Q: 'Older' female student- solo trip Ireland/Wales/England. Hostels?
Jul 18th, 2009, 04:13 PM
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Q: 'Older' female student- solo trip Ireland/Wales/England. Hostels?
After realizing that a few of my plans for a solo trip to Ireland/Wales/England next summer need to be firmed up earlier than I originally thought, I have been happily obsessed with planning! Some of my stops aren’t changeable (Kilkenny area and London, both for 3 nights each) but others are fairly flexible. After lurking on Fodor’s for awhile, I’ve finally gotten a tentative (and I hope not too rigid) schedule.
I hope no one minds another ‘Does this seem feasible?’ itinerary question? I’m particularly curious if going from Killarney to Kilkenny area in one day with a few stops along the way is rushing too fast.
Also, I’m in my late thirties- do any ‘mature’ students here have experience with hostelling solo in Ireland/England?
And airfare: I’m still a little unsure about when the best (i.e. cheapest) time to purchase tickets for July or August 2010 would be? Unfortunately, the busiest season is the only time I can get away.
Thank you so much for all the fabulous information I’ve gleaned from the forums already!
Day 1: Arrive Shannon airport a.m. flight. Pick up rental car (Dan Dooley, econo, manual?) and drive down to Killarney Hostel to stay for 2 nights.
Day 3: Early a.m. head out to Kilkenny area, stop at Rock of Cashel and ? along the way. Stay at B&B 3 nights, visit friends, explore surrounding areas.
Day 6: Head out early for Rosslare. Drop rental car, catch ferry to Pembroke. 1 night at Pembroke B&B.
Day 7: Early(ish) take train to Bath. 2 nights at Bathwick Hill Hostel. No set itinerary, just explore.
Day 9: Rail to London then up to Lee Valley Hostel for 3 nights. Visit friends, explore area (public transport).
Day 12: Early Airbus from London back to Shannon. Shuttle to Ennis. 2 nights at B&B, relax, explore by bus and bicycle.
Day 14: Flight home.
I hope no one minds another ‘Does this seem feasible?’ itinerary question? I’m particularly curious if going from Killarney to Kilkenny area in one day with a few stops along the way is rushing too fast.
Also, I’m in my late thirties- do any ‘mature’ students here have experience with hostelling solo in Ireland/England?
And airfare: I’m still a little unsure about when the best (i.e. cheapest) time to purchase tickets for July or August 2010 would be? Unfortunately, the busiest season is the only time I can get away.
Thank you so much for all the fabulous information I’ve gleaned from the forums already!
Day 1: Arrive Shannon airport a.m. flight. Pick up rental car (Dan Dooley, econo, manual?) and drive down to Killarney Hostel to stay for 2 nights.
Day 3: Early a.m. head out to Kilkenny area, stop at Rock of Cashel and ? along the way. Stay at B&B 3 nights, visit friends, explore surrounding areas.
Day 6: Head out early for Rosslare. Drop rental car, catch ferry to Pembroke. 1 night at Pembroke B&B.
Day 7: Early(ish) take train to Bath. 2 nights at Bathwick Hill Hostel. No set itinerary, just explore.
Day 9: Rail to London then up to Lee Valley Hostel for 3 nights. Visit friends, explore area (public transport).
Day 12: Early Airbus from London back to Shannon. Shuttle to Ennis. 2 nights at B&B, relax, explore by bus and bicycle.
Day 14: Flight home.
Jul 18th, 2009, 05:40 PM
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I'd like to do a similar trip next year also! I think your plan looks pretty good so far. I like that you've allowed yourself time to explore and go with the flow. I think the distances each day are do-able without too much stress.
I don't know if there's going to be a particular better time to buy airfare, but it just takes alot of monitoring. I found it helpful to sign up for the email alerts when the price neared my target - and it worked great for me.
Never having used the ferry system, I'd like to hear how it all works out!
