Frequently asked questions

Almost anyone! YHAs are inclusive places, and every YHA is available for travellers of all ages to stay for up to 14 days, regardless of their gender, nationality, religion or sexuality.

YHAs aren’t just for backpackers – they’re for travellers of any kind who want a more holistic, social and fulfilling way of experiencing a destination. Whether you’re travelling in a group, with your family, for business or as a solo adventurer, as long as you are a legitimate traveller and follow our house rules, you are welcome at YHA.

YHAs are inclusive, friendly and social places, with common spaces for relaxing, guest kitchens for cooking meals and regular events and activities held on-site. Every YHA features both shared co-living accommodation and private rooms, and many offer private ensuite bathrooms as well – just like a hotel.

Many guests choose YHA specifically because of the sociable vibe, so be prepared to strike up conversations with strangers, or with our friendly team (if you feel like it, of course!).

Many YHAs offer affordable continental breakfast (which you can pre-book or purchase during your stay). Even better, many properties now feature on-site cafes and bars, which lets travellers enjoy high-quality cuisine and even a drink with friends without ever leaving their accommodation.

You’re also welcome to prepare your own food at our shared kitchen or eat any other food you bring in from outside. Freedom to choose is all part of the YHA experience.

Every person who checks in with us automatically becomes a member at no extra cost. If you’ve ever stayed with YHA in the last 2 years, chances are you’re already a member. Haven’t stayed but still want to enjoy some of the perks? No worries – you can easily purchase membership separately for $15 for a two-year membership.

YHA membership comes with a huge array of benefits – so many that they wouldn’t all fit here. Not only do you receive a discount of 10% on all YHA accommodation (and up to 15% if using the YHA Explorer App), you instantly join a global community of travellers with free Hostelling International membership, gain access to an array of great travel discounts and deals, get the ability to vote on governance issues and much more. Check out our membership page for the full rundown.

Yes you can, but why would you? You become a member automatically after your first stay, and if you create an account and sign in with MyYHA, you automatically get access to a 10% discount and exclusive promotional rates (subject to seasonal availability).

Book directly through our YHA Explorer App, and your 10% discount will go up each time you stay to a maximum of 15%, and you’ll receive a 10% discount on food & beverage and a range of other perks and features. Now that’s value!

Absolutely not. YHAs across the country regularly hosts families, groups of climbers and older explorers out on a weekender. You don’t even have to own a backpack to stay!

Whether you’re a worker travelling through, overseas tourist looking for something to suit their budget or an Aussie exploring a new part of the country, YHA is the perfect place to base yourself for your next adventure.

Every YHA is unique, but some facilities are found across our entire network. Every YHA has one or more shared kitchen for preparing meals and almost all feature some kind of common space – whether it’s a lounge, terrace, games room or even cinema.

Many have swimming pools, wellness spaces and co-working spaces. A growing number of YHAs also feature on-site cafes or even fully licensed bars.

Check out the respective YHA’s property page for more details on what to expect.

YHAs offer a range of amenities to make your stay as convenient and comfortable as possible.

The majority of YHAs offer on-site parking, either paid or free depending on the location. Notable exceptions to this are YHA Melbourne Central (no parking) and YHA Sydney Central (limited parking).

All YHAs are equipped with stable, high-quality Wi-Fi for all guests, as well as even faster Premium Wi-Fi for users of the YHA Explorer App.

Short-term luggage storage is available at select YHAs before or after your stay, there are often activities and games to use or borrow, many properties offer free or paid bike/surfboard hire, and there are washing facilities on-site at all YHA locations. Refer to each YHA’s individual property page for detailed property facilities.

If a property holds a license to serve alcohol (if it has a bar on-site), then you cannot bring in your own alcohol.

At certain properties however, guests are permitted to bring their own alcohol. Please make sure to consume responsibly!

If you’ve heard that YHA only has shared rooms with bunks, you’ve heard wrong. Hostel-style accommodation offers much more than just shared co-living rooms. Some people love their privacy, and that’s okay. In fact, every YHA around Australia offers private rooms, with many offering premium options with ensuite bathrooms, or even king beds and world-class views.

It's ultimately up to you how you choose to stay, and thanks to our communal spaces and regular in-house events and activities, there’ll be plenty of chances to socialise with your fellow guests whatever kind of room you’re staying in.

YHA takes the safety of our team and guests very seriously. For security reasons, you will be asked to have your photo taken when you arrive and check in. This is because you will be staying in a shared environment with other guests, and it is important for us to know who is in on-site at all times to protect the safety and security of you and your fellow guests. 

Check out our privacy policy for more information.

Yes – the maximum length of stay at YHA is 14 days. YHA is short-stay accommodation, for travellers from Australia or around the world. YHA is not for long-term stays or as an alternative to housing.

There’s no better place to find out about great things to see and do during your stay than our friendly and knowledgeable YHA team. Our amazing team are travellers just like you – talk to them for tips on where to go to explore your surrounds, awesome activities and events and the must-do experiences in the area.