What is a Hostel?
From a German teacher's rainy night inspiration to a global movement — the complete story of youth hostels
The Essence of a Hostel
One bed, bunk beds, four to twenty people sleeping in one room. Shared bathroom, shared kitchen, shared lounge. That's a hostel.
Bunk Beds
4-20 people per room in shared dormitories
Shared Facilities
Common bathrooms, kitchens, and living areas
Budget-Friendly
Affordable accommodation for travelers worldwide
The History of Hostels
The Idea is Born
Germany. An elementary school teacher named Richard Schirrmann took his students on an outing when they got caught in a violent thunderstorm. The group took shelter in an empty school for the night. While the students slept, the teacher lay awake thinking: wouldn't it be wonderful if there were inexpensive places like this to stay all across the country?
The First Official Youth Hostel
Schirrmann opened the first official youth hostel at Altena Castle in Germany. In German, it's called "Jugendherberge." That castle still has a hostel today — the original rooms have been converted into a museum.
The Movement Grows
Schirrmann founded the German Youth Hostel Association. By 1932, Germany had over 2,000 hostels hosting 4.5 million overnight stays per year.
Going International
Representatives from 11 European countries met in Amsterdam to establish the International Youth Hostel Federation. The founding members were Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, and Belgium. Schirrmann became president in 1933.
Hostels Come to America
American couple Isabel and Monroe Smith — she was an art teacher, he led Boy Scouts — traveled to Europe in 1933 and discovered hostels. They came back determined to bring the concept home. In 1934, they opened America's first youth hostel in Northfield, Massachusetts. By the following summer, a chain of hostels stretched across Vermont and New Hampshire, serving hikers and cyclists.
"This is the best education he ever received — better than school."— Franklin D. Roosevelt, Honorary President of American Youth Hostels, 1936
The Original Spirit: Work for Your Bed
In the early days, hostel guests were expected to contribute labor: sweeping floors, washing dishes, cooking meals, taking shifts at reception. You exchanged work for your bed.
There was no class distinction — wealthy and poor stayed together in the same rooms, sharing the same experience.
The War Years and Recovery
During World War II, many European hostels were shut down. Some were taken over by the Hitler Youth. After the war, hostels were rebuilt and experienced a resurgence in the 1960s and 70s. The energy crisis of the 1970s caused another temporary decline.
Hostels Today: By the Numbers
Europe (2019)
5,829 hostels across the continent, continuing the tradition that began over a century ago in Germany.
Asia (2019)
4,738 hostels serving the growing wave of backpackers and budget travelers exploring the region.
Hostelling International Today
Hostelling International is now the parent organization of youth hostel associations in over 90 countries. It operates as a nonprofit.
Globally, there are over 4,000 hostels across 75 countries, serving 33 million overnight stays annually.
HI USA operates 30 hostels in the United States with over 1 million overnight stays per year.
Who Stays at Hostels?
Most hostel guests are between 16 and 34 years old. But there's no age limit — hostels welcome travelers of all ages.
Average Hostel Bed Prices
United States (Average)
New York City
Italy
United Kingdom
London
Barcelona
Hostels vs. Hotels
Advantages of Hostels
- Significantly cheaper than hotels
- Great for meeting other travelers
- Usually better locations than Airbnb
- Social atmosphere and community
- Often include free amenities
Trade-offs to Consider
- Less privacy
- Sleeping with strangers
- Shared bathrooms
- Potential noise from roommates
- Limited personal space
Modern Hostels: Not Your Grandfather's Bunk Bed
Today's hostels have evolved dramatically. Many now offer private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, along with amenities that rival boutique hotels.
Swimming Pools
Rooftop pools and relaxation areas
Saunas & Spas
Wellness facilities for relaxation
Rooftop Terraces
City views and social spaces
Game Rooms
Entertainment and social gaming
Co-Working Spaces
High-speed wifi for digital nomads
Private Rooms
En-suite bathrooms available
The Australian "Pirate Hostels" Era
In the 1980s, a wave of independent hostels emerged in Australia, competing with official youth hostel associations. They offered double rooms, mixed dorms, swimming pools, bars, cheap meals, and alcohol for sale. Official youth hostels had to adapt and relax their rules to compete. For a while, these independents were nicknamed "pirate hostels" — like the pirate radio stations of the 1960s — though the name never quite stuck.
Early British Hostelling
Hostels in Britain began in the late 1920s, with the official Youth Hostels Association opening its first locations in 1931.
In 1931, C.B. Fawcett wrote that young travelers typically possessed only "health, energy, and enthusiasm" with very little money. Hostels were spaced about 15 miles apart — just the right distance for a day's walk.
Regulation: The New York State Law (2010)
In 2010, New York State passed a law requiring a hotel license to operate a hostel. This came after incidents of illegal hostels operating in residential buildings without proper authorization.
Find Your Next Hostel
From Richard Schirrmann's rainy night revelation in 1909 to today's global network of over 40,000 properties, hostels continue to embody the original vision: affordable places where travelers of all backgrounds can stay, connect, and explore the world together.