For that matter also Germany and Switzerland. Would it be practical for people in their 60's to backpack, catching trains/buses to hostels? will they be accepted by younger folks? We are in good general health and wonder if i have unrealistic expertations. if i am on the wrong site for this question please advise. Thanks, [email protected]

If you want to have a backpack, there's no reason why not, but you could easily take a suitcase if you prefer. Plenty of 60+ people take trains and buses. Hostels aren't necessarily the cheapest options with there being two of you, particularly if you want a private room, but if you do want a hostel, just make sure to read reviews so you can know if it's a "party" hostel or not and whether it's of good quality.

My dh & I aren't 60 yet, but we're in our 50s and we always, always, always backpack in Europe. Not the big heavy packs, just small, school-type, lightweight backpacks. We've done the driving-with-suitcases thing with our kid when he was little -- but we all prefer the trains & packs thing. You are not being at all unrealistic!

We do not do hostels, though. Not any more. We're pretty private people, and prefer having our own space. But if you're cool about that kind of thing, you're ok!

Have a blast!

What do you mean by backpacking? I'm probably just being dense, but to me it conjures up the teenage interrailing experience (i.e. buying a youth rail pass and slumming it around Europe staying in grubby hostels in huge mixed dorms with one shower between 20 and going clubbing every night!).

Are you thinking of staying in hostels because they're relatively cheap, or is there a particular reason you want to stay in hostels as opposed to basic hotels?

We are in our early 50's and are looking at staying at a couple of hostels in Switzerland. I have read the hostels there are the best in the world.

Our Aussie dollar is one for one with the Franc and we are finding the hotels to be way above our budget so to be able to extend our holiday time we are opting to try hostels. Many have private rooms and some even have private facilities, I can handle sharing a shower for a night or two.

We are doing a mixture of chalets, hostels and B&&'s. Each to his own - but I am looking on it as something new and different to try, it is just how you look at it!

www.bnb.ch for bed and breakfasts

www.youthhostel.ch/home.html?&L=1 for youth hostels and also www.rivieralodge.ch/ for one in Vevey.

Good luck and have a great time!

Many hostels now accept prople of all ages. You find many of the "good" ones listed in the Rick Steves guides for Italy and Switzerland. Also consider the "Friends of Nature" (Naturefreunde) budget hotels and mountain hotels (Berghotels) in Switzerland---many offer budget-priced beds beds in a dormitory.

Oh forgot to give you this site for budget hotels in Switzerland,

www.rooms.ch

I don't see why not

A better website particular to backpacking is at www.lonelyplanet.com then go to The Thorn Tree, Western Europe branch, which is their forum similar format to this one, but attracting more budget travelers and backpackers. They also have an Older Traveler branch which you'll likely find helpful.

Honestly I prefer a small suitcase on wheels with a small daypack as a tote (rather than an actual big backpack). Because I believe that is easier to handle on the trains and getting from place to place.

suze, I agree re: the big backpacks. That's why we carry the frameless, small packs...couldn't be easier! Works for us, but I'm well aware it's not for everyone.

tinman, go for it, I say. Don't let semanticists (or ageists!) deter you!

I think of the term "backpacking" as more of a style to describe free-spirited & budget travel, not about what kind of luggage you use, or how old you are.

H--- yes! You will not be one of "the gang" but then did you really want to stay up all night doing shooters and cheap wine? Been there, done that, and looking forward to next spring!

True, suze. I've seen 20-year-olds "backpacking" with so much stuff on their backs, they might as well have a footlocker. More often than not, they look pretty stressed out -- but maybe I'm projecting! Ahwell, chacun a son gout.

It is an easy trip if you are in good shape and have good knees.( Lots of stairs). My husband is 74 and I am 68. We just returned from Italy 2 days ago, where we spent 3 weeks. We stayed at very reasonable hotels. They were as reasonable as a hostel, when you consider you also get breakfastincluded.

We travel by train, using a small roller suitcase and a small backpsck. Very small. We never gain weight and we eat anything we want including alot of gelato. It has to be all the walking and the stairs in train stations with bags in hand. As good as a stair master, but lots more fun.

Why don't you explore the convents, they are priced very affordable and include breakfast as a rule.

My DH didn't want to stay there because they don't have television.
He feels it helps him brush up on the language, plus some of the programs are a fun to watch.

What ever way you go Have fun.

P.S. the taxis seemed very expensive
this trip. We spent double what we had allowed daily for them.

< Our Aussie dollar is one for one with the Franc >

How OLD is the guidebook?

Oh sorry - Swiss Franc

When I've looked at hostel pricing, it sometimes was actually more expensive for the two of us than just getting a single room would be. And I actually like my privacy too! I didn't check prices in Switzerland, but there are a lot of decent priced lodging places throughout Europe that aren't hostels.

Hi tinman,

I am a 63 y.o. budget traveller. I also often choose to stay in hostels, but always in a private room - don't care for dorms. Sharing a shower is no problem so long as the place is clean. Like going to the pool

With that there are many less expensive budget hotels and B&Bs all around Europe. Do some really careful research.

I absolutely agree that you will get lots more pertinant info on the Lonely Planet forum, the ThornTree:
http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/

and yes, do check out both the Western Europe branch and the Older Travellers branch. Lots of nice people there willing to share their knowledge.

The LP site also has a listing of budget places to stay in different countries:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/accommodation/
Some are as good as they say, some you have to read carefully between the lines. Always check on the branches if anyone has ever really used a place that interests you. And watch out - some don't provide linens! You pay extra for them, for breakfast, for a 'lock-up' and so on.

Go on and have fun! It's a great way to travel and meet interesting people of all ages.

papagena
Things have changed these many years now

Why don't you act your age? Go first class and put all those huge bills on a credit card? Use your remaining good years to travel in complete comfort and style.

OBTW, trains/buses are for poor people. A private driver or a taxi is the only way to go.

i have had nothing but good luck when staying in the accommodations listed on the www.rooms.ch website Maudie gave you.

My experience with Swiss so-called "budget" accommodations has been good, in general, because they always seem to be spotless, well-maintained, etc.

I have no idea how they would compare to a hostel since I have never stayed in one.