Last Updated on October 13, 2026 by A Teaspoon of Travel

Where to Stay in Switzerland with Kids: Family Hotels in Zurich, Lucerne, Lauterbrunnen, and Basel

Switzerland is a fantastic destination for a family vacation. From stunning alpine playgrounds to family friendly hikes, there are endless easy ways to experience the natural beauty in Switzerland. And don’t forget the chocolate! While Switzerland is surprisingly family friendly, it can be hard to find larger accommodations in the center of old town with enough space for a family. But we discovered some real accommodations gems on our trip that made traveling Switzerland with a toddler so much easier. We prioritized accommodations with enough space for a pack and play, kitchens for simple toddler meals, and locations that made getting around by train easier. These are the hotels and apartments we actually stayed in, along with a few alternatives I considered based on the same family-friendly criteria. Read on for our vetted recommendations for where to stay in Switzerland with kids with enough space for the whole family!

Where to Stay in Switzerland with Kids At A Glance

Destination	Best for	Why we liked it with a toddler	Main tradeoff
Zurich	Arrival/departure	Easy train connections to all of Switzerland	Less scenic than the Alps
Lucerne	Mountain day trips, lake scenery	Walkable, beautiful views, Swiss Museum of Transport	More expensive
Lauterbrunnen	Alpine scenery, mountain day trips	Alpine playgrounds, beautiful views, easy scenic hikes	More expensive, crowded
Basel	City break	Walkable Old Town, zoo	Less scenic than the Alps

We chose these bases because they fit into the actual 10 day Switzerland itinerary we used with our toddler. Rather than changing hotels every night, we used Zurich, Lucerne, Lauterbrunnen, and Basel as bases and did day trips from them. We prioritized accommodations in locations that made our train days easier.

For our Switzerland trip, some of our best family stays weren’t traditional hotels. Apartment-style accommodations gave us the extra space and kitchens that made traveling with a toddler much easier.

Some accommodations in this guide are places we personally stayed, while others are options I’ve researched based on location, room configurations and family-friendly amenities. I’ve clearly noted our firsthand stays so you know which recommendations come from personal experience.

Switzerland Hotel Tips

Check for AC if Traveling in Summer

While researching hotels I noticed that many accommodations located in the old town often did not have air conditioning. This is because they are housed in historic buildings. Even if they do have air conditioning, they will not cool to the frigid temps that US air conditioners do. I’m not complaining, because I think the positives of staying in the old town outweigh that negative. But I thought it was worth mentioning, since the negative reviews that I read for many old town hotels were mostly about the lack of AC. If AC is important to you, check to see if it is included before booking so you are not surprised.

How to Save Money on Hotels when Traveling with a Toddler

Another thing to note about Switzerland is that it is expensive. Space comes at a premium, and you will be paying even more for larger accommodations in the Old Town that can fit a family. But I felt the trade off was worth it since these larger accommodations also come with kitchens. We prioritized finding accommodations with a kitchen because having a kitchen allowed us to prepare some meals at home, which helped save on food costs. For us, paying more for a kitchen was sometimes cheaper overall because it let us make breakfast and simple meals instead of buying every meal out.

Another way to potentially save money is to book refundable hotels, and book them early. Booking early guarantees you’ll have a place to stay. But I continued to track the room rates as our travel dates got closer, and if the rates decreased then I could cancel the original refundable booking and make a new booking with the lower price.

Pack and Plays for Toddlers

We requested a pack and play at every accommodation when we booked. We were pleasantly surprised that the pack and plays were all already set up for us in the room when we checked in (unlike in the US where we normally have to set it up ourselves). The pack and plays were about the same size as the Graco one we own, so it was big enough for our toddler. Another surprise was that the pack and plays all had clean sheets. We usually travel with pack and play sheets just in case because many hotels don’t offer them in the US, but we didn’t even need to use them in Switzerland.

Booking tip: because traveling with a toddler is so unpredictable, I always look for refundable bookings. That way I can book way ahead of time for my peace of mind, but also have the flexibility to cancel without losing any money if our plans should change.

