Want to try hostel's but . . .

It is possible to get a private room with ensuite at many upscale hostels so the real question is how to do feel about noise? Are you late night people who don't have any issues with noise or parties? I think you should give it a try.

I think you will want to read the descriptions and reviews of the specific hostels to choose what fits your preferences. , For example, you might want to avoid ones advertised as party hostels. As a 70+ traveler, I have occasionally stayed in a private room in hostels in various countries. The ones I chose were not at all noisy. I chose them for a combination of price, central location, access to public transportation and other b&bs not being available. I do not have recent experience with hostels in the cities you list. (The wonderful hostels in Split and Dubrovnik I stayed in the 1970s are long gone).

What aspect of a hostel attracts you? Some do it for cost, some for group interaction. The traditional hostel is a mixed or single sex dorm, from 4 to 20 beds. Many now offer family rooms (basically a 4 or 6 bed room, but not shared) and private rooms.

You do need to look at the booking rules, many dorms can be restricted to under a certain age, some entire hostels are age restricted.

In my experience, private rooms are not really any cheaper than a similar room in a small hotel. Interaction with other guests varies mainly with your interest and initiative, but honestly, if there is a big age gap, you're not going to go clubbing and hang out. Part of the interaction is also in cooking cheap meals and other activities at the hostel, if you are the type of traveler that likes to be out and about, eat good restaurant meals, only there to sleep, then the interaction factor is about nil.

So sure, if you are interested in dorms, want to try the backpacking vibe, maybe save a few bucks, then go for it. If you are just looking for a private room to sleep, then keep hostels in the mix, but you may find other rooms just as cheap.

I use Booking.com, their listings include hostels, so that might be a place to start.

Check airbnb. I don't know what the hostels in Budapest cost, but airbnbs start at about $45, and hotels at $90 .... of course depending on season.

I think you're a bit old sadly. For hostels in European cities, I'd tend to think of the young people I'd be sharing with. It's not really fair on them in today's world. You're definitely a lot less threatening as a couple, but it's still easy to be perceived as a bit creepy, even if you're really nice people.

Hosteling, in cities at least, is a young person's game. Some may disagree of course. As others point out, the financial motivations to do it don't exist to the same degree these days.

Starting on my first post-retirement trip in 2009, I made it a point staying in private, independent hostels, regardless if they were known as "party hostels", basically, not interested in that. A "party hostel " did not serve as a deterrent , other factors come into play as well.

After the 2009 trip I ended my preference in the DJH hostels, staying in the private hostel of Wombat. Wombat has a hostel in Budapest and Vienna (2). I found Wombat quite satisfactory, staying in a co-ed 6 bed room or in a private room all to myself but you pay for two. It makes no difference to me if my co-ed roomies are 1/3 my age, so what? They're doing what I did at their age.

No problems at all staying there solo with my roomies or the staff, which in Vienna Wombat were most helpful, accommodating , etc.

Keep in mind you will see other " grown-ups, " not merely 20 somethings in the hostels, other nationalities from Latin America, Koreans, etc.

No need to be apprehensive staying in hostels per se, I don't count the disadvantages. If the 2 star hotel cost 100 to 230 Euro and the hostel in the same area, say, within walking distance is 60-70 Euro, I would be hard pressed in not choosing that hostel.

Warren,

You've received some good replies so far, and I have a few thoughts to add as well. I've stayed in Hostels a number of times over the years and the experience was mostly positive. I prefer to stay in properties run by Hostelling International, as they're part of a chain and were clean and well run. You might consider getting a membership if you decide to try Hostels - https://hihostels.com/ . Having a membership provides some benefits.

As others have mentioned, you may find the cost of a private room in a hostel is about the same as a budget hotel, such as the ones listed in the RS guidebooks. I travel solo much of the time, and have only stayed in dorm rooms (some mixed). In my experience and talking to other guests, the private rooms book up quickly.

I'm not sure what things are like now, but depending on the hostel, they usually have lockers to store valuables, but the user has to supply their own padlock (don't use a cheap TSA lock). It's a good idea to also pack flip-flops or whatever for shared showers as well as a soap/shampoo and a towel. Some hostels close for a few hours in the afternoon for cleaning, and in some cases, guests are locked out during that time.

I tend to disagree with the previous comment that older guests would be perceived as "creepy". I was in my '60s at the time, and found a variety of different ages staying there including people in my age group. There's more interaction between guests in a hostel than in a hotel, and I've always found that everybody gets along well.

