Zürich is the ideal entry point for your European vacation.
You can get to nearly every corner of Switzerland by train within a few hours and effortless direct trains offer connections to cities like Munich, Paris, and Milan. The city itself, though not the country’s capital, gives you a great introduction to Switzerland: a lovely historic center, a cosmopolitan vibe, and picturesque views of the Alps make it a must-visit.
Even if for only one night.
Here are the best hotels in Zürich city center only a short walk from Zürich HB train station.
Image Credit: The Living Circle. Image Location: Widder Hotel, Zürich
The best 5-star hotels in Zürich city center
Widder Hotel
Walk from Zürich HB: ~7 minutes
Not all of the 5-star hotels in Zürich have 49 individually decorated rooms full of history, but Widder Hotel does. Antique tiled stoves, grisaille murals, who knows what you’ll find behind your suite door. But in the Widder Restaurant? You’ll find the GaultMillau 2024 Sommelier of the Year pouring alongside the 2021 Chef of the Year.
Image Credit: The Living Circle. Image Location: Storchen, Zürich
Storchen
Walk from Zürich HB: ~10 minutes
Foodies will eat up the delicious overnight packages at Storchen. Michelin-awarded Chef Stefan Jäckel has a table for you and your beau or bestie. A night in a riverside room juggles the chef’s 5-, 6-, or 7-course dinner before bed and a fresh breakfast with a late checkout.
La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich
Walk from Zürich HB: ~25 minutes
Searching for Eden in this part of the world? There’s a suite that’ll suffice at La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich. The Eden Suites have wrought iron balconies and a lounge area overlooking Lake Zürich. Get a closer look at the Alps from the water when you rent a complimentary stand-up paddle board.
Image Credit: Grégoire Gardette. Image Location: La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich
The best 4-star hotels in Zürich city center
Hotel St. Gotthard
Walk from Zürich HB: ~1 minute
Making a small stopover in Zürich before exploring the Swiss Alps by train? Hotel St. Gotthard will do you one better than a warm bed in a modest room. This 4 star hotel in Zürich city center is so close to Zürich HB that you might as well sleep on the platform. You shouldn’t, though. Gaze down at the busyness of the Bahnhofstrasse from the St. Gotthard balcony suite with a king-sized bed, big marble bathroom, and hammam.
Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich
Walk from Zürich HB: ~1 minute
Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich has watched travelers arrive by train at Zürich HB since 1876 and seldom a day has passed without them delivering the same Old World hospitality Switzerland’s grand hotels are known for. It may be a 4 star hotel in Zürich city center, but the Dufour suites are 5 star boutique rooms with white glove service.
Image Credit and Location: Hotel Helmhaus, Zürich
Hotel Helmhaus Zürich
Walk from Zürich HB: ~14 minutes
If you’re doing a Swiss safari then you’ll find a happy little urban home at the Hotel Helmhaus. Independent and family-run for more than 50 years, Hotel Helmhaus offers boutique rooms with a clean, unobtrusive design, artwork from Swiss artist Gisèle Mengis, and breakfasts featuring local produce. The building itself has a storied history as a guesthouse stretching back to 1356, and you’ll understand why 650 years' worth of travelers chose to stay in this peaceful part of Zürich’s historic center.
The best hotels in Zürich city center for kids & families
Park Hyatt Zürich
Walk from Zürich HB: ~20 minutes
Rolling into Zürich with an infant in your arms? Then Park Hyatt believes you deserve the VIB treatment. The Very Important Baby program has luxury amenities and services that rival the adult-oriented allure of the Club Olympus Spa and ONYX Bar hand-rolled cigar selection. And if your fur child is also in tow, ask about Very Important Dog accommodation.
EMA House Hotel Suites (washer dryer, full kitchen)
Walk from Zürich HB: ~10 minutes
We know a ten-minute walk from Zürich HB can easily turn into a half-hour of asking little legs to move faster, but trust us when we say that it’s worth it for the home-like comfort and conveniences you’ll find at EMA House. We’re talking about hotel suites and apartments with full kitchens and in-room laundry machines. These amenities are like your kids: small yet mighty and what you don’t want to experience Zürich without.
The best hotels in Zürich city center for budget travelers
Royal Hotel
Walk from Zürich HB: ~7 minutes
You don’t need to be royalty to stay at the Royal Hotel, but you’ll certainly feel like a guest of honor without needing all the riches in Switzerland. Walk five minutes from the train station and you’ll enjoy the ease of mobile check-in and check-out, free Wi-Fi, and a breakfast buffet loaded with local foods (aka, not soggy waffles and cold eggs).
easyHotel Zürich City Centre
Walk from Zürich HB: ~11 minutes
If an effortless session of shuteye is what you need after a fondue frenzy, easyHotel has you covered. Comfy beds, clean bathrooms, and free baggage storage may seem like nothing to jot down on your postcard home, but we’ll assure you that after a long day of sightseeing, you’ll be thankful that you don’t have to jump through concierge hoops just to hit the hay.
Explore more
Whether you’re visiting in August for the Street Parade Festival or need a quick overnight abode before continuing onto one of Switzerland’s most scenic train rides, we’ve got affordable tickets for you on the Trainline app.
Header Image Credit: The Living Circle. Image Location: La Rôtisserie, Storchen, Zürich