Is it worth it to buy a youth hostel card? One I've been reading about is hostelling international membership card? Any one have any advice on this. I'll be traveling in a group of 4, to several different countries/cities (London, Amsterdam, Munich, Venice, Rome, Paris) and we will probably be mixing it up with low end hotels and hostels. I'm not sure buying a card would be woth it. Thanks

In London, Amsterdam, and Paris, you might want the YHA hostels, although other choices are available. In Venice, Rome, and Munich, I doubt you would want to use the YHA hostels.

How much does the card cost, and how many nights do you expect to spend in YHA hostels?

But in short - probably not worth it.

You should not buy a card ($25 + postage) before leaving as you may not use it as these cities have so many better alternatives to hostels (less rules, private rooms - in so-cllaed burgeoning number of youth hotels and private hostels that you don't need a card for) - and if you do you can buy an international guest card once there;
this works like this: you pay about $5 more each day at HI hostels if you don't have a proper membership pass but you get an international guest card and each time you pay the extra $5 or so you fill in one of five boxes on the guest card, which, after five visits turns into a proper hostel card - the only difference being with the guest cards you can't use it in your home country. At least this is how it has been - i'm not keeping up on hostels so much could have changed - but if so this is the best way to go as so many young people buy hostel cards and then don't use them. Get a copy of Let's Go Europe and it lists dozens of hostel type digs in many cities - the HI hostels, to me, there is no reason to seek out in places like you mention.

Thanks for the great info!

ttt to see if anyone has more current first-hand info

Hi, you've probably already gone on your trip, but i'll add my input for others' future reference.

The first time I went to Europe, I purchased the HI card and stayed in their places. They are definitely cleaner, offer free lockers for bags, consistently personable staff. Often large breakfasts were included in the stay (london, koln). However, you basically pay for it because their prices are a bit more expensive than the next hostel.

Also, there are so many other hostels outside their network, that I don't feel it's necessary to stay with them (unless you prefer reliable cleanliness). Personally, I'm a student who looks for a deal and relative cleanliness. PS, if you're that big a group, it may be cheaper to rent a hotel.