Of the places you mentioned, there should be good availability of hostels in the larger cities (I didn't check each one), but probably more limited in the Cinque Terre, as they cater more to the backpacking crowd. I'm not sure which ones survived the pandemic, but I believe the Mama Rosa Hostel in Riomaggiore has closed (it didn't get good ratings, so not surprising). There was also a hostel in Manarola, but I believe they only have dorm rooms. For that area you might want to look at renting a private room such as the ones listed in the RS guidebook, and you'll find more of those in Monterosso as it's the largest of the five towns.

I tend to stay in hotels more these days for a number of reasons, but I'd consider a hostel again if it fit the circumstances of the trip.

Laughable that hostels somehow have some sort of upper age range. Experience along the way were that hostels had families, couples and solos of all ages.

It's been a few years since I did hostels, and all in western Europe, but I was always able to get a private room. Personally I searched out the hotels or national associations associated with Hosteling International. Back then my perception was those hostels were held to a higher standard or quality and tended to have much less of a party reputation. Those hostels in the HI system also had discounts rates if one was a member of their own national HI association. It was well worth being a member of Hosteling International USA for a few years.

Hosteling International -- https://hihostels.com/

It does not work out for better dollar value to use a hostel when you are a couple.
If you are thinking of a hostel, then by all means try one out and see. One- or two-nights won't kill you.

In my opinion, you probably won't enjoy hosteling in most of those locations you mentioned. My husband and I would hostel a lot when we were younger, to save money. A big shared dorm in Prague (in our late 30s) made us decide we were too old- lots of drunk people, turning the lights on in the middle of the night to get ready to go clubbing, things like that. We always much more enjoyed small hostels in smaller locations- Balestrand Norway and Cesky Krumlov were some favorites- where you would get a wide variety of travelers, and not just younger people looking to party.

What is the difference between a 2star hotel and a private room in a hostel?

I got curious so I looked at the hostels that I knew about in one European city. All pretty well located. Prices were $20 to $25 a night. So $40 to $50 for a couple. I suggested above looking at Airbnb, but I would be real suspect of an AirBnb that cheap and as well located. $65 possible, $40 probably not.

Go for it. Report back.

You should try a hostel at least to satisfy your curiosity and expand your travel experience. Plan out your travel itinerary and related transportation. When you get ready to book lodging research your hostel options starting in the places with the fewest nights you plan to stay. Then try one. I've had positive experiences at the hostels I've used in Europe and the U.S.

I have a fair amount of experience with hostels in Europe and the U.S., and I'm 76. I made two long trips to Europe with all or mostly hostel stays. I love a fancy hotel as well as the next woman, but making such long trips affordable was my initial motivation. However, I find the interaction fascinating, and now it's almost equally important to me.

A few points:
1. When you are a couple instead of a solo, like I've been, the price advantage begins to fade away, so be sure to compare hostel cost with that of low-key hotels. If you are price shopping, be sure to look at whether the hostel offers any free city tours, free breakfasts (although since Covid, mostly a thing of the past), free dinners, or other things that you would pay for otherwise.
2. If you value your privacy above almost everything else, of course you won't be happy with a hostel dorm room with other people. But be aware you can book an entire room, if the cost works out.
3. I disagree with some statements about where the interaction in a hostel takes place. In many hostels, but not all, you can have great conversations in the room and don't have to necessarily engage in cooking pasta or going on tours that don't interest you.
4. Many if not most hostels have locations that are very convenient for transportation.
5. Do understand that partying in hostels is not universal. Yes, it's possible that you would have a roommate come in drunk, but in at least 100 nights, I've not had anyone come into the room completely wasted.
6. Roommates turning on the lights in the middle of the night is almost always a thing of the past since everyone has a cell phone flashlight.
7. I do look for a hostel that has some comfortable chairs in a lounge area (or in the room, although that's rare). After a long day of walking, I may want to relax while reading email, checking out my photos, planning for the next day, journaling, or reading, and I don't want to sit on some miniscule stool without a back.
8. I have faced no age discrimination whatsoever from roommates. Either they ignore me, or they want to talk to me because they are intrigued by an older person who wants to stay in a hostel. Many hostel guests just want to talk about the U.S. also. However, do be aware that there are a few hostels that restrict age to say, 35 downward, but they are few and far between. Read the rules.
9. Before I booked a 50+ night trip to Europe in hostels, I tried one in the U.S. and recommend that as a reality check.
10. Of your cities, I stayed in and loved the Jo and Joe's in Vienna (very convenient transportation) and the Generator hostel in Venice directly across the canal from St. Mark's and yet a bit removed from the main tourist throngs. I also recommend considering Dresden, a manageable city with a wonderful Meininger's just steps from the train station; this one is something of a hostel-hotel that might appeal to your wife more. I didn't especially like my choices in Prague and Milan.
11. I like checking reviews on hostelworld.com more than Expedia, etc., because if it is a "party hostel," reviewers will be sure to point that out, thinking it's an advantage when actually those of us who are older think it's a disadvantage.

