Annecy takes all the best things about travelling in France and puts them into one city! With hiking trails snaking through the countryside and centuries-old castles in the heart of the city, you will quickly realise that a few days is not enough to do Annecy justice.
There’s no need to feel guilty if you want to take it slow for a few days. Whether you’re in search of rich history, action-packed outdoor adventures, or culinary delights, this city has something for you!
The only major drawback for us backpackers about travelling to Annecy is the lack of budget hostels. With almost no dorm beds available in town, is it possible for budget travellers to enjoy Annecy while saving money?
Yes!
If you want to experience all the beauty of southern France, let me save you some time by showing you the best hostels and budget stays in Annecy.
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The Best Hostel in Annecy
If you’re backpacking in France, stopping over in Annecy is 100% worth it if you’re a food lover and a sucker for charming cities. The romantic, winding streets with their cute cafes lie in wait for you in Annecy.
Although Annecy is a quaint and absolutely gorgeous town to visit in France, it isn’t ideally designed for us backpackers… it’s more on the expensive side and only has one hostel. But, one hostel is all we need!!
If you keep scrollin’, I’ve also included my fav budget stays in Annecy, so you can decide if you want to crash in the town’s only hostel (which is fairly decent) or book a budget hotel.
So, let’s get into it!
Auberge de Jeunesse HI Annecy
- Dorm (Male/Female): From $33-36
- Private Room: From $133
- Address: Route du Semnoz, 4, 74000 Annecy, France
As the ONLY hostel in town, this one can easily take the crown of the BEST hostel in Annecy. One of my favourite parts of this hostel is the EPIC view across the mountains, you can’t beat it. The included breakfast is also pretty damn good to enjoy while enjoying the scenes.
There is a shared kitchen to help you keep your costs low (a big tick for us backpackers staying in pricey ol’ Annecy). The hostel is located preeetty close to the centre, but you are on a hill so you’ll want a reasonable level of fitness and a good pair of shoes if you intend to walk in!
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- FREE breakfast
- Shared kitchen
- Epic views
- Great bang for your buck
There is a bar on-site, so you don’t have to go far to grab a beer and the in-door/ out-door seating around is the perfect place to chill out and get to know fellow travellers (if that’s your vibe!) It’s the best place to stay for those who are solo travelling in Europe.
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View on Osprey View on REIMore Epic Annecy Budget Stays
There are many awesome hostels in France but, unfortunately, not many of them can be found in Annecy. So before you can hop on your bike and cycle around the lake, you’ll have to find that budget hotel in Annecy that best fits how you like to travel.
With each stay a little different from the next, keep your eyes open for the hotel will help you enjoy Annecy to the fullest! Here are my top picks for the best budget stays in Annecy:
Hotel du Chateau
- Private Room: From $69
- Address: 16, rampe du Château, 74000 Annecy, France
Once you see the sunny terrace offering stunning views over the old town and its castles, you’ll be rushing to book your stay in the Hotel du Chateau. I know you’ll be spending most of your time relaxing on the patio with views of the city skyline, but that’s just the beginning of everything this guesthouse has to offer.
With cosy rooms at a budget price, you couldn’t ask for a better place in the old town for a backpacker. If you’re looking to save some extra money, you could even cook up your own meal at the onsite shared kitchen.
With the location putting you just a few steps away from the Church of St. Francis and Chateau d’Annecy, you’ll be staying in the beating heart of the cultural centre of the city! It’s a truly beautiful place to visit in France.
Centre Jean XXIII
- Private Room: From $73
- Address: Annecy-le-Vieux 10 Chemin du Bray, 74940 Annecy, France
With no hostels in Annecy, what’s a backpacker to do when they want to save money but still experience some of the most breathtaking scenery in France? If you want to go as cheap as you can in this historic city, there’s no better place to book yourself than Centre Jean XXIII.
This budget stay is one of the cheapest hotels in Annecy. But just because you’re getting a deal doesn’t mean you’ll be giving up any of the comforts. With its very own shared lounge, you can relax in style while hanging out at the hotel.
