Hostel System Offers Inexpensive Nightly Rates

One of the world’s largest accommodation services is also one of the least expensive. The International Youth Hostel Federation links about 4,900 facilities in 60 countries, providing 342,000 beds each night at an average rate of $10 to $15 per guest.

In 1990, Americans spent 795,000 nights in foreign youth hostels. The countries whose hostel networks were used the most by Americans were Australia, Austria, Canada, England, Wales, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Switzerland.

However, the word youth in the name can be misleading, because few IYHF hostels anywhere impose age limitations. In fact, four-bunk family rooms are now being placed in new hostels and in those being renovated.

An advantage of hostels is that they offer solo travelers a comfortable atmosphere in which to interact with guests from other countries, particularly in their communal lounges, kitchens and dining areas.

Although youth hostels did not suffer as much as other areas of the tourism industry during the Persian Gulf War, usage was down in Eastern Mediterranean countries. Last year, Egypt reported about 10,000 fewer overnight stays at hostels than the year before. The Egyptian Hostel Assn. also reports that it will soon construct hostels in three cities near the Suez Canal.

Even if you are not a member of the IYHF, some hostels will allow you to buy a guest membership by the night. In any case, travelers should become members of their own home association because part of the membership fee and dues go to support their own country’s hostel system.

In addition, part of the dues helps to support hostel systems in other parts of the world. For example, in Latin America, IYHF funds recently helped finance property purchases and buildings in Buenos Aires, Lima, San Jose and Mexico, and helped renovate the Rio de Janeiro hostel.

In Asia, IYHF funds helped finance a new youth hostel in Bangkok, Thailand; China’s first youth hostel, in Beijing; helped to establish a network in Singapore, and was used to obtain property for a hostel in Bali, Indonesia.

Also, new hostels have been established in Alice Springs and Brisbane, Australia; work is continuing on the new 32O-bed Rotherhithe hostel in London (it’s expected to open late this fall); a new youth hostel has been constructed in Seoul’s Olympic Park, and renovation work is under way at the New Delhi hostel.

One of the more unusual hostels is in Stockholm, where the Chapman, a former training ship for the Swedish navy, offers 136 beds. This hostel charges about $11 to IYHF members and about $13 to nonmembers. It’s in Stockholm harbor in the center of the city, across from the Royal Palace.

For more information on handbooks that cover hostel facilities and locations, contact American Youth Hostels, Los Angeles Council, 1434 2nd St., Santa Monica 90401, (213) 393-6263.

Icelandair recently introduced its “youth” fares between New York City and Luxembourg, Paris and Frankfurt to travelers of all ages.

Although these fares are an inexpensive way to travel, they are not always the cheapest available. What makes them particularly attractive to many budget travelers is that they allow flexibility.

They are being called “Three Days Before” fares, and can be booked not more than three days before intended departure. In addition to allowing the purchaser of a round-trip ticket up to one year before returning, it stipulates that the return seat must be booked within three days of the trip back.

This month, a one-way ticket is $268 from New York City to Luxembourg and $308 from New York City to Paris or Frankfurt.

Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 12, and Dec. 25 and March 31, the fares drop to $220 for New York City to Luxembourg and $260 to Paris or Frankfurt.

For more information, contact a travel agent or call Icelandair at (800) 223-5500.