Zurich is the global center of the banking and finance industries, so it’s a very business-oriented town that sees a lot of business travelers. For leisure travelers, there are still many reasons to visit Zurich, however finding cheap hotels in Zurich can be a problem. Despite the high prices, a Zurich Switzerland summer visit is worth the price.

Once you see the sparkling waters of Lake Zurich, the charming streets of Old Town and the distant views of the Swiss Alps, you can’t help but fall in love with Zurich. With this guide, we can help you decide the best area to stay in Zurich, and recommend hotels in Zurich for every budget.

We will cover off all types of Zurich accommodation options from Hostels to luxury Zurich hotels as well as how to decide where to stay in Zurich, the best Zurich hotels, best places in Zurich to visit, the best places to stay in Zurich, hotels near Zurich attractions, Zurich neighborhood guide and many more. 

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Old Town –  Where to stay in Zurich for first timers

The best place to stay in Zurich for first time visitors, or anyone with only a few days, is the Old Town area, also known as Altstadt. Many of Zurich’s best attractions are located in Altstadt, including the Opera House, St. Peterskirche, Grossmunster, Paradeplatz and the Town Hall, or Rathaus.

This is also where you’ll find the highest concentration of hotels in Zurich, with options from budget hostels to luxury Lake Zurich hotels. Another reason to stay in Old Town is the proximity to Zurich’s main train station, where you can hop a train for any number of amazing day trips from Zurich. Foodies will be pleased with all of the Swiss restaurant options in Old Town, too.

Best places to stay in Old Town

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Old Town:
City Backpacker Hotel Biber

Budget Hotels in Old Town:
Apartments Swiss Star Marc Aurel
Apartments Swiss Star Aemtlerstrasse
Primestay Apartmenthaus Zurich Altstetten
West End Guesthouse

Mid range Hotels in Old Town:
Mercure Stoller Zurich
H+ Hotel Zuerich
Olympia Hotel
Crowne Plaza Zurich

Family Friendly Hotels in Old Town:
Greulich Design & Lifestyle Hotel
Sheraton Zurich Hotel
The Flag Zurich
Novotel Zurich City West

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Old Town:
Atlantis by Giardino
B2 Boutique Hotel + Spa
Hotel Schweizerhof Zurich
Zurich Marriott Hotel

Enge – Where to stay in Zurich with family

If you are traveling with a family, hotels in Zurich’s Enge district are the perfect option. Located just south of Old Town, along the shores of Lake Zurich, Enge is best known for an abundance of green space, making it the best place to stay in Zurich for outdoor enthusiasts. In addition to swimming beaches, a botanical garden and arboretum, Enge is home to the FIFA World Museum and Rietberg Museum.

There are many parks to explore, including Rieterpark and Belvoirpark, and a popular promenade running along the shoreline. Grocery stores offer an affordable alternative to eating out during your Zurich vacation and with the S-Bahn stop at Enge, the sights of Old Town are just minutes away.

Best places to stay in Enge

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Enge:
City Backpacker Hotel Biber
Zurich Youth Hostel

Budget Hotels in Enge:
Swiss Star Zurich Sihlfeld
Swiss Star Aussersihl
Gasthaus Zum Guten Gluck

Mid range Hotels in Enge:
Hotel Ascot
Seestrasse Apartments Drei Konige
Sheraton Zurich Neues Schloss Hotel
Hotel Glaernischhof

Family Friendly Hotels in Enge:
Motel One Zurich
Glockenhof Zurich
Hotel Rossli
Savoy Hotel Baur En Ville

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Enge:
Alden Suite Hotel Splugenschloss Zurich
B2 Boutique Hotel + Spa
Park Hyatt Zurich
Baur au Lac

Langstrasse – Where to stay in Zurich for nightlife

This small district north of Old Town, adjacent to Zurich Main Station, Langstrasse is where to stay in Zurich for nightlife. There are hip hotels, nightclubs and casinos in Langstrasse, which was once the red light district of Zurich.

There are also many restaurants, and a few parks, but the location makes it easy to visit other areas of Zurich in the day time. Being such a lively area, it’s not the best place to stay for families, but anyone looking for a fun time out on town will love staying in Langstrasse.

Best places to stay in Langstrasse

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Langstrasse:
City Backpacker Hotel Biber

Budget Hotels in Langstrasse:
Swiss Star Longstreet
Casa Heinrich Guesthouse
Hotel Gregory
Hotel SLEEP & GO

Mid range Hotels in Langstrasse:
X-TRA Hotel
INSIDE FIVE – City Apartments
25hours Hotel Langstrasse
Hotel Montana Zurich

Family Friendly Hotels in Langstrasse:
Greulich Design & Lifestyle Hotel
Zuri by Fassbind
Sorell Hotel Rex
Glockenhof Zurich

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Langstrasse:
Zurich Marriott Hotel
Hotel Schweizerhof Zurich
Widder Hotel
Storchen Zurich

Zurich West – Where to stay in Zurich on a budget

On the other side of the train station from Langstrasse is Zurich West, another area with a lot of nightlife options is Zurich West. The former warehouse district has become Zurich’s trendiest neighborhood, with renovated factories serving as artists lofts, galleries and high-end flats.

Locals flock to Frau Gerolds Garten, a shipping container project that has become a popular place for pints. Puls5 was once a steel foundry, which now encompasses restaurants, shops and a 16,000 square foot hall. Foodies will love Markthalle, a restaurant/food hall where one can try some of the best meats and cheeses of Switzerland.

Best places to stay in Zurich West

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Zurich West:
City Backpacker Hotel Biber

Budget Hotels in Zurich West:
ibis budget Zurich City West
iQ130 Hotel
Dakini’s Bed & Breakfast
Pension FurDich

Mid range Hotels in Zurich West:
ibis Zurich City West
Novotel Zurich City West
Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel
Zuri by Fassbind

Family Friendly Hotels in Zurich West:
Sheraton Zurich Hotel
Coronado Hotel
25hours Hotel Zurich West
The Flag Zurich

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Zurich West:
Zurich Marriott Hotel
Savoy Hotel Baur En Ville
Baur au Lac
Park Hyatt Zurich

Riesbach  – Where to stay in Zurich with kids

Also known as District 8, Riesbach is another quiet place to stay in Zurich. This is one of the best places to stay in Zurich for travelers who want to settle in to a more local neighborhood. For those visiting Zurich with kids, there are many parks and grocery stores here, too.

The bus and tram offer easy access to the main train station, airport and Old Town Zurich. Some of the best things to see in Riesbach include the University Botanical Garden, China Garden, Le Corbusier House and the outdoor swimming pool. While you will find a few hotels in this area, apartment rentals are also a great option.

Best places to stay in Riesbach

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Riesbach:
City Backpacker Hotel Biber
Zurich Youth Hostel

Budget Hotels in Riesbach:
Hotel Otter
Hotel Da Vinci
Apartments Swiss Star
easyHotel Zurich

Mid range Hotels in Riesbach:
City Stay Furnished Apartments – Lindenstrasse
City Stay Apartments – Kieselgasse
LADYs FIRST Hotel
Hotel Seegarten

Family Friendly Hotels in Riesbach:
Sorell Hotel Seefeld
Steigenberger Bellerive au Lac
Romantik Hotel Europe
Marktgasse Hotel

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Riesbach:
Signau House & Garden
Small Luxury Hotel Ambassador Zurich
Baur au Lac
Alden Suite Hotel Splugenschloss Zurich

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