YHA Hostels

Membership of a Youth Hostel Association (YHA) gives you access to a network of hostels throughout England, Wales and Scotland – you don’t have to be young or single to use them.

All the British associations are affiliated to Hostelling International (HI), which has recently changed its name from Interna­tional Youth Hostel Federation to move away from the emphasis on ‘youth’. Some countries immediately adopted the new name, but Britain is still sticking with YHA and SYHA. It makes no difference - YHA, IYHF or HI, it’s all the same thing.

All hostels have facilities for self-catering and some provide cheap meals. Advance booking is advisable, especially at weekends, bank holidays and at any time over the summer months. Booking policies vary: most hostels accept phone bookings and payment with Visa or Access (MasterCard) cards; some will accept same-day bookings, although they will usually only hold a bed until 6 pm; some participate in the Book-A-Bed-Ahead scheme; some work on a first come, first served basis.

The advantages of hostels are primarily price (although the difference between a cheap B&B and an expensive hostel isn’t huge) and the chance to meet other travellers. The disadvantages are that some are still run dictatorially, you’re usually locked out between 10 am and 5 pm, the front door is locked at 11 pm, you usually sleep in bunks in a single-sex dormitory, and many are closed during winter. Official youth hostels are rarely in town centres; fine if you’re walking the countryside or have your own transport.