YHA – Youth Hostel Association

YHA is the abbreviation for ‘Youth Hostel Association’ and many of these formed because of, or are members of, Hostelling International.  

Hostelling International, or the International Youth Hostel Federation, is a global not for profit organisation that was created in 1932 to bring together all of the YHAs of the world.  

Today, Hostelling International has 62 worldwide member organisations operating youth hostels, some of the larger YHAs are: 

  •        YHA England & Wales 
  •        YHA Australia 
  •        YHA China 
  •        YHA India 

Across the YHA network, we have over 700 youth hostels in around 600 cities. Some of the most popular YHA hostels are located in places like London, Oxford, Sydney, Melbourne, Shenzhen, New Delhi… You can find those youth hostels here on our website.  

You can become a member by buying a Digital Membership which will give you access to member rates or a discount on all HI Hostels. You can also buy a membership from your local YHA. 

All Youth Hostel Associations operate as a not-for-profit organisation with the aim to help young people travel and discover the world. You will find the contact details of your nearest YHA on our network page.  

In some countries, youth hostels are operated by similar organisations with a different name, such as: HI USA, HI Canada, Stayokay, Danhostel, Federation Unie des Auberges de Jeunesse (France), Japan Youth Hostels…