🇨🇭 Solothurn, Switzerland
Roter Ochsen
📍 9, Berntorstrasse, Solothurn
Votre séjour — Roter Ochsen
Prévisions en direct pour vos dates · Quoi de neuf · Qualité de l'air et pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Solothurn.
La propriété — Roter Ochsen
The Roter Ochsen is a straightforward, old-school Swiss inn in Solothurn's quiet Old Town, with a traditional brown-and-white facade and a wood-panelled lobby that smells of coffee and beeswax. It suits independent travellers who want a clean, no-frills base for exploring the baroque alleys and the Aare riverfront. The vibe is practical and unfussy: think creaky floorboards, friendly local staff, and a breakfast room with views of the St Ursen Cathedral dome.
Chroniques de Solothurn
Solothurn, founded as the Roman settlement Salodurum in the 1st century CE, became a key defensive town of the Swiss Confederacy after 1481, earning the nickname 'the most beautiful baroque town in Switzerland'. Its Old Town is a near-intact grid of 16th- and 17th-century sandstone buildings, built during the city's stint as the residence of the French ambassador to the Swiss Catholic cantons. The St Ursen Cathedral (1763–86) is a masterpiece of late baroque architecture by Gaetano Matteo Pisoni, while the Zeitglockenturm clock tower still uses a 1545 astronomical clock. Today Solothurn is a quiet, affluent centre for culture and water sports, with a strong identity as a carnival hub (Solothurner Fasnacht).
Meilleur moment pour visiter
Guide complet de Solothurn →Meilleurs mois
July and August offer the warmest weather (20-25°C average) and long daylight hours, ideal for swimming in the Aare or hiking the Jura foothills. September is also excellent: still warm but with thinner crowds.
Peak / Festival surge
July and August are peak for summer tourism and the Solothurn Film Festival (late June/early July). Hotel prices at the Roter Ochsen can rise 20-30% over the weekend of the festival; book early. The Solothurner Märlit (a medieval market in late August) also drives demand.
La saison des épaules
May and September are the quiet bargain months: 15-20°C, fewer tourists, and room rates 15-25% lower than July. October is also good for autumnal colour and wine festivals in nearby villages.
Météo & Emballage
Solothurn's summers can flip from sunny to rain in minutes due to Alpine cloud bursts; always pack a compact waterproof jacket. Key packing rule: bring swim trunks and a dry bag – you'll want to float down the Aare river from the city beach.
Briefing de la ville — Solothurn
- The main railway station (Solothurn Hauptbahnhof) is undergoing platform upgrades through summer 2026; expect occasional 10-15 minute delays on S-Bahn services to Bern and Olten. Use the nearby bus stops as alternatives.
- The Aare river swimming route from the Solothurn side to the Freibad (lido) reopened for summer 2026 with improved changing facilities and a new riverside café at the Flösserplatz.
- The Kunstmuseum Solothurn is hosting a special exhibition on Alpine baroque painting until August 2026, featuring works rarely seen outside local churches.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Roter Ochsen, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor at the back of the building (courtyard side) to avoid street noise from Berntorstrasse.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms facing Berntorstrasse on the 1st floor—they get direct street noise, and the ground-floor bar/restaurant can be audible.
Best views
Back courtyard views (green and quiet) are better than street views (traffic and pedestrians on Berntorstrasse).
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are the quietest—above street level and further from the bar.
🔊 Noise notes
Berntorstrasse is a main road in Solothurn with bus and car traffic from early morning; the hotel's ground-floor bar can have chatter until late.
Insider tips
Parking is limited—use the public car park behind the hotel (Altstadt parking) and walk 2 minutes. Request a courtyard room at booking or check-in for quietest sleep.
- 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
Hôtel Facilités — Roter Ochsen
Free WiFi throughout; speed approximately 30 Mbps down, 10 Mbps up; simple login via room number and surname, no time limit
Small lift serves all three floors, but no lift access to the attic (storage) or basement (sauna); stairs required for those areas
Two complimentary physical daily newspapers (NZZ and Blick) at breakfast; no digital newsstand subscription
Check-in from 14:00 to 21:00; early bag-drop from 07:00 in locked luggage room; late check-out until 13:00 costs CHF 40, subject to availability
Free storage in a locked room on ground floor, access during reception hours (07:00–21:00)
Step-free access via a ramp at the side entrance (ring bell for assistance); main entrance has one step about 10 cm high; lifts are narrow (door width 75 cm) and may not fit full-size wheelchair; no accessible bathroom
No on-site parking; nearest public garage 'Parkhaus Bieltor' at Bieltorstrasse 5, 5-minute walk, costs CHF 18 per 24 hours; no EV charging on property, nearest public chargers at Solothurn train station (5 minutes on foot)
Frais, taxes et dépôts
City / tourist tax: CHF 3.50 per person per night (including tourist tax and local promotion fee), waived for children under 16
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required for standard booking; a CHF 100 authorisation hold on credit card at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary à proximité
- Church: Spitalkirche zum Heiligen Geist (58 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Jesuitenkirche (439 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: St. Peterskapelle (528 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: St. Urs und Viktor (573 m · ~7 min walk)
Style de vie et récréation
Kreuzackerpark — 334 m · ~4 min walk
Der Kleine Prinz und seine Welt — 378 m · ~5 min walk
Theater Delly — 259 m · ~3 min walk
Güggi Quartierspielplatz — 470 m · ~6 min walk
5 minutes de radios essentielles
Nearest — 257 m · ~3 min walk
Medbase Apotheke Solothurn — 412 m · ~5 min walk
BioKulturOase Smaragd — 104 m · ~1 min walk
Palais Besenval — 220 m · ~3 min walk
Monnaie & Monnaie
Get a travel card →Swiss Franc, CHF
Use ATM withdrawals for the best rate; avoid exchange bureaux at Solothurn station – rates are poor. Airport exchange desks in Zurich are even worse.
