Geneva Hostel: the youth hostel near the lake
On Rue Rothschild, north of Les Pâquis, Geneva's official youth hostel rents dorm beds and simple rooms a short walk from the lake. The cheapest bed in the centre, with its compromises.
The verdict
The Geneva Hostel is the city's reference youth hostel, and the only real budget option in the centre. Dorm beds, single and double rooms, breakfast: the classic Swiss hostel formula.
Its rating of 3.9 from more than 2,800 reviews shows both sides of the place: a popular location and the comfort of a hostel.
Location
On Rue Rothschild, north of Les Pâquis, the hostel is two streets from the lake and the Perle du Lac park. Cornavin station is about twelve minutes on foot, the Nations district and the Palais des Nations about twenty.
In the evening, the cheap restaurants of Les Pâquis are within walking distance.
Our advice
Book early in summer and during fairs, when the hostel is full. The tourist tax and the Geneva Transport Card apply just as in a hotel.
Check rooms at Geneva Hostel: the link opens the hotel on Booking.com for an upcoming weekend, change the dates to suit your stay. Prices vary a lot from one week to the next: book with free cancellation.
See availability on Booking.com →Partner link: booking through it supports the site at no extra cost to you.Read on: Where to stay in Geneva and Hotels in Geneva.
Sources: the establishment's website, Geneva Tourism, Google Maps (address, rating and reviews checked on 23 October 2026), Google Hotels (double room for two adults, prices checked on 23 October 2026). Distances are walking estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a night at the Geneva Hostel?
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Sandrine Maret
Sandrine spent six years on the front desk of a hotel near Cornavin station, answering the same questions every day about the tram, fare zones and the border. She writes the pages she would have liked to hand to her guests. She checks every price with the operator, never in a guidebook.