I don't know if there's going to be a particular better time to buy airfare, but it just takes alot of monitoring. I found it helpful to sign up for the email alerts when the price neared my target - and it worked great for me.
Never having used the ferry system, I'd like to hear how it all works out!
Jul 18th, 2009, 06:10 PM
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"Also, I’m in my late thirties- do any ‘mature’ students here have experience with hostelling solo in Ireland/England?"
I'm also in my thirties and stay in hostels all over Europe and meet tons of others in our age group. Is there anything specific you'd like to know?
I'm also in my thirties and stay in hostels all over Europe and meet tons of others in our age group. Is there anything specific you'd like to know?
Jul 18th, 2009, 08:17 PM
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Sheri_lp: Email alerts, thank you! I will do that. And the ferry looks just plain fun so I will give any and all details when that happens. Please post as you make plans for your trip. Reading other people’s itineraries/trip reports changed my ideas about so many things and I am grateful for what they have shared. In fact, I hadn’t planned on renting a car until reading about all the advantages!
Trsny and maureencol: I’m so happy you both posted. What a relief. After all the hostel site pictures and videos I was beginning to think they really only catered to a certain age group…! My concerns seem a little silly, maybe, but I wondered if the younger people (18-25 or so) were ‘put off’ by someone older or seemed uncomfortable? I have a 19 yr. old daughter so being with the younger set doesn't bother/annoy me in any way... as long as it doesn't bother them. I’ve had students in some of my classes that thought it was just plain weird for someone my age to be in school with them and it made for a few awkward lab situations (fortunately, it is the exception rather than the rule). However, I’ve already visualised coming back in the evening to a hostel full of young people laughing and having a great time- then suddenly going silent as soon as the old person walks in the room. If these forums weren’t somewhat anonymous I probably wouldn’t have admitted that! ;o)
Also, do you sleep in the 'dorm' areas and have you ever had trouble with someone taking your things? I read that one of the hostels doesn’t actually have lockers so I’m wondering if I’ll have to sleep with my purse under my pj’s all night…
Trsny and maureencol: I’m so happy you both posted. What a relief. After all the hostel site pictures and videos I was beginning to think they really only catered to a certain age group…! My concerns seem a little silly, maybe, but I wondered if the younger people (18-25 or so) were ‘put off’ by someone older or seemed uncomfortable? I have a 19 yr. old daughter so being with the younger set doesn't bother/annoy me in any way... as long as it doesn't bother them. I’ve had students in some of my classes that thought it was just plain weird for someone my age to be in school with them and it made for a few awkward lab situations (fortunately, it is the exception rather than the rule). However, I’ve already visualised coming back in the evening to a hostel full of young people laughing and having a great time- then suddenly going silent as soon as the old person walks in the room. If these forums weren’t somewhat anonymous I probably wouldn’t have admitted that! ;o)
Also, do you sleep in the 'dorm' areas and have you ever had trouble with someone taking your things? I read that one of the hostels doesn’t actually have lockers so I’m wondering if I’ll have to sleep with my purse under my pj’s all night…
Jul 18th, 2009, 09:25 PM
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We're in our 40s and stayed at hostels in England and Wales. We saw travelers of all ages and no one cared how old anyone was.
Check to see if the hostels you're considering have private rooms if you're worried about theft.
We stayed at the YHA in Bath. It's a lovely old mansion, but the bed was pretty uncomfortable.
Now, for London - with only three days, you should really stay *in* London, rather than so far out of town. There are several YHA properties in and around central London which would be much more convenient.
Lee Ann
Check to see if the hostels you're considering have private rooms if you're worried about theft.
We stayed at the YHA in Bath. It's a lovely old mansion, but the bed was pretty uncomfortable.
Now, for London - with only three days, you should really stay *in* London, rather than so far out of town. There are several YHA properties in and around central London which would be much more convenient.