Contactless Visa/Mastercard is accepted almost everywhere – even at market stalls and small bakeries. American Express is rarely taken. Mobile pay is common.
Service is included in bills. Round up to the next franc or leave small change as a token. Taxi drivers and hotel porters get CHF 2-5 if they help with bags.
Manger, faire du shopping et voyager sur un budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee or espresso at a bakery/café counter to stay – around CHF 3.50.
Pizza slice or döner kebab from a takeaway kiosk – about CHF 10-12.
Pasta or Rösti at a non-fancy Beiz (pub) – main course about CHF 20-25.
Not a street food city. Grab a sausage from a market stall on Saturday morning by the cathedral or a sandwich from a Migros takeaway.
Migros (across the river at Bielstrasse 23) and Coop (near the station on Amtshausgasse) – both are budget-friendly by Swiss standards.
For basics, C&A at the shopping centre in Solothurn West (Kronengässli 1). No high-street fashion in this quiet area.
Buy a Tageskarte (day pass) for Solothurn city buses at CHF 5.80 from the machine at any stop. From Zurich Airport, take the direct train to Solothurn (about CHF 30 with a Half-Fare card, otherwise CHF 60).
1. Always buy a Half-Fare travelcard (CHF 185/year) if staying more than a few days – it halves train fares. 2. Eat lunch at a Migros or Coop restaurant for a full meal under CHF 15. 3. Fill your water bottle at public fountains – tap water is excellent and free.
Bon à savoir — Solothurn
Type C/J · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ CHF0.81 · CHF
Emergency Contacts
SolothurnIn Switzerland, 112 works as a general European emergency number. For non-urgent medical help, call 0800 334 334 (medphone). For an emergency doctor at night or weekends, dial 0848 226 226. The local Solothurn police station is on Baselstrasse 53, but use 117 for immediate response.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Solothurn, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Roter Ochsen
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 257 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Medbase Apotheke Solothurn — 412 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →S’entourer
Find train tickets →Solothurn Hauptbahnhof → Rötihof (cable car base station)
💡 Bus 3 runs a bit more frequently in off-peak hours. Tell the driver you're heading to Hintere Wasserfallen; they might remind you which stop.
Solothurn town centre or station → Rötihof cable car base
💡 Book ahead on +41 32 623 33 33, especially evenings or Sundays. The drive is short but the last cable car up is around 18:00, so time it.
Solothurn Hauptbahnhof → Feldbrunnen-St. Niklaus station + walk
💡 This gets you partway up the valley; you still need a 20-min walk or bus to the Rötihof cable car. Only worthwhile if you fancy a short hike before the climb. Check the cable car schedule first – last departure is 17:30 in low season.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) → Solothurn Hauptbahnhof
💡 Buy a supersaver ticket online in advance or use the Swiss Travel Pass if you're touring. The train drops you in town, then take bus 2 or 3 up to the Rötihof cable car base.
Questions fréquemment posées
What are the best rooms at Roter Ochsen?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor at the back of the building (courtyard side) to avoid street noise from Berntorstrasse.
Which rooms should I avoid at Roter Ochsen?
Avoid rooms facing Berntorstrasse on the 1st floor—they get direct street noise, and the ground-floor bar/restaurant can be audible.
Is Roter Ochsen noisy?
Berntorstrasse is a main road in Solothurn with bus and car traffic from early morning; the hotel's ground-floor bar can have chatter until late.
Which rooms have the best views at Roter Ochsen?
Back courtyard views (green and quiet) are better than street views (traffic and pedestrians on Berntorstrasse).
What are insider tips for staying at Roter Ochsen?
Parking is limited—use the public car park behind the hotel (Altstadt parking) and walk 2 minutes. Request a courtyard room at booking or check-in for quietest sleep.
What time is check-in at Roter Ochsen?
Check-in at Roter Ochsen is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Roter Ochsen have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; speed approximately 30 Mbps down, 10 Mbps up; simple login via room number and surname, no time limit
Is there a city or tourist tax at Roter Ochsen?
CHF 3.50 per person per night (including tourist tax and local promotion fee), waived for children under 16
Where can I eat cheaply near Roter Ochsen?
Pizza slice or döner kebab from a takeaway kiosk – about CHF 10-12.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Roter Ochsen?
Buy a Tageskarte (day pass) for Solothurn city buses at CHF 5.80 from the machine at any stop. From Zurich Airport, take the direct train to Solothurn (about CHF 30 with a Half-Fare card, otherwise CHF 60).
When is the best time to visit Solothurn?
July and August offer the warmest weather (20-25°C average) and long daylight hours, ideal for swimming in the Aare or hiking the Jura foothills. September is also excellent: still warm but with thinner crowds.
Principales attractions à Solothurn
💡 Visit on a weekday morning for a quiet experience. The tower climb costs a small fee but the cathedral interior is free.
💡 Pack lunch from the Migros at Bahnhofplatz. The path continues 2 km to the nature reserve at Stöckli – ideal for a quiet afternoon.
💡 The tower's upper floor is closed to the public but the grounds are free. Best photos at sunset. Combine with a visit to the adjacent Botanical Garden (free, open dawn to dusk).
💡 Pick up a free map from the tourist office at Hauptgasse. The fountains are best seen in the morning when sunlight catches the carvings.
💡 Free entry on the first Wednesday of every month. Otherwise CHF 12. The café next door has decent coffee for CHF 3.