Switzerland has a reputation for being expensive, and accommodation is one of the biggest line items in any trip budget. Still, even in Zurich and Geneva it’s possible to find relatively affordable places to stay – if you know where to look and what to expect.

The key is to understand what a “budget hotel” actually means in Swiss terms, have realistic expectations about prices and plan location, transport and food costs in advance. This guide walks you through the best areas for budget stays, typical price ranges and concrete ways to keep your overall trip cost under control.

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Key takeaways: budget hotels in Switzerland

  • A realistic “budget hotel” in Switzerland is around 100–160 CHF (110–180 $) per night for a basic double room in a city.
  • The most expensive cities are Zurich and Geneva; Basel, Bern and Lausanne are usually a bit cheaper.
  • For the lowest budgets, hostels, capsule hotels and guesthouses often beat classic 3-star hotels in terms of price.
  • In the Alps it’s usually cheaper to stay off the slopes in nearby towns and commute by train or bus.
  • Food and transport can easily add 70–120 $ per person per day, so free breakfast and guest cards with public transport matter a lot.
  • The best strategy is early booking (3–6 months), flexible dates and staying slightly outside old towns.
  • A realistic daily budget for a “budget” trip is around 150–200 $ per person, including accommodation, basic meals and local transport; for two people, think 250–300 $ per day.
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What counts as a budget hotel in Switzerland?

In many countries a “budget hotel” can mean 40–60 $ per night. In Switzerland, those price points usually apply only to hostel dorm beds rather than private rooms.

A typical Swiss budget option is:

  • a 2–3★ hotel or guesthouse with simple decor;
  • a compact room with limited storage and sometimes no dedicated workspace;
  • a basic service package: reception, cleaning, sometimes a continental breakfast;
  • a location a few tram stops or a short walk away from the old town or main station rather than right in the middle.

You won’t often get a spa, designer interiors or celebrity-level views – but you will get Swiss-level cleanliness and safety.

Typical price ranges (per night for a double):

  • simple hotels and guesthouses in less touristy cities – around 120–180 $;
  • chain-style budget hotels in big cities – roughly 150–250 $;
  • more affordable hotels in mountain regions away from top resorts – about 160–250 $.
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Where to look for budget hotels: cities and regions

Major cities: Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern

Big cities offer the widest choice of budget hotels – and also some of the steepest prices.

Zurich:

  • the old town and Bahnhofstrasse area command the highest rates;
  • more affordable hotels cluster in districts like Oerlikon, Altstetten and Zürich West, or near the airport, all well connected by trains and trams;
  • you’ll see familiar brands such as Ibis, Ibis Budget, Holiday Inn Express and Meininger.

Best options:

Geneva:

  • lakeside locations and the central business district are the most expensive;
  • cheaper options are often closer to the airport and in neighbourhoods a few tram stops away from the lake;
  • many hotels provide a free city transport pass for the duration of your stay – a nice saving on buses and trams.

Best options:

Basel and Bern:

  • usually a touch cheaper than Zurich and Geneva;
  • budget-friendly hotels cluster around the main stations, with easy access to trams and regional trains;
  • family-run 2–3★ hotels and guesthouses are common and can offer good value.

Best options in Basel:

Best options in Bern:

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Alexandre Perotto

Lakeside cities: Lucerne, Lausanne, Montreux, Lugano

Lake cities are a great compromise between scenery and city convenience:

In Lucerne, look beyond the absolute lakefront and old town – walking 10–15 minutes from the station can shave quite a bit off the nightly rate.

Best options:

In Lausanne and Montreux, properties slightly uphill from the lake or a few stops away by metro or bus often cost less while still being very convenient.

Best options in Lausanne:

Best options in Montreux:

In Lugano, prices depend heavily on lake views and season – if views are not your priority, you can save by staying a short walk inland.

Best options:

Affordable gateway to the Alps: Interlaken and surroundings

Interlaken is a popular base for exploring the Jungfrau region and can be a smart budget choice:

  • there’s a wide range of hostels and 2–3★ hotels;
  • excellent train connections to Grindelwald, Wengen and Lauterbrunnen let you access the mountains without changing accommodation;
  • staying in nearby villages and commuting into Interlaken can be even cheaper if you’re comfortable with timetables.

Best options:

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Mountain resorts: finding “relative” budget

On big-name resorts like Zermatt, St. Moritz and Davos, truly cheap hotels are rare, but you can still find relatively budget-friendly options:

  • choose simple 2–3★ properties a little further from the lifts;
  • stay down the valley or in neighbouring villages and use trains or ski buses;
  • travel in shoulder seasons (late March, April, autumn) rather than New Year and February;
  • look for long-stay deals (5–7 nights or more).