Top it off with an onsite restaurant and a free breakfast every morning, there’s no other place in Annecy where you can get so much bang for your buck!
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Hide Yo’ Money!greet hôtel Annecy Cran-Gevrier
- Private Room: From $63
- Address: 19 route de Nanfray – Cran Gevrier, 74960 Annecy, France
greet hôtel is a great place to stay for backpackers! It’s a hotel with a backpacker vibe, there are shared spaces to hang out in, plus a shared kitchen to whip up your own meal. With its budget rooms and high level of comfort, you’ll be treating yourself to the star treatment while exploring Annecy.
You’ll find cosy rooms with office space and even an outdoor terrace to spread out in, as well as a cafe serving a delicious breakfast. greet hôtel Annecy will help you save money and enjoy the high life! It’s also a good one for those travelling as a family as there is plenty of entertainment for the kids.
B&B HOTEL Annecy Cran-Gevrier
- Private Room: From $67
- Address: 16 Route de Nanfray, 74000 Annecy, France
A bed and breakfast is always a good option when travelling on a budget; known for their hospitality and included breaky, it’s like staying at a home away from home. This one does give more hotel vibes as the rooms are a minimalistic-style design (whereas B&Bs are often very much in a home). But they do a delicious buffet breakfast, just make sure you book the option that includes it.
At Brigitte and Sylvain’s
- Private Room: From $132
- Address: 18 chemin chez Blot, Vieugy , 74600 Annecy, France
This place is slightly more on the pricey side, but still one of the cheaper options in Annecy. This rental can fit up to six people – so if you are travelling with five mates… it actually works out extremely affordable! Plus, it has a swimming pool and a buffet breakfast?!
Booking this place out with ya mates will almost be like staying in a boujee AF hostel with your besties <3 It is also a fantastic option for those travelling with kids. It’s one of my favourite places to stay in France.
Adonis Annecy – Icone Hotel
- Private Room: From $88
- Address: 1 Faubourg des Balmettes, 74000 Annecy, France
Putting you just ten minutes away from the shores of Lake Annecy, you couldn’t ask for a better location! Adonis Annecy is a cheap hotel that will hook up weary backpackers with a private room still well within your budget!
Other than the spacious yet homey rooms, Adonis Annecy also has its very own lounge where you can sit back, relax, and chat with the other guests. Top things off with an onsite cafe serving breakfast, and Adonis Annecy secures its spot as one of the best budget hotels in Annecy!
Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Annecy
Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect it. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip to Annecy.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
FAQs About Hostels in Annecy
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Annecy.
What to Pack for your Annecy Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out my definitive Hostel Packing list for even more top hostel packing tips
How much does a hostel cost in Annecy?
There are not many hostels in Annecy but the available dorms can cost around $40 while most private rooms start at $100.
What are the best hostels in Annecy for couples?
My ideal accommodation for couples is Centre Jean XXIII. It has great and clean facilities and the sun terrace is the perfect lounge for picnics. It has a great view of the lake!
Why does Annecy get called the Venice of the Alps?
Ahh, you’ll soon see why when you visit! The old town is home to canals that wind through the city, as well as being located on Lake Annecy. It definitely gives Venice vibes!
Final Thoughts on Annecy’s Hostels
The mountains, lakes, forests, and rivers are just a fraction of the beauty found in Annecy. On top of all of the natural wonders found around the city, Annecy’s charming old town is a romantic village only found in the pages of fairy tales.
Annecy is a city known for its beautiful hotels among the mountains, so finding budget accommodation can be difficult – but as you’ve seen, not impossible! If you’re keen to go full-backpacker mode, you can look past the town’s only hostel: Auberge de Jeunesse HI Annecy. It’s got EPIC views, free breakfast and nice common spaces to hang out in.
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in France for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in France covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in France if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in France before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for France to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Europe backpacking guide.
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