Where to Stay in Zurich

The main Zurich train station (Zurich HB station) is only a 5-10 minute walk from the old town. I would recommend staying in the old town near the train station. This is the most convenient area for transportation, food options, and sightseeing.

Hotels in Zurich Old Town

Hotel Alexander ($$$) – where we

Best for convenience to the train station and Old Town.

We stayed in the Hotel Alexander in a double room which included breakfast. The Hotel Alexander was very conveniently located just a 5 min walk from train station. It was in the middle of the atmospheric old town and it did have air conditioning (yay!). The room was pretty spacious for European standards even with a pack and play in it. They must have some amazing soundproofing on the windows because it was perfectly quiet, even though there were restaurants all around us. We still prefer to have a kitchen when traveling with our kiddo, but this hotel room was more than adequate for a one night stay.

We chose Hotel Alexander over the other hotels because we wanted a slightly shorter walk back to the hotel at the end of the evening. For a one night arrival stay, we didn’t need a kitchen badly enough to give up the convenience of this location.

Fred Hotel ($$)

Best for early train departures.

Since we were only staying one night in Zurich and leaving for Lucerne early the next morning, we initially considered the Fred Hotel because it was right next to the train station. They have some larger suite style rooms with a separate sitting area. This was especially appealing because it gave us a separate space to hang out after our kid went to sleep, so we didn’t have to sit in the dark or hang out in the bathroom. The hotel is walking distance to the old town, restaurants, and markets. And they do have air conditioning!

Hotel Adler ($$)

Best for Old Town atmosphere and charm.

We considered Hotel Adler but the larger rooms were sold out by the time we tried to book. The Hotel Adler is smack in the center of old town. They have a variety of room types that could work for families, including a suite style room and a triple room. The on site Swiss Chuchi restaurant is popular for traditional Swiss cuisine. They also have air conditioning!

Hotels Near Zurich Airport

If you are arriving late and don’t want to bother with hauling your luggage and toddler on a train after your flight, then I recommend staying near the airport.

• Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport The Circle
• Hyatt Place Zurich Airport The Circle

Both of these hotels are in The Circle, which is just a short walk from the airport and the airport train station. There are plenty of dining and shopping options in The Circle, and there is a nice outdoor green space for kiddos to run around just outside. If you plan on skipping Zurich and heading straight to Lucerne the next morning, staying here is super convenient for recuperating from the flight and catching the morning train to Lucerne.

If those hotels are not quite what you’re looking for, then check out these other highly rated hotels in the old town of Zurich!

Where to Stay in Lucerne

The old town of Lucerne (spelled Luzern in Swiss German) is just a 5-10 min walk away from the train station, across the river. When we traveled without kids, we stayed in the middle of the old town, and it was definitely romantic and atmospheric. But with a toddler, we opted for convenience and stayed a block away from the train station. It was still very close to the old town, but involved less dragging our luggage on cobblestone paths with a toddler in tow. And staying close to the train station made it easier to make it to our trains and other transportation on time.

Neustadt Apartments ($$$) – where we stayed

Best for families who want an apartment but still want a hotel front desk.

We stayed at the Neustadt Apartments managed by the Hotel Central Luzern. We stayed in the Relax apartment, which had 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, and an open concept kitchen/living room. The bedroom was just large enough to fit a pack and play, though it was tight. It worked for our family of 3, but this particular apartment would probably be too small for a larger family. Luckily, they also have 2 bedroom apartments for larger families. The Hotel Central across the street runs these apartments, so you actually check in at the hotel. I loved the convenience of having a hotel front desk to help with any concerns, but the independence of staying in our own apartment with a kitchen.

The location was perfect – just one block from the train station but on a quieter side street. It was just a 5 min walk across the iconic covered bridge to the old town, and it was kitty corner from a large park with a playground. One downside is that there was no AC in the apartment, though they did provide fans. Like most buildings in old towns, the windows don’t have screens, so keep an eye on any active climbing kids.