Sometimes price is one of the main differences between a room in a 2 star hotel, which is what I choose over a private hostel room. In Vienna Wombat hostel the private room was more expensive or just as expensive with that of a 2 star hotel room. Pre-pandemic I used both options at Wombat, the 6 bed co-ed dorm room and the private room.

There were times I did not care for the private room option. Usually I just put up with it. Spending that amount would have been nicer in all aspects in a two star hotel room.

Staying in a 6 bed co-ed dorm room was satisfactory, basically, no problems with that. It makes no difference with me if my roomies returning at 3 AM turn on the lights but it is not the room light but the little lamp next to their bed. Everyone is courteous, civil, polite.

As pointed out above, some private hostels have an age limit, the max is 35. I know of 2 such hostels in Munich, a few minutes from Munich Hbf. If the age factor in a hostel is unmentioned, then no limit at all.

In Vienna I have been in co-ed dorm rooms where I was 30-40 years their senior....so what? Very revealing is who are the other nationalities, especially those beyond 20 somethings, staying there as you are.

Fred, Wombat was one of the ones I looked at.

@ Me E....Well, Wombat is the only private, independent I've stayed, once in Munich (so far) and several times in Vienna across from Westbahnhof. The Budapest Wombat is newer.

I've always been quite satisfied with Wombat...security, cleanliness, and they have a super helpful staff. Relative to other private hostels, Wombat costs a bit more.

Maybe the breakfast could be more imaginative but running such a place you do need to offer foods most likely are commonly eaten ...ham, cheese, salami. fruit cocktail.

@ Mr. E.... Reading over my evasive answer, I don't think I really answered your question on what is the difference between a private room vs. a room in a 2 star hotel. There are two distinct differences as I can recall, "party" hostel, privacy, and all that... I am not interested in.

1. Using Wombat as an example (checked it out in Berlin too, never stayed there , too far afield), the guest has access to coin laundry facilities.

2. The private room has no bath towels of any size. It has the toilet , shower and sink. You pay extra for the luxury of bath towels. Your room in a two star hotel does include the en suite facilities and towels.

I have not stayed in a hostel since my 2 month Europe backpacking trip in 1983. I only stayed in a few youth hostels. I found it more convenient and almost as cheap to stay in a 2 star hotel within walking distance of the train station. And I often met other backpackers on the train and arrange d to share accommodations.

I do recall older travelers staying at the hostels. It was a good experience socializing with everybody in the communal areas.

I signed up for a Hosteling International Canada membership 2 years ago. Our condo in Whistler was rented out and we planned on staying at the hostel at the former Olympic athlete's village. On the weekend of our planned stay, there was a heatwave. The hostel does not have air conditioning and we would have had to pack portable fans. Luckily, our condo became available so we did not have to suffer. We played pickleball at the nearby courts. The hostel looks nice, and would be relatively cheaper than the hotels and condos in the resort. However, as a 60+ year old, I can no longer tolerate a non-air conditioned hostel like when I was a skinny 21 year old.

I posted a lengthy reply on anther thread about hostels under Outside Europe and the site won't let me post it again.

But you can post a link

Read the reviews at hostelworld. I have stayed in a few with friends and solo over the last few years. (I am in my early 70s.). You can get a double room with ensuite at some hostels. I have shared a 4 bed room with three (much younger) strangers and it was just fine. Travel is supposed to be an adventure. Try it!

I booked a room in the Albanian Alps. I walked in and it had 5 beds in it. When my driver walked in I realized where I was staying. The restaurant waitresses, who lived in the hotel because it was so remote, made sure that the bathroom/shower room was clean and fairly dry when they finished. In the evening a few of us would meet on the roof where we could get a little phone service. One of the sweetest weeks ever.

I was 68 when I stayed with my also 68-year-old travel buddy in a hostel in Barcelona. Half of the guests were middle-aged or older. I only stayed there because I booked too late and hotel rates were out of my budget. It was $85 for a noisy private room with rundown IKEA beds. Nope. Not my thing.
Age isn't an issue but not getting a good night's sleep and using a bathroom after several others have used it? Not fun.