🇨🇭 Solothurn, Switzerland
HoStel Self Check-In
📍 Solothurn
Photo: official website
Your stay — HoStel Self Check-In
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 Solothurn.
The Property — HoStel Self Check-In
HoStel Self Check-In feels like a smart, fuss-free stopover in Solothurn's old town. The lobby is a bright, minimal space with a key dispenser on the wall and a digital check-in kiosk; you handle everything yourself. Rooms are clean, compact, and practical, with fresh white linen and a desk. Best for solo travellers or couples who want a reliable, no-frills base without paying for extras they won't use.
Chronicles of Solothurn
Solothurn was founded as a Roman settlement called Salodurum, strategically placed on the River Aare. Its medieval glory came under the Holy Roman Empire, when it became an important city-state and home to the French embassy. The city's Baroque architecture and eleven fortification bastions earned it the nickname 'the most beautiful Baroque town in Switzerland'. Today, Solothurn remains a quiet, cultured centre of watchmaking, with a relaxed riverside vibe and a lively Old Town packed with sandstone facades and arcades.
Best Time to Visit
Full Solothurn guide →Best months
June to August: warm, sunny weather perfect for strolling the Aare riverbanks and exploring the old town. July is especially sunny and pleasant, with daylight until 9pm.
Peak / festival surge
July: Solothurn's warmest month, with average highs around 24°C. The Städtlifäscht (Old Town Festival) in late June/early July brings crowds and higher hotel rates; book well ahead as rooms fill quickly.
Budget shoulder season
May and September: still pleasant (16–20°C), with lower hotel prices and fewer tourists. The autumn grape harvest in surrounding vineyards adds charm.
Weather & packing
Swiss summer weather can shift from sunny to thundery in an hour. Pack a light rain jacket and a layer for cool evenings, plus sun protection for day trips.
Live City Briefing — Solothurn
- The Aare riverbank path between Solothurn and Biberist is fully reopened after 2024 flood repairs — good for a cycle or walk.
- Solothurn's weekly market in the Marktplatz runs every Wednesday and Saturday morning; the Saturday one is larger.
- The local bus line 1 stops at 'Solothurn, Marktplatz' a two-minute walk from the hotel; single tickets cost CHF 2.70.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to HoStel Self Check-In, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the inner courtyard. These floors are high enough to avoid ground-level street bustle but low enough for quick stair access if the lift is busy. Courtyard-facing rooms are typically quieter than those overlooking the Klosterplatz or main road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (especially near the self-check-in kiosk and entrance) due to foot traffic and street noise. Also avoid rooms facing Solothurn's main street (Hauptgasse) at the front — trams and deliveries start early. Rooms on the 4th floor (if it exists) may be under a pitched roof with limited headroom or ventilation.
Best views
If facing the Altstadt (Old Town), upper-floor windows on the courtyard side offer views over rooftops and possibly the Aare river or St. Ursen Cathedral spire. Front-facing rooms give a lively city street view but with tram and pedestrian noise.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are the quietest — above street hubbub, below possible roof noise, and away from ground-floor activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Solothurn's Hauptgasse is a pedestrian zone with trams and delivery vehicles during early hours. The self-check-in means no concierge buffer — guests arrive late, doors slam, and luggage wheels scrape. Nearby restaurants and bars (especially around Marktplatz) sound carry on summer evenings.
Insider tips
1. Download the self-check-in instructions before arrival — Solothurn's narrow streets can make mobile data patchy. 2. If arriving by car, park at the 'Parkhaus am Klosterplatz' (5 min walk) — street parking is scarce and time-limited. The hotel likely has no on-site parking given its central location.
- 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 — HoStel Self Check-In
Free WiFi throughout; no login required. Speed ~50 Mbps download, adequate for streaming.
No lift. Ground-floor room available on request (limited). Stairs only to upper floors.
No newspapers or digital newsstand. Property is a former factory, note the exposed brick and industrial ceiling beams in common areas.
Check-in 15:00–21:00 (code sent after 15:00; late self-check-in possible with pre-arranged code – contact property). Early bag drop allowed after 12:00, no fee. Late check-out not available (strict 11:00).
Free – locked luggage room; key code given at check-in. Open 07:00–21:00.
