12 Cheapest Hotels in Switzerland for Budget Travelers

cheapest hotels switzerland

When it comes to accommodations, travelers today have many more choices than in the past. They can check into a hostel, or an Airbnb, stay at a campground with amenities, find home-share programs, or even couch surf in someone’s home. Still, there’s something about a hotel that makes it a top choice for a vacation. Perhaps it’s visions of bellhops, bars, and valet parking.

If you’re eager to plan a trip to Switzerland but worried about the cost of accommodations, it’s possible to find an affordable hotel from bustling cities like Zurich to the world-famous tourist towns of Zermatt and Grindelwald. Our list of the cheapest hotels in Switzerland has been vetted to offer you amenities close to 5-star accommodations at a price that will put your mind at ease.

Ruby Mimi Hotel, Zurich

Ruby Mimi Hotel, Zurich
Ruby Mimi Hotel, Zurich © Booking.com

The Ruby Mimi, which used to house one of Zurich’s first cinemas, is an homage to early Hollywood. The themed hotel’s decor and planned activities include the charm and international glamour of the days of Mimi and silent films. You’ll notice it in the rich velvets and art nouveau when you visit the hotel’s 24-hour bar.

All of the rooms at the Ruby Mimi have the luxurious feel of a Hollywood wardrobe with warm wood paneling, muted colors, and polished brass. You’ll be pampered with oversized beds, fluffy towels, and a rain shower. Check into one of the Four-Star Rooms with a lounge area outfitted with vintage furniture or a spacious Loft Room with comfortable stuffed armchairs.

The Mimi is only a two-minute walk from Zurich Central Station and a 9-minute train ride to the airport. The address is Beatenpl. 4, 8001 Zürich, and the price for any room is less than CHF 250 per night.

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Hotel St. Josef, Zurich

Hotel St. Josef, Zurich
Hotel St. Josef, Zurich © Booking.com

Stay at a hotel that offers guests full body massages, a delicious breakfast buffet, and meals prepared for special diets. At the Hotel St. Josef in Zurich., you’ll be within walking distance of all the popular tourist attractions in the city such as the Old Town, the busy Bahnhofstrasse, (Zurich’s famous shopping street), the cinema, the theater, the opera house, and the art gallery.

The pet-friendly hotel is a short walk from Zurich’s lakeside promenade. It’s also in the vicinity of Zurich’s main train station. Choose from 46 bright and spacious rooms and suites from single to family rooms. All rooms are non-smoking and have a bathroom, a safe, a mini bar, a coffee & tea maker, and free Wi-Fi. There is no a/c, but each room has a standing fan.

The onsite restaurant TimeOut is open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 8:pm. The hotel’s address is Hirschengraben 64/68 CH-8001 Zurich, and room prices start at CHF 150 per night.

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Hotel Adler, Zurich

Hotel Adler
Hotel Adler

Get VIP treatment at the superior 3-star Hotel Adler located in the heart of Zurich’s Old Town. It’s officially certified by Hotellerie Suisse as both a boutique and a business hotel. Whether you’re in town for business or to explore Switzerland’s largest, most exciting city, the Adler will meet your needs without breaking your bank account.

All of the 52 guest rooms are uniquely decorated with murals of Zurich’s Old Town and are cozily furnished. In-room mini-bars are replenished for you daily with soft drinks. You’ll have free Wi-Fi to stay connected and each room has an air conditioner that is individually controlled. Double-glazed windows ensure your stay is a quiet one.

You’ll enjoy an amazing breakfast buffet each morning at the onsite Swiss Chuchi. For lunch and dinner, a variety of authentic Swiss dishes are on the menu.

The Adler is located at Rosengasse 10 CH-8001 Zurich. The staff will happily arrange a taxi or private airport shuttle for you. Prices start at around CHF 150 per night, and pets can stay for an additional CHF 15.

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Steinenschanze Stadthotel, Basel

Steinenschanze Stadthotel
Steinenschanze Stadthotel © Booking.com

If you’re touring Switzerland, you don’t want to miss the town of Basel, one of Europe’s best-preserved old towns. It’s tucked in the border triangle of Switzerland, France, and Germany and attracts people from around the world.

