Must-knows about hotels in Zurich

  • A hotel between the main station “Zürich HB” and the lake is ideal. You can reach the station, the old town, and the boat docks on foot.
  • There are only a few hotels directly on Lake Zurich. They’re farther away from the town center and the rail station.
  • Several luxury accommodations offer views over the entire town and the lake in the distance.
  • Most hotels in Zurich don’t offer a parking lot or garage. If you arrive by car, check our hotel recommendations for drivers.
  • If you arrive or depart by plane, book a hotel near the train station. Or check our separate overview of Zurich Airport hotels.

Find your hotel in Zurich

Capsule Hotel - Alpine Garden Zurich
Capsule Hotel – Alpine Garden Zurich
ZurichNear train stationNear airportGuest reviews 9.5/10Low price
Capsule Hotel – Alpine Garden Zurich provides 144 Swiss Quality Capsules and is located directly opposite of Check in 1 at Zurich Airport. Zurich city centre is just 10 minutes away with the train and can be reached directly from the train platforms in Zurich Airport – trains …

Offered by Hostelworld: www.hostelworld.com

  • Booking Guarantee: if any issues arise, you’ll get a full refund plus $50 extra.
  • Hostel specialist since 1999
  • Climate Neutral verified company
Hotel Bristol Zurich
Hotel Bristol Zurich
ZurichNear train stationGuest reviews 10/10Medium-high price
Hotel Bristol is a friendly hotel which is located 5 minutes walk from the main train station and Bahnhofstrasse from where many of the excursions depart. All rooms are recently renovated and have direct dial telephone, radio, cable Tv. The Wifi is free of charge throughout the property. …

Offered by Hostelworld: www.hostelworld.com

  • Booking Guarantee: if any issues arise, you’ll get a full refund plus $50 extra.
  • Hostel specialist since 1999
  • Climate Neutral verified company
Krone Zurich Pop Up Hotel
Krone Zurich Pop Up Hotel
ZurichGuest reviews 8.9/10Low price
In December 2019 the first Pop Up Hotel in Zurich opened. In the heart of Zurich you have the possibility to stay overnight at fair prices. 28 individually designed rooms with their own charm await you. In our uncomplicated and familiar environment you will be warmly welcomed and feel at …

Offered by Hostelworld: www.hostelworld.com

  • Booking Guarantee: if any issues arise, you’ll get a full refund plus $50 extra.
  • Hostel specialist since 1999
  • Climate Neutral verified company
Zurich Youth Hostel
Zurich Youth Hostel
ZurichGuest reviews 8.8/10Low price
On the site where a school cabin served as a hostel in 1936, there now stands a spacious new-build featuring modern infrastructure, varied cuisine, a cosy bar and a 24-hour reception. Just a stone’s throw from the lake shore, it’s the perfect place from which to start chilled afternoons on …

Offered by Hostelworld: www.hostelworld.com

  • Booking Guarantee: if any issues arise, you’ll get a full refund plus $50 extra.
  • Hostel specialist since 1999
  • Climate Neutral verified company
25hours Hotel Zurich West
25hours Hotel Zurich West
Zurich4-starsGuest reviews 9/10Medium price
With a stay at 25hours Hotel Zurich West in Zürich (Zürich Center), you’ll be steps from Six Swiss Exchange and 3 minutes by foot from Museum of Design Zurich. This upscale hotel is 2.9 mi (4.7 km) from Eth Zurich and 4.8 mi (7.7 km) from Zoo Zurich.

Offered by Klook: www.klook.com

  • Best price guarantee: Klook will refund double the difference if you find a lower price.
  • Extra Support: if you book here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
Green Marmot Capsule Hostel
Green Marmot Capsule Hostel
ZurichGuest reviews 8.3/10Low price
Welcome to the first capsule hotel in the heart of Zurich! In many city centres around the world it is becoming increasingly difficult for travelers to find moderately priced, eco-friendly and cosy accommodation. Zurich, one of Europe’s most attractive cities, is no exception. Now Green Marmot, the first …

Offered by Hostelworld: www.hostelworld.com

  • Booking Guarantee: if any issues arise, you’ll get a full refund plus $50 extra.
  • Hostel specialist since 1999
  • Climate Neutral verified company
Hotel Sternen Oerlikon
Hotel Sternen Oerlikon
ZurichNear train stationNear airport3.5-starsGuest reviews 8.8/10Medium price
A stay at Hotel Sternen Oerlikon places you in the heart of Zürich, within a 10-minute walk of Hallenstadion and Mfo-Park. This hotel is 2.3 mi (3.7 km) from Eth Zurich and 3.9 mi (6.3 km) from Zoo Zurich.

