Bern Backpackers Hotel Glocke

Rooms and decor

The Glocke offers both dorm beds and private rooms, with dorm beds starting around $100 a night. What sets it apart from the average European hostel is cleanliness — nearly every review praises the beds, bathrooms and shared spaces, and even guests who don't usually do hostels say it beat their expectations. Private rooms are simply furnished but clean, and give couples or solo travellers more privacy than the dorms while keeping the price down. The look is plain and functional rather than designed, but the upkeep is the point here.

Food and amenities

Breakfast is free, self-service and basic — cornflakes with milk, tea and coffee — enough to start the day, though many guests use the shared kitchen to cook something more substantial and save money. The kitchen is fully equipped, and there's a TV room screening English-language films every night plus a foosball table, which makes the place easy to settle into and meet other travellers. The standout perk for a hostel is the free Bern public-transit pass that covers trams, buses and local trains for your whole stay — a genuine saving in an expensive city. There's also on-site laundry, free Wi-Fi, and lockers for valuables.

Location and getting there

The Old Town address is the real strength: it's 100 m to the Zytglogge, a 5–8 minute walk to the Bundeshaus, and the Bear Park isn't far. Bern Hauptbahnhof is 9–10 minutes on foot or two tram stops, and Bern-Belp Airport sits about 20 minutes out by bus or train. The Aare River, where locals swim all summer, is a 15–20 minute walk. The trade-off is noise — the Old Town centre can get loud in the evenings, so light sleepers should bring earplugs or ask for a room facing away from the street.

Things to know before booking

This is a hostel, so set expectations accordingly. The free breakfast is minimal — plan to use the kitchen or a bakery for a real meal. The Old Town gets noisy after dark from foot traffic and weekend crowds. And you're 9–10 minutes from the station on foot, which means a short walk or tram with heavy bags. None of these are dealbreakers for the target guest, but families with small children or anyone needing hotel-grade soundproofing should look elsewhere.

Our take

For solo travellers, backpackers and anyone on a tight budget, Bern Backpackers Hotel Glocke is the smart pick — a top-rated Old Town location 100 m from the Zytglogge at the lowest prices in the centre. Between the free transit pass and the free breakfast, your daily costs land well below what Bern usually demands. It's not for families with young kids or travellers who need quiet and full privacy, but for the right guest it's the best value in the city.