Hostelling International Alternative Opens Doors

This summer 150 independent hostels in Europe banded together to market themselves as “Hostels of Europe.” They’ve created a membership card that gets its holders discounted rates at their locations.

Details on the Hostels of Europe (HOE) locations and reservations are obtainable through its Internet site, https://www.hostelseurope.com. The card is also sold through the site; with tax and shipping it’s about $20.

Non-cardholders can stay at Hostels of Europe facilities but without a discount. Cardholders get an average 10% discount off regular rates, which are about $16 to $18 per night. Additional discounts--from 10% to 20%--are also being negotiated for the Hostels of Europe card with travel services such as Stena Lines Irish Ferries, Tir na Nog Bus Tours (Ireland), Eurolines and Canal Tours Amsterdam.

A free map showing the locations of Hostels of Europe facilities will be distributed to cardholders, and is available at affiliated hostels in Europe. The card is honored in Ireland (more than 100 hostels), Britain, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, Greece and Turkey.

Hostels of Europe will be an alternative to Hostelling International (HI), a long-established worldwide network of 5,000 hostels. An HI adult membership is $25 per year. Nonmembers can use HI hostels in most countries, but they are usually charged an additional guest fee of about $4 per night. If beds are limited, preference may be shown to HI members.

Recently HI pumped up the value of its membership card by launching an online database of 2,500 discounts, beyond accommodations, in 25 countries. The country-by-country listing is on the Internet at https://www.iyhf.org. In addition to opening hostel doors, the HI card is now recognized for commission-free currency exchange with Travelex. There are 300 Travelex offices worldwide. A list of Travelex locations is available on the Internet at https://www.travelexgrp.com. Other establishments honoring the card include restaurants, pubs, Internet cafes and activities geared to independent, adventurous travelers.

In Israel, the HI card is honored for discounts of 5% to 20% for rafting and kayaking on the Jordan River; slathering yourself with Dead Sea mud at a spa at Ein Gedi; visiting the fascinating hilltop fortress of Masada; and diving, sailing and Jeep touring at the southern resort city of Eilat.

HI members also get a 20% to 30% discount on rail tickets in Italy, but they must purchase a special State Railways (FS) card for $5. The FS card can be used for four months, but not between Dec. 15 and Jan. 10 or from 10 days before Easter until the first Sunday after it. If you arrive at any Italian HI hostel by train and show your HI card plus the rail ticket used for this discount, your third night of accommodation is free.

For more information on HI membership, tel. (310) 393-3413, Internet https://www.hiayh.org.

It’s worth noting that although these discounts enhance hostel memberships, the most extensive discount program for young travelers is still the International Student Identity Card ($20). Administered by the International Student Travel Confederation, this card is the most recognized.

Information about the International Student Identity Card and the Go 25 International Youth Travel Card ($20, for nonstudents under 26) is on the Internet at https://www.istc.org. These cards can be purchased from student travel services, including STA Travel, tel. (800) 777-0112, Internet https://www.statravel.com.

Lucy Izon is a Toronto-based freelance writer. Internet https://www.izon.com.