KoBi Apartments Hirschenplatz

Best for larger families needing multiple bedrooms in the center of Old Town.

When we were considering staying in the center of Old Town, KoBi Apartments Hirschenplatz was my top choice for an apartment in the Old Town. All apartments have kitchens if you want to cook some meals to save on food costs. They have one, two, and three bedroom apartments so there is an option for families of all sizes. There is no air conditioning in these apartments, though they do provide fans. These apartments are non-refundable, so make sure your travel plans are set before booking. This was one of the main reasons we did not book.

If those stays are all booked up, check out these other highly rated accommodations in the old town of Lucerne!

Where to Stay in Lauterbrunnen

There are many options of alpine towns to stay in when visiting the Bernese Oberland. Interlaken is where the main train station is that connects to other parts of Switzerland. However, it is pretty touristy and doesn’t have the charm of an alpine village. Lauterbrunnen on the other hand, looks like a fairy tale.

Orientation to Lauterbrunnen Valley

Lauterbrunnen is nicknamed the “valley of 72 waterfalls” because it is a valley surrounded by sheer cliffs with waterfalls cascading down everywhere you look. Imagine Rivendell in real life. It takes my breath away every time I visit. Besides looks, Lauterbrunnen also has substance. It is the transportation hub for all the mountain excursions. From Lauterbrunnen you can easily visit both sides of the mountain.

To give a visual of how the area is laid out, if you imagine the letter “V,” Lauterbrunnen is the bottom of the V, and the two slanty lines are the two mountain peaks. One side of the V is the Wengen, Mannlichen, Jungfraujoch side. The other side of the V is the Murren, Allmendhubel, Schilthorn side. If you would rather stay higher up on the mountains, then Wengen and Murren have many accommodations options. However, staying in Lauterbrunnen gives you the easiest access to both sides of the mountain. If you are planning on visiting both sides, then staying in Lauterbrunnen will save you the most time in transportation.

Chalet Bargfee “A” ($$) – where we stayed

Best for families who want a spacious apartment in the heart of Lauterbrunnen near the train station.

We stayed at the Chalet Bargfee “A” holiday flat, which is an apartment in a chalet across the street from the Hotel Silberhorn. It is run by the Hotel Silberhorn (though booking is through Airbnb). It is on the upper floor of a chalet and is newly remodeled to include 1 bedroom, 1 living room with a sofa bed, kitchen and dining area, and 1.5 bathrooms. Given its prime location and how much space there is, it is surprisingly affordable.

The location is amazing – just up the hill from the train station and the cable car station. And there is an idyllic view – imagine waking up and seeing a waterfall right from your bedroom window. It was nice to have the assistance of a front desk with the independence of an apartment. Another bonus is that there is a free washer dryer available. There are people living in the unit downstairs, but the apartment still felt very private. It was very spacious and had more than enough room for our family of 3. Since it is a renovated chalet, there is no AC available.

Chalet Bergliebe

Best for larger families needing more space and wanting more privacy.

We also considered the Chalet Bergliebe, which is another renovated chalet. It is a little bit further away from the main drag of Lauterbrunnen, but it has a beautiful view of the waterfall. This chalet has 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, kitchen, and living room. There is no air conditioning available. It was a little bigger than what we needed, so we did not feel it justified the extra cost for us. But it would be a great option for a bigger family because it’s one of the bigger accommodations options in Lauterbrunnen.

Hotel Silberhorn ($$$)

Best for families that want a traditional hotel stay next to the train station.

Since the chalets are so limited, we researched some hotels in Lauterbrunnen that had more rooms available. We considered the elegant Hotel Silberhorn, which runs Chalet Bargfee and is just across the street. Hotel Silberhorn was high on our list because the location is great, just up the street from the train station, the cable car station, and the market. Many of the rooms have waterfall views. The rooms have a chalet feel but with modern amenities. The superior and Staubbach rooms are bigger and have more space to accommodate families with toddlers. The on site restaurant is also a solid option for traditional Swiss meals in Lauterbrunnen with kid-friendly options. The rooms do not have air conditioning.

