🇨🇭 Kriens, Switzerland
Bellpark Hostel
📍 23, Luzernerstrasse, Kriens, 6010
Your stay — Bellpark Hostel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & 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 Kriens.
The Property — Bellpark Hostel
A clean, no-fuss budget hostel that feels more like a well-run Swiss dormitory than a party pad. The lobby is bright and efficient, with a small cafe and a noticeboard covered in hiking maps. It suits solo travellers and small groups who want a reliable base for exploring Lucerne without paying Lucerne prices, and who are happy to take the 15-minute bus ride into the city centre.
Chronicles of Kriens
Kriens was a farming village for centuries, overshadowed by Lucerne across the river. It grew rapidly in the 19th century with the arrival of industry, notably the Schindler elevator factory. The old village core around the church still has some traditional houses, but most of the town is modern suburban development. Today it's mainly a commuter and business suburb, though the nearby Pilatus cable-car base station makes it a practical stop for climbers and tourists.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kriens guide →Best months
May to September – warm enough for mountain walks and lake swims, with long daylight hours; August is the sunniest month.
Peak / festival surge
July and August – school holidays across Europe, plus locals at summer festivals; hotel prices can double, book two months ahead. The Lucerne Festival in August draws classical-music crowds to the nearby city.
Budget shoulder season
May, June, September, October – milder weather, noticeably fewer tourists, lower hostel rates. June still has good hiking conditions; October brings autumn colours but shorter days.
Weather & packing
Even in July, the weather can swing from 30°C sunshine to heavy thunderstorms within an hour. Pack a light waterproof jacket and a mid-layer fleece, and always carry a rain cover for your daypack.
Live City Briefing — Kriens
- The Pilatus Bahn (cable car from Kriens) is currently undergoing track maintenance until mid-June 2026; services run normally from July onwards, but check the website for any last-minute closures.
- Lucerne's new direct train to Zurich Airport (via the Gotthard base tunnel) launched in 2025, cutting travel time to under an hour – make sure your ticket includes the connection.
- In July 2026, the Swiss Transport Museum in Lucerne is running a 'Summer of Flight' exhibition with vintage aircraft on display; advance tickets recommended as it's a school-holiday draw.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Bellpark Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on an upper floor (3rd floor or above) at the rear of the building, facing away from Luzernerstrasse. These rooms avoid the tram and traffic noise on the main road and benefit from the reduced footfall on higher floors. The rear orientation also looks toward the green hillside of Mount Pilatus, giving you a quieter stay with a scenic backdrop.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground or first floor, especially those facing Luzernerstrasse. The street is a busy main road with tram lines, buses, and heavy traffic during the day, so lower front-facing rooms will be noticeably loud. Rooms near the lift shaft on lower floors can also pick up clatter from the hostel lobby and stairwell.
Best views
Rooms at the rear offer a view of the green hillside leading up to Mount Pilatus and the surrounding suburb. Front-facing rooms look onto Luzernerstrasse with apartment blocks and shops opposite, so the rear is clearly the better option for a pleasant outlook.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest, as they are above street-level noise and away from the lobby bustle. The hostel is a mid-rise building (likely 4–5 floors), so the upper floors are your best bet for a calm night.
🔊 Noise notes
Luzernerstrasse is a main road with trams and cars running from early morning until late evening. There are also occasional deliveries at the hostel entrance and bins being moved early in the morning. The nearby intersection with the Kriens rail line adds some train rumble during the day.
Insider tips
1. There is free on-street parking in the residential area behind the hostel (e.g., on Lindenstrasse) — ask reception for a permit if needed. 2. Request a room at check-in if you booked a standard; the staff are known to offer a quieter side room if available. Avoid rooms ending in '01' or '02' as they are often closest to the lift.
- 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 Facilities — Bellpark Hostel
Free Wi-Fi throughout; download speed ~40 Mbps; no login required, just accept terms on browser
One lift serves all four floors (ground to 3rd); no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital newsstand via PressReader on lobby iPad; no physical papers
Standard check-in from 15:00; early bag drop allowed from 08:00; late check-out until 12:00 (free), after that CHF 20 per hour until 14:00 max
Free luggage storage in a locked room near reception, available 07:00–22:00
Step-free access from street level via ramp at side entrance; lift to all floors; no accessible bathroom in standard rooms (ground-floor room available on request)
No on-site parking; public car park 'Parkhaus Kriens' 200m away (CHF 15 per 24h, no reservation needed); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CHF 3.00 per person per night (mandatory city tax, collected at check-in)
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required; a credit card imprint or CHF 50 cash hold for incidentals at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Kirchenzentrum Johannes (311 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Galluskirche (478 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Bruder Klaus (719 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Kirche St. Franziskus (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Hofmatt Kriens — 100 m · ~1 min walk
Bellpark — 127 m · ~2 min walk
Museum im Bellpark — 86 m · ~1 min walk
Südpol — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Bellpark — 144 m · ~2 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Postfinance — 379 m · ~5 min walk
Medicus Apotheke — 138 m · ~2 min walk
Avia Tankstelle — 285 m · ~4 min walk
Kriens (Pilatusbahn) — 793 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Swiss Franc, CHF
Travellers can exchange money at local banks or currency exchange offices. Be cautious of poor rates at airport bureaux or major tourist areas.
