Lyon serves up a whole dollop of French charm along its riversides, littered with bridges, cafes, restaurants, charming rows of houses, and big ol’ monumental historical sights. A visit to the capital of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is certainly gonna help fuel any view of France as an impossibly romantic place.
Like any city Lyon is made up of lots of different areas, so which of these is going to be right for you? And then once you’ve decided, is a hostel or a hotel something that will be the best choice?
We’re here to help! In fact, we’ve made a list of the best hostels in Lyon – as well as the best budget hotels in Lyon, too – to make your life easier when it comes to choosing the right place for you.
So let’s see what this lovely lil’ city has to offer!
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Lyon
- Best Overall Hostel in Lyon – Away Hostel
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Lyon –Alter Hostel
- Best Cheap Hostel in Lyon – Ho36 Hostel
- Best Hostel for Couples in Lyon – SLO Living Hostel
Best Hostels in Lyon
Need help deciding where to stay in Lyon? This is why we handpicked these hostels!
Away Hostel – Best Overall Hostel in Lyon
Is this the most stylish hostel in France? This Lyon backpackers hostel has its very own coffee shop and is located in a cool old building in the middle of the city. Pretty nice, huh? It prides itself on high quality and we can see that in action: the whole place is like something from a Pinterest board, seriously.
This cool hostel in Lyon, besides being super stylish, is also really clean and is chill place to hang out. Sure, it ain’t a massive party or social place, but it is SO nice that you won’t wanna leave. Definitely the best overall hostel in Lyon.
Alter Hostel – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Lyon
Travelling solo in Lyon? Then we’d really recommend this friendly Lyon backpackers hostel. It’s really easy to meet fellow travellers here. Definitely helped by the cultural and social events that they organise. Again, big ol’ glasses of beer at their bar help a bunch!
So yeah, this is our top pick for the best hostel for solo travellers in Lyon. It’s a lot of fun and you’ll feel safe staying here, thanks to the security lockers, good natured staff and the 24-hour reception.
Ho36 Hostel – Best Hostel Cheap Hostel in Lyon
We have literally no idea what Ho36 is even supposed to mean, but we’ll go with. It’s located in Lyon’s 7th district, which means you’ll be surrounded by the multicultural side of the city. That often means a lot of tasty food on offer – and here is no different!
Hop on the tram into town from the nearby stop and see all the sights there are to see in Lyon. The hostel itself has a bar and cafe, meaning you can eat without having to spend money on transport. But what REALLY makes this the best cheap hostel in Lyon are its affordable room rates.
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View on Osprey View on REISLO Living Hostel – Best Hostel for Couples in Lyon
As you might be able to tell from the name of this top hostel in Lyon, you’ll really be able to take a break here. It’s very chilled out. Plus it’s really got a lot of stylish decor going on. The private rooms, for example, are like something from a design magazine. Or a model room from Ikea.
The best hostel for couples in Lyon, SLO Living is not just a place with some fancy private rooms, but that calm atmosphere is definitely one that couples looking for a quiet getaway whilst travelling around France (or whatever you’re up to) will really love.
La Flaneur Guesthouse – Best Party Hostel in Lyon
Easily the best party hostel in Lyon because of its bar. Ok, so it’s not just any bar. It’s a cheap bar. And at this hostel they love people to get along and hang out with each other. Best achieved over a few glasses of nicely budget beer we’d say.
There’s a cheap (not free, but still) breakfast on offer to help you get over your hangover. And the atmosphere is all chilled all the time, with music playing and laid-back vibes. Not a mental party hostel, but definitely a drinking hostel. Solid choice.
Ho36 Opera – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Lyon
It’s another Ho36. Maybe it’s the area? Dunno. But anyway, here’s another recommended hostel in Lyon for you to check out. It’s well located, being – as the name suggests – just a 4 min walk from the famous opera house, a load of other sights, plus plenty of restaurants and bars.
There’s a chill courtyard at this place, complete with tables and chairs just perfect for a remote worker. There’s also an indoor lounge with sofas that’s great… also for laptopping. Private and dorm rooms give you a choice. But the style of them is a refreshing break from ‘typical’ hostels, which helps make this the best hostel for digital nomads in Lyon.
Best Budget Hotels In Lyon
There are also a lot of budget hotels in Lyon that you might want to check out. So we’ve gone through the BEST budget hotels in Lyon so you can find a private place with a bit more hotel professionalism, a bit more space, and less, like, y’know, having to share dorms with randoms. Let’s have a look, shall we?
Ibis Budget Lyon
Like a business hotel, it’s modern, a little bit soulless, but you know what you’re getting yourself into with a big well-known chain like Ibis. Clean sheets, maid service, air con, your own bathroom – these are all part of this budget hotel in Lyon.
As for location, this one’s near a tram stop. That means being able to get around the city pretty smoothly, which is great for getting to see the sights. Plus it’s a 10 min walk to the train station, so onward travel to your next destination is pretty much a breeze.
Premiere Classe Lyon Centre
Looking for a (little) bit more style? Well, this place in the centre of Lyon will really deliver. Just a 10 min walk to the train station, you can also walk to the river and the old town from here. Well, it IS in the name.
The surrounding area is interesting, set between a multicultural area and the business district, you can get a load of good food around here. Plus rooms come with views of the city, which is great for couples. Friendly staff. Cheap and cheerful. Can’t go wrong.
Hotel de Bretagne
A friendly place to stay in a great location in the centre of the city. Yep, staying here means easily being able to walk to a load of cafes, restaurants and bars – and that definitely sounds like a good shout to us.
This budget hotel in Lyon is small, and the rooms are kinda basic but in a, y’know, budget hotel way. It does the job. The best thing about Hotel de Bretagne is its location. Plus it’s cheap!
Staycity Aparthotel Rue Garibali
Is it an apartment? Is it a hotel? Who knows. It’s a little bit of both, which really makes this budget hotel in Lyon quite a cool place to stay. Basically, you get the perks of both, a little bit of service whilst you get to stay in your own apartment. Helps you to feel part of the city.
The decor at this place is pretty decent too, modern and with a calm colour palette complete with pops of yellow. It has everything you need to make your stay in Lyon comfy and enjoyable. A solid option, we’d say.
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Hide Yo’ Money!What to Pack for your Lyon Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Lyon
There you have it! Now you’re a bit more clued up on the best hostels in Lyon!
There’s quite a lot of variety in the hostels on our handy list – from fun places with their own bars, to more stylish city escapes for backpacking couples, there’s something for everyone here.
Plus, if you want a bit more privacy, we’ve included some of the top budget hotels in Lyon, too.
So now you have a lot of choice!
But if you still can’t decide? Then we’d say go for our top pick for the best overall hostel in Lyon, Away Hostel. The coffee here is amazing, btw!
Now all that’s left is to brush up on the old francais and get packing!
FAQ about Hostels in Lyon
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Lyon.
How much does a hostel cost in Lyon?
On average, you can get a Dorm bed for $26 and a Private room starts at $33.
What are the best hostels in Lyon for couples?
Couples will love the fancy private rooms and calm atmosphere of SLO Living Hostel.
What is the best hostel in Lyon near the airport?
The airport is quite far from the city center, so it is better to find the best place in a great location. I recommend Yasi Hostel, just a 27-minute drive from Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport.
Travel Safety Tips for Lyon
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
More Epic Hostels in France and Europe
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Lyon.
Planning an epic trip all across France or even Europe itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around Europe, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Lyon has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in France for a wealth of info!
- Check out the best places to stay in Lyon before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for France to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Europe backpacking guide.
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