Hotel Staubbach ($$) – where we stayed without kids

Best for families who want waterfall views from the room.

We stayed at the Hotel Staubbach on our first trip to Lauterbrunnen before kids. The Hotel Staubbach is one of the few hotels in Lauterbrunnen that have views of the Staubbach falls right outside your window. This hotel was one of the first hotels in Lauterbrunnen, and it retains its historic charm.

The rooms are basic with a cabin feel, but there are many different room types and amazing balconies. Some of the rooms have shared bathrooms while others have private bathrooms, so double check the bathroom configuration before booking. We stayed in a double room and it was fine for a couple but would probably be too small for a family. Luckily, they also have triple and quadruple rooms for bigger families. We really appreciated the friendliness of the staff. It really does feel like you’re staying in a B&B. Especially with the included breakfast. There is no air conditioning available. The hotel is further away from the train station.

For more charming hotel and chalet options in Lauterbrunnen, check out these other highly rated stays in Lauterbrunnen.

Where to Stay in Basel

The old town of Basel is a 6-10 min bus ride or a 15 min walk from the main train station in Basel (Basel SBB station). The two most popular areas for tourists to stay in Basel are either near the train station or in the old town. The train station area is pretty modern and doesn’t have the charm of the old town. Even though it required more tram rides, I still preferred staying near the old town. I liked that staying in the old town allowed us to walk to many of the sights and local restaurants, and being surrounded by the old town atmosphere.

Aparthotels in the Old Town

SET Hotel.Residence by Teufelhof Basel ($) – where we stayed

Best for modern apartment-style accommodations in Old Town.

We stayed at the SET Hotel.Residence by Teufelhof Basel in an apartment with garden view, which had 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, and an open concept kitchen/living room (the living room also had a sofa bed). The apartment was in a newly renovated building and the AC was heavenly. I read some negative reviews that the apartments had no character. However, the aesthetic is a modern apartment and they nailed that. The location was fantastic and I appreciated being close to the old town but with modern amenities. Staying in the old town meant that we could easily head back to our room in the middle of the day for an AC break when in the heat of the day. And we had enough space in our apartment for everyone to relax, even during our kid’s nap. For larger families, they do have 2 bedroom apartments.

HITrental Marktplatz Apartments ($$)

Best for families who want an apartment-style stay in the middle of the Old Town.

Set Hotel.Residence is at the edge of the Old Town, and we debated whether it was worth it to stay right in the middle of the Old Town for more atmosphere. To stay right in the middle of the old town, book a room at the HITrental Marktplatz Apartments. These apartments are only a 3 minute walk to Marktplatz. There are a variety of room types for families of all sizes. The amenities are basic but the apartments are clean and modern. Staying in the middle of Old Town is more expensive. Ultimately, we decided to sacrifice the location to save some money. But if location is more important, then HITrental Marktplatz Apartments is the better choice. There is air conditioning available.

Hotels Near the Train Station

GAIA Hotel Basel ($$)

Best for families that want to stay close to the train station.

If you want to stay close to the train station, the GAIA Hotel Basel is right across the street from the station. This was our pick if we were to stay next to the train station, but atmosphere ultimately won out for us. They have a variety of different room types, including some suites which would be large enough for families. All rooms have air conditioning.

If those stays are not quite right, check out these other highly rated stays in Basel near the old town and train station!

My Switzerland Hotel Booking Strategy With a Toddler

• Book early for summer.
• Prefer refundable rates.
• Confirm crib availability.
• Compare room configurations.
• Look for kitchens for longer stays.
• Check AC if traveling in summer.
• Check the walk from the station, not just the map distance.
• Compare the cost of a larger apartment against eating every meal out.

Now that you have booked your hotels in Switzerland, check out our full toddler friendly Switzerland itinerary to get excited about your trip!