Lee Ann
Jul 18th, 2009, 10:08 PM
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Lee Ann: Thanks for the tip on the bed in Bath! And I am still considering a more central London YHA but the friends I am visiting are both North of London so I was afraid I'd get myself turned around trying to get out of the city to visit them. =) I will definitely look into it more, though, since there will be plenty of time to see the sights.
suze: My apologies. The environment I've been in the last four years has me surrounded with pretty much the 21 and under crowd most of the time. I DO feel 'older' in that setting. =) And I have so far planned to stay at 3 different B&B's and 3 different hostels but for some reason had no concerns at all about the B&B's... maybe because so many people use them and give such glowing reports? I'm not sure. But the hostels felt so...unfamiliar to me. Especially the 'dorm' settings (which help make room for the B&B's in my budget).
suze: My apologies. The environment I've been in the last four years has me surrounded with pretty much the 21 and under crowd most of the time. I DO feel 'older' in that setting. =) And I have so far planned to stay at 3 different B&B's and 3 different hostels but for some reason had no concerns at all about the B&B's... maybe because so many people use them and give such glowing reports? I'm not sure. But the hostels felt so...unfamiliar to me. Especially the 'dorm' settings (which help make room for the B&B's in my budget).
Jul 18th, 2009, 11:16 PM
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If your friends are in the north of London, I suspect that YHA St. Pancras would both be convenient for sightseeing and convenient for seeing your friends. Also, because you are going in July or August, there are other options available too. The London School of Economics has cheap, single rooms available because students are away for the summer. Look at www.lsevacations.co.uk . Some other London colleges offer similar programs.
I would not feel safe leaving valuables lying around, so when I've stayed in a dorm, I've taken my purse to bed with me in the absence of a locker.
Depending how you feel about it, it might be worth looking to see if the hostel has single cots, or if they have bunkbeds. I much prefer single cots.
If you have a positive attitude and are not too sensitive, you will be fine in shared dorms, even in your late 30s. I have stayed in dorms at that age, although I haven't recently.
Some people like to wear earplugs when sharing a dorm room. Also figure out if the hostel offers towels. If it's important to you, find out the layout of their showers. It can be worth it to take your shower in the middle of the day when no one else is around, rather than trying to make your way through all the traffic.
I would not feel safe leaving valuables lying around, so when I've stayed in a dorm, I've taken my purse to bed with me in the absence of a locker.
Depending how you feel about it, it might be worth looking to see if the hostel has single cots, or if they have bunkbeds. I much prefer single cots.
If you have a positive attitude and are not too sensitive, you will be fine in shared dorms, even in your late 30s. I have stayed in dorms at that age, although I haven't recently.
Some people like to wear earplugs when sharing a dorm room. Also figure out if the hostel offers towels. If it's important to you, find out the layout of their showers. It can be worth it to take your shower in the middle of the day when no one else is around, rather than trying to make your way through all the traffic.
Jul 19th, 2009, 06:50 AM
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Lee Ann and WillTravel are right- stay in London. You really don't want to stay in "10,000 acres of countryside" when your plan is to see London. I'm sure it will be easier to visit your friends from London too.
In addition to Lee Ann and WillTravel's suggestions, I'll add that it may be worth your while to look at Priceline and Hotwire for London hotels. If you do a search, there are numerous posts about how to bid on Priceline and figure out the hotels on Hotwire.
Sometimes there are real bargains to be had- not too long ago posters were getting the Holiday Inn Express Earl's Court for $50-$60 US on Hotwire. Last Christmas I got the Holiday Inn Camden Lock for the equivalent of $66 CAN per night. I think the Holiday Inn Express Southbank often comes up cheap too.
In addition to Lee Ann and WillTravel's suggestions, I'll add that it may be worth your while to look at Priceline and Hotwire for London hotels. If you do a search, there are numerous posts about how to bid on Priceline and figure out the hotels on Hotwire.
Sometimes there are real bargains to be had- not too long ago posters were getting the Holiday Inn Express Earl's Court for $50-$60 US on Hotwire. Last Christmas I got the Holiday Inn Camden Lock for the equivalent of $66 CAN per night. I think the Holiday Inn Express Southbank often comes up cheap too.
