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Where to stay in Zurich
I recommend a hotel between the main station “Zürich HB” and the Bürkliplatz on the northern shore of Lake Zurich. This location allows you to reach the train station and the shipping pier on foot. You will also be in, or close to, the old town.
Learn more about the areas of Zurich, and traveling in the city, in my Zurich guide.
Hotels near the Zurich main train station
Zurich isn’t the best place to get around by car. If you are planning to take day trips out of town, a hotel within walking distance of the main train station (“Zürich HB”) is most convenient. That also places you in the city center, so exploring locally will be easy too.
There are many other train stations in Zurich, all with frequent connections, but Zurich HB is the main public transport hub.
My top recommendations for hotels next to Zurich’s main station are the Fred Hotel (3-star, at 2 minutes from the rail station), Hotel Schweizerhof (4-star, 1 minute) and Central Plaza (4-star, 2 minutes).
Hotels with plenty of parking
If you’ll mainly be traveling by car, it’s best to avoid the Zurich city center: traffic is busy here. Parking spaces are hard to find and expensive.
Hotels in the outskirts, nearby towns like Uitikon and Thalwil, and around the airport (Kloten, Rümlang) generally have more parking space available, either free or paid. Public transport allows you to reach central Zurich very quickly.
An affordable driver-friendly option is the Youth Hostel (2-star) in Zurich Wollishofen. You may like the Mercure Zürich City (4-star) in Zurich Altstetten too.
My personal favorite is Landgasthof Leuen (3-star) in the more rural surroundings of Waldegg/Uitikon.
Hotels with panoramic views
Some hotels in and around Zurich offer a great city view, either because they are located on a hill or because they’re in a tall building.
A special hilltop hotel I recommend is Hotel Uto Kulm (4-star) on the Uetliberg south of Zurich. It’s surrounded by forests, easy to access by direct train, and offers an amazing view of the city, the lake, and the Alps on the horizon.
In the rural hills north of Zurich you’ll find Sorell Hotel Zurichberg (4-star), with a direct tram into the city center. Nearby is the very luxurious Dolder Grand (5-star).
If you prefer a location in the city center, have a look at the tall buildings with wide urban views of the Marriott Hotel (5-star) or the Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel (5-star).
Lakeview hotels
Zurich is “folded around” Lake Zurich, but if you prefer a hotel room with a lake view, the choice is limited. Most hotels are in the historical town center or the outskirts in the north and east of the city, away from the lake.
But there are lakeside options in Zurich and in nearby villages. If you prefer staying directly on the lake and in the city, look into Hotel La Réserve Eden Au Lac (5-star). Another option is the classy 4-star hotel Ameron Bellerive au Lac, located right next to the La Réserve Eden hotel.
If you don’t mind traveling a bit, consider Hotel Alex (5-star) in Thalwil, or the Romantik Seehotel Sonne (4-star) in Küsnacht.
Hotels with Limmat river view
The river Limmat runs straight across Zurich, but there are only a handful of hotels directly on the river. They offer picturesque views of the water and the city.
If you like the idea of being on the Limmat, Hotel Limmatblick (3-star), Central Plaza (4-star), or Hotel Storchen (5-star, and with a view on the Grossmünster church as well) might be what you’re looking for.
Cheap hotels
If you’re not picky about the location, you will find affordable accommodation (by Zurich standards). Consider the Oldtown Hostel Otter in the center of Zurich, or the easyHotel (2-star) in the Langstrasse district at less than 15 minutes from the train station.
If you don’t mind sleeping in a capsule, consider the Green Marmot Capsule Hotel in the heart of Zurich. It’s the cheapest centrally located hotel that we know of.
Luxurious options
Finding a comfortable luxurious hotel for a few nights in Zurich is not difficult. There are many 5-star hotels to choose from. Some are located in the hills surrounding the city. Have a look at my above suggestions for hotels with wide views.
If you prefer staying in the historic center of Zurich, Hotel Storchen and the Widder Hotel are great options. Baur Au Lac has the ultimate location: it’s on the lake, at the end of the famous Bahnhofstrasse, and close to the old center.
Smaller alternatives to Zurich
If want to base yourself in a quieter town in the Zurich region, consider one of these lakeside villages:
- beautiful Rapperswil on the north-eastern shore. It’s not that close to the city: at a 35-minute train ride. This town is very attractive though.
- Thalwil or Horgen on the south-western shore.
These are some other nearby towns Arno and I stayed in, both south of the city:
- Bonstetten. This may not be the most scenic village of all, but pleasant and with just the right facilities. The train ride to Zurich takes 25 minutes.
- Uitikon. You’re in Zurich within 20 minutes. The rural environment and gentle hills are pretty, and you’re conveniently on the railway line to the viewpoint Uetliberg.
Yet another option is Zug. This charming town is situated south of Zurich, at a 20-minute train ride from the city. Zug is located on the Zugersee (“Lake Zug”) and offers fine connections to Lucerne and the Rigi.
