Where are hostels located? Who can stay in a hostel?
More than half of the youth hostels in the world are in Europe, with the greatest concentration in Germany, Scandinavia, the United Kingdom, and Eastern Europe. However, there are hundreds of hostels in Australia, certain countries in Africa, Asia, and North and South America. There are several hundred hostels in Japan, more than in France or Spain. In nearly every part of the world, you can find youth hostels. The same membership card allows you access to all of them. HOSTELS AREN’T JUST FOR YOUTHS! Although they were originally designed for young students, most hostels around the world are open to everyone. Some hostels still give preference to people under the age of 26 (official Hostel International member hostels in Bavaria have an upper age limit of 26). Typical hostelers are under 30, but family and retiree groups also frequent hostels. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult and some hostels will accommodate children under 5.
