The gorgeous Swiss city of Lucerne has a well-preserved old town, sunny plazas, candy-coloured houses, and stunning waterfront promenades. Many people refer to it as the pocket-sized version of Switzerland, and, according to legend, an angel showed the first settlers the ideal location to build a chapel in the area. Said chapel still stands there today!
Lucerne is the perfect place to start your Swiss journey. It’s such a beautiful city that will give you a magnificent insight into the country. Sure, Switzerland has a reputation for being pricey, but trust me—it’s totally doable on a budget.
The key to saving some cash? Hostels, of course. If backpacking is second nature to you (like it is to me), you’ll know hostels are the holy grail of affordable travel. But this postcard-perfect town isn’t exactly overflowing with options, and finding the right hostel can feel like searching for a chocolate bar in a cheese shop.
Lucky for you, I’ve done the hard yards, hunting down the best hostels in Lucerne so you don’t have to.
The sooner you sort your Lucerne hostel, the sooner you can dive into all the hiking, biking, and lakeside lounging your heart desires.
Are you ready? Let’s get crackin’.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
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Quick Answer: Best Hostels in Lucerne
- Best Overall Hostel in Lucerne – Backpackers Lucerne
- Best Hostel in Lucerne for Solo Travellers – Young Backpackers Homestay
- Best Cheap Hostel in Lucerne – Bellpark Hostel
- Hostel for Digital Nomads in Lucerne – theLAB Capsule Hotel
The 4 Best Hostels in Lucerne
Here it is—the ultimate roundup of Lucerne’s hostels, tailored to fit every travel style. Choosing your spot just got way simpler, so you can dive into mountain and lakeside adventures without wasting time.
1. Backpackers Lucerne – Best Overall Hostel in Lucerne
- Dorm (mixed): From $45/night
- Private Room: From $103/night
- Address: Alpenquai 42, 6005 Lucerne
Located right in front of the lake, Backpackers Lucerne is one of the best Lucerne hostels, thanks to its views which are just magnificent.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- In front of Lake Lucerne
- Laundry facilities
- All rooms with balconies
The property is just a 15-minute walk from the main station, making getting around a breeze. The beach is also within walking distance, perfect for lazy days or dipping into the cool waters after a day of exploring.
Each room comes with its own private balcony where you can sit, relax, and admire the stunning views. The fully equipped kitchen is open for everyone to use should you want to prepare your own meals. Just visit the nearby local stores and stock up on groceries to cook up a real feast!
The hostel has spacious communal areas, including a lounge with board games, foosball, and a table tennis set up. Hang out with your travelling companions, make new friends backpacking Switzerland, and prepare your itinerary for the following days. This comfortable space will quickly become your favourite place to stay.
There are also books in the lounge, free internet access and laundry facilities. Stay connected with your loved ones back home, check out reviews for your next-day trip, and find all the must-see sights – Backpackers Lucerne has everything you could possibly need!
2. Young Backpackers Homestay – Best Hostel in Lucerne for Solo Travelers
- Dorm (mixed): From $33X/night
- Private Room: From $97/night
- Address: 12 Obere Dattenbergstrasse, Kriens, 6005 Lucerne
If you’re visiting Lucerne for its landscape, this lovely hostel is a stunning place to stay, with amazing views of the Alps and its snow-capped mountains from the terrace. A perfect place to hang out, mingle with other travellers, have your morning coffee and even do a little work, it’s a fave spot within the property.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- View of the Alps
- Outdoor terrace
- Hot tub
Situated on the hills of Lucerne, the hostel has a perfect vantage point to admire the beauty of the surroundings. It is only 10 minutes away from the train station, with free tickets available at the reception.
If you are exhausted from all the sightseeing, take a dip in the outdoor swimming pool and relieve your body from backpacker aches in the sauna – at an extra cost. A soak in the jacuzzi promises a restful night’s sleep.
