In the heart of Old Town Lucerne, Barabas - Hostel offers a unique blend of Swiss charm and Japanese flair. Relax on the serene terrace or explore the tranquil Japanese garden, then challenge friends at billiards or arcade games. Guests rave about the helpful staff.
Barabas - Hostel puts you within a 10-minute drive of Chapel Bridge and Swiss Transportation Museum. Guests looking for a bite to eat can visit Izakaya Nozomi, which serves Japanese cuisine and is open for lunch and dinner. Other features include a terrace and a garden. Fellow travellers love the helpful staff.
At a glance
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Hotel size
60 rooms
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Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime
Express check-in/out available
Minimum check-in age – 18
Check-out time is 11 AM
Contactless check-out
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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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
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Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
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Children
No cots (infant beds)
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Pets
Pets allowed (1 total)*
Service animals welcome
Restrictions apply*
WIFI
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi and wired internet access in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING
Parking
No on-site parking
DONE
Other information
Smoke-free property
Property amenities
Food and drink
Buffet breakfast (surcharge) each morning 7:00 AM–10:30 AM
Restaurant
What to do
Pool table
Bike tour information
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Ski area nearby
Services
24-hour front desk
Tour/ticket assistance
Luggage storage
Facilities
Garden
Picnic area
Terrace
Arcade/games room
Bike parking
Vegan dining options
Vegetarian dining options
Locally owned and organised tours and activities
Local artist showcase
Local culture and ecosystem education
Double-glazed windows
At least 80% of lighting from LEDs
Comprehensive food waste policy
Comprehensive recycling policy
Accessibility
Lift
Wheelchair-accessible path to lift
Well-lit path to entrance
Hardwood flooring in room
Room amenities
Home comfort
Heating (climate-controlled)
Fan
Iron/ironing board (on request)
Sleep well
Bed sheets provided
Freshen up
Private bathroom
Shower only
Eco-friendly toiletries
Hairdryer (on request)
Towels
Stay connected
Desk
Free WiFi and wired internet
More
Daily housekeeping
Eco-friendly toiletries
Bulk dispenser for toiletries
Energy-saving switches
LED light bulbs
Water-efficient showers only
Water-efficient toilets only
Special features
Dining
Izakaya Nozomi – This restaurant specialises in Japanese cuisine and serves lunch and dinner. Reservations are required.
Fees & policies
Mandatory fees
You'll be asked to pay the following charges by the property at check-in or checkout. Fees may include applicable taxes:
A tax is imposed by the city: CHF 2.40 per person, per night. This tax does not apply to children under 16 years of age.
Optional extras
Buffet breakfast is offered for an extra charge of approximately CHF 13 for adults and CHF 13 for children
Pets
Service animals exempt from fees
Pets are allowed for an extra charge of CHF 10 per pet, per night
Policies
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
This property uses a grey water recycling system.
Guests can rest easy knowing that there's a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector on-site.
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).
This property accepts credit cards and cash.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, JCB International, Union Pay
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.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.
Does Barabas - Hostel offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Barabas - Hostel does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in, depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure that you check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at Barabas - Hostel?
Yes, pets are welcome, with a limit of 1 total. There's a charge 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.
Is parking offered on site at Barabas - Hostel?
Sorry, there's no on-site parking at Barabas - Hostel.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Barabas - Hostel?
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime. Check-out time is 11 AM. Express check-in and check-out and contactless check-out are available.
Is there an on-site casino at Barabas - Hostel?
No, this hostel doesn't have a casino, but Grand Casino Lucerne (12-min walk) is nearby.
What is there to do at Barabas - Hostel and nearby?
During the winter, enjoy nearby recreation such as skiing and return when the snow melts for hiking and mountain biking. Additional recreation nearby includes cave exploring. Enjoy amenities such as an arcade, a picnic area and a garden.
Are there restaurants at or near Barabas - Hostel?
