Minimum Age Requirement at hostels??

[ladaz]

Hi all - I'm helping my boss sort out hostel reservations, etc for her son's first solo trip abroad, but I've come upon a possible issue:

Do many hostels have a MINIMUM age requirement? I never had to worry about that when I travelled because I was old enough - but he is traveling with a friend who will only be 17 at the time. Are they going to have any issues? Any suggestions on figuring this out without calling each and every hostel?

Thanks so much for any feedback!!

[pinknic38]

Really it depends on the hostel and the place. I know different countries have different laws about minors. I learned this when I was looking at trips for my 14 year old sister and I to go to.

In London, many hostels wouldn't let anyone under 18 in, some from 16-18 with a letter from parents, etc. Whereas, Paris, did not seem to give a shit. When looking at sites to book hostels, the policy on minors will be on there and if it isn't you can always email or call to find out. But every place I ever looked for their policy was on the website, no problem.

[aliz]

I was in a similar situation with my friend, we didnt have any problems (except for russia where I was his guardian.. hehe). we would check on the website first because some did say over 18's only, but then a lot of places we didn't book, we just walked into hostels and there was never a problem.

[ladaz]

Thanks! Very helpful.

I have been looking on hostelworld, etc and haven't seen anything pertaining to age requirements. I think I will write some emails though just to double check.

[maracle]

Where's he going? It seems like Europe is the only place I ever hear of hostels having age limits, curfews, etc. So if he's going to Australia or south america or something it could be no problem.

[ladaz]

He's going to Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Carcassonne.

We're definitely making hostel reservations in advance so maybe that will help.