Jul 19th, 2009, 07:30 AM
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I agree to stay in London. Commuting in London wastes time. I stayed at LSE Rosebery Hall during school break, http://www.lse.ac.uk/accommodation/RA/main.htm. Guests included many young people and some families, but also a number of geezers like me. A good buffet breakfast is included.
Jul 19th, 2009, 08:41 AM
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The hostel-staying is a person choice & I don't think necessariliy based on your age. I would not be comfortable staying in a dorm setting myself. heck I don't even like to share hotel rooms with my friends (lol)! And it's not because of age (I'm 50+) I wouldn't have wanted to stay in them when I traveled in my 20's or 30's either. For me, I do what it takes to afford a private room (sharing a bathroom down the hall is OK, but not sleeping in a dorm room with strangers).
Jul 19th, 2009, 09:30 AM
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I never got the sense of the younger crowd being "put off" by my presence. I know what you mean though because it was a concern of mine for my first hostel stay!! If anything, I bonded with many people. You'll find your mutual interest of sightseeing will melt away any perceptions of one another.
When staying in hostels, I try for either the private rooms or a small females only dorm, the less beds the better. Bring a lock and don't leave your valuables behind. I would also make sure that the hostel you're staying in doesn't have an age limit. I know the Astor hostels in London have a cut-off age of 35. Are you checking hostelworld.com for your rooms?
Another vote here to stay in London rather than on the outskirts. Commuting takes up so much of the time that you could use seeing the sites.
When staying in hostels, I try for either the private rooms or a small females only dorm, the less beds the better. Bring a lock and don't leave your valuables behind. I would also make sure that the hostel you're staying in doesn't have an age limit. I know the Astor hostels in London have a cut-off age of 35. Are you checking hostelworld.com for your rooms?
Another vote here to stay in London rather than on the outskirts. Commuting takes up so much of the time that you could use seeing the sites.
Jul 19th, 2009, 09:33 AM
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I just noticed that you're a student. Do you have the ISIC card? I'm a "mature" (LOL!) student also. The card has been a godsend for travel. If not, then don't forget to bring your regular college ID. Flash that card every chance you can for discounts!!
Jul 19th, 2009, 10:37 AM
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This is wonderful! Thank you so much for all this information! I have taken the London part of my itinerary out of bold print (the parts I think are fairly set are all in bold print on my notes!) and I am going to spend today looking into these fabulous suggestions. Really, I’m taking them as encouragement to stop being a coward. Haha ;o)
Leaving the country for the first time is exciting, but frightening at the same time. I’m sharing all this information with my daughter hoping she will start traveling earlier in life than I have. She does say that there is a VERY noticeable personality difference in people she knows that have traveled the world before ever reaching college age. They are more well-rounded, less…Americentric? Is that a word? Haha.
Willtravel: Thank you! I will look at both of those places AND check up on other college stays. I didn’t know that was available! And I’m relieved someone else has spent the night with their purse- in some situations I just didn’t see there was really any other option. There are so many wonderfully trustworthy people in the world… but even in my department at school, which is one of the smaller ones so everyone knows everyone else, there has been trouble with theft. After a while I stopped being terribly shocked when it happened and started being more careful when out on my own. Single cots- will ask about that. The rooms generally looked to be doubles and am I correct in reading that I would need to pay for two full people (as opposed to just a singles supplement) to have those rooms? Earplugs- would never have thought of that one, either!
Apree_Londee: I will check those out, as well. I didn’t understand at all how they worked so just skimmed the sites and moved on… I don’t think I’m especially ‘thick’ but when I look at the big travel picture I get overwhelmed with all the details and run for something simpler. After your comments (and those prices!) I see it will definitely be worth it to go back.
