What is the minimum age to check into a hotel?
Most hotels set the minimum check-in age at 18 in Europe and 21 in the United States. The exact age is set per property and shown in its policies on the trip1 listing.
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How old do you have to be to check in
There is no single answer, because the minimum check-in age is a property-level policy. On trip1 you will find it in the policies section of each listing, next to the check-in times and the deposit rules. Read it before you book if anyone in your party is under 21.
As a rough guide: 18 across most of Europe, the UK, Australia and much of Asia; 21 at a large share of hotels in the United States; and 25 at some US resorts, casino hotels and city properties that have had trouble with parties.
Why hotels set an age limit
It comes down to contracts and liability. A hotel stay is a contract, and properties want the person signing it to be old enough to be bound by it under local law. Drinking age rules and insurance conditions push some properties higher still.
A property can also set a higher limit for particular room types or dates. That is why an adults-only resort, or a beach hotel during a school holiday period, may be stricter than its usual policy.
Travelling with under-18s
Children and teenagers do not need to meet the minimum age to sleep in the room. The limit applies to the guest who checks in, so a 15 year old on a parent's booking is fine.
A minor travelling alone is different. Many properties will not accept an unaccompanied guest under 18 at all, and those that do usually want a signed consent letter from a parent or guardian. Contact the property before booking rather than turning up and hoping.
What to do if you are close to the limit
- Check the minimum age in the property's policies before you book, not afterwards.
- Bring photo ID that shows your date of birth, because staff will check it against the policy.
- If the listing is unclear, message the property and get the answer in writing before you pay.
- If you have already booked and think you may be under the limit, contact trip1 support before you travel.
Important: A property can refuse to check in a guest who is under its stated minimum age, and the booking's own cancellation terms would still apply. Sort this out before you travel rather than at the desk.
Age limits and shared rooms
If a group of young adults is travelling together, only the person checking in has to meet the minimum age. Put that person's name on the reservation as the lead guest so the booking and the ID at the desk agree.
Hostels and youth-oriented properties often work the other way round, with a maximum age on some dormitory rates. That will also be listed in the property's policies.
Minimum hotel check-in age - FAQ
It is set by each property, not by trip1. As a rough guide, it is 18 across most of Europe, the UK, Australia and much of Asia, 21 at a large share of US hotels, and 25 at some US resorts, casino hotels and city properties. Check the policies section on the trip1 listing before you book.
In most of Europe, the UK, Australia and much of Asia, usually yes. In the United States many hotels set the minimum at 21 and some at 25, so an 18 year old will be turned away at those properties. Read the minimum age on the listing before you book and bring photo ID that shows your date of birth.
It comes down to contracts and liability. A hotel stay is a contract, and properties want the person signing it to be old enough to be bound by it. Drinking age rules and insurance conditions push some, especially in the US, to 21 or higher, and some set stricter limits for certain room types or holiday dates.
Possibly. Only the person checking in has to meet the minimum age, so the 18 year old should be the lead guest at a property whose limit is 18. Many properties will not accept an unaccompanied guest under 18, though, so message the property before booking and get its answer in writing.
Usually not. Many properties will not accept an unaccompanied guest under 18 at all, and those that do usually want a signed consent letter from a parent or guardian. Contact the property before booking. A 17 year old staying on a parent's booking is fine, because the age limit applies only to the guest who checks in.
In the policies section of each property's trip1 listing, next to the check-in times and the deposit rules. If the listing is unclear, message the property before you pay. If you have already booked and think you may be under the limit, contact trip1 support before you travel, because the booking's cancellation terms still apply if you are refused.