Akin to a luxury hostel, you will find everything you need on the property. A café and bar are on the premises for a decent meal and drinks after an enjoyable day spent outside. The games room is open to anyone who would like to try their luck on a game of foosball, or board games.
Laundry facilities are available for those who would like to ensure their clothes are clean when travelling. There’s also luggage storage available when you need to check out but have not finished exploring just yet! And let’s not forget the BBQ area!
3. Bellpark Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Lucerne
- Dorm (mixed): From $40/night
- Private Room: From $99/night
- Address: Luzernerstrasse 23, Kriens, Kriens, 6010 Lucerne
If you’re on a tight budget in Switzerland and don’t want to sacrifice comfort, check out Bellpark Hostel. It’s got a great location just a few minutes away by bus ride from Lucerne station, and 5 minutes from Mt. Pilatus cable car.
You get a free public transportation ticket that is valid for the whole duration of your stay when you arrive – starting with your bus ride from the train station to the hostel.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Free Wi-Fi
- Free bus ticket
- Games room
The hostel has both private and dorm rooms to choose from. Some even have balconies where you can hang out, relax, and admire the beautiful surrounding landscapes! Take advantage of the security lockers to stash your valuables for peace of mind in Switzerland.
There are laundry facilities available for those who would like to wash their clothes, and the games room is where you can meet other travellers and share stories. A large food market is nearby where you can grab more affordable meals than restaurants and bars.
The tours and travel desk can give you recommendations on the activities that you shouldn’t miss, as well as sights that you shouldn’t forget to see!
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Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REI4. theLAB Capsule Hotel – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Lucerne
- Dorm (mixed): From $57/night
- Address: Hirschengraben 40, 6003 Lucerne
Boasting a great location, this capsule hostel is the first of its kind in Switzerland. Situated at the edge of the historic Old Town, it’s the ideal place to start your exploration. Old Town is still incredible to this day, with its narrow cobblestone alleyways, old bridges, and buildings, as well as beautiful medieval squares.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Free Wi-Fi
- Outdoor terrace
- Express check-in/out
It’s a perfect spot for digital nomads looking for the next best spot to set up an impromptu office. The hostel itself also boasts great working spaces, including a meeting room if you need something a bit more formal. Wi-Fi is free of charge and accessible in common areas, as well as rooms, for catching up on emails and posting on your blog.
As well as being an excellent base, it is close by to plenty of boutiques for a bit of shopping, and cafes for trying local, delicious Swiss food. Be sure to check out Valentino, a classic pizzeria and spaghetteria in Old Town that has a loyal clientele. They have an extensive menu of authentically prepared pasta and pizzas, as well as seafood risottos that are a must-try!
The hostel’s distinct aerospace design makes it a hit with the younger crowd, but everyone is welcome to stay. With 24-hour security, secure lockers, and security card access, it is totally safe for female solo travellers. The property is close to the train station, so it is easy to explore nearby towns and get from Zurich airport too.
There is a book exchange for a moment of peace, an outdoor terrace, and board games to help you get to know the other backpackers.
Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.
It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!More Epic Lucerne Hostels
Haven’t found the right hostel for you yet? Don’t worry, there are plenty more options waiting for you. To make the search a bit easier, I’ve listed more epic Lucerne hostels below.
Luzern Youth Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $59/night
- Private Room: From $137/night
- Address: Sedelstrasse 12, 6004 Lucerne
Fancy being surrounded by placid lakes, stunning mountain views, and rich culture? That’s just a glimpse of some of the things you are going to get when you stay at Luzern Youth Hostel.
A free breakfast is served daily, and is the perfect way to start your day of exploring. Located just half a mile from the city centre and the lake, it only takes a few minutes to get to the shops, restaurants, and bars should you want to try out the local fares, and purchase some souvenirs.
The games room has all the amenities to play pool, foosball, or board games. It’s a peaceful spot where you can have some serious R&R whilst still making friends and checking out the most beautiful places in Switzerland.
