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Barabas - Hostel

3.0 star property
Hostel with a restaurant, 5-minute walk to Chapel Bridge

Choose dates to view prices

Barabas - Hostel in Old Town Lucerne blends Swiss hospitality with Japanese design. Visitors can unwind on the terrace, stroll through the Japanese garden, or enjoy billiards and arcade games. The staff consistently earns praise for their helpfulness.

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • 24/7 front desk
  • Pet-friendly
  • Housekeeping
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
The current price is NZ$219
includes taxes & fees
9 Nov - 10 Nov

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 14 of 14 rooms

View all photos for Standard Twin Room

Desk, laptop workspace, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Standard Twin Room

  • Sleeps 2

View all photos for Standard Double Room

Standard Double Room

Standard Double Room

8.2 out of 10
Very good
(19 reviews)

Highlights

Fan
Private bathroom
Eco-friendly toiletries
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
Wardrobe
Desk
  • 11 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Superior Twin Room

Desk, laptop workspace, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Superior Twin Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(3 reviews)

Highlights

Free cots/infant beds
Fan
Private bathroom
Eco-friendly toiletries
Daily housekeeping
Pet friendly
Desk
Laptop workspace
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Large Twin Beds

View all photos for Triple Room

Triple Room

Triple Room

7.0 out of 10
Good
(6 reviews)

Highlights

Fan
Private bathroom
Eco-friendly toiletries
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
Wardrobe
Desk
  • 11 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed and 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Standard Quadruple Room

Standard Quadruple Room

Standard Quadruple Room

7.8 out of 10
Good
(6 reviews)

Highlights

Fan
Private bathroom
Eco-friendly toiletries
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
Wardrobe
Desk
  • 11 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Standard Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm

Desk, laptop workspace, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Standard Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm

Highlights

Fan
Eco-friendly toiletries
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
Wardrobe
Desk
  • 30 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 3 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Shared Dormitory, Women only

Desk, laptop workspace, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Shared Dormitory, Women only

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(4 reviews)

Highlights

Fan
Eco-friendly toiletries
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
Wardrobe
Desk
  • 25 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 3 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Bed in 6 Beds Female Dormitory

Shower, eco-friendly toiletries, hair dryer, towels

Bed in 6 Beds Female Dormitory

  • Sleeps 1

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room

Deluxe Double Room

Deluxe Double Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)

Highlights

Free cots/infant beds
Fan
Eco-friendly toiletries
Private bathroom
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
Wardrobe
Desk
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room

Bathroom

Deluxe Double Room

  • Sleeps 2

View all photos for Bed in 6 Beds Mixed Dormitory

Desk, laptop workspace, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Bed in 6 Beds Mixed Dormitory

  • Sleeps 1

View all photos for Quadruple Room with External Private Shower

Desk, laptop workspace, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Quadruple Room with External Private Shower

  • Sleeps 4

View all photos for Triple Room

Desk, laptop workspace, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Triple Room

  • Sleeps 3

View all photos for Superior Twin Room

Desk, laptop workspace, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Superior Twin Room

  • Sleeps 3
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About the area

Map
Löwengraben, 18, Lucerne, 6004

What's nearby

  • Lucerne Town Hall - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Chapel Bridge - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • KKL Lucerne - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Lion Monument - 10 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Chateau Guetsch - 12 min walk - 1.0 km

Getting around

  • Lucerne Station - 9 min walk
  • Zurich Airport (ZRH) - 62 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Rathaus Brauerei - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Zunfthausrestaurant Pfistern - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Mill'Feuille - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Zum Weissen Kreuz - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪La Barca - ‬3 min walk