Spaarne: Thank you! I will look at the place you stayed. And breakfast as well? I hadn’t counted on that- thought I’d be searching for inexpensive café’s on those stays. This is good news! The full breakfasts are one thing I was looking forward to at the B&B’s. Lactose and I aren’t good friends and I will be taking the BIGGEST box of Lactaid tablets I can find but it sounds like I don’t have to worry too much on that count with all these food options.
Suze: I am generally a private person, as well. Partly because I’ve been told I can snore terribly if I’m exhausted (why do children take such delight in informing us of such things???) but mostly I’ve just always been that way. Never been a ‘go to the bathroom in pairs’ kind of girl. ;o) But, I was thinking that the savings would be worth staying in a dorm… I will definitely think harder about my basic nature before I book the rooms. I was budgeting $400 for 14 days of food (want to treat my friends to dinner) but maybe I can shave a little off of that total and put it towards rooms.
Trsny: I’m so happy to meet students my age (anything over 30 has become ‘my age’! ha). Age limits at hostels? No, I totally missed that! Thank you! I’ve been going through the Hostelling International website to find these places. I will look at hostelworld as well. And ABSOLUTELY the ISIC card is on my to-do list as soon as fall term starts! =) I downloaded the document to take in and have my advisor sign. Have you found that it helps with airfare? I saw somewhere that JetBlue was something to look into for a discount. Have you used them?
Also, it looked like the Heritage Pass in Ireland gave a significant discount for students, have you purchased one and was there any question of student status? I have wondered if, because of my age, people will question my qualifications for the discounts. Being a ‘mature’ student (well, not always in every sense of the word- I was decidedly immature when we were introduced to liquid nitrogen in the lab. I think I froze and shattered half the items in the ‘junk’ pocket of my backpack that day! Haha) anyway, it can be challenging but I am so grateful to have had the opportunity at this time in my life. I definitely appreciate it more than I would have 20 years ago!
Leaving the country for the first time is exciting, but frightening at the same time. I’m sharing all this information with my daughter hoping she will start traveling earlier in life than I have. She does say that there is a VERY noticeable personality difference in people she knows that have traveled the world before ever reaching college age. They are more well-rounded, less…Americentric? Is that a word? Haha.
Willtravel: Thank you! I will look at both of those places AND check up on other college stays. I didn’t know that was available! And I’m relieved someone else has spent the night with their purse- in some situations I just didn’t see there was really any other option. There are so many wonderfully trustworthy people in the world… but even in my department at school, which is one of the smaller ones so everyone knows everyone else, there has been trouble with theft. After a while I stopped being terribly shocked when it happened and started being more careful when out on my own. Single cots- will ask about that. The rooms generally looked to be doubles and am I correct in reading that I would need to pay for two full people (as opposed to just a singles supplement) to have those rooms? Earplugs- would never have thought of that one, either!
Apree_Londee: I will check those out, as well. I didn’t understand at all how they worked so just skimmed the sites and moved on… I don’t think I’m especially ‘thick’ but when I look at the big travel picture I get overwhelmed with all the details and run for something simpler. After your comments (and those prices!) I see it will definitely be worth it to go back.
Spaarne: Thank you! I will look at the place you stayed. And breakfast as well? I hadn’t counted on that- thought I’d be searching for inexpensive café’s on those stays. This is good news! The full breakfasts are one thing I was looking forward to at the B&B’s. Lactose and I aren’t good friends and I will be taking the BIGGEST box of Lactaid tablets I can find but it sounds like I don’t have to worry too much on that count with all these food options.
Suze: I am generally a private person, as well. Partly because I’ve been told I can snore terribly if I’m exhausted (why do children take such delight in informing us of such things???) but mostly I’ve just always been that way. Never been a ‘go to the bathroom in pairs’ kind of girl. ;o) But, I was thinking that the savings would be worth staying in a dorm… I will definitely think harder about my basic nature before I book the rooms. I was budgeting $400 for 14 days of food (want to treat my friends to dinner) but maybe I can shave a little off of that total and put it towards rooms.