The Steinenschanze Stadthotel is the perfect accommodation for your stay in Basel. It’s ideally located within walking distance or by a short tram ride to popular attractions like the Basel Zoo, Art Museum Basel, Museum Tinguely, and the Toy Museum. The hotel has bike rentals so you can explore the Old Town on your own. A taxi service is also available.

Relax in one of 53 modern, well-appointed rooms in different categories. In the summer months, guests enjoy a secluded garden. A bar/lounge is open all year. And you’ll feel good to know that the hotel has earned Swisstainable status as a sustainable hotel in Switzerland.

The Steinenschanze Stadthotel is located at Steinengraben 69, Basel 4051. Prices start at around CHF 374 for a 2-night minimum.

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Hotel Roessli, Interlaken

Hotel Rössli
Hotel Rössli

One of the best cheap hotels in Interlaken, the Hotel Roessli is a family-owned accommodation in the nearby historic village of Unterseen in Switzerland’s spectacular Jungfrau Region. You’ll enjoy a comfortable room with plenty of amenities near Interlaken’s numerous attractions and scenery. It’s within walking distance of mountain trails for hiking and picturesque strolls along the Lombach and Aare Rivers. You’ll also be able to enjoy the quiet beauty and water activities available at Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.

Rooms at Hotel Roessli are available in four categories: Standard Plus, Standard, Economy, and Budget. Some of the rooms include a delicious daily breakfast buffet, but if you booked on a “room only” basis, you can enjoy the buffet for an extra CHF 15.

The hotel’s address is Hauptstrasse 10, 3800 Interlaken. It’s 5 minutes from the Interlaken West Train Station. Prices start at CHF106 per night for a single room with a private external bath.

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Jungfrau Lodge Swiss Mountain Hotel, Grindelwald

Jungfrau Lodge Swiss Mountain Hotel
Jungfrau Lodge Swiss Mountain Hotel © Booking.com

Enjoy a cozy room after an active day of outdoor adventures in the Bernese Oberland. The Jungfrau Lodge Swiss Mountain Hotel in Grindelwald has been owned by the same family for over 110 years and is now managed by the 4th generation. The Lodge consists of two buildings—the main building Jungfrau & Annex Crystal for a total of 49 single, double, and triple rooms.

A few rooms with an especially low price are available with running water and an on-floor shared bathroom. These rooms include a bathrobe and free Wi-Fi. Some have a TV and a telephone. A breakfast buffet is included.

All of the rooms at this hotel are non-smoking and some have balconies with a view of the north face of the Eiger. The Jungfrau Lodge also has three spacious holiday apartments suitable for 4 to 8 guests. The hotel is located at Dorfstrasse 49 & 52, 3818 Grindelwald. Prices start at CHF 76.50 for a single room.

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Hotel Weisshorn, Zermatt

Hotel Weisshorn
Hotel Weisshorn © Booking.com

The Hotel Weisshorn is a chalet-style hotel with a family-friendly atmosphere in the chic ski resort town of Zermatt. Lots of great amenities are offered at the Weisshorn including luggage storage and an onsite restaurant. But the main draw for staying at this hotel besides its moderate room rate is its proximity to all of the popular landmarks around the village such as the Matterhorn Museum and St. Mauritius Church.

The rooms at Hotel Weissman have breathtaking views of course, and are cozy and comfortable. And because Zermatt is a ski resort town, you won’t have any trouble finding a gondola to ride and enchanting places to explore.

Along with the onsite restaurant, you’ll have a choice of excellent restaurants nearby. If you like Mediterranean cuisine, be sure to pay a visit to Chalet da Giuseppe, Vieux-Valais da Nico, or Gusto Matto, all just a short distance from the hotel.

Look for the iconic Hotel Weisshorn with its rustic exterior just 500 meters from the Zermatt train station and cable cars.

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Hotel Staubbach, Lauterbrunnen

Hotel Staubbach
Hotel Staubbach © Booking.com

The historic Hotel Staubbach was built in the 1890s and was one of the first hotels in the traditional Swiss village of Lauterbrunnen. Surrounded by the picturesque of Lauterbrunnen Valley and the Staubbach Falls, the family-run hotel is perfect if you’re looking for the cheapest hotel in Switzerland for couples in a romantic setting.

