Hostels in London?

[Lesjordans]

Question for the well travelled among us: Is there any hostels in London that actually accept 16 year olds? The situation is Me + 4 friends want to go to London on the 27th June for 3 nights, but A lot of hostels are saying you need to be 18 or 16 with a letter, but then some are just saying no altogether. Any advice or suggestions what to do, or any hostels in London that will accept 5x16 year olds?

 

[Mojo]

I stayed at this small chain when I went to Berlin and noticed they had an outlet in London: http://www.meininger-hostels.com/en/meininger-hostels/ho-s-tel/citieshouses/london/. It's more like a Hostel than a hostel, and very reasonably priced. You might want to call/email them to see what they say.

I don't recall them asking for proof of age - I was eighteen and my partner 17.

 

[yorkie]

You'll be 17 then? If questioned just say one of you is 18, that should work!

Try this http://www.yha.org.uk/find-accommodation/london/hostels/london_central/index.aspx I selected 6 under 18s and it looked like it was going to let me book.

You could also consider the sleeper there and/or back, a Bargain Berth at £19 or £29 each way for travel and a bed, it's good value if you book early (bookings for June not yet open) http://www.firstgroup.com/scotrail/content/caledoniansleeper/index.php although personally I'd probably go for NXEC instead, as then there's the chance to enjoy the journey on a Valenta. You can get tickets on NXEC from Glasgow on FSR connecting to a HST for £15.70 each by booking in advance. Or perhaps combine the sleeper one way and HST the other way?

 

[Lesjordans]

"Prices are for YHA and Hostelling International members. Non-members pay a supplement of GBP 3.00 per night (Adult) and GBP 1.50 (Under 18 ) on arrival. Families with children under the age of 5 will need to book a private room. Children aged 5-16 can only stay when accompanied by a parent, guardian or as part of an organised group and when staying in shared accomodation the parent or guardian must be of the same sex. To join YHA (England and Wales) please visit our membership pages.To join YHA (England and Wales) pleasevisit our membership pages."

I'll be 17 on the second day (the 28th), but they dont seem too keen on 16 year olds & I think they'll ask for photo ID?

I found a Virgin Value Adv ticket for £12.50 with a YP railcard which I
should hopefully have by then as well.

Ohh Edit: 'London Central' seems to have a 6 beds Ensuite room, which is almost a must really. I'll give them a phone later and see if they can help.

 

[5872]

Isn't it Hotels?

 

[me123]

I believe Jordan is talking about a hostel as opposed to a hotel...

Wikipedia has an article which can explain the basic principal.

We stayed in one when we went to Noordwijk with the school, and that one wasn't bad. The whole point is that it's a bed at rock-bottom prices as long as you don't need provacy or anything like that.

BTW, Jordan, for about £20pppn, you can get a hotel (without the S ) at Euston station. It's a travel inn or something similar I think. Problem is, you'd need someone to either be or pretend to be under 16.

 

[RJ]

Isn't it Hotels?

No!

 

[Lesjordans]

Good news! The YHA London Central will take us if we have a letter from parents

BUT - I was on the NR Site looking for Virgin value advanced tickets for a few weeks before since they only hold journeys for 12 weeks, and further on it's saying £101.90 whereas I was getting £18.50 beforehand! Is there any way of being guaranteed a value advanced for the 27th from Glasgow central - Euston? Preferably the 0949 that only calls at 2 stations as opposed to changing trains or calling all stations. Any help is appreciated

 

[me123]

You need to wait until 3 months beforehand in my experience.

Using 23rd-26th May (random dates from F-M just as a survey) you're getting no Virgin AP fares at all, and it is cheaper to go NXEC. (£61 for a return, but you really have to work around NXEC to get these fares). The trainline don't seem to have Virgin AP fares which is odd...

My internet sucks (Virgin Media ) so i can't get either Virgin or NXEC to work.

EDIT: Working now

Virgin are marginally dearer with "Saver Half Returns", but NXEC have fares about £25 each way, give or take, through their own website. Some of the best fares are change at EDB, though.

Your best bet might be to go to GLC travel centre next time you're in, and query the presence of AP fares for the journeys you wish to make. Because you're going to London for a weekend, though, I'd imagine you'd have to be quick!

 

[Lesjordans]

I'm only looking at singles just now because its possible we may be flying back (it seems to work out cheaper to fly back than take the train )

If the worst comes to the worst and theres no value advances, would Nxec from Edinburgh work out cheaper?

 

[me123]

Edinburgh ain't much cheaper, I'm afraid. If you can get Virgin's cheaper deals, you would be saving half your fare in this case. If there's no APs, you're £27-30 each way, no RC discount. PLus, of course, getting to EDB.

It's sad that the budget airlines win, but if the railways won't compete, they will.

 

[theblackwatch]

If the worst comes to the worst and theres no value advances, would Nxec from Edinburgh work out cheaper?

What's wrong with NXEC all the way through from Glasgow as an alternative?

If you want to be informed when NXEC tickets for a particular date go on sale, you can register via their website to receive an e-mail when they do. However, from experience I have found that they actually go on sale an hour or two before you get the e-mail, so if you are on the ball, you can beat the rush!

Also, because tickets normally go on sale in week blocks (Saturday-Friday) it is likely that tickets for June 27th will go on sale a week before the 29th. Don't wait for the return portions to become available before you book the outwards ones - book each as soon as you can.

 

[Lesjordans]

Whoops - Glasgow Central - Kings Cross is just as easy, wasn't thinking when i wrote that :P

Id rather take Virgin trains because its nearer the hostel and the train is quicker with only 2 calling points, Suppose I can ask next time i'm at the travel centre. Im trying to make the whole thing as cheap as possible.

 

[me123]

Well, Euston and KX are pretty much next door neighbours....

 

[Nym]

Easily walkable I'd say, and theres always one stop on the tube lol