Yes, Izakaya Nozomi offers Japanese cuisine.
What's the area around Barabas - Hostel like?
Barabas - Hostel is in Old Town Lucerne, a short 9-minute walk from Lucerne Station and 5 minutes' walk from Chapel Bridge.
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Reviews
Barabas - Hostel Reviews
8.4
Very good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
9.0
Cleanliness
8.6
Location
9.0
Staff & service
8.4
Property conditions & facilities
Guest review summary
What guests liked
Breakfast was excellent with a good choice and plenty of options. (6 reviews)
From real guest reviews summarized by AI.
Popular mentions
Room
Service staff
Location
Breakfast
Shower
Air conditioning
Toilet
Amenities
Old town
Building
Reviews
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
7 Apr 2026
Very good place. Gotta say the guy in the Night Shift was incredibly helpful and nice. I got there at 4:30 am really tired and this guy helped me at once. Thank you Barabas staff, I recomend the place hands down!
Enrique
Enrique, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
5 Oct 2025
Wonderful Staff/ Great Place to Stay
Steven
Steven, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
26 Aug 2025
Great, central location. Perfect for any type of traveling - youth groups, families, solo... Great hotel for a great price.
Kristin
Kristin, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
28 Aug 2025
Perfect for two people! Easy to check into and close to all the major attractions in Lucerne.
Landon
Landon, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
9 Sept 2025
Right in the heart of Lucerne with everything very close by. Very helpful front desk staff and super clean.
Robert
Robert, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
12 May 2024
Great location and very friendly staff.
Judy
Judy, 2-night trip
Verified
6/10 Good
12 Jun 2025
Staff are very friendly and helpful!
Xiaohong
Xiaohong, 1-night trip
Verified
6/10 Good
24 Sept 2025
Clean room / basic Breakfast
Hsiu-Ying
Hsiu-Ying, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
10 Sept 2025
The property is a fun idea of staying in prison, it is barebones but clean with a really good breakfast. I would recommend Barabas to anyone in Lucerne.
Denny
Denny, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
5 Oct 2024
Great location, comfy bed
The location is great, walking distance to all main attractions.
Yanin
Yanin, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
12 Jul 2025
The staff was great
Eduardo
Eduardo, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
5 Apr 2025
Staff was very good and they helped us with everything we needed. We would stay there again
william
william, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
3 Oct 2025
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
Sonia
Sonia, 5-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
10 Jul 2025
Super friendly and helpful staff. Room, shared bathroom and building in general very clean. Excellent breakfast buffet. Looking forward to my next stay!
Karin
Karin, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
25 May 2025
It’s good location
Yinglan
Yinglan, 2-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
15 Oct 2025
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
Mauricio
Mauricio, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
28 Aug 2024
very good location near train station, attractions and restaurants
Verified traveller
2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
21 Nov 2024
Excellent service, historic location and concenuent access to train station.
Sriram
Sriram, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
30 Nov 2024
Enjoyed my stay! Friendly and informative staff.
Alessandra
Alessandra, 3-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
25 May 2025
Great stay and location for the price. Rooms are small but you know that going into it. Would book again!
Nicholas
Nicholas, 2-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
8 Nov 2025
Was in good location. Beds lacked privacy. Everything else was good
Luke
Luke, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
10 Dec 2023
Great affordable option in a convenient location in the old town.
John
John, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
28 Aug 2025
Unique stopover in Lucerne. Whole family loved their night in prison. Friendly staff. Very clean. Fantastic location. Great value.
James
James, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
5 Jul 2025
I really loved this hotel. It has really nice rooms and had AC and the staff was really nice. We also tried their restaurant which was really good. Breakfast was good. We stayed in the Japanese style rooms. If I come back to Switzerland I will stay here the whole time.
Leonardo
Leonardo, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
23 Aug 2024
Truly unique hotel experience! Great staff and in a perfect location to experience Luzerne!