🇨🇭 Bern, Switzerland
Glocke - Backpackers Bern
📍 Bern
Dein Aufenthalt — Glocke - Backpackers Bern
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Das Eigentum — Glocke - Backpackers Bern
Glocke Backpackers Bern is a cheerful, budget-minded hostel in the heart of the old town, just off the Zytglogge clock tower. The lobby feels like a well-worn common room: solid wooden floors, a piano in the corner, and a mix of young travellers sprawled on sofas flicking through a map of the city. It suits solo backpackers or small groups who want a clean, central base without frills — think lockers, shared bathrooms, and a kitchen rather than a concierge.
Chroniken von Bern
Bern was founded in 1191 by Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen, supposedly named after a bear he killed. The Aare River wraps around the medieval Altstadt, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983, with its six kilometres of sandstone arcades (Lauben) protecting pedestrians from rain and sun. From the 16th-century Rathaus to the 19th-century Federal Palace, the city evolved as a quiet political capital, not a banking hub. Today it blends brisk administrative efficiency with a slow pace: locals swim in the Aare in summer, and the narrow streets buzz with students and civil servants at café tables.
Beste Zeit zu besuchen
Vollständiger Bern-Guide →Die besten Monate
May and September: warm enough for terrace dining (15–22°C) and Aare swimming, but school holidays haven't peaked. June is also fine, with long daylight until 9pm.
Peak / Festival Surge
July and August are peak season, driven by summer holidays and the Berner Festspiele (open-air theatre) and Gurtenfestival (mid-July). Hotel prices jump 30–50%, and the old town fills with tourists. Book the Glocke well ahead; dorm beds can still be found, but private rooms sell out first.
Budget Schulter Saison
April and October offer the best deals: room rates drop 20–40%, crowds thin, and the weather is still tolerable (8–15°C). You'll dodge queues at the Einstein House and Bear Park.
Wetter & Verpackung
Bern's climate is fickle — even in July, a sunny 30°C can snap to a rainy 14°C in an hour. Pack a light waterproof jacket and layers: a sweater for evenings, and always a hat and sunscreen for sudden bursts of Alpine sun.
Live City Briefing veröffentlicht — Bern
- The Bernese tram line 9 extended to the new Wankdorf campus in late 2025, making it easier to reach the city's football stadium and shopping centre, but watch for track works on the Zytglogge loop this summer.
- The Einstein Museum at the Historical Museum added a new permanent exhibition on the scientist's letters in 2026, open daily — skip the queues by booking online.
- Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) have removed paper tickets from most counters; visitors must have a valid SwissPass or Mobile ticket for regional trains and trams, or buy a 24-hour Bern city pass (CHF 23) at the station.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Glocke - Backpackers Bern, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd or 4th) facing the inner courtyard. These rooms are quieter and get better light, away from the street and the hostel bar below.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground or first floor facing the street. The tram line and late-night foot traffic on nearby Waisenhausplatz/Gurtengasse can be loud, and ground-floor rooms by the common area pick up hostel noise.
Best views
Upper floor courtyard rooms have a view of the tiled roofs and the nearby Zytglogge spire. Street-facing rooms see the old town architecture, but you’ll hear the tram.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4. The building has no lift (stairs only), so upper floors get less foot traffic and are naturally quieter.
🔊 Noise notes
The guesthouse is on a pedestrianised street (Gurtengasse) with a tram line running parallel on Marktgasse. The bar downstairs plays music until late on weekends. The stairwell echoes, and there’s no lift noise but stairs carry. Also, the door to the WC/shower on each floor can slam shut.
Insider tips
1. Park at the public car park ‘Casinoparkplatz’ (about a 5-min walk) – it’s cheaper than the hotel’s own parking. 2. The hostel check-in closes at 9pm so request a self-check-in code if arriving late. 3. For a quieter stay, ask for a room number with a letter ‘C’ or ‘D’ – these face the courtyard, not the street.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Einrichtungen — Glocke - Backpackers Bern
Free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout; no login constraints, single network with code from reception.
No lift. The property occupies upper floors of a historic building accessed via stairs only.
No digital newsstand. Free physical '20 Minuten' daily at reception. The building dates from 1730, with a preserved baroque facade and a spiral staircase.