Trsny: I’m so happy to meet students my age (anything over 30 has become ‘my age’! ha). Age limits at hostels? No, I totally missed that! Thank you! I’ve been going through the Hostelling International website to find these places. I will look at hostelworld as well. And ABSOLUTELY the ISIC card is on my to-do list as soon as fall term starts! =) I downloaded the document to take in and have my advisor sign. Have you found that it helps with airfare? I saw somewhere that JetBlue was something to look into for a discount. Have you used them?
Also, it looked like the Heritage Pass in Ireland gave a significant discount for students, have you purchased one and was there any question of student status? I have wondered if, because of my age, people will question my qualifications for the discounts. Being a ‘mature’ student (well, not always in every sense of the word- I was decidedly immature when we were introduced to liquid nitrogen in the lab. I think I froze and shattered half the items in the ‘junk’ pocket of my backpack that day! Haha) anyway, it can be challenging but I am so grateful to have had the opportunity at this time in my life. I definitely appreciate it more than I would have 20 years ago!
Jul 19th, 2009, 11:15 AM
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Hi Rosa_Mundi,
There are many female posters here who have travelled alone, so this is a great place to come not only for advice but for support and encouragement. Lots of posters are budget travellers too. And don't get too nervous about London- there are many, many London experts here who can help you with just about anything.
About Priceline and Hotwire- this thread has some practical info plus information/reviews of some cheap hotels and Hotwire/Priceline wins:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...on-lodging.cfm
And two good websites to check out are betterbidding.com and biddingfortravel.com
There are many female posters here who have travelled alone, so this is a great place to come not only for advice but for support and encouragement. Lots of posters are budget travellers too. And don't get too nervous about London- there are many, many London experts here who can help you with just about anything.
About Priceline and Hotwire- this thread has some practical info plus information/reviews of some cheap hotels and Hotwire/Priceline wins:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...on-lodging.cfm
And two good websites to check out are betterbidding.com and biddingfortravel.com
Jul 19th, 2009, 05:48 PM
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Rosa_Mundi, the ISIC card has an 11% discount with Jet Blue. You just access the discount via the ISIC site after you log in. I haven't tried it, but will soon. It looks pretty straightforward on the site. I also get 15% off Amtrak tickets. In my case, that discount alone pays off the cost of the card. I know that Motel 6 offers 10% off for cardholders as well. In other cases, you get a lot of little things which add up. I use it where I live for services when I can.
I have never purchased the Heritage Pass but I assume they would ask for your card for verification. However, I have never had a problem proving I was a student when using my ISIC card or my university ID.
As for age limits at hostels, I don't run into it often, only in a few instances, so I keep it in mind when looking. Of course they were the places I wanted to stay at the most!! Isn't that always the case though!
Looks like you're getting a ton of information, which is great. Keep a small travel sized notebook for your notes to take with you. You will find things will fall into place. I've traveled to several countries and I still feel overwhelmed with planning sometimes. Right now it looks so daunting but in reality, it's not!
As for being a "mature" student (Ha!), so true. I'm much more appreciative than I was years ago. Sometimes, it's a pain being in your 30's and having to study while your friends get to relax after a long day at work.
I have never purchased the Heritage Pass but I assume they would ask for your card for verification. However, I have never had a problem proving I was a student when using my ISIC card or my university ID.
As for age limits at hostels, I don't run into it often, only in a few instances, so I keep it in mind when looking. Of course they were the places I wanted to stay at the most!! Isn't that always the case though!
Looks like you're getting a ton of information, which is great. Keep a small travel sized notebook for your notes to take with you. You will find things will fall into place. I've traveled to several countries and I still feel overwhelmed with planning sometimes. Right now it looks so daunting but in reality, it's not!
As for being a "mature" student (Ha!), so true. I'm much more appreciative than I was years ago. Sometimes, it's a pain being in your 30's and having to study while your friends get to relax after a long day at work.
