Our Mission


"To help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people through hostelling."

Buy A Membership

How It Works
Hostelling International is a membership organization. Typically each traveler purchases a membership from their home country. Of course, we won't turn you away if you don't have a membership. Instead, we'll provide you with a temporary membership card. In the US, this temporary membership fee is $3 per night. In the Europe it's typically 3 Euros. That's how it works.

What are some of the benefits to having a HI Membership?
  • Access to more than 4000 hostels world wide
  • Did you know there are more than 70 hostels in the US?
  • HIhostels.com doesn't charge a booking fee!
  • Discounts with American Airlines, and Trek America.
  • Local discounts in shops that display the blue triangle in their store window.
  • Basic international travel insurance, free email access, voice mail and travel info thru ekit.
  • Visit the HI-USA membership benefits page for information.


Support Your Local Council And Buy A Membership!
When you buy locally you are supporting your local hostels.We get a percentage of the proceeds for every membership we sell. Even if you purchase your membership online via HI-USA before you go you are supporting the growth and sustainability of our national organization.

We sell memberships locally!
Until our local council can afford the cost a office space, we can sell memberships in the following ways:

Come to one of our events and we'll be glad to help you out. Email us at support@hiwsc.org and we can arrange a meeting time and place.

How To Purchase Your Membership Online
If you like the convenience of purchasing online, you can do so via the HI-USA website. It's not too difficult and you will have your membership shipped to your home in a matter of days. Visit the HI-USA "Ways to Join" page and purchase your membership online.