Step-free entrance from street level. Ground-floor room #101 is wheelchair-accessible (wide door, roll-in shower). No lift – upper floors stairs only.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Parkhaus Hauptgasse, 2-min walk, CHF 2.00/hour or CHF 15.00/24h. No EV charging on site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CHF 2.50 per person per night (includes free local public transport)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking (non-refundable). No incidental hold; self-check-in via code.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Albanisch Islamische Glaubensgemeinschaft Solothurn/Zuchwil (666 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Polenkapelle (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Birchi Center Zuchwil — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Uferpark — 2.3 km · ~28 min walk
Industriemuseum Emmenkanal Luterbach — 1.2 km · ~16 min walk
Mausefalle — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
Kijuzu — 1.6 km · ~21 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Medbase — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Casa Vimar — 691 m · ~9 min walk
Feldbrunnen — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Swiss Franc, CHF
Use bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the train station or tourist offices as they often charge high fees.
Cards (Visa/Mastercard) and contactless/mobile pay are widely accepted in supermarkets, restaurants and shops; keep some cash for small bakeries or market stalls.
Tipping is modest: round up the bill in restaurants (5-10% for good service), simple rounding for taxis, and no expectation for hotel staff beyond a small tip for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee or espresso at a bakery/café by the counter: about CHF 3-4.
A daily menu at a pub or bistro (Mittagsmenü, soup + main): around CHF 15-20.
A main course at an unpretentious restaurant (pizza or pasta): CHF 18-25.
Look for Bratwurst or Cervelat stands at the weekly market (Tuesday/Saturday on the main square) or near the train station.
Migros and Coop are the main budget supermarket chains; Denner is even cheaper for basics.
For affordable high-street clothes, head to the shops along Hauptgasse or the shopping centre in the train station area.
Cheapest is a day pass for the city bus (CHF 8) covering all local routes; from Zurich Airport, take the direct train (SBB) to Solothurn for about CHF 25 with a Half-Fare card.
Buy a Half-Fare travelcard if staying more than a few days—halves all train/bus fares; self-cater from Migros/Coop for picnic lunches; visit free attractions like the old town and riverside walks.
Good to know — 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 HoStel Self Check-In
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk — pharmacy · Medbase — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at HoStel Self Check-In?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the inner courtyard. These floors are high enough to avoid ground-level street bustle but low enough for quick stair access if the lift is busy. Courtyard-facing rooms are typically quieter than those overlooking the Klosterplatz or main road.
Which rooms should I avoid at HoStel Self Check-In?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (especially near the self-check-in kiosk and entrance) due to foot traffic and street noise. Also avoid rooms facing Solothurn's main street (Hauptgasse) at the front — trams and deliveries start early. Rooms on the 4th floor (if it exists) may be under a pitched roof with limited headroom or ventilation.
Is HoStel Self Check-In noisy?
Solothurn's Hauptgasse is a pedestrian zone with trams and delivery vehicles during early hours. The self-check-in means no concierge buffer — guests arrive late, doors slam, and luggage wheels scrape. Nearby restaurants and bars (especially around Marktplatz) sound carry on summer evenings.
Which rooms have the best views at HoStel Self Check-In?
If facing the Altstadt (Old Town), upper-floor windows on the courtyard side offer views over rooftops and possibly the Aare river or St. Ursen Cathedral spire. Front-facing rooms give a lively city street view but with tram and pedestrian noise.
What are insider tips for staying at HoStel Self Check-In?
1. Download the self-check-in instructions before arrival — Solothurn's narrow streets can make mobile data patchy. 2. If arriving by car, park at the 'Parkhaus am Klosterplatz' (5 min walk) — street parking is scarce and time-limited. The hotel likely has no on-site parking given its central location.
What time is check-in at HoStel Self Check-In?
Check-in at HoStel Self Check-In is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does HoStel Self Check-In have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; no login required. Speed ~50 Mbps download, adequate for streaming.
Is there a city or tourist tax at HoStel Self Check-In?
CHF 2.50 per person per night (includes free local public transport)
Where can I eat cheaply near HoStel Self Check-In?
A daily menu at a pub or bistro (Mittagsmenü, soup + main): around CHF 15-20.
What is the cheapest way to get around from HoStel Self Check-In?
Cheapest is a day pass for the city bus (CHF 8) covering all local routes; from Zurich Airport, take the direct train (SBB) to Solothurn for about CHF 25 with a Half-Fare card.
When is the best time to visit Solothurn?
June to August: warm, sunny weather perfect for strolling the Aare riverbanks and exploring the old town. July is especially sunny and pleasant, with daylight until 9pm.
Top Attractions in 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.