit Vieux Lyon and see what the highest societal echelons lived like back in the day.

Lugdunum Roman theatres

Built by Augustus in 15 BC, the two theatres sit shoulder to shoulder. The stone-tiered outdoor theatres had almost disappeared after they had been turned into quarries but were renovated in the first half of the 20th Century.
After the renovation, they were used for orchestras and plays but now sit idly as a tourist attraction. The theatres, however, still host the annual Nuits de Fourvière (a music and arts festival).

Fourvière Basilica

If you love gothic architectural splendor, then a trip to the Fourvière Basilica is one you will cherish long after your trip. The iconic hilltop church was built in the late 19th Century and is considered one of Lyon’s pilgrimage sites.

And if you happen to visit at the start of December, you can participate in the famous Fête des Lumières which honors the Virgin Mary for guarding the city against the 17th Century bubonic plague. There is also something for the art enthusiasts at the Museum of Sacred Art inside the basilica.

Lyon Cinema and Miniature Museum

The impressive cinema is one of the rarest opportunities to get on a movie set. With costumes from over 200 movies, travelers can get a first-hand experience of what it feels like to feature in a movie. The hallways are also filled with props, and the cinema has up to eight educational rooms filled with miniatures, animatronics, masks, robots and others.

With the admission, travelers can also get backstage and get first-hand information on famous productions like batman or spiderman. If you plan to travel with kids, this is an itinerary they will enjoy.

Get a guided bike tour

Lyon bustles with plenty of attractions, and covering them in one go might prove rather difficult. However, a guided bike tour is one of the best ways to cover much ground in a short period of time.

Also, it is a great way to get first-hand information on the history of the city’s attractions from a knowledgeable party. The guided tours range, but we recommend the two-hour guided tour taking you around the UNESCO historic center on electric bikes.

Pocket-friendly restaurants worth visiting in Lyon

A holistic travel experience is one where you see iconic landmarks and have a scrumptious culinary experience. Like any other city across the globe, there are a couple of hidden gems that offer some of the finest French cuisines at a pocket-friendly cost (under 20 euros). Here are three restaurants that you will love.

L’Epicerie

The exceptional French Bistro on 2 rue de la Monnaie street is known for its tasty Tartines ( huge bread with multiple toppings) and is one of the most authentic French cuisines you will ever taste while in the city. The 1950s hanging retro décor and red and white checkered tablecloths add to the restaurant’s grandeur. An average meal will cost you between 15-18 euros.

L’Instant Fromage

You can’t talk about French delicacies without mentioning their cheese. And the best spot to enjoy a diverse variety of cheese is L’Instant Fromage, a small restaurant in Ainay (2nd District). Aside from the flavorsome cheese, the restaurant is also known to serve some of the best tartines, salads and charcuterie plates. For only 15 euros, you will fill up on some of the finest meals with great French cheese.

La limonade de Marinette

If you fancy a salad in a retro setting as you tick off your itinerary in Lyon, then the impressive La limonade de Marinette found on 46 rue Saint Georges is your best bet. The exceptional 1960s décor and brightly colored interior add to the restaurant’s charm. The restaurant also serves cheese and tartines and has some of the cheapest meals in the city. You can get a meal and drink for under 15 euros.

FAQ

Alright, you should have found your accommodation already. Below we list all the frequently asked questions. Have a look.

More guides

Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Lyon. We also have a Paris travel budget guide that could be of interest.

We did the leg work for you and brought you more hostel guides to destinations:

You can find all our new and updates articles for Best Hostels in here.

We also created a huge guide to hostels. Here we cover how to build lifetime friendships in hostels, the perfect packing list and more.

3 best hostels in Lyon