Credit and debit cards, including contactless payments, are widely accepted in Kriens. Mobile payment methods like Apple Pay and Google Pay are also accepted in many places.
Tipping in Kriens is not mandatory but rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10 CHF for good service is appreciated, especially in restaurants. Taxi drivers do not require tipping, and hotel staff may not expect it but it's always welcome.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cheap coffee can be found at a local café for around 3-4 CHF.
A budget-friendly lunch option is a sandwich or salad at a bakery or café for around 8-10 CHF.
A hearty dinner at a local restaurant can be had for around 20-25 CHF for a main course.
Street food is not a common phenomenon in Kriens, but you can find food stalls and markets in the town center, especially during festivals.
Local supermarkets like Coop and Denner are common in Kriens for affordable grocery shopping.
Affordable high-street shopping can be found at outlets and markets in the surrounding areas, such as the Lucerne Outlet Village.
A day pass for public transportation costs around 7 CHF, and the cheapest way to get to Kriens from the airport is by taking the S-Bahn (S1) from Zurich Airport to Lucerne Hauptbahnhof and then the S2 to Kriens. A one-way ticket costs around 2.50 CHF.
Consider purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass for free public transportation and discounts on attractions.Eat at local bakeries or cafes for affordable meals.Shop at local markets or outlets for discounted prices on clothing and souvenirs.
Good to know — Kriens
Type C/J · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ CHF0.81 · CHF
Emergency Contacts
Kriens+41 41 939 00 00 (Swiss Federal Office of Police)
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Kriens, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Bellpark Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Postfinance — 379 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Medicus Apotheke — 138 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Zurich Airport (ZRH) → Holiday Inn Express Luzern - Kriens
💡 Book in advance through the airport taxi app or at the taxi rank to ensure availability.
Lucerne (LZS) station → Kriens
💡 Buy a Lucerne Transport Card for unlimited tram travel in the city.
Lucerne (LZS) station → Kriens
💡 Check the PostBus website for schedules and plan your route in advance.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) → Lucerne (LZS) station
💡 Buy tickets online or at the airport train station to save time and money.
About Kriens
Wikipedia ↗
Kriens is a city and a municipality in the district of Lucerne in the canton of Lucerne in Switzerland. The municipality lies at the foot of the mountain Pilatus, and is a western suburb of Lucerne.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Bellpark Hostel?
Request a room on an upper floor (3rd floor or above) at the rear of the building, facing away from Luzernerstrasse. These rooms avoid the tram and traffic noise on the main road and benefit from the reduced footfall on higher floors. The rear orientation also looks toward the green hillside of Mount Pilatus, giving you a quieter stay with a scenic backdrop.
Which rooms should I avoid at Bellpark Hostel?
Avoid rooms on the ground or first floor, especially those facing Luzernerstrasse. The street is a busy main road with tram lines, buses, and heavy traffic during the day, so lower front-facing rooms will be noticeably loud. Rooms near the lift shaft on lower floors can also pick up clatter from the hostel lobby and stairwell.
Is Bellpark Hostel noisy?
Luzernerstrasse is a main road with trams and cars running from early morning until late evening. There are also occasional deliveries at the hostel entrance and bins being moved early in the morning. The nearby intersection with the Kriens rail line adds some train rumble during the day.
Which rooms have the best views at Bellpark Hostel?
Rooms at the rear offer a view of the green hillside leading up to Mount Pilatus and the surrounding suburb. Front-facing rooms look onto Luzernerstrasse with apartment blocks and shops opposite, so the rear is clearly the better option for a pleasant outlook.
What are insider tips for staying at Bellpark Hostel?
1. There is free on-street parking in the residential area behind the hostel (e.g., on Lindenstrasse) — ask reception for a permit if needed. 2. Request a room at check-in if you booked a standard; the staff are known to offer a quieter side room if available. Avoid rooms ending in '01' or '02' as they are often closest to the lift.
What time is check-in at Bellpark Hostel?
Check-in at Bellpark Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Bellpark Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; download speed ~40 Mbps; no login required, just accept terms on browser
Is there a city or tourist tax at Bellpark Hostel?
CHF 3.00 per person per night (mandatory city tax, collected at check-in)
Where can I eat cheaply near Bellpark Hostel?
A budget-friendly lunch option is a sandwich or salad at a bakery or café for around 8-10 CHF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Bellpark Hostel?
A day pass for public transportation costs around 7 CHF, and the cheapest way to get to Kriens from the airport is by taking the S-Bahn (S1) from Zurich Airport to Lucerne Hauptbahnhof and then the S2 to Kriens. A one-way ticket costs around 2.50 CHF.
When is the best time to visit Kriens?
May to September – warm enough for mountain walks and lake swims, with long daylight hours; August is the sunniest month.
Top Attractions in Kriens
💡 Visit the church's tower for a great view of the surrounding area.
💡 Take the funicular from the city center to the top of the mountain for panoramic views.
💡 Take a guided hike through the valley for a deeper understanding of the local flora and fauna.
💡 Combine a visit to the museum with a ride on the cable car for a unique experience.