The non-profit national Russian Youth Hostel Association (also known as Hostelling Russia, Russian Youth Hostels and RYH) was founded in November 1992. The purpose of the association is to advance hostelling in Russia and also to help Russians travel abroad independently and inexpensively by staying in hostels throughout the world.

As the word spreads about Hostelling Russia, Russian Youth Hostels is working quickly to expand the network. RYH now has 7 hostels in Russia.

In addition to building a network of budget accommodation within Russia, Russian Youth Hostels also has close ties to many Hostelling International national associations like DJH - German YHA, SRM - Finnish YHA, and the Baltic Youth Hostel Associations. Through this network of associations, it is now possible to hostel all the countries lying on the Baltic Sea.