Modern hostels are light years ahead of the crusty old dorms of yesteryear – they now come fully loaded with private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, barbecues, terraces, open fires and designer kitchens. Yet they can still offer the best travelling experiences around.

In fact look closely and you’ll notice that the word youth has all but disappeared from hostels around the world. Even the YHA never goes by its full name anymore, just by its trendy three letter acronym. Which is great news for those of us over 30, who aren’t ready to hang up our backpacks just yet. Backpacking and hostels go hand in hand, and our memories of travelling the world are built from the unique experience of sharing budget accommodation with like minded explorers. 

If you haven’t used a hostel before and you’re over 30, or you just need a refresher course, then this guide might just well save your life. Or at very least, a good night’s seep. Read on:

1) Remember It’s Not A Hotel

You may not have had your reading glasses with you, or are in denial that your eyesight is going, so make sure you realise that you’ve booked a hostel, and not a hotel. This is where addition is actually a form of subtraction. Adding the letter ‘S’ to the word h-o-t-e-l is actually taking away of lot of the creature comforts. That includes breakfast, those little shampoo and shower gel bottles you like to steal, tea and coffee in your room, a chocolate on your pillow, a minibar, and sometimes even a wardrobe. ‘Youth’ may have been removed from the advertising, but remember that 90% of your fellow guests will be under 25, so prepare yourself.  

2) Pick a trusted brand

Whilst hostels may not be for everyone, surely they’re worth a try if only to figure out what all the fuss is about, or to save a few bucks. For over 30s first timers, it’s best to ease yourself into the experience. Firstly, stick to an official YHA, as they generally have a set of rules that most stick to. Second, choose a recently refurbished hostel. The YHAs in Apollo Bay or Sydney Harbour for example have award winning designs, and built with the leading eco-friendly construction methods. Apollo Bay has a cosy lounge with a wood fire, whilst Sydney Harbour has a roof top terrace with views of the Opera House that a 5 star Boutique Hotel would be jealous of. The YHA has definitely realised that there is a market for more mature travellers who still want the feel of a hostel, but with a little bit more style. It’s the perfect way to break your duck.

3) Go for a Private Room

You’ll have a choice between shared dorms (small or large) or a private double or twin room. If you’re over 30, never ever book a shared dorm. If you’ve already made a booking on the line, double check to make sure you didn’t make a mistake. Then triple check just in case. You know that internet thingy confuses you. It may be tempting because it’s cheap, you may have fond memories of making new friends when thrown together in a dorm, but it’s not the same once you pass 30. So book a private room, and save making friends for the common areas.

4) But if you do want to share…

Think about choosing the smallest shared dorm possible, preferably a 2 or 4 bed. Take earplugs (a must), a padlock for the locker, and even consider those eye shades. Also experience has taught me to avoid en-suite bathrooms in shared dorms.  The common bathrooms outside the room will not only be bigger, but you’ll avoid bathroom hoggers and night time visits to the en suite.

5) Phone Ahead

So you’ve booked your room, chosen your bathroom option, and you’re ready to go. Not quite. There’s one more essential piece of advice I can give you, that I’ve learnt the hard way. Phone the hostel and see who else is staying, and where your room is. They will be able to let you know if a bucks party is in residence (one to avoid) and you can ask for a quiet room, away from mixed dorms or common areas.

6) Avoid Party Nights & Party Towns

This one is common sense. You’re over 30 and your Friday night probably ends before 11pm, after a nice meal and a quiet stroll back to the hostel. For those under 30, the night is just beginning, and you’ll probably pass them in the corridor as you get ready for bed. So unless you plan to join them, think carefully about staying in hostels on a Friday night if you’re in a party town like the Gold Coast or a major city like Sydney. 

7) Use the Common Areas

The Common Areas are where hostels come into their own. There will be a kitchen, a dining area, a lounge, an internet cafe, and a TV room. In travelling terms these are the areas where experiences are shared, friends are made, and where you’ll never feel alone. You can keep yourself to yourself and not feel out of place, or start a conversation with a total stranger where you won’t be blanked. ‘Do anything nice today?’ is the perfect opener to kicking off a conversation that might last five minutes, or may mean you’re still chatting a few hours later over a bottle of wine.


8) Book great value trips

Travellers are the best travel agents in the world. That’s because they don’t get paid commission. So there’s no need to gamble on local activities and tour companies. Just ask people at the hostel who’ve been staying there a while, and use the information boards at reception. It’s also great if you are travelling on your own, as there will be others in exactly the same boat. You’ll also find the cheapest prices are always on offer at hostels, as most travellers are on a budget.

9) Remember the Essentials

Firstly there’s the basics: a towel, a washbag, some earplugs, a padlock, tea, coffee and milk, and of course vegemite.  Then you might need to think about other essentials you can’t live without, whether a hairdryer for a woman, some hangers for clothes, an alarm clock, or even PJs for when you need to use the bathroom during the night. Plus, you’ll want to stock up on groceries, either bringing them with you from home if you’re in a car, or picking them up at a local store. 

10) Follow the House Rules 

There are a few rules you should follow, and some basic hostel etiquette. Leave everything as you find it, including washing and dry your dishes in the kitchen, and picking up your trash from the TV room. Generally be quiet in the corridors, as you never know when people might be sleeping. The hostel will have set aside some times every day when the kitchen or the bathrooms are closed for cleaning, so plan ahead. And nearly all hostels require you to drop off your bed linen to reception when you leave.