Why do youth hostels exist?

All Youth Hostel Associations operate as a not-for-profit organisation with the aim to help young people travel and discover the world.



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Sometimes called backpacking hostels, they offer budget accommodation that is usually of a decent quality. They allow you to get to know a country at low cost, make friends with other travellers, and pick up insider tips on where to go and where to avoid.

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First of all, hostels are great places to make friends while traveling and to have a more social experience. Plus, they're one of the cheapest types of accommodation, so you get to save money during your travels. Most hostels have dormitories where you would share your room with other people.

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Once a bastion for independent and budget travelers and known for their sense of camaraderie, recent times have seen youth hostels closing down. But, says Michael O'Regan, “a thriving backpacking hostel ignites authentic, spontaneous interactions between strangers.”

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Hosteling began in Europe over a century ago and has grown with the cities there. Hostels entering the US market now have less prime real estate and more red tape than abroad, and compared to the well established hotel industry. New York City has been especially unwelcoming to hostels.

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14 easy rules for hostel living:
  • Respect sleeping hours. ...
  • Keep your things to yourself. ...
  • Careful where you hang your towel. ...
  • Say hi to everyone you see. ...
  • Don't have sex in dorms. ...
  • Don't sit on other people's beds. ...
  • Smelly clothes & shoes go outside. ...
  • If you're sick, avoid dorms.


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Most hostels are only short-stay hostels meaning they don't like you staying longer than a week because they have other travellers who want to stay there too. But some hostels don't have a limit on your length of stay and you can find some people living in hostels while they go off to work.

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How Much Money Does It Cost To Stay In A Hostel? While prices can vary widely, you can generally expect for hostels to cost between $10 to $40 per night. Hostels can vary in the number of amenities, perks, comfort levels, and location, so be sure to take this into consideration when choosing your housing.

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Most hostels do their best to make the ratio of men to women in mixed rooms equal – yet this understandably depends on who is staying on any given night. Do remember everyone is there to rest and get sleep for the next day's travels, which means you shouldn't expect a social situation.

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Can couples sleep together in hostels? The answer is yes! Many hostels offer private rooms with double beds or twin beds that can be pushed together to create a double bed. Couples can enjoy a private space while still being able to take advantage of the social atmosphere of a hostel.

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While most HI USA hostels do have private rooms, staying in a shared dorm is your best bet if you want to meet other travelers and make your travel budget go further.

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Truth: Hostels are generally open to people of all ages, and I've never been turned away for being beyond my 20s. Do I feel “old” when I stay at hostels? Sometimes, yes. But I've rarely been the only person over 40 staying at one, and I frequently meet travelers in their 50s and 60s who are staying in hostels.

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The short answer: yes, a hostel can be highly profitable, because the hostel business model is designed to minimise costs and maximise profits.

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Most hostels have a communal bathroom with private shower stalls. So while they're technically “communal”, you'll still have a sense of privacy. It's worth investing in a nice toiletry bag, since communal showers mean you'll be toting your toiletries back and forth from your room.

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Hostels are often shared accommodations, which means that women may be sharing a room with strangers or sleeping in a mixed-gender dorm. This can make some women feel vulnerable and unsafe, but with proper precautions and awareness, women can have a safe and enjoyable experience staying in hostels.

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Lack of Privacy: Hostel life can often be quite cramped, and you may have to share a room with others. It can be difficult if you are used to having your own space, leading to a lack of privacy for all. Lack of Comfort: Hostel life sometimes provides a different level of comfort than a home.

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Truth: Hostels are generally open to people of all ages, and I've never been turned away for being beyond my 20s.

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The typical hostel-goer tends to skew on the younger side. The average age is probably somewhere between 18 and 25, although you'll definitely find travelers much older than that as well! I have even witnessed full families with young children staying in hostels.

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A hostel is styled like a college dormitory. Multiple people share a room and also have shared bathrooms and showers. Unlike hotels, hostels may only have a few people on staff and fewer amenities. A hostel is popular among single travelers or young people who are looking to save money on lodging.

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