Congratulations, youâve just stumbled across the only guide you need to discover the 2 best hostels in Zurich!
You could argue âWhy only 2â?!
Well letâs face it; you only really need one great hostel, so two is really a bonus.
But wait! Our #1 hostel is actually located in Winterthur, not far from Zurich. Have a look at our intro to Zurich to find out why.
Itâs important for us to only deliver hostels weâd recommend to our friends and family. And to you! Here we have hand-picked the ONLY hostels we enjoy in Zurich.
It may not be the cheapest destination, which is why we’ve found two great central hostels with great amenities to help keep costs down.
Your shortcut:
- Hostel Depot 195 Winterthur
- Oldtown Hostel Otter
- A place for those seeking the best view of Zurich
This guide is perfect for YOU, when …
- tired of bad and crappy hostels
- want to avoid the “young party kids”
- happy to spend 1-2⏠for a better experience
Looking for cool 5 Star Hostels? Spend a bit more time and check out Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof in Interlaken.
In case youâre still deciding on a destination; weâve also created an epic guide to the 23 Best Hostels in Switzerland.
What do we cover in this article?
- Introduction
- 2 best hostels in detail
- Comparison chart of 2 best hostels
- cheapest hostels in Zurich
- best hostels in Zurich for solo travellers
- fun party hostels in Zurich
- discounts and promo codes
- How to book?
- all hostel and sights on a map
- FAQ
- Flights
You can find all 5 5-star hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all the guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Zurich
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Zurich start from 34⏠per night up to 41⏠per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 72⏠up to 173âŹ. This is a rough average just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on the season and holidays. Please always check the exact rates on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Check-In and Check-Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3 pm), while the check-out time is before 11:00 (11 am). 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.
Winterthur vs Zurich: As you may notice further down, our #1 hostel is actually located in Winterthur – a beautiful small city just 25 minutes from Zurich. It’s a fantastic hostel in an area well worth visiting. Honestly, we think it’s better than any hostel in the center of Zurich.
đ New to Hostels? Read my guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. I especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels?
- Understanding Hostels in Europe - and what makes them special
The 2 Best Hostels in Zurich
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Zurich.
Quick overview:
We put all three accommodations on the map, you will find the map at the end of the article.
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 𦸠Solo Traveler: | Hostel Depot 195 Winterthur |
| đââď¸ best for Female Solo Traveler: | Oldtown Hostel Otter |
| đ For Backpackers: | Hostel Depot 195 Winterthur |
| đŠââ¤ď¸âđ¨Couple Hostel: | Hostel Depot 195 Winterthur |
| đ¨âđŠâđŚ Family Hostel: | Oldtown Hostel Otter |
| đŠâđť For Digital Nomads: | Oldtown Hostel Otter |
1. Hostel Depot 195 Winterthur (rooftop terrace + bar)
Our #1 recommendation in the nearby city of Winterthur is the new Hostel Depot 195 Winterthur. Set close to the Winterthur Old Town in an industrial building, this is an old-meets-modern accommodation great for backpackers.
It really is the best choice out of all central Zurich hostels. The ONLY one we really recommend!
Itâs fun, well-located and a great place to meet other travelers. Oh, and you can rent a snazzy bicycle here, too!
Don’t forget: Zurich is only 25 minutes away by train and will cost you around 13⏠each way.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Thereâs a great selection of rooms to suit different traveler types:
- 4-8 bed mixed dorms (linen included)
- Family rooms (en-suite)
- Double/twin rooms (en-suite)
If you enjoy basic, modern design then we think youâll love it here. What matters is the rooms are spacious and bright.
Note: reception hours are 7 am-10 am and 4 pm-10 pm.
Now, letâs get on to the really exciting stuff that will have you booked right away!
For one thing, there is a bar on-site and a super cool rooftop terrace with great views. Are you convinced yet?
Word has it the common kitchen is better equipped than yours back home, but if you prefer to wine and dine youâll be close by to a vibrant urban area full of restaurants.
To brighten the social areas, several local artists have left their marks on the walls. We love this!
Lastly, the location is top. The main train station is just 7 minutes away, and great nightlife, music, and entertainment are just around the corner.
This is one of the best hostels in Zurich for:
- Solo travellers
- Couples
- Backpackers
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
2. Oldtown Hostel Otter (mix of hotel + hostel standard)
If youâre really keen on a second option, weâd like to introduce you to the newly renovated hotel-hostel Oldtown Hostel Otter. This one is above a trendy cafe bar!
Whatâs cool is that the upper floors have been kept at a hotel standard, whereas the lower floors have been converted to dormitories.
The best of both worlds in one!
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
The balance of dorms and privates is almost perfect, with 45 beds spread across both.
Psst! There are both female and male-only dorms. How cool is that?!
We think then, that this is a wonderful choice for solo travellers and couples alike. The bar is a wonderful place to gather, regardless of who you are.
Donât fret if you enjoy a good nightâs sleep – quiet time is after 10 pm in the dorms.
The location is great, full stop.
As you might have guessed, itâs situated in the Old Town. Right bang in the middle, actually. Major sights are close by and the train station is 20 minutes by foot.
If you fancy cooking, there is a small kitchenette to prepare food. Bear in mind it is very basic, with a small oven and microwave.
