Can 17 year olds stay in hostels?

While we have no age limit, most travelers under the age of 18 are required to be traveling with a parent, legal guardian, or leader of an organized group in order to stay at our hostels.



The ability for a 17-year-old to stay in a hostel depends entirely on the specific hostel's individual policy and the laws of the country in which it is located. Many "party hostels" or those with on-site bars have a strict 18+ policy for all guests to avoid legal liability. However, many youth hostels, particularly those affiliated with Hostelling International (HI) or YHA, do allow 16 and 17-year-olds to stay, but usually with several conditions: they often must stay in a private room rather than a shared dormitory, and they almost always require a signed parental consent form and a copy of their parent's ID. In some cases, a minor may be required to be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18 or 21. For example, in the UK and parts of Europe, 16-17 year olds are frequently accepted in YHA properties, whereas in the US, many hostels are strictly 18+. It is absolutely essential for a 17-year-old to contact the hostel directly before booking to confirm their specific "Minors Policy," as arriving without the correct documentation or being under the age limit will result in being turned away without a refund.

People Also Ask

Some hostels have age restrictions. In most countries, 18 years old is the minimum age to book accommodation as the primary guest (secondary guests can be younger than 18 if the primary guest is older than 18).

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Most hostels require that guests be at least 18 years old or they must be accompanied by a parent/guardian/chaperone. With the exception of the Bavarian region of Germany, there are no upper age restrictions at most hostels.

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Unaccompanied minors are generally not accepted in youth hostels. Nevertheless, some establishments may allow unaccompanied minors between the ages of 16 and 18 to stay alone in their Youth Hostel provided they have a parental permission along with a copy of the legal guardian's valid ID or passport.

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Small independent hotels: Smaller hotels, motels, inns, and hostels, especially in remote areas, may sometimes make exceptions to check in solo 16-17 year olds at their own discretion. But parental permission may still be required.

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Around the world, hotels impose a minimum age of 18 years old if you travel alone. This tends to apply almost universally outside the United States, as the minimum drinking age is 18 in most countries.

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While most hostels don't have age restrictions, some sites may be unsuitable for young children or guests with disabilities. It is always good to check beforehand by viewing the relevant hostel page. You must be 16 or over to stay in YHA accommodation without an adult.

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Yes, most hostels will require you to show a photo identification upon arrival. In doubt you can check with the hostel before your stay.

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Don't be embarrassed If you're in your 30s, you may well be one of the older people in the hostel – and that's cool! You may find yourself apologising for being older or hiding your age but you should be proud of it.

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The law requires that anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 21. Furthermore, they would need to ask their parent/guardian for permission and provide proof of identity before booking themselves into any hotel room. I'm 17 years old.

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