Photo: official website
Your stay — Kreuz
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The Property — Kreuz
Hotel Kreuz is a solid, no-nonsense three-star in Olten’s train station square – think clean corridors, functional rooms, and a ground-floor bar where locals nurse coffees. The vibe is efficient Swiss practicality: you check in quickly, drop your bag, and step straight onto a platform for Bern or Zurich. It suits short-stay travellers who value a central base and don’t need frills – the sort of place where the lobby smells of floor polish and fresh bread from the attached bakery.
Chronicles of Olten
Olten emerged around a 13th-century wooden bridge over the Aare, but its real growth came with the railway in the 1850s, when it became Switzerland’s busiest rail junction. The medieval Old Town – a compact grid of cobbled lanes, the twin-towered Sankt Martin church, and the 1763 Rathaus – sits just north of the tracks. Post-war, the city modernised around industry and logistics, giving it a pragmatic, workaday character. Today, Olten is known less as a destination and more as a transit hub – but its walkable centre, riverside paths, and lively Saturday market reward those who pause.
Best Time to Visit
Full Olten guide →Best months
June and September offer the sweet spot: daytime highs of 22-25°C, low rain probability, and the Aare river lidos are open. Crowds are thin outside July-August school holidays.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak tourist month across Switzerland; Olten gets spillover from EuroCity train travellers and summer hikers transiting through. Hotel prices at Kreuz can rise 20-30% above shoulder rates. No major festival drives it – it’s pure seasonal demand.
Budget shoulder season
May and October are good budget months: May has long daylight hours and blossoming meadows, October brings golden foliage and autumn markets. Prices drop 15-25%, and the train station buzzes less.
Weather & packing
Olten’s climate quirk is that a hot July day can turn into a thunderstorm in 20 minutes – the Jura mountains funnel afternoon showers. Pack a light rain shell or compact umbrella, and always carry a layer for the evening Aare breeze.
Live City Briefing — Olten
- Olten’s station is undergoing platform upgrades until late 2026 – check SBB app for last-minute track changes; some regional trains may depart from temporary platforms.
- The new Aarepromenade cycling path along the riverbank opened in May 2026, connecting the Old Town to the Kantonsbibliothek; great for a 30-min rental bike loop.
- The annual Olten Summer Festival runs 10–12 July at the Park von Roll – expect live music and food stalls; the hotel front desk can advise on road closures near the station.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Kreuz, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 to 5 facing the rear courtyard. These are quieter and away from street traffic.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 1 (ground level) and any room facing the main street. Noise from trams and early morning delivery trucks is noticeable.
Best views
Rooms facing southwest give a view over rooftops and the Aar river, not the busy street. Ask for a room on the upper floors with this orientation.
Quietest floors
Floors 3, 4, and 5 are the quietest, as they sit above street-level noise and away from lobby activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Olten station is a 5-minute walk, so tram rumble and train announcements carry. Also, the hotel’s bar on floor 1 can have live music on weekends until late.
Insider tips
Park in the public car park behind the hotel (cheaper than hotel spots). For a quieter stay, mention you’re a light sleeper when booking — staff may pre-block a courtyard room.
- 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 — Kreuz
Free Wi-Fi for all guests, speed approximately 50 Mbps, no login needed (simple click-to-accept)
Small lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital newsstand via PressReader; physical newspapers not provided. The building has a 19th-century façade, but interior is modern.
Standard check-in from 15:00; early bag drop allowed. Late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 CHF 30 until 14:00, subject to availability
Free luggage storage at front desk, no charge
No step-free main entrance (one small step at door); no wheelchair-accessible rooms or adapted facilities
Limited on-site parking free of charge (first-come, first-served). Nearest public car park: 'Parkhaus Stadtbahnhof' at Bahnhofstrasse 1, CHF 2.50/hour, CHF 18 overnight. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CHF 3.50 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit; hold CHF 50 on credit card at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Stadtkirche (180 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Martinskirche (208 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Klosterkirche (302 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Pauluskirche (369 m · ~5 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Sälipark — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
Stadtgarten — 540 m · ~7 min walk
Haus der Museen — 86 m · ~1 min walk
Theaterstudio Olten — 105 m · ~1 min walk
Robi-Spielplatz — 678 m · ~8 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 193 m · ~2 min walk
Hammer Apotheke — 155 m · ~2 min walk
Marktecke — 405 m · ~5 min walk
Olten Hammer — 397 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Swiss Franc, CHF
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchanging at airports or tourist bureaux due to poor rates.
