Hostelling International review
Updated September 28, 2026 · NomadCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026
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Our verdict
Hostelling International suits backpackers who want nothing more than a hostel bed booked. Founded in 1932 and run by the International Youth Hostel Federation, it keeps a narrow focus, so anyone also needing flights, trains or hotel rooms will need a second site for the rest of the trip.
Key facts
- Best for
- Booking a hostel bed when the rest of the trip is already sorted.
- Products
- Hostels↗
- Mobile app
- No↗
- Legal entity
- International Youth Hostel Federation↗
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom↗
- Founded
- 1932↗
- Support channels
- Email, Help-centre↗
- Official website
- hihostels.com
Facts checked September 26, 2026, 4 sources
Apps and profiles
Pros and cons
Pros
- A single clear job: hostels is the whole range, so nothing else competes for your attention on the site.
- A long track record under the International Youth Hostel Federation, working since 1932.
- Help runs on email and help centre, so booking questions can be handled in writing.
Cons
- No mobile app, so bookings and changes happen on the site alone.
- Hostels are the entire range, so hostels leaves out anything else a trip needs.
- Support runs on email and help centre only, with no phone line or live chat listed.
Who it suits
- Travellers whose trip is built around hostels, with transport already arranged.
- Solo backpackers who prefer a specialist booking flow to a general marketplace, since WayAway lists flights, rail and bus.
- People who book in a browser and are happy to use a help centre, as support runs on email and help centre.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone assembling a whole trip in one basket: MoMo covers flights, rail and bus.
- Travellers who want rail passes or ferries next to a bed booking: 12Go lists flights, rail and bus.
- People who plan to book from a phone app, as there is no mobile app here.
Who runs it
Hostelling International sits under the International Youth Hostel Federation, based in the United Kingdom, and has been at it since 1932. It books hostels and little else. Questions before or after a booking go to email and help centre, so you can work through availability or a booking change in writing.
How Hostelling International compares
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8.8 vs 9.1It lists flights, rail and bus, adding rail, bus, ferry and rail passes to a trip organised around a single bed booking.
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Where Hostelling International is available
Countries from the brand (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
What can I book on Hostelling International?+
Hostels are the only thing on the list, hostels, so the site is built around a single job: finding a bed for the night. Anything else on your trip, such as getting there or a private room, is handled by other sellers. 12Go, for example, covers flights, rail and bus.
Is there a mobile app?+
There is no mobile app, so you book and manage your stay through the site in a browser, on a phone or a laptop. Help is handled separately, and support runs on email and help centre, which is where a booking change would go.
Who runs the site?+
The site is run by the International Youth Hostel Federation, a federation rather than a single hostel, and it has been operating since 1932. That structure is why the name travels well while the booking range stays narrow: hostels and nothing more.
How do I get help with a booking?+
Support runs on email and help centre, so availability questions, cancellations and booking changes go by email or into the help centre. There is no phone line or live chat listed, which suits travellers who are happy to keep the conversation in writing.
Can I book trains or flights here too?+
Not through this site. Transport is the job of other sellers, and MoMo lists flights, rail and bus, so flights, rail and buses can sit next to a stay. Hostelling International stays narrow with hostels, which keeps the booking flow short.
Which country is the site based in?+
It is registered in the United Kingdom and run by the International Youth Hostel Federation, so terms and support come from a base in the UK. The federation structure also means the network is international, though the booking side of the site covers hostels in one place.
Who is this site for?+
It suits backpackers and solo travellers whose trip already has transport sorted and who need a bed each night. If you want one basket for the whole journey, WayAway lists flights, rail and bus, while this site keeps the choice to hostels.
How long has it been running?+
Since 1932, under the International Youth Hostel Federation. That age matters for backpackers who like a familiar name after a long day's travel, and who want to plan a multi-country trip on the same hostels range as they move between countries.
Sources
- hihostels.com checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Mobile app, Products
“We're not a chain and we're not an app.”
- hihostels.com/mission/our-story checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Founded
“In 1932, those national associations came together and the International Youth Hostel Federation, now known as HI, was born.”
- hihostels.com/support/help-centre checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Support channels
“Find practical answers below, or contact the relevant team.”
- hihostels.com/support/terms-of-use checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Headquarters, Legal entity
“Our registered address is 7 Bell Yard, London WC2A 2JR, UK.”
Compiled from 4 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: Booking fees.
Hostelling International
Booking a hostel bed when the rest of the trip is already sorted.