Is there an age limit to stay in hostels?

Some hostels have age restrictions, others don't. 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). In some other countries (and in parts of the US), the minimum age to book is 21 years old.



People Also Ask

Many people think of staying in hostels as an option specifically for young travelers. But as someone who travels longterm, on a budget, I can tell you it's an option you may consider, and even enjoy at any stage of life.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

No problem. I am 42, and I have met many people older than me in youth hostels. Only Bavaria has a maxium age limit of 26. If your objective is to save money, then there is nothing wrong with staying at a hostel, at any age.

MORE DETAILS

Do hostels check your age? 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.

MORE DETAILS

If you are wondering if you are too old to stay in a hostel, you are not. There's this funny thing I've noticed about aging: the older I get, the less I care what people think. If you had asked me if I would still stay in hostel dorm rooms in my thirties when I was 24, I probably would have told you I would not.

MORE DETAILS

There's no birthday you'll have that will signify it's time to retire your backpack and switch to being a regular old tourist. You could be 20 when that happens. You might be 60. There are entire families out there who are still backpacking.

MORE DETAILS

Some older travelers no doubt see hostels as the wrong place to find the privacy and comfort they've worked all their lives to achieve. Yet with a little preparation a hostel stay can be convenient, affordable, and a great place to meet new people.

MORE DETAILS

So the short answer is that hostels are for everyone. There isn't just one type of person that stays in a hostel while they travel. The majority of hostel guests are budget-conscious solo travellers, backpackers, students, digital nomads, and gap year travellers under the age of 35.

MORE DETAILS

Can couples sleep together in hostels? The answer is yes! Many hostels offer private rooms with double beds or twin beds that can be pushed together to create a double bed. Couples can enjoy a private space while still being able to take advantage of the social atmosphere of a hostel.

MORE DETAILS

Hostels are often shared accommodations, which means that women may be sharing a room with strangers or sleeping in a mixed-gender dorm. This can make some women feel vulnerable and unsafe, but with proper precautions and awareness, women can have a safe and enjoyable experience staying in hostels.

MORE DETAILS

Despite the 'youth' in their titles, hostels will take travellers of any age.

MORE DETAILS

And yes, generally single private rooms lock. You'll be fine if you just use common sense.

MORE DETAILS

It can also be a good idea to use the lockers that many hostels offer to store your valuables. But for the most part, hostels are staffed 24 hours and many even have security cameras. And, with so many people around all the time, theft and other crimes are extremely rare.

MORE DETAILS

If you're travelling solo, you'll likely still want to meet people and have conversations. Luckily, hostels are full of interesting people, and the types of people who stay in hostels are usually friendly and keen to make conversation. Regardless of this, you're under no obligation to socialise.

MORE DETAILS