Bern is a small city, but full of beauty, one of the most incredible cities in Switzerland. The medieval buildings are beautiful and there are also parks and museums. But where to stay in Bern, Switzerland's capital?
As well as being the capital, Bern is also home to important international organisations, so there's as much leisure tourism as there is business tourism.
That's why it's difficult to decide where to stay in Bern, due to the high prices of accommodation caused by the high demand.
That's why, in this article, you'll find tips on neighbourhoods to stay in Bern, but with an emphasis on cheap hotels in Bern and which neighbourhoods are most popular.
Where to stay in Bern, Switzerland? Best Neighbourhoods
Accommodation and hotels in Bern are spread across three different neighbourhoods:
Bern's historic centre;
The railway station;
Other areas, such as to the north of the Old Town.
Each of these areas has positive and negative points, which we'll show you below, starting with the hotels in Bern in the Old Town.
Best Hotels in Bern's Old Town
The clock tower called the zytglogge is the heart of the Old Town
The Old Town is the most beautiful part of Bern, home to medieval buildings such as the famous clock tower called the zytglogge.
There are many advantages to staying in Bern in the Old Town, such as getting to know the city on foot and being well located, close to the main attractions and the train station, as well as restaurants and everything important in the city.
However, because it's such a popular tourist area, hotels in the centre of Bern are expensive. Bern Backpackers Hotel Glocke the cheapest option.
This hostel in Bern offers a double room with shared bathroom from CHF 70 and is very good value for money.
It's very difficult to find accommodation in the centre at this price.
As you'll see from the following list, there are plenty of hotel options in Bern's Old Town, but they're not cheap. In the next sections we'll show you more economical accommodation.
Goldener Schlüssel: double room with rates starting from CHF 115. The Goldener Schlüssel is a hotel with simple, medium-sized rooms. The hotel's plus points are its good location and friendly service. It's worth mentioning that in the Old Town it's best to stay in rooms that don't face the street, as they can be noisy.
Best Western Hotel BernFor those looking for a well-located international chain hotel, the Best Western is a good option. Its location is excellent, making it easy to get around on foot.
Belle Epoque Boutique Hotel: double room with rates starting from CHF 145. The Belle Epoque Boutique Hotel is a hotel with large, classic rooms that are generally quiet. Located in a historic building, this hotel appeals to those who prefer a traditional hotel.
Hotel Bellevue Palace Bern: double room with rates starting from CHF 250. The Hotel Bellevue is one of the most traditional hotels in Bern, and the perfect choice for those looking for a reliable 5-star hotel. The large, well-decorated rooms (classic décor) stand out, as does the excellent service.
Where to stay in Bern in hotels near the train station?
The train station is right next to the Old Town
One of the best places to stay in Bern is near the train station, precisely because it is so well located and offers a wide range of accommodation.
The advantages of staying near the train station are the lower rates, but still close to the centre.
It's worth mentioning that most hotels in Bern offer visitors a free public transport ticket, which makes getting around easier even for those staying far from the centre.
See below for our list of the best value hotels in Bern near the train station:
Am Pavillon, Bed&BreakfastAm Pavillon, Bed&Breakfast: double room with shared bathroom and rates from CHF 100. Am Pavillon is an accommodation with shared bathrooms only, but this is compensated for by the good structure of the hostel. The service is one of the distinguishing features of this cosy, family-run guesthouse. For those who prefer larger hotels in the same price range, there's the Hotel National Bern.
ibis Styles Bern Citydouble room with rates starting from CHF 105. Often in expensive cities it's better to stay in a hotel of known quality. The Ibis Styles is good value for money compared to the expensive rates in Bern and has the quality of an ibis Styles hotel, without luxury but with comfort. It's worth noting that the Ibis Styles is not as close to the station as the other hotels.
Sorell Hotel Ador: double room with rates starting from CHF 138. The Sorell Hotel is a hotel with medium-sized rooms and discreet decor. Its location is its main distinguishing feature, and it's a simple but good hotel.
Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & THE SPA: double room with rates starting from CHF 290. The Hotel Schweizerhof is a 5-star hotel very close to the railway station. Despite its 5-star status, the Hotel Schweizerhof focuses on modern decor. There is a bar, restaurant and various facilities for guests.
Cheap Hotels in Bern, Switzerland
For budget travellers, staying in the area north of the historic city, on the other side of the River Aar, is an excellent option.
Using the public transport system is easy in Bern, both because of its quality and because most hotels offer free tickets.
So it's not a problem to stay away from the centre, as long as you organise yourself well to see the sights and only return to your hotel after a lot of sightseeing.
The hotels furthest from the centre include the ones shown below:
Hotel-Pension MarthahausHotel-Pension Marthahaus: a double room with shared bathroom with rates starting from CHF 89. Also with a choice of rooms with private bathroom, Hotel-Pension Marthahaus offers great value for money. With its quality structure and service, the Hotel-Pension Marthahaus is one of the best cheap hotels in Bern.
Hotel Landhaus: double room with shared bathroom from CHF 100. Also with the option of rooms with private bathrooms, the Hotel Landhaus stands out for being not far from the historic centre, but still very quiet.
Novotel Bern Expo: double room with rates starting from CHF 140. The Novotel Bern Expo is considered to be a family hotel, with the most affordable family room option. With easy access to the Old Town by public transport, the Novotel is a good choice because of its well-known quality and friendly price.
Hotel Alpenblick: double room with rates starting from CHF 162. The Hotel Alpenblick is a hotel with beautiful rooms and options for groups. It's worth noting that its location is in a residential neighbourhood, super quiet, but with easy access to the centre by public transport.
Map of Bern with the best hotels
Check out the map for the location of all the hotels in Bern, Switzerland mentioned in this article. Click on the "arrow button" to access the map legend.
Another tip on where to stay in Bern is to look for rooms, studios or flats on Airbnb, a website with lots of nice options at good prices.
Struggling to find a perfect place to stay? You can also explore the Hotel deals in Switzerland at top-hotels-switzerland.com for luxurious and comfortable hotels at a convenient location.
Booking through our you receive R$130 in credits for your first Airbnb stay.
The hotels at tophotels.com also offer an array of accommodations in various price ranges, ensuring every traveler finds a home away from home when visiting Bern.
Please note that there is a tourist tax on accommodation in Bern, which is charged per day and per person. Be aware of this when booking your accommodation.
If you're seeking for a value-for-money option, then you can consider staying at the stylish and modern Ibis Styles Bern City. They offer comfortable rooms inclusive of all the essential amenities.
The rates mentioned in this post refer to the months between winter and summer.
Switzerland is a popular destination all year round and hosts many events, which means that rates are high almost all year round.
Conclusion on where to stay in Bern, Switzerland
Where to stay in Bern, Switzerland?
The best neighbourhood to stay in Bern is the Old Town, but it is the most expensive. For Brazilians, it's best to stay near the train station in Bern.
What are the best cheap hotels in Bern?
One of the best cheap hotels in Bern is the ibis Styles Bern City, near the train station. Other highlights in terms of value for money are: Hotel-Pension Marthahaus and Hotel Landhaus, among others.
We hope these tips on where to stay in Bern have helped you! See also other articles on tourism in Switzerland!
Have a good trip, Traveller!