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 Hostels in Lyons

Best Hostels in Lyon

Need help deciding where to stay in Lyon? This is why we handpicked these hostels!

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    Best Overall Hostel in Lyon – Away Hostel

    Away Hostel best hostels in Lyon
    Away Hostel is our pick for best overall hostel in Lyon
    • $$
    • Communal Kitchen
    • Security Lockers
    • 24 Hour Reception

    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.

    Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Lyon – Alter Hostel

    Alter Hostel best hostels in Lyon
    Alter Hostel is our pick for best hostel for solo travellers in Lyon
    • $
    • Foosball Table
    • Bar & Cafe
    • Laundry Facilities

    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.

    Best Hostel Cheap Hostel in Lyon – Ho36 Hostel

    Ho36 Hostel best hostels in Lyon
    Ho36 Hostel is our pick for best cheap hostel in Lyon
    • $
    • Games Room
    • 24 Hour Security
    • Laundry Facilities

    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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    Best Hostel for Couples in Lyon – SLO Living Hostel

    SLO Living Hostel best hostels in LyonSLO Living Hostel best hostels in Lyon
    SLO Living Hostel is our pick for best hostel for couples in Lyon
    • $$
    • Bar
    • Self Catering Facilities
    • 24 Hour Reception

    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.

    Best Party Hostel in Lyon – La Flaneur Guesthouse

    La Flaneur Guesthouse best hostels in Lyon
    La Flaneur Guesthouse is our pick for best party hostel in Lyon
    • $$
    • Bar
    • Outdoor Terrace
    • Laundry Facilities

    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.

    La Flaneur Guesthouse is one of our favourites in Lyon but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

    Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Lyon – Ho36 Opera

    Ho36 Opera best hostels in Lyon
    Ho36 Opera is our pick for best hostel for digital nomads in Lyon
    • $$$
    • Outdoor Terrace
    • Shared Kitchen
    • Cafe

    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.

    Ho36 Opera is one of our favourites in Lyon but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

    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

    Ibis Budget Lyon best budget hotels in Lyon
    Ibis Budget Lyon
    • $$
    • Air Con
    • Concierge Service
    • Breakfast Available (Not Free)

    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

    Premiere Classe Lyon Centre best budget hotels in Lyon
    Premiere Classe Lyon Centre
    • $$
    • Wheelchair Access
    • Breakfast Available
    • Laundry Facilities

    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

    Hotel de Bretagne best hostels in Lyon
    Hotel de Bretagne
    • $
    • Daily Maid Service
    • Private Bathroom
    • Flatscreen TV

    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

    Staycity Aparthotel Rue Garibali best budget hotels in Lyon
    Staycity Aparthotel Rue Garibali
    • $$
    • Fitness Room
    • Parking
    • Laundry Facilities

    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.

    Staycity Aparthotel Rue Garibali is one of our favourites in Lyon but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

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      What to Pack for your Lyon Hostel

      Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from us, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straight forward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art we have perfected over many years.

      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!

      Away Hostel best hostels in Lyon

      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.

      Travel Safety Tips for Lyon

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      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!


      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!