HI fees

Lynette, I always travel with a current HI Hostel membership, so haven't experienced extra "fees". For only two nights, having a membership probably won't save any money, but considering the small cost of a membership, I'd probably get one anyway. I'm assuming that both Hostels you're staying in are HI properties? Happy travels!

If you travel often, it's worth it. a lot of european hostels require some kind of hostel membership. I think the HI membership is good for a year and is like 30 bucks? if your just staying for 2 nights... it worth paying the extra hostel fee nad opting out.

Because we are a family of 5, I was thinking that I had to purchase a family membership--which is over $100. I decided to purchase one adult membership online. I think I'll be okay with the adult membership rather than the family membership. What has your experience been? My 3 kids are 21, 18 and 15.

It's not going to be a matter of the personal experiences of hostelers, but a matter of the rules German hostels operate under. The membership procedures are explained at the German hostels website. "Ausländische Gäste benötigen eine Mitgliedskarte des Jugendherbergsverbandes ihres Heimatlandes, um in einer deutschen Jugendherberge übernachten zu können.Sie können sich aber auch in einer deutschen Jugendherberge eine internationale Gastkarte - Hostelling International Card - ausstellen lassen. Die Gastkarte hat die Funktion einer Ersatzmitgliedschaft. Pro Übernachtung muss eine Übernachtungsmarke „welcome stamp" erworben werden. Nach 6 Übernachtungen, also wenn sechs „welcome stamps" aufgeklebt wurden, wird die Gastkarte 12 Monate ab der Ausstellung in allen Jugendherbergen weltweit gültig. Ein „welcome stamp" kostet 3,10 €." If foreigners do not have their own hostel cards, they'll be issued an international guest ID card and charged 3.10 Euros each on top of the nightly fee for a "welcome stamp" for every night they stay; the stamp gets attached to the ID card. Once a guest has stayed 6 nights and accumulated 6 welcome stamps, their guest card is valid worldwide for 12 months from the date of issuance with no further fees. So if you are only using hostels for a few nights, this sort of fee will work well for you. You won't have to pay the $28 each upfront USA hostel membership fee per adult - $112 for your family - and can just pay as you go, for a maximum of 72 Euros in welcome stamps if you end up staying 6 nights, less if you stay fewer.

Thanks for the information. Now I understand. In my case, it's better to pay the fees.