Your stay — Hotel Bahnhof
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The Property — Hotel Bahnhof
Hotel Bahnhof is a straightforward, no-frills 3-star right across from Solothurn's main train station. The lobby feels like a functional Swiss basecamp: clean, efficient, a bit dated in a reassuring way. Its USP is pure convenience for train travellers — you can roll your suitcase off the platform and into your room in under two minutes. Ideal for a stopover on the Zurich–Bern–Geneva corridor, or for budget-conscious visitors who plan to spend their days out exploring the old town a five-minute walk away.
Chronicles of Solothurn
Solothurn was the seat of the French ambassador to the Swiss Confederacy from 1530 to 1792, earning it the nickname 'the most beautiful baroque town in Switzerland'. Its old town was built largely in the 16th to 18th centuries around a single grand axis, the Hauptgasse, lined with uniform sandstone buildings and eleven ornate fountains. The city’s fortifications made it a key military stronghold for centuries; today the clock tower (Zeitglockenturm) and the 11-arch bridge over the Aare are the main remnants. Contemporary Solothurn is a quiet administrative and cultural hub, known for its annual film festival and its friendly, walkable scale.
Best Time to Visit
Full Solothurn guide →Best months
June to September - warmest weather with average highs around 25°C, plenty of sunshine, and low rainfall. The city is pleasant without the crush of larger tourist destinations.
Peak / festival surge
July - Solothurn’s summer peak, driven by warm weather and the Solothurner Filmtage (film festival) in late January being the actual major event, but July sees local festivals and outdoor dining. Hotel prices rise moderately, typically 20-30% above shoulder season. Book well ahead.
Budget shoulder season
late April, May, and October - lower hotel rates, mild temperatures (10-20°C), fewer tourists. Perfect for walking tours without crowds.
Weather & packing
Solothurn has a humid continental climate with occasional summer thunderstorms that can arrive suddenly, even on otherwise fine days. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket or an umbrella as a non-negotiable item.
Live City Briefing — Solothurn
- From June 2026, the SBB regional train link between Solothurn and Bern is undergoing a 3-month track renewal, with a replacement bus service running between Schönbühl and Bern. This adds about 20 minutes to journey times. Check the SBB app on the day.
- The Aare river promenade (Aarequai) has completed its 2025 flood-resilience upgrades: new seating areas and a gravel beach near the old town are now open. Good for an afternoon cool-off.
- The Solothurn Film Festival (Solothurner Filmtage) will run 22–28 January 2027, but the city’s main summer attraction is the weekly Saturday market on the Hauptgasse, which continues throughout July with extended hours for local produce and crafts.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Bahnhof, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the courtyard (rear of the building) – these are furthest from the street and have less footfall noise from the lobby.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground or first floor at the front – directly face the street and may pick up tram or traffic noise. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft (check the floor plan at check-in) – lift activity tends to be audible on floors 1–2.
Best views
Front-facing rooms on floors 2–4 look out over the main street and might catch a glimpse of the Old Town or the Aare river, depending on orientation. No guaranteed landmark views from a 3-star Bahnhof property – focus on quiet rather than vista.
Quietest floors
Floors 3–4 (above the second floor) are consistently quieter – further from street level and the restaurant/bar if one is present.
🔊 Noise notes
Solothurn's main station nearby means occasional train announcements and early morning luggage wheels on the pavement. The hotel's street address can amplify traffic during weekday rush hours (7–9am, 5–7pm). If directly above a tram stop (common near Bahnhof) expect rumbling every 7–15 minutes until late evening.
Insider tips
1. If you arrive by car, confirm parking in advance – Solothurn's old town has limited on-street spots and the hotel may have a garage a block away. 2. For an early check-in, ask about luggage storage at the front desk – the station lockers are pricey and the hotel is usually flexible.