This is one of the best hostels in Zurich for:
- Female Solo Travellers
- Small Groups
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Comparing all 2 Top Hostels in Zurich
Here is an overview of our handpicked top hostels in Zurich. In this chart, we compare the main facilities and things to expect.
It will help you to make a decision.
| Hostel Depot 195 Winterthur | Oldtown Hostel Otter | |
| Recommended for⌠|
|
|
| Kitchen | Yes | Small Kitchenette |
| WiFi | Free (Good) | Free (Good) |
| Breakfast | Simple Breakfast (extra) | Big Buffet Breakfast (extra) |
| Location | Top | Top |
| Special | Roof Top Terrace, Bar | Cafe-bar |
| Activities | Events on Twitter | No |
| Lockers – and safe? | Yes | Yes |
| Facilities for disabled guests | Wheelchair Friendly | No |
| How to book? | Hostelworld | Hostelworld |
This information can vary by season and availability. Please take this into account.
What about the cheapest hostels in Zurich?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels.
We think itâs not worth it to go with the cheapest hostel out there.
Why?
The difference is usually 1-2⏠($1-2) per night, and a lot of amenities are not included. This can be breakfast or linen.
However, if you are traveling on a shoestring budget and you wanna save every penny, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Zurich.
- Open Hostelworld with a full list of budget places to stay in Zurich.
- Order the listing by price
Simple as that. Make sure you use then the other filters and rank per price. Also keep a close eye on the ratings, especially the “extreme ratings”. Meaning, the best and worst. These ratings can give great insight into what to expect.
Best Hostels in Zurich for Solo Travellers?
If youâre looking for a great hostel for solo travelers in Zurich, youâve already discovered it.
Wait, what?
Yep, our #1 hostel Hostel Depot 195 Winterthur is perfect for solo travellers of every kind!
We have already told you that there really is only one great hostel in Zurich, and we meant it.
Whether youâre a backpacker, female, or male solo traveler, we stand by that Depot 195 is social, comfortable, and safe.
If you want to get social head to the bar, or let the conversation flow whilst relaxing on the rooftop. However, if you are looking for some downtime, opt for an affordable private room and rent a bicycle for the day.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Party Hostels in Zurich
Can we shock you yet again by telling you that youâve also already discovered the best party hostels in Zurich?!
Well, kind of!
Both of our hostel recommendations have the main ingredients for a great party hostel, yet neither of them is technically a party hostel.
For example, Hostel Depot 195 Winterthur has an on-site bar but does not advertise evening events or happy hours.
Oldtown Hostel Otter also has a bar on the ground floor open to guests and the public, yet quiet time is strictly after 10 pm.
So! Instead of heading to Zurich, especially for an all-night party, head to either one of our hand-picked hostels for the option of meeting people at the bar and take advantage of the central location to party close by in the city.
Party in the city, enjoy a great nightâs sleep at the hostel – perfect!
How to book?
We recommend using Booking.com or Hostelworld for your reservations.
Booking.com is the biggest and safest platform for hotel and hostel reservations. Their cancellation policy is one of the best, normally 100% refundable until 24 hours before the stay.
Hostelworld is also super safe and the biggest booking platform for hostels.
On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking is 100% confirmed.
We included the handy links to each of the recommended hostels. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Here is the overview:
- Hostel Depot 195 Winterthur: Booking.com | Hostelworld
- Oldtown Hostel Otter: Booking.com | Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible!
All of Zurich’s best hostels are popular; especially in the high season. To make sure you end up in those stylish hostels, secure your room or bed as soon as you have your travel dates fixed.
Any Discounts?
Currently, we have no special hostel discounts in Zurich. I know, itâs a pity. You can subscribe to our newsletter to receive our newest hostel discounts always in your inbox.
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here.
My Best Hostels in Zurich for Female Traveler on a Map + Sights
Let us have a look at the map. Below we list all two best Zurich hostels on a handy map to make your planning even easier.
We also included the main tourist attractions you need to know in this list:
- Lake Zurich
- GrossmĂźnster
- FraumĂźnster Church
- Bahnhofstrasse
- Swiss National Museum
- Kunsthaus ZĂźrich
- Lindenhof hill
There are also a few day trip options outside of the city you may consider, including:
- Mount Titlis Day Tour
- Stein am Rhein and Rhine Falls
- Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
- Grindelwald and Interlaken
For inside the city we recommend buying a Zurich Card to save on attractions, Transport & Dining.
(You can deactivate and activate the different layers in the left sidebar.)
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 Zurich.
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:
- 23 BEST hostels in Switzerland
- best hostels in Interlaken
- best hostels in Lucerne
- best hostels in Basel
- best hostels in Geneva
And other countries:
Don’t forget to check out all 23 best hostels in Switzerland.
You can find all our new and updated articles for Best Hostels here.
We also created a huge guide to hostels.
Over to you
Was this useful? Do you have any questions, doubts?
Then please please leave us a comment. This list of awesome Zurich hostels should be as informative and useful as possible.
Your question will help me to understand what I have missed to mention.
Therefore, drop us a comment, we are keen to help you!
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter and find the best place on a budget! We ONLY recommend places we know you will enjoy, no matter what.
We will never recommend you any place we havenât evaluated or are not convinced by. We only share with you places we also recommend to our best friends and family!
– – –
pin it for later
