Q: I’m familiar with hotel rooms and cruise ship cabins, but recent travel promotions confuse me. I know these two are the cheapest places, but what’s the difference between a hostel and Airbnb stay? Lucile P., Greeley CO

A: With names, prices and places changing all the time, traveling seniors can get befuddled about where to spend the night and their money. Airbnb is a relatively new and growing market in the travel industry. Private home owners offer rooms or the entire house for one night or more. It can be much cheaper than hotels, especially if your travel group includes four or more people.

Hostels have been around for a long while, mostly appealing to younger travelers. They’re usually basic dorms with bunk beds, four or more people to a room and shared bathrooms.  To get more familiar with Airbnb and hostels, before your next trip alone or with a group, do some internet searching and price comparisons.