Check-in from 16:00. Early bag drop allowed from 08:00. Check-out by 11:00; late checkout (until 14:00) costs CHF 20, subject to availability.
Free luggage storage before check-in and after check-out; stored in a locked room behind reception.
No step-free access. Main entrance has two steps; no wheelchair lift to guest floors. Not suitable for guests with mobility impairments.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is 'Parking Casino Bern' (Casinoplatz 1, 5 min walk), CHF 25 per night. No EV charging.
Gebühren, Steuern & Einlagen
City / tourist tax: CHF 3.70 per person per night (includes local transport card)
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required for standard bookings; CHF 100 incidental hold via credit card at check-in
Faith & Diät in der Nähe
- Church: Gebätshuus (358 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: First Church of Christ Scientist (386 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Freie evangelische Gemeinde Bern (448 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Église française (482 m · ~6 min walk)
Lokaler Lebensstil & Erholung
Welle7 — 950 m · ~12 min walk
Dalmazimätteli — 88 m · ~1 min walk
Moneyverse — 242 m · ~3 min walk
Yehudi Menuhin Forum — 377 m · ~5 min walk
Spielplatz Längmuur — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
5 Minuten Radius Essentials
Nearest — 241 m · ~3 min walk
Apotheke Dr. Noyer — 323 m · ~4 min walk
Eva's Apples — 485 m · ~6 min walk
Bern — 700 m · ~9 min walk
Geld & Währung
Get a travel card →Swiss Franc, CHF
Use ATMs (Bancomat) for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the train station or airport as they charge high fees.
Credit and debit cards (Visa/Maestro) are widely accepted; contactless and mobile pay (Apple/Google Pay) are standard in most shops and restaurants.
Rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is appreciated but not expected; service is always included. Taxis and hotel staff: round up or leave a few francs for good service.
Essen, Einkaufen und Reisen auf einem Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee or espresso from a bakery or supermarket café: around CHF 4-5, but buying a coffee-to-go from a Coop or Migros is often cheaper at CHF 3-4.
A lunch special (Tagesmenu) at a self-service restaurant or supermarket bistro: typically CHF 12-18 for a main and sometimes includes a drink or salad.
A main course from a standard restaurant or pizzeria: about CHF 20-30; pizzas and pastas are usually the cheapest options.
Look for bratwurst stands and market stalls near the Bärenplatz or the Münsterplattform; a sausage in bread with mustard is around CHF 7-8. On Fridays, the farmers' market at the Bundesplatz offers local produce and cheap snacks.
Coop and Migros are the two main budget supermarket chains; both offer own-brand basics at fair prices, and their self-service cafés are good for cheap eats.
For affordable high-street shopping, head to the main shopping streets (Spitalgasse, Marktgasse) where brands like H&M and Zara have outlets; also check the department stores Loeb and Manor for mid-priced basics.
A day pass for Bern city zone (BernMobil) costs CHF 13.60; alternatively, walk as the old town is compact. From Bern Airport (BRN), take bus line 160 or 161 to the main station (Richtung Bahnhof) – single ticket about CHF 8.50. For longer stays, get a 24-hour or multi-day pass from the machines.
Buy a reusable 'Berner' travel card top-up (like a city day pass) if staying more than a day; it pays for itself after two trips. Avoid eating in the main tourist zone (e.g., around the Zytglogge) – walk a few streets into the Länggasse or Lorraine districts for cheaper lunch menus. Fill a water bottle at any public fountain; Bern's tap water is excellent and free.
Gut zu wissen — Bern
Type C/J · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ CHF0.81 · CHF
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Bern, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Glocke - Backpackers Bern
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 241 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Apotheke Dr. Noyer — 323 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Umher zu kommen
Find train tickets →Bern Airport (BRN) or Bern Hauptbahnhof → Westside Longterm Rental, Brünnenstrasse
💡 Use the 'NOVA Taxi' app to book in advance - it's slightly cheaper than flagging one down. From the airport, ask the driver to drop you at the rear entrance on Brünnenstrasse - it's closer to the rental entrance than the main Westside complex door.
