Do I need Youth Hostel Membership?

[timr]

On the CF I always stayed in albergues. I note that on the Norte, which I plan to do a few weeks hence, accommodation is several times available (only?) in Youth Hostels. Does anyone know if I need to get Youth Hostel membership in advance, or will I be able to stay in a Youth Hostel simply by showing a credencial?

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I didn't need one last fall, but you may want to check when you make your reservations. Because those you may very well need depending on when you will be there. I stayed the one in San Sebastian (Ondaretta) and Guernika.

 

[nreyn12]

Hi Timr,

I work for Hosteling International, which is, I think, the only organization that charges membership fees. If you stay in an HI hostel and you don't have a membership, you will pay a daily membership fee of around three euros. There are very few HI hostels on any of the Camino routes. You're likely to find them only in the bigger cities, if at all. I've seen a couple of 'youth hostels' on the Camino Frances, and they usually charge a lower rate for pilgrims with a credencial.

Short answer: No membership needed for the Camino!

 

[Alan Pearce]

This is slightly off topic, as it is not about the del Norte, but I will excuse myself by noting that the title for the thread is "Do I Need Youth Hostel Membership". When I walked the Camino de Madrid recently with 2 others we stayed in the youth hostel at Cercidilla. The other two had to take out an annual membership of the Youth Hostels organisation [ they received membership cards to take away with them ] . I avoided having to do this by showing them my membership card for Youth Hostels of Australia, which gives me reciprocal rights in other countries. They were quite taken with the Australian card, as they never not seen one before!

Alan

Be brave. Life is joyous.

 

[timr]

Thanks Alan.

 

[nreyn12]

Alan, yes - as far as I know, Hostelling International is the only hostel organization that offers and requires membership. Being an international organization, a membership card from any country is good at hostels worldwide.

Nancy

 

[jsalt]

I stayed at two youth hostels on the Portuguese camino: Moscavide (Lisbon) and Porto. I asked if there was a discount for being a HI member (as I was), but no such luck. And no need to be a member to stay there. So I see no reason to join the HI, if there are no benefits when staying at their hostels; or is this only in Portugal?