Barabas Luzern
- Dorm (mixed): From $48/night
- Private Room: From $110/night
- Address: 18 Löwengraben, 6004 Lucerne
If you don’t like run-of-the-mill hostels and want to stay somewhere unique, Barabas Luzern is the ideal spot. Barabas Luzern is a unique jailhouse hostel, located in the Old Town of Luzern. In its past life, it served as a real prison!
There are more than 50 different prison cells including single and double rooms, as well as family rooms with bathrooms. The hostel has a library packed with, you guessed it, crime novels! You can borrow books, and spend an evening in the library – that can also be booked as a bedroom.
Aside from its unique history, the location couldn’t be better. Lucerne station is within walking distance and it’s also a stone’s throw away from some of the most interesting sites like the lion monument, Reuss River, the Bay of Lake, and Chapel Bridge.
Hotel Alpha
- Private Room: From $90/night
- Address: Zähringerstrasse 24, 6003 Lucerne
Hotel Alpha is located centrally in a quiet street, just 5 minutes from interesting spots.You can take a stroll through Old Town, and see the famous Chapel Bridge, and the Culture and Congress Centre. Ask at reception about walking tours of the town if you’re interested in venturing with a knowledgeable guide.
Breakfast is served daily from 7:00 until 11:00, to prepare you for a day on the town exploring. There isn’t a restaurant onsite, but there are plenty of places to eat nearby to fill up on lunch and dinner.
Lion Lodge Lucerne
Some backpackers want to save money when travelling but don’t want to give up their privacy. If you’re figuring out where to stay in Switzerland, don’t skip out on Lucerne! Lion Lodge Lucerne has some of the best private rooms available in town!
Centrally located, it is just a few minutes from the Old Town, as well as shopping centres that are easily reachable thanks to the nearby bus stop. You can explore on foot, venture further by bus, or take a day trip by train. This is the perfect base for an adventurous getaway.
Wi-Fi is free, and accessible in all common areas. There are 3 large verandas, all with excellent views of the stunning vistas of Steinenstrasse, a perfect way to start or end your day.
Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Lucerne
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 Lucerne.
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 Lucerne Hostels
These are the questions I get the most from backpackers about hostels in Lucerne.
What to Pack for your Lucerne 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 do Lucerne hostels cost?
Hostel prices in Lucerne can range from $30 to $80 per dorm bed. On the other hand, private rooms can cost as much as $100 to $220 per room.
Are hostel bars a thing in Lucerne?
Some have them, and they’re a great way to sip a pint with a mountain backdrop. But it’s true that Lucerne is somewhat lacking in those crazy party hostels you’ll see in the rest of Europe. If your hostel doesn’t, just wander into town; the beer and vibes flow freely everywhere.
What are the best hostels in Lucerne for couples?
If you’re looking for your own private space with epic views of the Alps (and why wouldn’t you be?!) then I’d check right into Young Backpackers Homestay. The rooms are perfect for if you’re travelling with your partner and want the best of both worlds with being in a social hostel.
Final Thoughts on Lucerne’s Hostels
Lucerne is the kind of place that leaves you grinning like a kid in a Swiss chocolate shop. It’s impossible not to fall head over hiking boots for this pocket-sized slice of Switzerland. It has history, architecture, and natural wonders that will make your jaw drop.
The best part is that Lucerne can easily be done on a budget if you know where to look! Finding the right hostel might take a bit of effort, but once you’ve got a cosy spot to crash, you’ll be ready to dive into everything Lucerne has to offer—without breaking the bank.
Still unsure on where to stay? I’d go with Backpackers Lucerne. Social, affordable and boasting those all-important views of the Alps, this one is a winner for me.
All that’s left is to pack your bag and get ready for a Swiss escape you won’t forget. Happy travels friends 🙂
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Switzerland for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the beautiful places in Switzerland covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Switzerland if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Lucerne before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for Europe 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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