Affordable accommodation options in one of the most beautiful, but expensive countries in the world — I mean, a Big Mac meal at McDonald’s costs ~S$24!?
When I visited Switzerland as an exchange student back in 2018, most of my money was spent on essentials like rail tickets and experiences. To cut costs, food and accommodation was where I could save.
If you’re a broke student hoping to see Switzerland’s postcard landscapes like the Matterhorn, this budget Switzerland accommodation guide is for you!
Looking for dream accommodation in Switzerland? Let us know in the comments below and we might curate another list!
This budget accommodation guide is based on our 10-day Switzerland itinerary covering six cities — Lucerne, Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt, St Moritz, and Zurich — with more budget hotel options.
You’ll be travelling between cities via rail so the majority of the hotels on this list are less than a 15-minute journey from the main train station in each city. Use this Switzerland hotel guide and our Switzerland itinerary to plan your trip hand-in-hand!
P.S. Don’t be too shocked to find that budget hotels in Switzerland are still above S$100/night — it’s not going to be like Bali where you can find a decent place to stay for less than S$30/night.
Lucerne Budget Hotels
The first stop on our Switzerland itinerary is Lucerne — an hour away from Zurich Airport! Visit the historic old town and head up to the top of Mt Pilatus via the famous Golden Round Trip.
1) LAB Capsule Hotel Lucerne
Photo credit: LAB Capsule Hotel Lucerne
Suitable for: Solo travellers
Capsule Hotel Lucerne is the first capsule hotel in Switzerland. It’s located in Lucerne’s historic old town, just a 6-minute walk from the famous Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge).
Photo credit: LAB Capsule Hotel Lucerne
Each pod is well-designed and spacious, with small luxuries like individual dimmable lights and mirrors — something you don’t ever see in hostels. The mattress is also large (90cm x 210cm!) and top quality, so tall guests don’t have to worry about their feet hanging off.
My favourite feature of the pods? The capsule has a door which can be locked!
Photo credit: LAB Capsule Hotel Lucerne
The common bathroom includes amenities like toiletries, towels and hairdryers. There’s also an integrated coworking space and common living room — so there’s plenty of room to relax.
Cost: From ~$106/night
How to get there: 5min walk from Lucerne Station (Google Maps)
2) Galaxy Apartments Lucerne
Photo credit: Galaxy Apartments
Suitable for: Couples, groups
Galaxy Apartments Lucerne is great for those travelling with a group of friends or family as they have fully furnished apartments fit for up to eight guests. There’s everything you’ll need for a comfortable stay — entertainment like Apple TV, bathroom amenities, and a kitchen to prepare meals (there’s a supermarket just across the road!).
Photo credit: Galaxy Apartments
A Studio Apartment (from ~S$142/night) includes a double bed and sofa bed, a small kitchen, a bathroom and a dining area. For bigger groups, a Three-Bedroom Apartment (from ~S$242/night) includes a larger common area and dining room.
Cost: From ~S$142/night for a Studio Apartment
How to get there: 12min walk or 8min bus ride (bus 10) from Lucerne Station (Google Maps)
Interlaken Budget Hotels
Interlaken is Switzerland’s adventure hub — the place to base yourself to go on day trips to Schilthorn, Iseltwald and Grindelwald First!
3) Balmers Hostel
Photo credit: Balmers Hostel
Suitable for: Solo travellers, couples, groups
Balmers Hostel is Switzerland’s first private hostel, ran by the third generation of the Balmers family. I stayed here when I visited as an exchange student in 2018 and I loved it!
Photo credit: Balmers Hostel
It’s modelled after a cosy Swiss chalet, with a massive living area packed with a ton of comfy seating. This hostel has pretty much everything you need for an epic backpacking experience — an in-house club open only to guests, ease of booking all activities at reception, a hammock room and a restaurant (open only in summer).
Photo credit: Balmers Hostel
Both private and dorm rooms (from six to ten beds per room) are available. Rooms are accessed by a key card and each dorm bed has basket under the bed that can be locked up!
Cost: From S$65.60/night for a bed in a 10-bed dorm — min. two nights
How to get there: 21min walk or take bus 102 (3 stops) from Interlaken Ost Station (Google Maps)
4) Hotel Bernerhof
Photo credit: Hotel Bernerhof
Suitable for: Couples, groups
If you’re hoping for affordable accommodation in Interlaken that isn’t a hostel, consider Hotel Bernerhof! It’s a three-star hotel with a central location — right next to Interlaken West Station, Lake Thun shipping pier and the bus station.