About this property

Barabas - Hostel

Hostel near Chapel Bridge
Take advantage of a terrace, a Japanese garden and an arcade/games room at Barabas - Hostel. The on-site Japanese cuisine restaurant, Izakaya Nozomi, offers lunch and dinner. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
You'll also enjoy the following perks during your stay:
  • Buffet breakfast (surcharge), express check-out and express check-in
  • A 24-hour front desk, bike parking and bike tour information
  • Smoke-free property, luggage storage and tour/ticket information
  • Guest reviews give top marks for the helpful staff
Room features
All 60 rooms boast comforts such as laptop-friendly workspaces, in addition to amenities such as free WiFi.
More conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Heating and fans
  • Bathrooms with eco-friendly toiletries and showers
  • Wardrobes/cupboards, LED light bulbs and daily housekeeping

Similar properties

Interior

ibis budget Luzern City

  • Pet-friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Breakfast available
7.8 out of 10, Good, 1,060 reviews
The price is NZ$192
includes taxes & fees
25 Nov - 26 Nov
ibis budget Luzern City

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi and wired internet
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • No on-site parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily buffet breakfast available 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM for a fee: CHF 13 for adults and CHF 13 for children
  • A restaurant

Restaurants on site

  • Izakaya Nozomi

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Bicycle tours
  • Billiards/pool table

Family friendly

  • Arcade/game room

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Hardwood flooring in room
  • Lift
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to lift

More

  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Comprehensive food waste policy
  • Comprehensive recycling policy
  • Double-glazed windows
  • Local artist showcase
  • Local culture and ecosystem education
  • Locally-owned and organised tours and activities
  • Smoke-free property
  • Vegan dining options
  • Vegetarian breakfast available
  • Vegetarian dining options

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

More

  • Bulk dispensers for toiletries
  • Desk
  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • Energy-saving switches in guestrooms
  • Fan
  • Heating (climate-controlled)
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Laptop workspace
  • LED lighting
  • Water-efficient showers
  • Water-efficient toilets

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets are allowed for an extra charge of CHF 10 per pet, per night
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
1 total pets
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property on the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.

Payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • A tax is imposed by the city: CHF 2.40 per person, per night

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Fee for buffet breakfast: from approximately CHF 13 for adults and from CHF 13 for children
  • Pet fee: CHF 10 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and cash
This property uses a grey water recycling system
Safety features at this property include a smoke detector
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Guests traveling with a service animal must contact the property prior to arrival.

We should mention

This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly)

Property is also known as

Barabas Hostel Lucerne
Barabas Hostel
Barabas Lucerne
Barabas
Barabas Hostel
Barabas - Hostel Lucerne
Barabas - Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
Barabas - Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation Lucerne

Frequently asked questions

Is Barabas - Hostel pet-friendly?

Yes, this hostel allows pets (limit 1 total). There's a fee of CHF 10 per pet, per night. Service animals are exempt from fees. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much does it cost to stay at Barabas - Hostel?

As of 4 Nov 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Barabas - Hostel on 9 Nov 2025 start from NZ$208.17, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Barabas - Hostel?

This hostel doesn't offer parking.

What time is check-in at Barabas - Hostel?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime.

What time is check-out at Barabas - Hostel?

Checkout is at 11 AM.

Where is Barabas - Hostel located?

Located in Old Town Lucerne, this hostel is within a 5-minute walk of Mill Bridge and Chapel Bridge. Lucerne Town Hall and Rosengart Collection are just steps away. Lucerne Station is 9 minutes by foot and Lucerne (QLJ-Lucerne Train Station) is 9 minutes.

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Barabas - Hostel Reviews

Reviews

8.4

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 191 out of 420 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 154 out of 420 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 48 out of 420 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 14 out of 420 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 13 out of 420 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

7.8/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Mauricio

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The breakfast seemed nice but I did not take advantage because I had an early train this hotel is right in the middle of the old city, very close to everything you want to see also plenty of restaurants bars and shops, the rooms are a bit small for 4 people but manageable
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sonia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room and bathroom were spacious and clean. Bed and pillows were very comfy. Staff was very helpful and kind. Breakfast was ok. The hotel is very well situated. Shops and restaurants are close by and short walking distance from the train station
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Niko

