So, you’re planning a family trip and looking for a central, budget-friendly place to stay. A hotel room doesn’t fit your needs for space or practical amenities, and you’re over the added fees and complications of vacation rentals. Back in the day, when you were traveling solo or with a few buddies, maybe you would have just booked a hostel instead. But you can’t do that anymore now that you’re traveling with kids… right?
Wrong. Families can totally stay at hostels, and plenty of them do. While children generally need to check in with a parent or guardian, there are no age minimums (or maximums) at HI USA hostels. Parents, kids, grandparents, and multi-generational families are all welcome – it’s just one element of the diversity that makes staying in a HI USA hostel so special.
But just because you can stay in a hostel as a family, does that mean you should? What are the pros and cons of hostels for families? The honest answer to those questions is going to depend on your unique family dynamics, travel style, and needs. Hostels aren’t the right fit for every traveler or trip, but it might surprise you how often they can be (looking at you, couples, business travelers, introverts, and adults). If you’re wondering whether staying at a hostel is a good idea for your family, we’ve got honest answers to some of the questions you’re probably asking yourself.
What can I expect when staying at a hostel as a family?
Every hostel stay is unique and will depend on where you’re going, who you meet, and how you choose to engage. But speaking broadly, you can expect a welcoming and friendly atmosphere at most hostels. Around the world, hostel guests tend to be social, friendly, and curious about other people and cultures, offering invaluable opportunities for kids and families to interact with other travelers from all over. If you like the idea of your child overhearing conversations in five different languages while sitting in front of the guest lounge fireplace, hostels can’t be beat. If your kid’s the curious type who’ll delight at the unfamiliar tastes and smells in an international kitchen, you’ll love it here.
That being said, it’s imperative to do your research before booking a hostel for a family trip (or any kind of trip, really). Just as there are different types of travelers, there are different types of hostels to accommodate them, and you may want to steer clear of places that specifically cater to a niche audience you don’t identify with. The classic example is party hostels, which cater to a younger crowd who are all about the nightlife. When you read hostel descriptions and reviews before booking, take note of mentions of on-site bars and parties, late night noise, and general “spring break” vibes.
Beyond that, certain hostels may cater to digital nomads keeping to themselves, skiers getting up early each morning to hit the slopes, or hikers looking for just the bare necessities along their route. Whatever type of audience a hostel serves, a little homework will go a long way in making sure it vibes with your family’s style.
Will we have enough space?
Hostel rooms can run a bit smaller than your standard hotel rooms (it’s one of the ways hostels help keep your costs down), which is good to keep in mind. Just need enough space to unload your bags and get a comfortable night’s sleep? A HI USA hostel private room should do the trick nicely, and the hostel lounge, kitchen, and dining room can give your family the extra square footage you may need for other activities. Need enough space to set up a travel crib, unpack a full closet’s worth of clothes, or cover the floor with kids’ toys? You may be happier in a traditional hotel or home rental. Think about what supplies you need to travel with, how much time you need to actually spend in your room, and how a hostel’s shared spaces might factor into where your family members spend their downtime.
Can I bring a baby or a toddler to a hostel?
Believe it or not, you can. Most hostels will have set rules to make sure young children stay safe (like no sleeping on top bunks), and you’ll want to make sure you book a private room if you can. Other than that, you’ll just want to set realistic expectations when planning your travel: again, hostel private rooms tend to run smaller than traditional hotel rooms, so you’ll want to take the closer quarters into consideration when thinking about stuff like sleep schedules and nighttime noise.
What kind of hostel room should I book for my family?
HI USA hostels generally make it easy to know which room type to book by listing specific “family rooms” online – these will often have a large bed for parents and one or more twin-sized beds for kids all in the same room. But at some hostels, you may prefer to book out an entire small dorm room with multiple sets of bunk beds, or even a whole wing or section of a hostel when available (HI Point Montara Lighthouse and HI Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostels both offer that last option). It’s really up to you! Just keep in mind that while you can book a dorm room and plan on sharing with other hostel guests, it’s generally more comfortable to book a private room for your family if you can.
What amenities do hostels offer for families?
Honestly, the amenities are the best part about staying in hostels as a family. At HI USA hostels, that starts with the kitchens, which you’ll find fully stocked with all the equipment you need: store your own groceries, make whatever meals you like, and enjoy them in the dining room as a family. Not only can this approach save you a ton of money on eating out, but it also ensures you can cater to picky eaters, dietary restrictions, and even just general differences in taste between kids and parents. Not to mention, hostel kitchens are usually large enough that you can get the whole family involved in meal prep and clean up if you want.
Most hostels will also have large shared spaces where each member of your family can spread out and enjoy a little solo time, or come together to play a boardgame or watch a movie.
Oh – and did we mention on-site laundry? If the kids (or you – no judgment!) get a little messy eating tacos in San Diego, slurping an ice cream cone in Hyannis, or playing on the beach in Santa Monica, you can just throw a quick load in the washer back at the hostel.
OK, but will my family be the only one at the hostel?
Maybe. But there’s also a good chance it won’t be. In many European countries, notably Germany (the birthplace of hostelling), hostels are extremely popular with families. There are even hostels specializing in accommodating families, where it would be more unusual to meet a solo traveler. While hostels aren’t quite as popular with families in the U.S. yet, they are catching on, and no one’s surprised to see kids and parents chatting with each other (and with strangers) at the breakfast table or over a board game in the hostel lounge.
Want to learn more about what it’s like staying at a hostel? Check out our hostelling 101 guides for more answers and advice.