Are hostel dorms just for young people?

Posted by sultanofswat77@reddit | Shoestring | View on Reddit | 60 comments

I'm traveling and want to save money (but also sleep well), and was considering dorm beds in hostels but feel like they're for people under, say, 35 or younger. I say this just because I don't want to be seen as the weird/sad/creepy adult (I'm over 35) in the room.

I stayed in a private room in a hostel recently and was surprised to see families and middle-aged people at breakfast... was that because it was listed as "hostel" rather than "youth hostel"? I'm just not sure what the norm is.

I stayed at a couple hostels in my 20s and probably wouldn't have batted an eye if someone older were there, but that's just me.

[-]

Fair_Leave_9713@reddit

I’m 49 and just started staying in them last year. I’ve had no issues

[-]

z0mbie_boner@reddit

People of all ages stay on hostels, I can’t recall a time I was in one where there were only people in their 20s. Solo older travelers, whole families, middle aged couples…all pretty normal. This was my experience as recently as last fall

[-]

Pattysthoughts@reddit

I’m 63 and always travel in hostels by myself

[-]

Hotelgirl1970@reddit

Truly travel is about you and what you want to do. If you like Hostels, you should stay there. As you know, do your due diligence and have fun! Travel is experiential and it’s such a privilege that you can go! Have fun!

[-]

ThrowDeepALWAYS@reddit

62 and loving my single room in Basel, Switzerland 🇨🇭

[-]

summerofgeorge75@reddit

That's totally cool and good for you. But I'm going to go out on a limb and say I bet that is costing you a fair bit, especially in Switzerland.

[-]

ThrowDeepALWAYS@reddit

Fair point. Switzerland is expensive, but $80 beats $250.

[-]

summerofgeorge75@reddit

I just spent 5 months in Thailand bicycle touring so I'm especially sensitive to lodging prices in the west. The most I've paid is 11 USD for my own room with a/c, admittedly I am hitting the budget places. I'll be flying to Zurich then traveling to France next week as my time here is over for the time being. There it will be back to camping and hostels. :-)

[-]

ThrowDeepALWAYS@reddit

Look up Gasthaus zum Gluten Glock on booking

Really nice single rooms (shared bathroom) $83

Great breakfast restaurant downstairs. Super nice people. I liked it and it was the least expensive private room I could find. It’s an easy train ride direct from Zurich Airport

[-]

guyfromlr1970@reddit

No.

[-]

illigitimate-goose@reddit

as long as you’re not doing anything creepy i think it’s fine. one time i was in a dorm with a man in his 60s who was in his underwear the whole time. i was extremely uncomfortable with that and asked to swap rooms (i’m in my early 20s and female). but ive also had some great convos with older hostel dwellers. the majority of hostel people will probably be under 35, but it doesn’t mean you can’t!

[-]

PirateDocBrown@reddit

I hostelled Europe extensively in my 50s.

Some places have an intermediate option called a "pension", tailored for older budget travellers. These often have small private rooms, but shared baths.

[-]

Ifch317@reddit

I last stayed in a hostel at age 62. It's never a problem, but I always check the hostel rules about age limits.

[-]

1006andrew@reddit

I started staying in dorms in my late 20s and saw people of all ages. Truthfully, it's more about tolerance. Mine ran out by 30 and it was either private rooms, Airbnb, or hotels after 😅

[-]

GlitteringGold5117@reddit

Look up Elderhostel…and I went hostelling long ago with two kids and husband when in my mid forties, only way we could afford a trip to Europe. I researched carefully each hostile to make sure I wasn’t landing in the middle of a party atmosphere. I was able to find good hostels in London, Germany, Holland, and inexpensive hotels in France. There was a good mix of ages back then at those hostels. I can’t remember the names of them, but the hostel association website is worth reading carefully. You’ll be fine I’m sure.

