Let’s start with this disclaimer: you are never too old for hostels (unless they have an age limit lol). If you love hostel life, there’s no reason to opt for other accommodation or feel like you don’t belong. This post is for travelers post-20s who aren’t enjoying hostels like they once used to but still crave fun, social trips with “young” energy.
I had the best hostel trip of my life in Panama when I was 30. It was completely magical in all the ways I needed at the time. However, since that trip and despite it being so great, I have not been drawn to staying in hostels. I’m not even sure why. I was not the oldest person at the hostels in Panama by far. Plus, I booked private rooms, so I wasn’t even dealing with dorm rooms. But something had changed in my travel preferences.
At 31, I went to England. At 32, Spain. And at 33, Croatia. I didn’t book hostels for any of those trips. But they were social and full of drinking just the same. So it got me thinking about putting this list together for travelers in a similar stage as me. You aren’t drawn to hostel life right now for whatever reason, but you want a similar vibe. Here’s what to try instead 🙂 I’ve personally done the first 4 things on this list, and the rest are trips on my radar I’d like to do at some point.
Pilgrim Hotels on the Camino de Santiago
This option is the closest to traditional hostel life because many hotels along the Camino are dorm-style. The difference is the age of the travelers. You will meet young people, sure, but most are 60+. People who walk the Camino are on their own journeys, which makes for deep conversations over miles on the trail and during communal meals. Walking the Camino is the perfect mix of social opportunities and solo time. I was so touched by the people I connected with, but also had so much time to focus on myself. Definitely a life changing trip!
Read more: Walking Stage 1 of the Camino de Santiago
Yacht Week with MedSailors
I love this company so much I’ve gone on two trips with them. They put on “yacht weeks” around the Mediterranean that are more chill than the EDM Festival Yacht Weeks. MedSailors advertise trips for 18-30 somethings, but the higher price point weeds out super young travelers. Basically you live on a boat with a handful of strangers for a week, swimming all day and enjoying beautiful meals at different ports every night. You can make it as much or as little of a party as you want. There were days I didn’t drink at all and nights I was out til 3 am dancing. So fun!
Read more: Solo Female Travel in Greece, What NOT To Do Before Your Trip With MedSailors
Travel with Friends of Friends
This has been the best travel hack in my 30s so far to meet new people and feel social on trips while not having to meet randoms in hostels to do so. If you have a friend or family member that travels a lot, can you join a trip with them? Can you each invite a friend? Can you meet up with one of their travel friends? I’ve done these sorts of trips three times now and got to spend time with such cool people in the process.
England
In 2022, my cousin and I went to England and spent 5 days in County Kent with her favorite travel buddy. This is someone she met while traveling in Bali over a decade ago, so I had heard about her for years. They were kind enough to let me crash their yearly get-together. I got the same social vibes of getting to know a new person in a new place–but no hostel required. We went on the most lovely country walks, enjoyed the coast, and heavily participated in pub culture. I think back on this trip so fondly, but making a new friend was the true highlight.
NYC
My favorite travel buddy, someone I met in Paris (!!!) over 5 years ago, and I plan a trip together every year as well. One year we went to NYC and each invited a friend. It was so fun to get a new group together and explore the city. We all ended up meeting one or two new friends and walked away with the most fun memories.
Read more: The Ultimate “Girls Gotta Eat” Guide to NYC
Hawaii
That same friend planned her birthday in Kauai this year and invited a group of people to celebrate. I got to meet and travel with 3 new people and reconnect with 3 others. It was so fun being in a new place, playing games every night, and sharing our best travel stories. Finding a group you travel well with is such a vibe! I hope we do more trips together in the future <3
I didn’t blog about this trip, but I did write about part of it on my Substack and shared some links there: the vacation book fantasy that wasn’t
All Inclusive
I’ve only done all-inclusive trips twice, but I’m oddly itching to plan another one in my advanced age 😉 If you’re craving rest and relaxation instead of adventure, they’re a great option. Plus you can make them as social as you want. I always end up chatting to people around the resort, having drinks together, and even going on excursions as a group. You might feel too old for hostels, but you’re never too old for an all-inclusive!
Hut-to-Hut
Now we are getting into the options that I have not personally experienced yet, but I am itching to do a hut-to-hut trip! Basically you spend each day hiking or biking (it would be an e-bike for me lol) in stunning scenery to your next accommodation. There are so many places in Europe to do this–I’m looking at you Swiss Alps. Traveling Jackie had a great podcast episode about this adventure which is how it ended up on my bucket list. If you love travel podcasts like me, you will love that conversation. I’ll link her blog about it below.
You can do these sorts of trips all over Europe, but sadly I haven’t been able to find many similar options stateside. I did come across a company called Maine Huts & Trails that I want to check out. (I absolutely loved the long weekend I spent in Maine a couple years back.) They have 4 eco-huts and over 50 miles of trails. It looks like you can plan a trip and hike from hut-to-hut, but there doesn’t seem to be as many services as in Europe. AKA I think you’d have to hike with all your bags (and food?) and organize the trip on your own instead of booking a pre-planned package.
But how fun would a trip like this be?? A physical challenge, time in nature, a handful of huts. You would definitely see the same people on the trails and at night when you’ve reached your accommodation. It would make for a nice amount of social interaction!
Read more:
Swiss Alps by Bike: A MUST-DO For Adventure Lovers (the actual podcast is episode 104)
I accidentally traveled solo in Maine but think you should do it on purpose.
Cruise
I’ve never done a cruise before, but I am aware that there’s a whole community of solo cruisers! I bet this would be such a party every night! Plus, you get to be lazy and unpack only once while exploring a new destination each day. I think I’ll be entering my Cruise Era soon.
Language Immersion
I absolutely NEED to do this one day. If learning a second language is on your bucket list, why not join a program abroad to help you get immersed in it? If I ever quit/lose my job this is exactly what I’m doing– I’ll be on the first flight to Spain! But even with just a few weeks off work, you could join a language class and learn a new skill with a group of new people. If you’re feeling too old for hostels, this is a great way to automatically have connections in your desired country.
Meet Your Internet Friends IRL
If you’re a travel lover like me, I’m sure you follow lots of travel influencers online. Many of them have their own travel businesses or run group trips. Why not join one? Here are a few I have my eyes on 🙂
Atlas Adventures: all female, luxury, curated trips where even the group is hand selected.
Flying The Nest: A Youtube family who runs expeditions around the world that sell out within minutes.
Kellie Paxian: a travel influencer/safari expert based in South Africa who will plan an itinerary for you but who also offers group trips a couple times a year. If Africa is on your bucket list, she’s your girl.
Traveling Jackie: An OG traveler who has her own travel company, Jump Adventures. Check out her trips if you’re wanting something more adventurous and outdoorsy.
Conclusion
I hope you stumbled across something new with these 8 ideas for those wondering if they’re too old for hostels. Travel comes in so many shapes and sizes. Listen to your inner voice and plan something that honors what you’re craving out of a trip. Make it as social or solitary as you want but know that these options will give you the perfect balance of both!