Photo credit: Hotel Bernerhof
There are multiple room layouts available — like the twin room (from ~S$208/night), triple room (from ~S$308/night) and quadruple room (from ~S$370/night). All rooms are equipped with hairdryer, safe, mini-fridge and Wi-Fi.
Cost: From ~S$208/night for a Twin Room
How to get there: 2min walk from Interlaken West Station (Google Maps)
Montreux Budget Hotels
Nestled along the shores of Lake Geneva, Montreux offers a slower pace of life compared to Zurich or Interlaken. Visit Switzerland’s grandest castle Château de Chillon, stroll along the streets of Vevey, and take a detour to the Leukerbad Thermal Baths!
5) Hotel Bon Port
Photo credit: Hotel Bon Port
Suitable for: Solo travellers, couples, groups
Location-wise, Hotel Bon Port is a great choice for accommodation in Montreux. It’s 800m away from Montreux Station — where you’ll arrive at and set off from for sightseeing!
This Switzerland hotel has 30 guest rooms featuring vibrant colours, with several room types from twin (from ~S$150/night) to quadruple rooms (from ~S214/night).
Photo credit: Hotel Bon Port
The rooms are a comfortable size, with a desk and chairs. Triple and quadruple rooms have kitchenettes with a microwave oven, sink and induction cooktop — ideal for those who might want to save on eating out and whip up a simple meal instead.
Cost: From ~S$150/night for a single room
How to get there: Walk 11min or take bus 201, 204, 205 or 206 (three stops) from Montreux Station (Google Maps)
6) Villa Toscane
Photo credit: Villa Toscane
Suitable for: Solo travellers, couples, groups
Villa Toscane is a three-star hotel housed in an art Nouveau building in central Montreux. It’s also located just 800m from Montreux Station and right across Lake Geneva.
Photo credit: Villa Toscane
This budget-friendly Switzerland hotel features 42 modern guest rooms — catering to solo travellers, couples and families of up to five. Each room includes a private bathroom with a shower or bath, hairdryer, desk, mini-fridge, flat-screen television and safe.
Photo credit: Villa Toscane
Villa Toscane shares facilities with the 5-star Royal Plaza Montreux, located just across the road. There’s an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, fitness room and sauna — who says you can’t enjoy luxury on a budget? 💅
Cost: From ~S$160/night for a single room
How to get there: 11min walk from Montreux Station (Google Maps)
Zermatt Budget Hotels
Zermatt is home to the Matterhorn — the famous Toblerone mountain! This charming Swiss town is car-free and has ski slopes open all 365 days of the year.
7) Zermatt Youth Hostel
Photo credit: Swiss Youth Hostels
Suitable for: Solo travellers, groups
The Matterhorn is Zermatt’s main attraction — and you can spot it from Zermatt Youth Hostel. The reception and common area has large windows (to soak in the views!) and a table tennis table and foosball.
Photo credit: Swiss Youth Hostels
It’s a fantastic accommodation option for skiers and snowboarders — less than 1km from several ski lifts, plus a dedicated room for storing winter sports equipment.
Photo credit: Swiss Youth Hostels
This popular hostel offers four, six and eight-bed mixed dorms and common bathroom facilities. For those travelling in a group, there are single (from ~S$169/night), double (from ~S$209/night) and family rooms for six pax (from ~S$504/night) available.
Cost: From ~S$83/night for a bed in a 8-bed dorm
How to get there: 15min walk from Zermatt Station (Google Maps)
8) Hotel Derby
Photo credit: Hotel Derby
Suitable for: Couples, groups
Hotel Derby doesn’t exactly fall under the category of cheap Switzerland hotels — but hear me out on why I had to include it. First, you can’t beat its location. It’s along Bahnhofstrasse (Zermatt’s main pedestrian street), just 190m from the main train station.
There’s even an in-house restaurant that serves French, Italian and Swiss cuisine!
