Youth Hostel Interlaken

Rooms and decor

There's a mix of 4-6 person dorms and private rooms with en-suite bathrooms. The rooms read cleaner and more modern than your average old-school hostel, and reviews consistently praise both how clean they are and how friendly the staff is. Dorms come with personal lockers for your valuables. The thing to know: soundproofing is light, so roommates who roll in late or wake up very early can break your sleep — bring earplugs and an eye mask. Beds start around $43 a person in a 4-bed dorm, which by Swiss standards is genuinely cheap.

Food and amenities

There's a restaurant and bar on site, and a basic buffet breakfast is included with some room types — bread, jam, cheese, muesli, coffee and tea. Most reviews say it's enough to get the day going. You can rent bikes to ride around the lakes, and guests single out the staff for being helpful with trip advice. There's a shared kitchen, free Wi-Fi, and roomy common areas for hanging out and meeting other travelers.

Location and getting there

Sitting between two lakes is genuinely special for a hostel — no driving or long rides needed, just step out the door to the view. It's a 3-minute walk to Ost Station, which connects straight to the Jungfraujoch and Grindelwald trains. Lake Brienz is close by for an afternoon boat rental or cruise, and the lakeside cycling routes start not far away. As one review put it, the spot is "great location, lovely views, and quieter than the town center."

Things to know before booking

This is a hostel, so the cheap end means shared dorm living — if you need a private bathroom and your own space, book a private room and expect to pay more. The dorms have minimal soundproofing; reviews are clear that it can disturb sleep. And while it's cheap for Switzerland, the per-person rate is still higher than a typical European hostel — that's the cost of the country, not the place.

Our take

Youth Hostel Interlaken is the best fit for solo backpackers or groups of friends watching the budget who still want a great location near the station. The 8.8/10 score backs it up: at a starting rate near $43 a person, this is the strongest pick in Interlaken for anyone who doesn't mind skipping a private bathroom and a bit of privacy.