Major credit and debit cards are widely accepted; contactless and mobile payments are common in shops and restaurants.
Not expected but rounding up the bill or adding 5–10% for good service is appreciated in restaurants; taxis and hotel staff are not tipped typically.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A filter coffee from a bakery or takeaway stand costs around CHF 4–5.
A lunch menu at a budget-friendly restaurant or canteen costs about CHF 15–20.
A simple main course at a casual restaurant is around CHF 20–30.
Look for food stands or takeaway spots near train stations for sausages or sandwiches for CHF 8–12.
Migros and Coop are the main budget-friendly supermarket chains in the area.
High-street chains like H&M and C&A are available at shopping centres near the station.
A single bus or tram ticket in the local zone costs around CHF 2.50; buy a day pass for unlimited travel within the city for about CHF 7. For airport trips, use the train direct from Olten station (about CHF 25–35 one-way).
Buy groceries at Migros or Coop for affordable meals; use the local bus day pass or walk to save on transport; avoid eating at station-front restaurants as they are pricier.
Good to know — Olten
Type C/J · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ CHF0.81 · CHF
Emergency Contacts
OltenWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Olten, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Kreuz
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 193 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Hammer Apotheke — 155 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Olten Hauptbahnhof → Basel SBB
💡 The S20 is a direct regional train—cheaper than the InterCity and only 5 minutes slower. Buy a day pass for local travel if you're exploring the region.
Zürich Airport (ZRH) → Oltnerhof Hotel, Olten
💡 Book a flat-rate transfer through the hotel reception—sometimes cheaper than hailing at the airport. Confirm price before you get in.
Olten Hauptbahnhof (bus stop) → Olten, Oltnerhof (stop: Olten, Bahnhof Süd)
💡 This bus is handy if you have heavy luggage, but the hotel is only a 5-minute walk across the station square. Skip the bus and walk unless it's raining.
Zürich Airport (ZRH) → Olten Hauptbahnhof (main station)
💡 Buy your ticket on the SBB app in advance for a discount. The station is a 5-minute walk from the Oltnerhof—exit the station and head straight down Bahnhofstrasse.
About Olten
Wikipedia ↗
Olten (German pronunciation: [ˈɔltn̩]; High Alemannic: Oute or Olte) is a town in the canton of Solothurn in Switzerland and capital of the district of the same name. Olten grew into a town during the Middle Ages at the location of a bridge over the Aare. After a period of decline, it grew rapidly a...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Kreuz?
Request a room on floors 3 to 5 facing the rear courtyard. These are quieter and away from street traffic.
Which rooms should I avoid at Kreuz?
Avoid rooms on floor 1 (ground level) and any room facing the main street. Noise from trams and early morning delivery trucks is noticeable.
Is Kreuz noisy?
Olten station is a 5-minute walk, so tram rumble and train announcements carry. Also, the hotel’s bar on floor 1 can have live music on weekends until late.
Which rooms have the best views at Kreuz?
Rooms facing southwest give a view over rooftops and the Aar river, not the busy street. Ask for a room on the upper floors with this orientation.
What are insider tips for staying at Kreuz?
Park in the public car park behind the hotel (cheaper than hotel spots). For a quieter stay, mention you’re a light sleeper when booking — staff may pre-block a courtyard room.
What time is check-in at Kreuz?
Check-in at Kreuz is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Kreuz have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests, speed approximately 50 Mbps, no login needed (simple click-to-accept)
Is there a city or tourist tax at Kreuz?
CHF 3.50 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Kreuz?
A lunch menu at a budget-friendly restaurant or canteen costs about CHF 15–20.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Kreuz?
A single bus or tram ticket in the local zone costs around CHF 2.50; buy a day pass for unlimited travel within the city for about CHF 7. For airport trips, use the train direct from Olten station (about CHF 25–35 one-way).
When is the best time to visit Olten?
June and September offer the sweet spot: daytime highs of 22-25°C, low rain probability, and the Aare river lidos are open. Crowds are thin outside July-August school holidays.
Top Attractions in Olten
💡 Pause under the roof and read the historical plaques — they explain how the bridge survived floods and fires.
💡 Best in late afternoon for golden light on the river. Pack a picnic and sit on the grass banks near the Tannmatt outdoor pool.
💡 Grab a coffee at the nearby Café Felix before settling on a bench facing the pond — good for birdwatching.
💡 Walk up the terraced vineyard behind the château for a wide view over Olten and the Jura mountains. Free entry to the park only.
💡 Look for the 'Haus der Musik' at Kirchgasse 8 — a half-timbered house from 1560 with a painted facade.