[-]

summerofgeorge75@reddit

68M here, I just did 6 months in Europe and almost finished 5 months in SE Asia bicycle touring and now going back to Europe for another summer of bicycle touring. When I'm not camping I'm staying in hostels, they are for everybody. I never noticed any weird vibes or anything being the oldest guy in the room. In fact it is always a great time. It seems that on the whole, people who travel are non-judgemental and usually open to new experiences. Just be a nice, normal human being and you'll have a great time.

[-]

Extension_Abroad6713@reddit

I’ve seen everyone from 18 year olds to a 72 year old Canadian solo traveler in Paris. Some places attract younger and/or party crowds. Other places are much more digital nomad forward or as a base for activities in the area. Just read the reviews on multiple sites to get an idea of the vibe. Most people really won’t care how old you are if you’re being respectful and polite.

[-]

nycxjz@reddit

I avoid party hostels. 34

[-]

NeedToBeBurning@reddit

We stayed in a hostel, me mid 40's, him late 40's. We just opted for a private room with shared bathroom and living space. Other than this one night, it was fine. Plus the location was amazing. The incident was the toilet or water closet. I got up in the night to wee and the young women from the other room was in there. I waited a minute or two for her to come out, nope she was watching something on her phone. Ended up squatting in the shower. I really had to go.

[-]

PhilosophicWax@reddit

There are hostels geared towards partying. So maybe check if there is that vibe. I loved most hostels in Europe at that age.

[-]

megamum2000@reddit

I once stayed in a university dorm during the summer in England. I was in my 50s and there were many older people staying there.

[-]

pistola_pierre@reddit

I wouldn’t stay in one as a 42 year old. Mainly because I don’t need to anymore, but I’d be worried I’d snore or just look like a creeper, or conversely be woken by parties etc. Cheap and crappy I can handle, camping I can handle, but I’ve probably grown past not having my personal space unfortunately.

[-]

AudienceAgile1082@reddit

The newer hostels have individual rooms with air conditioning….not dorm bunk beds anymore. Families and travelers of all ages are hosteling now.

[-]

AudienceAgile1082@reddit

I’m 62 Female & booking single rooms w air conditioning in multiple hostels throughout Europe this summer. They’re beautiful & affordable. Make sure to thoroughly read reviews prior to booking.

[-]

Eki75@reddit

It depends. I didn’t start staying at them until I was in my 40s and was super nervous that it would be awkward. It wasn’t. I had mostly great experiences.

Some hostels do have an age limit, but it’s usually posted pretty plainly on their website or in Hostelworld.

[-]

Tclark97801@reddit

Happy Cake Day 🎂

[-]

ExpressIndication909@reddit

Hostels selling themselves as “party” hostels are probably more populated with 18-25year olds so may/may not be what you’re looking for in terms of noise, drinking games early etc but otherwise unless stated, there are no age limits

[-]

rex_grossmans_ghost@reddit

Yeah the only problem for OP is if he stays at a party hostel he might get annoyed at the loudness and all.

[-]

rex_grossmans_ghost@reddit

In Ireland my roommate was another American, retired in his 70s. He was chill af

[-]

ETDanywhere_1115@reddit

Some Hostels in Hostel world have an age limit. I know cuz I wanted to do the same and couldn’t. I’m a young older person and can relate to all and that hurt

[-]

sultanofswat77@reddit (OP)

Yeah it's not a great feeling, but I just consider that they probably liken it to a college party in that sense. I don't want to go to a college party.

[-]

ETDanywhere_1115@reddit

Right

[-]

Illustrious_Fix5906@reddit

I stayed in one in Dublin a couple years ago in my late 50’s.

[-]

cstjohn1994@reddit

It’s so much cheaper I don’t care how old I am I’m staying in one haha

[-]

NiagaraThistle@reddit

As long as the specific hostel does not have an upper age limit, then NO.

I've met travelers in their 50s and older at hostels throughout Europe.

Many hostels are still available for their primary puropose: allowing youths and families as well as backpackers to travel affordably.

You may not still have to do chores at the hostels, but you can definitely still use them at any age.