Liked: Staff & service
Walkable
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quirky to stay in what once was a prison
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Leigh-Ann

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great spot for a stay in Lucerne

Lovely hotel, so full of character and history. In a walkable area close to everything. The rooms were clean and comfortable. The mattress was really good. We loved our stay.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Jianwei

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities
The hotel is an economic stay if you don’t mind living in a dorm style room.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Laurie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Unique property in a former jail. We stayed in the Hotel Nozomi portion. Quiet, comfortable beds, plenty of hot water, very clean. Everything in the room (Nozomi 3) seemed new and is in great condition. Breakfast was included and there were a lot of choices (granola, cheese, bread, yogurt, fruit, etc). A supermarket is across the street. Walkable from the train station. Take water with you as restaurants charge for tap water. We would definitely stay again.
On our ceiling in Nozomi 3
These rooms are in a different part of the hotel from where we stayed. I didn’t get a good look inside
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alex

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good place to stay!!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Yanin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great location, comfy bed

The location is great, walking distance to all main attractions.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great Hostel with a history, not particularly sociable if that’s your thing, but perfect if you want basic accommodation in a great location.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Simon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
accessible by light railway via Luzern Museum , staff with warm hospitality
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Jason

Great location in city center. Close to transportation. Is previously jail, so remember you are staying in a jail cell, limited space. Noisy at night from other guests who tried opening our door to our cell(room), lock did not appear to be secure- could see the latch about 1/4 inch in the latch.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

KENNETH

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The place was perfect. Economical, has interesting history, the staff were gracious, welcoming, and helpful, the location is convenient, and I slept wonderfully. I highly recommend this place and will plan to stay here again on my next trip through Lucerne.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shiori

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good location
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Harri

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

A good place for a short stay

We had a private room with double bed. There was not much room to move around in the room, but we knew that since it is an old prison cell. Friendly staff. A fan in the room helped with the heat. We had our window open too, but that let in the noise from the people talking loud in the garden area at night. (Maybe a sign out there that mentions quite time at night?) The location is good and otherwise calm. No common kitchen area, but they let us store our few food items in the staff fridge.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

maria Pia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Nice stay

The location was perfect, we could walk everywhere and visit the main attractions. I would only improve the breakfast buffet that is very poor.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Samuel Patrick S.

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel was an old prison and the rooms are former prison cells so this is really interesting. The layout is a bit tight, but beds were very comfortable. No AC but there is a fan and it was cold during our stay so all was well. The bathroom is functional, clean and a good lay out. Breakfast was great. It is very convenient, within the old city and an easy walk to the train station.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Joju

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Location
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Very nice staff, awkward bathroom

The staff was extremely friendly and helpful! The reason for 3 stars is comfort: the bathroom is improvised in the living room, with partially transparent glass walls, so for non-couples family trips it makes for an uncomfortable experience.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Kamlesh

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Overall good just we didn't find dinner facilities only McDonald's and subway
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

nian

Not too far.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Emma

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Comfy beds and good size rooms. The doors were quite heavy and loud to close, especially if being left to close on their own, which isn't great with people coming and going at all hours
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

6/10 Okay

Riken

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Note that this is a prison turned into a hotel, so that the rooms are very very small, we were taken by surprise looking at the size of the room.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

8/10 Good

Bobby

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Definitely a unique experience, we were travelling with 7 and had 2 rooms. One room was on the second floor, other was on the third. 2nd floor room was at least 5 degrees cooler than 3rd floor room (though the fan helped slightly). Not a place you would want to plan on spending time in your room necessarily, but worth a visit.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Pratik

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort

It was really like a prison!

This hotel makes you feel that you are in prison ! No air conditioner and there was a small table fan which was making noise whole night ! Person sleeping on the top of bunk bed can not get any air. Washroom wall was semi transparent, so it was uncomfortable using it. Overall, it was not a pleasant experience. Very tiny rooms. Shower, although individual but was outside.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023