Offered by Klook: www.klook.com

  • Best price guarantee: Klook will refund double the difference if you find a lower price.
  • Extra Support: if you book here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
Hotel Hottingen
Hotel Hottingen
Zurich3-starsGuest reviews 8.8/10Medium price
With a stay at Hotel Hottingen in Zürich (Zürich Center), you’ll be a 4-minute walk from Schauspielhaus and 5 minutes by foot from Kunsthaus Zurich. This hotel is 0.8 mi (1.3 km) from Eth Zurich and 3 mi (4.9 km) from Zoo Zurich.

Offered by Klook: www.klook.com

  • Best price guarantee: Klook will refund double the difference if you find a lower price.
  • Extra Support: if you book here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
Placid Hotel Design & Lifestyle Zurich
Placid Hotel Design & Lifestyle Zurich
Zurich4-starsGuest reviews 8.8/10Medium price
With a stay at Placid Hotel Design & Lifestyle Zurich in Zürich (Zürich Center), you’ll be a 2-minute drive from Letzigrund Stadium and 6 minutes from Bahnhofstrasse. This upscale hotel is 2.8 mi (4.5 km) from Paradeplatz and 3.2 mi (5.1 km) from Swiss National Museum.

Offered by Klook: www.klook.com

  • Best price guarantee: Klook will refund double the difference if you find a lower price.
  • Extra Support: if you book here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
Boutique Hotel NI-MO
Boutique Hotel Ni-Mo
Zurich3-starsGuest reviews 9.2/10Medium-high price
With a stay at Boutique Hotel Ni-Mo, you’ll be centrally located in Zürich, just a 3-minute walk from Zürich Opera House and 5 minutes by foot from Bellevue Square. This hotel is 1.4 mi (2.3 km) from Eth Zurich and 3.3 mi (5.3 km) from Zoo Zurich.

Offered by Klook: www.klook.com

  • Best price guarantee: Klook will refund double the difference if you find a lower price.
  • Extra Support: if you book here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
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Where to stay in Zurich

We 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 both the train station as well as 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 our 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 as well.

There are many other train stations in Zurich, which all offer frequent connections, but Zurich HB is the main public transport hub.

Our top recommendations for hotels very close to Zurich’s main station are the Walhalla 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 will mainly be traveling by car, it’s best to avoid the Zurich city center: there’s busy traffic. 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 much 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 aja Hotel (4-star) in Zurich Altstetten too.

Our personal favorite is the Landgasthof Leuen (3-star) in the 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.

One of the hilltop hotels we 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 very 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 is 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 our suggestions for hotels with wide views to check them.

If you prefer staying in the historic center of Zurich, Hotel Storchen and the Widder Hotel are great options. Baur Au Lac offers the best of both worlds: it’s on the lake, at the end of the famous Bahnhofstrasse, and very 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 very 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 we stayed in, both south of the city:

  • Bonstetten. This may not be the most scenic village of all, but very 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.

Zurich Airport hotels

Hotels near Zurich Airport are convenient in case of an early departure or late arrival.

Radisson Blu hotel at Zurich Airport

Hotels near Zurich Airport

These hotels are recommended if you arrive or depart from Zurich Airport. Some offer a shuttle service from and to …

Our tips about the city of Zurich

Zurich and its lake seen from Uetliberg

Zurich

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland. There is a lot to see and do, including boat trips, museums, luxury …

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Annika
Page author: AnnikaSince early childhood I've been visiting Switzerland during my holidays and I just fell in love with the country. I spent many summers in the Bernese Oberland, which still feels like my second home, and then started to explore other areas. Traveling, hiking and photographing in the Swiss Alps are my absolute favorite activities.