The hotel is in the spectacular Jungfrau Region with hiking trails that take you past 72 waterfalls. After hiking, you’ll relax in a simply furnished and comfortable room. You can choose a room with a private or shared bath. Stay connected with free Wi-Fi, watch TV in the common areas, and purchase wine, beer, or soft drinks at the reception area.

Hotel Staubbach’s address is Im Rohr, 3822 Lauterbrunnen. It’s located 600 meters from the Lauterbrunnen station. Room prices are as low as CHF 165 per night.

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Hotel De la Paix, Lucerne

Hotel De la Paix, Lucerne
Hotel De la Paix, Lucerne © Booking.com

Stay in the heart of Lucerne at the Hotel De la Paix, a friendly, family-run hotel surrounded by mountain panoramas and a nearby lake promenade. You’ll be just steps away from all the attractions in this popular Swiss city. After your adventures, you’ll have a quiet and comfortable room with a bath or shower and toilet, TV, radio, and phone with free calls throughout Switzerland.

The Hotel De la Paix is just as popular for its onsite restaurant as for its comfortable, affordable rooms. The Lapin restaurant serves dishes made with market-fresh ingredients in dishes such as Ratsherren skewers.

Hotel De la Paix is located at Museggstrasse 2, 6004 Lucerne. Room rates are around CHF 130 per night.

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Hotel Limmathof, Baden

Hotel Limmathof, Baden
Hotel Limmathof, Baden © Booking.com

This boutique-style hotel is located in the city of Baden’s popular spa district not far from the famous Limmat River in a traffic-free area. Wellness and fitness for guests is the main objective for the Hotel Limmathof along with a comfortable, affordable room for the night. However, guests over the age of 16 can enjoy the hotel’s wellness area featuring Switzerland’s most mineral-rich thermal water with or without an overnight stay.

Guests who choose to stay overnight will choose from 27 individually furnished rooms including 8 Superior Rooms, 2 Junior Deluxe Suites, and one Deluxe Suite. Or for the perfect wellness experience, book one of 3 private spa suites.

In addition to a fitness & wellness center, the property has a casino, a terrace, and private parking. It’s located at 20 Badstrasse, 5408, Ennetbaden. Expect to pay around CHF 300 for a night’s stay. That includes unlimited use of wellness facilities.

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Hôtel Central, Lausanne

ibis Lausanne Centre
ibis Lausanne Centre © Booking.com

Located in the heart of Lausanne, the Hotel Central is a modern non-smoking facility a 10-minute walk away from the train station. Lake Geneva, the Historic Quarter, and the Olympic Museum are only a few miles away.

You’ll rest well in a comfortable, soundproof, and air-conditioned room with a long list of amenities including free public transportation, onsite parking, free Wi-Fi, an onsite bar, and breakfast each morning.

The Hotel Central is highly rated by couples. It’s located at Rue du Maupas 20, 1004 Lausanne. Room rates are an average of CHF 150 per night.

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Hotel Montbrillant, Geneva

Hotel Montbrillant
Hotel Montbrillant © Booking.com

Stay in a 4-star hotel at affordable rates with a 2-night minimum at the Hotel Montbrilliant in Geneva. The modern and comfortable hotel is ideally located opposite the Cornavin train station and not far from the airport, the city center, and the iconic Jet d’eau. Enjoy the cosmopolitan vibe of Geneva while staying between the mountains and the lake.

The Montbrillant has 82 minimalist rooms with air conditioners and 24 studios with a kitchenette suitable for preparing your own meals. It’s the perfect cheap hotel in Switzerland for both business and pleasure with a helpful 24-hour reception and concierge.

The hotel’s address is Rue de Montbrillant 2,1201 Geneva. Room rates are around CHF 200 per night.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a hotel room in Switzerland typically cost?

Based on data from nearly 4,000 hotels, the median price for a hotel in Switzerland is USD 154 or CHF 136.

What city in Switzerland is the least expensive to visit?

St. Gallen, known for its old town and beautiful abbey is the most affordable city to visit in Switzerland.

Are there certain times or seasons of the year when hotel rates in Switzerland are lower?

You can generally expect to pay lower hotel rates in Switzerland from November 1 – March 31.

Written by Ashley Faulkes
As a twenty-year resident of Switzerland, I am passionate about exploring every nook and cranny of this beautiful country, I spend my days deep in the great Swiss outdoors, and love to share these experiences and insights with fellow travel enthusiasts.

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