Hostel/ˈhɑːstl/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Travel Accommodation Hostels are budget-friendly alternatives to hotels for travelers. After backpacking in Europe, I mostly stayed in hostels. Pro Tip 2/3Shared Spaces Expect shared rooms and common areas in hostels, promoting a social atmosphere. We met fellow hikers in the hostel's shared kitchen. Pro Tip 3/3Youth-Oriented Hostels often cater to younger guests and may have age restrictions. The youth hostel had activities geared towards solo travelers under 30.