What does hostelling mean?
Hostelling means travelling and staying in hostels, typically in a way that emphasises low accommodation costs and an informal, independent style of travel. It is especially associated with backpackers, students, young travellers, and people exploring a region on a limited budget. The term can also refer more broadly to the provision or use of hostel accommodation and to the organised culture surrounding such travel. Although people who undertake hostelling may enjoy social interaction and shared facilities, the word primarily denotes the travel arrangement rather than a particular destination or activity undertaken while travelling. It is commonly used in British English, while American English usually spells it "hosteling." In phrases such as "go hostelling," "hostelling trip," and "hostelling abroad," it presents travel as an inexpensive, flexible alternative to hotel-based tourism.
nounThe activity or practice of travelling and staying in hostels, usually as a way of keeping costs low. The spelling is chiefly British; the usual US spelling is "hosteling."
- The practice of travelling and staying in hostels, especially as a budget or backpacking activity.
- The provision of hostel accommodation, especially as a movement or form of organised travel for young people.
"They spent the summer hostelling along the coast, carrying little more than a backpack."
"After university, she spent a year hostelling across Europe."
"The town has become known for its inexpensive cafés and its lively hostelling scene."
Rare; the word is normally used in the singular or as an uncountable noun.
"The guide compares several years of hostellings across Asia."
Hostelling is backpacking with a roof: it turns inexpensive communal accommodation into the defining feature of the journey itself.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hostelling come from?
The word derives from "hostel," which comes through Old French from the Latin "hospitale," meaning a place providing shelter or lodging. The Latin root is also reflected in related English words such as "hospital," "hospitality," "hostelry," and "hotel." The activity became especially associated with youth and budget travel during the twentieth century, and the British spelling "hostelling" became established alongside the US form "hosteling."
Related word forms
How hostelling is actually used
In British English, "hostelling" is the standard spelling; "hosteling" is more common in American English. The word is often used in the context of youth travel, inexpensive accommodation, and informal or independent itineraries.
Easily confused with hostelling
"Hostel" is the place where travellers stay, while "hostelling" is the activity of travelling and staying in such places.
A hotel is typically a more expensive type of accommodation, whereas hostelling usually emphasises budget travel and shared hostel facilities.