Photo credit: Hotel Derby
Second, the family rooms are actually quite worth it (from ~S$406/night). That’s roughly ~S$101.50/pax — not a whole lot more than what you’d pay for a hostel in Zermatt. Rooms on the upper floors have a balcony, with partial views of the Matterhorn!
Photo credit: Hotel Derby
The bathrooms are very modern, with a separate sink and shower area — great for sharing with multiple people.
Cost: From ~S$340/night for a double room
How to get there: 2min walk from Zermatt Station (Google Maps)
St. Moritz Budget Hotels
St. Moritz is a popular town with luxurious alpine resorts — it’s also a great base for winter sports!
9) St. Moritz Youth Hostel
Photo credit: Swiss Youth Hostels
Suitable for: Solo travellers, couples, groups
St. Moritz Youth Hostel is the ultimate Swiss hostel in winter — it even hosted served as the Olympic Village for international athletes in two Winter Olympics!
Photo credit: Swiss Youth Hostels
This massive complex offers a ton of facilities for guests — a pool table, foosball, table tennis, volleyball, a fitness room, a fondue and raclette (a Swiss cheese dish) room, ski room, reading room and more.
Photo credit: Swiss Youth Hostels
Choose from shared dorm rooms (from ~S$86/bed) and private rooms (from ~S$168/night). The quadruple room with private bathroom (from ~S$445/bed) is pretty spacious — with a lot of floor space to spread out your winter gear and luggage!
Cost: From ~S$86/night for a bed in a 4-bed dorm
How to get there: Take bus 1, 4 or 9 (2 stops) from St. Moritz Station (Google Maps)
10) Hotel Piz St. Moritz
Photo credit: Hotel Piz St. Moritz
Suitable for: Couples, groups
Hotel Piz St. Moritz is a cosy boutique hotel with just 25 rooms — so you’d better book early to secure a room at a lower price. It’s less than 1km from several ski lifts, like St. Moritz Bad-Signal and Signalbahn!
Photo credit: Hotel Piz St. Moritz
The rooms are very tastefully furnished, with hardwood floors and a clean colour palette. Both twin room (from ~S$276/night) and family room with bunk bed (from ~S$408/night) are available!
Photo credit: Hotel Piz St. Moritz
The best part? Guests can wind down after a packed day of winter sports at the hotel’s sauna and steam room.
Cost: From ~S$276/night for a double room
How to get there: Take bus (1 stop) from St. Moritz Station (Google Maps)
Zurich Budget Hotels
The last stop on our Switzerland itinerary is Zürich! Go on a day trip out to see the Rhine Falls, explore Zürich Old Town and catch the sunset at Lindenhof.
11) Hotel Limmathof
Photo credit: Hotel Limmathof
Suitable for: Solo travellers, groups
Hotel Limmathof has a pretty basic interior — but it’s a value-for-money Switzerland hotel. The location is great; just 350m from Zurich Station and less than a 15-minute walk from landmarks like Grossmünster and Niederdorfstrasse Shopping Street.
Photo credit: Hotel Limmathof
They offer rooms for up to four, which includes all necessary amenities like a safe and hairdryer. Plus you don’t have to venture for authentic Swiss food — Hotel Limmathof houses a 100-year-old restaurant that specialises in local cuisine!
Cost: From ~S$157/night for a single room
How to get there: 5min walk from Zurich Station (Google Maps)
12) Hotel Stoller
Photo credit: Accor
Suitable for: Couples
Hotel Stoller is a family-run hotel in the heart of Zurich West — a short 15-minute tram ride from the city’s main street and 26 minutes via public transport from Zurich Airport.
Photo credit: Accor
Couples can opt for a basic comfort twin room (from ~S$165/night) or a comfort studio (from ~S$233/night) for a larger lounging space.
Cost: From ~S$165/night for a comfort twin room
How to get there: Take tram 3 (8 stops) from Zurich Station (Google Maps)
Plan Your Swiss Trip with These Budget Switzerland Hotels
Remember to use this Switzerland hotel guide alongside our 10-Day Switzerland Itinerary — the hotels featured follows the route on that itinerary, after all!
Check out the rest of our Switzerland itineraries and guides as well:
– Getting around Switzerland — How to Maximise Your Swiss Travel Pass
– Switzerland 14 Best Things to Do — From Iconic to New Attractions
Have more budget Switzerland hotels to add to this list? Share with us in the comments!
