Older Travelers

Older travelers shouldn’t be deterred from touring Europe independently or on a budget - believe me, there are plenty of other people your age doing it. “Youth hostels” have renamed and reinvented themselves as places where anyone can stay, regardless of age (except in Bavaria, which clings to a limit of 26 and under). There are even “elder hostels” if you can’t stomach the idea of youth hostels. Make inquiries of tourist offices if you are interested in these, both before you go and while you’re abroad. The only real age penalty I can think of is with some train passes and tickets, which must be validated before the user’s 26th birthday. However, there are passes specifically designed for seniors. And if you are fifty or older, bring proof of that fact. There are hundreds of discounts in Europe for seniors as well as for the young. Other than that, I’ve just made a few special notes throughout the text that relate specifically to older travelers, and remember, I’ve managed to fill an entire book with advice for travelers of ail ages.

- If you are a student, you may have surprising rights in your country of choice, such as financial assistance with school costs, books, and so. on - France, for example, will help buy your textbooks. You may have to do some checking, but it could be well worth your while.