Hsteling is a STATE OF MIND, not a gae restriction. I look forward to hosteling through Europe with each of my boys when they graduate from high school. I'll be in my 50s.

[-]

QuietRightSlick@reddit

I’ve stayed in hostels with people of retirement age. And they were cool with walking around naked. No one cares.

[-]

Moewwasabitslew@reddit

If I’m traveling solo I prefer a hostel, as hotels can be too isolating (unless that’s what you need). Hostel residents can be any age, with the rare exception of a hostel with age limits. Those tend to be too far on the party end of the spectrum anyway… it’s good to sleep at some point in the night.

[-]

jovan1987@reddit

No issue regarding age.

You mentioned wanting to sleep well, dorm rooms are a 'luck of the draw'. I seem to find myself in rooms, where others are either snoring, or there is a lot of movement in/out of the room, packing/unpacking through the night, which can disturb your sleep.

Highly recommend a good pair of in ear sleep protection, like loop earplugs.

[-]

DimensionMedium2685@reddit

No one cares

[-]

useaname5@reddit

Nah it's fine, so long as you don't mind being around young people. I stayed at a backpackers in Brisbane and my roommates were up all night doing coke. It was the worst.

[-]

sultanofswat77@reddit (OP)

Lol I imagine they were quite chatty.

[-]

useaname5@reddit

Hahaha they were in a terrible state by the morning. One of them seemed pretty normal and it clearly wasn't his first rodeo but the other 3 were in an awful state, having three entirely separate conversations at the same time. As I was leaving the backpackers they were off to get another bag and then heading to the golf course to play a round of golf, apparently.

[-]

2bciah5factng@reddit

No! I stayed at a wonderful, lively party hostel with lots of young folks and also some super cool 60+ folks

[-]

kejiangmin@reddit

I think it depends on the hostel.

I have seen hostels that have age limits for the dorm rooms.

I have also met older folks who stayed in the dorms as well.

One hostel had the older people split off in a separate room.

One hostel in Costa Rica, had an older gentleman stay within the mixed room. He was at least in his 40s according to the conversation I had with him.

[-]

TheDustyTucsonan@reddit

I’ve hit up hostels in Bogota, Quito, Prague, Vienna… never had anyone give beef about anyone’s age. I was older than 30. The Irish in their 20s and the Danes in their 60s were the most interesting and memorable.

[-]

sultanofswat77@reddit (OP)

Idk why but that's hilarious to me, like "Listen grandma, you can't sleep in here." Makes sense, though, due to lifestyle.

[-]

MayaPapayaLA@reddit

It's not about lifestyle. It's about the potential for abuse, when many hostel stayers are 18-19.

[-]

sitheandroid@reddit

That's sensible. No older person wants to be abused by some drunken, drug-addled teenager.

[-]

sultanofswat77@reddit (OP)

I see.

[-]

lwymmdo23@reddit

My daughter 20’s & myself 50’s stayed in a private room hostel in Chicago a couple of years ago for first time & I saw a mix of ages in the kitchen and dining areas. I didn’t see the shared dorm area. I would definitely stay at a hostel again. I found the hostel on tiktok and although some people feared for our safety I felt safe in the hostel. It was the cheapest way to stay in downtown Chicago for sure.

[-]

Learningstuff247@reddit

As long as you dont act creepy who cares what randoms in a hostel think of you, you'll never see them again anyway and they dont even know your name.

Ive been in hostels with people as old as like 65 and everyone was cool with it.

[-]

Electrical_Lie_9063@reddit

I think there's one chain that uses to limit their hostel to "young" people (HI) but usually they don't

[-]

sultanofswat77@reddit (OP)

Good point, yeah I'm only concerned about quietude and having to share a batheoom

[-]

newwriter365@reddit

No, but sleep while traveling can make or break a trip. Mixed dorms can be noisy as people try to hook up while others are sleeping.

I choose hostels, but get a single room. All the social interaction, none of the other stuff.

Don’t forget to bring your padlock.

[-]