Youth Hostel Zurich (Jugendherberge Zurich)

The Jugendherberge Zurich is a reliable Hostelling International hostel, housed in a 1960s building in a leafy suburb. It’s a tad remote, but the spotless property has enough facilities that you won’t have to venture too far to have a good time (although there is no curfew in case you choose to).

Like other mammoth hostels, the 290-bed Jugendherberge Zurich offers a good mix of dorms and individual rooms, with or without private bathrooms. The light-filled rooms feature wooden beds (or wooden bunk beds in the dorms), a desk, sink and individual lockers. The linoleum flooring shows its wear, but the green-tiled communal bathrooms are among the cleanest we have seen.

The expansive ground floor lobby seems to hum with activity around the clock. It doubles as a bar and restaurant, which serves a roster of Swiss eats at reasonable prices. There is also a common area, featuring a pool table in addition to the usual TV set.

While definitely one of the more affordable options in Zurich, we found the Jegendherberge Zurich to be a tad pricey by hostel standards, especially since it doesn’t have the usual HI hallmarks like a guest kitchen and organized social events. (The receptionist did inform us, though, that there is a nearby lake for swimming.)

The neighborhood is quite residential, but downtown Zurich is an easy 15-minute bus or tram ride away.

Breakfast is included in the room rate and Wi-Fi is free throughout.