You still get Alpine scenery and access to the slopes, just without paying top-tier prices for ski-in ski-out luxury.

Best options in Davos:

Types of budget hotels

Chain-style budget hotels

Brands like Ibis Budget, Ibis, Holiday Inn Express, B&B Hotels and Meininger are common in Swiss cities.

Pros:

  • predictable standards: clean, functional rooms without unnecessary extras;
  • consistent service across locations;
  • often near transport hubs and easy to reach with luggage.

Cons:

  • compact rooms, sometimes with minimal storage;
  • breakfast is not always included;
  • locations near busy roads or tracks can be a bit noisy.

Typical prices: around 150–240 $ per night for a double room.

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Guesthouses and B&Bs

In many Swiss towns, small family-run hotels and B&Bs offer some of the best value:

  • 6–15 rooms, often in older, characterful buildings;
  • breakfast is frequently included in the room rate;
  • owners are usually on site and can give good local advice.

Prices vary with location, but these places are often cheaper than chain hotels in prime locations while feeling more personal.

Aparthotels and studios

Apartment hotels and studios work well if:

  • you’re travelling as a family or group;
  • you plan to cook some meals and save on restaurants;
  • you’re staying 4–7 nights or more.

Even with a slightly higher nightly rate, you can come out ahead once you factor in savings on food.

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Prices and daily costs (updated: December 2025)

Per night accommodation (budget ranges)

All figures are rough averages, excluding local tourist taxes:

  • Simple double room in a budget hotel or guesthouse in a non-premium city – around 110–180 $.
  • Chain-style budget hotels in big cities – typically 130–210 $.
  • More affordable hotels in mountain areas away from the very top resorts – about 150–220 $.

In high season (Christmas, New Year, February, July–August), prices tend to cluster near the top of these ranges (or above); in shoulder seasons, it’s easier to find deals near the lower end.

Food and everyday expenses

Rough averages for Switzerland:

  • Meal in an inexpensive restaurant – about 21–50 $ per person.
  • Three-course dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant (no drinks) – around 100–200 $.
  • Cappuccino – roughly 3.8–7.5 $.
  • Soft drink (0.33 l) – about 3.8–6.3 $.

Transport and insurance

How to save money on hotels in Switzerland

  1. Book early. For peak dates (Christmas, New Year, February, July–August), aim for 3–6 months in advance.
  2. Be flexible with dates. Sunday nights and weekdays are often cheaper than Fridays and Saturdays.
  3. Consider nearby cities. Using Interlaken as a base for the Jungfrau area, can be cheaper than staying in small, high-demand villages.
  4. Check if breakfast and a transport pass are included. A free city card with public transport can save 5–15 CHF per day per person.
  5. Watch for off-season and early-bird deals. Many chains discount shoulder seasons and long stays, often with free cancellation.
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FAQ: budget hotels in Switzerland

How much does a “cheap” hotel cost in Switzerland?
For a basic double room, expect roughly 130–200 $ per night in cities. Anything significantly below that is usually a hostel bed, a very simple guesthouse or a low-season special.

Is it cheaper to stay in cities or in the mountains?
Generally, mid-size cities and lakeside towns (Basel, Bern, Lausanne, Lucerne) are cheaper than top Alpine resorts. Big-name mountain destinations like Zermatt and St. Moritz are among the most expensive, but you can save by staying in nearby villages and commuting.

Is it realistic to pay under 100 $ per night?
Yes, but it’s not common in major destinations. Sub-100 $ prices tend to appear in hostels, simple guesthouses away from tourist centres or during low-season promos in less popular places.

Is breakfast-included worth it?
Often, yes. Buying breakfast separately can easily cost 10–25 $ per person, so a room rate that is only slightly higher for “with breakfast” frequently works out as better value.

How far in advance should I book a budget hotel?
For high season (Christmas, New Year, February, July–August) 3–6 months is sensible. For shoulder seasons, 1–2 months is often enough, especially if you’re flexible about the exact property.

What daily budget should I plan for a budget-style trip?
With a basic hotel or guesthouse, a realistic starting point is about 140–200 $ per person per day (accommodation, food, local transport and simple activities). For a couple, think more in the range of 230–300 $ per day.

Summary

Budget hotels in Switzerland are all about relative value: you’re unlikely to find rock-bottom prices, but you can still avoid luxury-level bills. By choosing the right cities and neighbourhoods, considering simplerhotels and apartments, booking early and paying attention to what’s included (breakfast, transport passes, cancellation terms), you can enjoy clean, comfortable accommodation without blowing up your entire travel budget.

Plan smart, use Switzerland’s excellent public transport and go in with realistic expectations – and a “budget” hotel stay here can still feel like a very high-quality trip.