- 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 — Hotel Bahnhof
Free WiFi throughout; 50 Mbps down; log in via room number and surname, no time limit
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital PressReader access via QR code at reception; no physical papers
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop free from 11:00; late checkout until 12:00 no fee, after 12:00 costs CHF 30 until 18:00
Free luggage storage behind reception desk, open 07:00-22:00
Step-free access from street via ramp at side entrance; lift to all floors; one adapted room on ground floor with roll-in shower
No on-site parking; nearest public car park 'Parkhaus Hauptbahnhof' directly adjacent—CHF 15 per 24 hours; no EV charging on site
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CHF 2.50 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: A deposit equal to first night is required to guarantee; CHF 50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St. Eusebius (203 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Zwinglikirche (447 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: St. Peter und Paul (544 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: EMK Grenchen (631 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Streetworkout Park Hallgarten — 604 m · ~8 min walk
Kultur-Historisches Museum — 187 m · ~2 min walk
Parktheater Grenchen — 649 m · ~8 min walk
Spielplatz Röti — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 271 m · ~3 min walk
Migrolino — 692 m · ~9 min walk
Grenchen Nord — 700 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Swiss Franc, CHF
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid airport or tourist-bureau exchange desks which charge poor rates and high fees.
Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted nearly everywhere; contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Twint) are common.
Tipping is not expected — service is included in prices. For good service, round up the bill or leave 5-10% cash; taxis and hotel staff appreciate 1-2 CHF.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A simple espresso or filter coffee at a bar or café costs around 4-5 CHF.
A lunch menu (soup or salad with a main) in a restaurant or bistro is about 18-25 CHF.
A main course at a mid-range restaurant runs 25-35 CHF; cheaper options like pizza or pasta are 15-20 CHF.
Market stalls (e.g. on the Marktplatz) or bakeries sell sausages, strudel, and sandwiches for 5-10 CHF.
Discount supermarkets: Migros, Coop, Aldi, Lidl.
High-street chains like H&M, Zara, and C&A are found in the lower town; also check the weekly flea market on Fridays.
A day pass for Solothurn's buses is about 5 CHF; from Zurich Airport, the cheapest way is a Supersaver train ticket (book in advance) for around 25-40 CHF one way.
1. Buy groceries from Migros or Coop and picnic by the Aare. 2. Use the Solothurn Card (free with many hotel bookings) for free bus travel and attraction discounts. 3. Avoid eating directly on the main square — walk a street back for better prices.
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 Hotel Bahnhof
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 271 m · ~3 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 Hotel Bahnhof?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the courtyard (rear of the building) – these are furthest from the street and have less footfall noise from the lobby.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Bahnhof?
Avoid rooms on the ground or first floor at the front – directly face the street and may pick up tram or traffic noise. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft (check the floor plan at check-in) – lift activity tends to be audible on floors 1–2.
Is Hotel Bahnhof noisy?
Solothurn's main station nearby means occasional train announcements and early morning luggage wheels on the pavement. The hotel's street address can amplify traffic during weekday rush hours (7–9am, 5–7pm). If directly above a tram stop (common near Bahnhof) expect rumbling every 7–15 minutes until late evening.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Bahnhof?
Front-facing rooms on floors 2–4 look out over the main street and might catch a glimpse of the Old Town or the Aare river, depending on orientation. No guaranteed landmark views from a 3-star Bahnhof property – focus on quiet rather than vista.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Bahnhof?
1. If you arrive by car, confirm parking in advance – Solothurn's old town has limited on-street spots and the hotel may have a garage a block away. 2. For an early check-in, ask about luggage storage at the front desk – the station lockers are pricey and the hotel is usually flexible.
What time is check-in at Hotel Bahnhof?
Check-in at Hotel Bahnhof is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Bahnhof have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; 50 Mbps down; log in via room number and surname, no time limit
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Bahnhof?
CHF 2.50 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Bahnhof?
A lunch menu (soup or salad with a main) in a restaurant or bistro is about 18-25 CHF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Bahnhof?
A day pass for Solothurn's buses is about 5 CHF; from Zurich Airport, the cheapest way is a Supersaver train ticket (book in advance) for around 25-40 CHF one way.
When is the best time to visit Solothurn?
June to September - warmest weather with average highs around 25°C, plenty of sunshine, and low rainfall. The city is pleasant without the crush of larger tourist destinations.
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.