Venice, Italy

Plan a Trip

Need some help planning your next trip? HI is the budget travel expert! Check out the national website's travel resources for lots of ideas and links to help you plan your next trip.

Top Ten Tips for Responsible Travel

Understanding the HI timeless and unique philosophy of hostelling will help you plan your next trip. The travel ethic HI-USA encourages focuses on one uncomplicated word: sharing. You'll often note the word "share" in our literature—"shared kitchen," "shared common room," "shared dormitory." But we also want you to expand the philosophy of sharing beyond your hostel stay to all parts of your travel experiences. It's actually a very simple concept: travel with simple respect for the people and cultures you encounter.

  1. If you are seeking a "home away from home," stay there.
  2. Realize that others may have attitudes and concepts of time as well as other things that are different from not inferior to your own.
  3. Remember that you are only one of many visitors. Do not expect special privileges.
  4. Cultivate habits of active listening and observing, rather than merely hearing and seeing. Avoid the temptation to assume you already know all the answers.
  5. Ask questions—but first determine if asking would in and of itself be rude or disruptive. Research the culture before you get there.
  6. Instead of looking only for the exotic, discover the richness of another culture and day-to-day, ordinary, way of life.
  7. Be aware of the feelings of others. Act respectfully and avoid offensive behavior (again, research or ask other travelers, hostel staff, etc). Be especially aware of local sensitivity about taking photographs.
  8. Travel with the spirit of humility and a genuine desire to meet and talk with local people. Bring pictures of your home and be willing to share about yourself as you ask them to do the same.
  9. Spend time each day reflecting on your experiences in order to deepen your understanding. A travel journal is an excellent way to do this, or regular email postings to your friends and family recording your observations, reactions and experiences.
  10. Travel Light—As it relates to the environment, other cultures, and your backpack! Less is More!

Earth Friendly Travel: Doing What We Can

There's a new and better way to travel: earth friendly travel. Here's an exclusive HI-USA, Michigan article to read with great websites to learn more.

Read "Earth Friendly Travel: Doing What We Can"