stay in a hostel

Meaning

This phrase refers to lodging in a budget-friendly, shared accommodation (a hostel) where guests usually rent a bed in a dormitory and share common areas. It is popular among backpackers, students, and budget travelers.

Examples

• When you travel solo, it is often easier to meet people if you stay in a hostel.

  When you travel solo, it is often easier to meet people if you stay in a hostel.

• We decided to stay in a hostel to save money for food and activities.

  We decided to stay in a hostel to save money for food and activities.

• Is it safe to stay in a hostel when traveling alone through Europe?

  Is it safe to stay in a hostel when traveling alone through Europe?

• I used to stay in a hostel when I was a student, but now I prefer hotels.

  I used to stay in a hostel when I was a student, but now I prefer hotels.

• They chose to stay in a hostel that offered free breakfast and walking tours.

  They chose to stay in a hostel that offered free breakfast and walking tours.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We stayed at a hostel.

  ✓ We stayed in a hostel.

  While 'stay at' is used for specific named properties (e.g., 'stay at the Generator Hostel'), 'stay in a hostel' is the standard, natural collocation when speaking generally about this type of accommodation.

• ✗ I stayed in a hotel hostel.

  ✓ I stayed in a hostel.

  Hostels and hotels are two different categories of lodging. Do not combine them into a single term.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you want to save money on your trip to Tokyo, you should ___.

  💡 Choose budget-friendly, shared accommodation instead of a hotel.

  Show answer

  stay in a hostel

• I don't mind sharing a room, so I usually ___ when I travel.

  💡 Sleep in a shared dormitory space for travelers.

  Show answer

  stay in a hostel