Bern Hauptbahnhof → Westside (Brünnenstrasse)
💡 Bus 160/161 runs direct to Westside. Get off at 'Brünnen Bahnhof' stop, then walk east on Brünnenstrasse - the apartment block is on the right, 2 minutes.
Bern Hauptbahnhof → Westside (Brünnen) stop
💡 Tram 8 and tram 9 both stop at 'Westside' - same walk as bus. Avoid tram 8 during rush hour (07:30–08:30) if you have luggage - it gets packed.
Bern Airport (BRN) → Bern Hauptbahnhof (main station)
💡 Buy a single ticket at the machine - it's cheaper than the taxi and drops you right in the city centre. From Hauptbahnhof, take tram 8 or 9 to 'Westside' stop, then it's a 5-minute walk.
Über Bern
Wikipedia ↗
Bern (Swiss Standard German: [bɛrn] ), or Berne (French: [bɛʁn] ), is the de facto capital of Switzerland, referred to as the "federal city". With a population of about 146,000 (as of 2024), Bern is the fifth-most populous city in Switzerland, behind Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Lausanne. The Bern aggl...
Häufig gestellte Fragen
What are the best rooms at Glocke - Backpackers Bern?
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd or 4th) facing the inner courtyard. These rooms are quieter and get better light, away from the street and the hostel bar below.
Which rooms should I avoid at Glocke - Backpackers Bern?
Avoid rooms on the ground or first floor facing the street. The tram line and late-night foot traffic on nearby Waisenhausplatz/Gurtengasse can be loud, and ground-floor rooms by the common area pick up hostel noise.
Is Glocke - Backpackers Bern noisy?
The guesthouse is on a pedestrianised street (Gurtengasse) with a tram line running parallel on Marktgasse. The bar downstairs plays music until late on weekends. The stairwell echoes, and there’s no lift noise but stairs carry. Also, the door to the WC/shower on each floor can slam shut.
Which rooms have the best views at Glocke - Backpackers Bern?
Upper floor courtyard rooms have a view of the tiled roofs and the nearby Zytglogge spire. Street-facing rooms see the old town architecture, but you’ll hear the tram.
What are insider tips for staying at Glocke - Backpackers Bern?
1. Park at the public car park ‘Casinoparkplatz’ (about a 5-min walk) – it’s cheaper than the hotel’s own parking. 2. The hostel check-in closes at 9pm so request a self-check-in code if arriving late. 3. For a quieter stay, ask for a room number with a letter ‘C’ or ‘D’ – these face the courtyard, not the street.
What time is check-in at Glocke - Backpackers Bern?
Check-in at Glocke - Backpackers Bern is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Glocke - Backpackers Bern have Wi-Fi?
Free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout; no login constraints, single network with code from reception.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Glocke - Backpackers Bern?
CHF 3.70 per person per night (includes local transport card)
Where can I eat cheaply near Glocke - Backpackers Bern?
A lunch special (Tagesmenu) at a self-service restaurant or supermarket bistro: typically CHF 12-18 for a main and sometimes includes a drink or salad.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Glocke - Backpackers Bern?
A day pass for Bern city zone (BernMobil) costs CHF 13.60; alternatively, walk as the old town is compact. From Bern Airport (BRN), take bus line 160 or 161 to the main station (Richtung Bahnhof) – single ticket about CHF 8.50. For longer stays, get a 24-hour or multi-day pass from the machines.
When is the best time to visit Bern?
May and September: warm enough for terrace dining (15–22°C) and Aare swimming, but school holidays haven't peaked. June is also fine, with long daylight until 9pm.
Top-Attraktionen in Bern
💡 Skip the tower if you're after views—the Rosengarten is free and better. Instead, sit in the cloister garden for peace. The small museum adjacent is free with donation requested.
💡 Check the parliamentary calendar online before visiting. Off-season, the self-guided audio tour costs CHF 5 but includes the dome—worth it for the architecture.
💡 Visit at feeding time (usually 10am and 4pm) to see keepers interact with them. Go early to avoid crowds.
💡 Bring a picnic and sit on the benches near the terrace. The restaurant adjacent serves decent coffee, but avoid peak lunch hours when it's packed.
💡 Skip the interior tour unless you're obsessed with clock mechanisms—the free hourly show from the street is just as good. Arrive 5 minutes early for a good view.