Just because you’re no longer in your 20s doesn’t mean a hostel isn’t the right accommodation for your European vacation

Running around Europe with a backpack, jumping on trains and buses, and sleeping in hostels may seem like an adventure for college students on summer vacation. However, the traveler seeking culture, value and flexibility can be any age with any budget.

I learned to be a savvy traveler at the age of 20 on my first backpacking trip through Europe. By stretching my travel dollars, I feel my experiences were more satisfying. The skills I acquired taught me to respect different cultures and to engage the people I met.

Now, in my 40s, I still enjoy traveling on a budget using European hostels. Travelers of all ages use them; and for the most part, they are clean, safe and inexpensive.

What Are Hostels Like Today?
The basics remain the same: Dorm rooms for men and women, shared bathrooms, kitchen area and a common area to meet other travelers. At check-in, you’ll be given a key, room number and bed number. Many of the hostels now use a key card like hotels to enter the building after hours and to access your room—it works well.

Today most hostels also have pay laundry, lockers and Internet access. A simple room that included breakfast was the standard 20 years ago; many European hostels now offer additional dining options throughout the day. Don’t worry budget travelers, the common-use kitchen is still available for you and is a wonderful way to make friends.

More and more, you’ll find private rooms, co-ed rooms and family rooms available so couples, children and groups can be together. Along with food, alcohol is commonly served in hostels around Europe.

What You’ll Need
First of all, pack light and use a backpack. Back in the 1980s, mountain climbing and camping packs were used to travel light and to be hands-free. Over time, the travel pack has evolved into an easy-to-use, comfortable option for placing all your gear in one bag on your back. The kind with hideaway shoulder straps is especially airport-friendly.

A sleep sack is handy for use in hostels and is often required. Basically, it’s a bed sheet folded in half and sewn up like a sleeping bag. Do not, however, take a sleeping bag, as they’re too bulky, but remember to pack a pillowcase. Money belts are very popular for hostel travelers, as is a super-absorbent travel bath towel for use in shared shower areas.

How to Book a Hostel
Hostels come in all shapes and sizes, can be new or old and are located just about everywhere. I like to use “HI” hostels. Hostelling International hostels are members of a worldwide organization in 90 countries featuring more than 4,000 ­hostels. You’ll need to buy a membership ($28 annually), and I suggest buying its hostel directory as well. There are, however, many non-affiliated hostels around the world that work just as well.

You may book online, in person or over the phone. I try to book my next hostel when checking out of my current one. HI hostels offer a convenient online booking system. There also are several online booking engines dedicated to hostels: hostel.com, hostelworld,com, hostelbookers.com are just a few.

Benefits of the Hostel Experience…
Skiing in the Alps, white-water rafting, historic walking tours and pub crawls are activities I booked from hostels in Europe. From friendly English-speaking staff to community bulletin boards, it’s easy to plan a local excursion. And since many hostels are geared toward the budget traveler, prices are reasonable and usually better than what a hotel concierge can do for you.

I love all the people you meet from around the world in a hostel setting. English is the second language for many, so just walk up to someone and start a conversation. You may find a wing-man for a couple nights at the pub in Dublin or a ski buddy in Austria. At the very least, you’re likely to get a restaurant suggestion or be advised of the latest exhibit at a nearby museum.

…And the Disadvantages
Well, there can be a few negative experiences. Snoring is up there on my list. Since you’ll be sharing your room with others, take earplugs or fall asleep listening to your iPod. Less privacy is the norm in hostels, especially in the bathrooms. I shower at night to avoid the occasional line that may happen in the morning. Also, take a combination lock—there are often lockers to use in the hostel.

Start Traveling
There are so many options with the huge hostel network found in Europe that you just need to get out there and begin traveling. I meet all ages of people from all over the world in hostels and feel very comfortable doing so. If you are just out of
college, or in your 40s, or even if you are retired and enjoying those “golden years,” hostels can be for you.

Be a traveler, not a tourist. Meet the people, learn about the culture and enjoy the adventure. Hostellers make great friends for life. I plan to hostel forever, budget aside, and to get more from my vacation experience. It only takes a few overnights to get into the groove of hostelling—and if you’re open to the experience, I know you’ll love it as much as I do.

Still, these days many hostels also have upgraded their facilities with contemporary IKEA-like furniture designed for efficiency, provide communal computers and free Wi-Fi access, and even welcome seniors and families.

If You Go...

Hostel Resources
Hostelling International Hostels
www.hihostels.com

Hostel World
www.hostelworld.com

HI Membership
www.hiusa.org

General Resources
Rail Europe
www.raileurope.com

Rick Steves’
Europe Through the Back Door
www.ricksteves.com

Let’s Go Europe
www.letsgo.com

Lonely Planet Europe
www.lonelyplanet.com/europe

Sample Prices
Dorm bed, per night, per person, in U.S. dollars, based on 2011 summer travel and current exchange rates:

Dublin, Ireland: $27
Hamburg, Germany: $33
Paris, France: $38
Toledo, Spain: $26
Venice, Italy: $32

Michael Dwyer is a travel columnist, freelance writer and broadcast journalist living in southeast Michigan. He writes about travel, relationships and dating. He is founder of the Rochester Writers’ Conference and can be reached at michael@rochesterwriters.com.