Airbnb is undoubtedly the most popular booking platform out there, with over 7.7 million listings worldwide. Even so, chances are you’re listing on other sites as well to diversify your channels and reach as many customers as possible.
And if that’s the case, keeping your various booking calendars up to date to avoid double bookings is definitely one of your biggest pain points.
This is where Airbnb calendar syncs come in, ensuring you have real-time visibility across all your booking channels. Let’s take a look at why syncing your Airbnb calendar is important, some tips for doing it right, the best methods available to you, and helpful FAQs.
We’ll have your calendars synced in no time so you can get back to what you do best: running your Airbnb business.
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Why is it important to sync your Airbnb calendar?
As an Airbnb host, streamlining operations and enhancing your guest experience can significantly boost your bookings. One effective way to achieve this is by automating tasks like booking management, especially by syncing your Airbnb calendar with any other platforms or pages you list on.
By syncing your Airbnb calendar with your other booking channels, you can:
- Avoid double bookings: Syncing calendars helps eliminate the stress and potential losses associated with double bookings, a common issue when managing multiple platforms.
- See real-time availability: A synchronized Airbnb calendar ensures that your listings reflect real-time availability, improving the booking experience for guests and fostering trust.
- Save time: By automating updates, you free up time you’d otherwise spend on manual adjustments, allowing you to focus more on hosting and guest relations.
- Avoid host cancellation fees: Airbnb calendar syncs help prevent costly host cancellation fees imposed by Airbnb, which range from 10% to 50% of the total reservation amount, depending on the timing of the cancellation.
Airbnb calendar export vs. sync: When learning about how to sync your Airbnb calendar, you’ll likely come across details regarding how to export Airbnb calendars. Don’t be confused by the different terminology—Airbnb calendar exports and syncs are one and the same!
Airbnb calendar sync tips
It’s quite simple to sync your calendar on Airbnb, but there are a few best practices you should follow for best results:
- Sync with all the other calendars you’re using. This isn’t a matter of picking and choosing which calendars to link. Instead, make sure you export your calendar from Airbnb to all the other sites you list on, such as Vrbo, Booking.com, and your direct booking site.
- Sync the calendars for all your Airbnb listings. If you have more than one listing on Airbnb, don’t forget to sync their calendars as well!
- Keep your blackout dates up to date. Make sure to black out any days when you don’t want to rent your Airbnb so they’re consistent across all your synced calendars.
How to export your calendar from Airbnb: Two options
If you’re looking for how to sync your calendar on Airbnb with other booking platforms, you have two main options: connecting via iCal or via a channel manager.
Syncing your Airbnb calendar via iCal
Syncing your Airbnb calendar via iCal involves exporting your calendar on Airbnb, importing it to the other calendar you’d like to sync with, and then reversing the process.
While this option is free, it’s tedious, can take up to 24 hours to automatically update, and comes with a significant risk of double bookings—which is what you set out to eliminate in the first place.
Note: When we say iCal, we’re referring to a type of file that can be used to store and exchange scheduling data, whether on Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or any other calendar compatible with .ics files.
Syncing your Airbnb calendar via a channel manager
Syncing via a channel manager is much more efficient, but you’ll need a software solution with an Airbnb channel manager. A channel manager allows you to effortlessly link your booking platforms in one dashboard, ensuring automatic calendar synchronization across all channels (as well as the synchronization of booking details, rates, promotions, messages, and more).
Because Airbnb calendar syncs via channel managers are two-way and instantaneous, any changes you make on other booking channels will automatically be reflected in Airbnb (and vice versa). This eliminates the need for individual manual updates, streamlining your calendar and listing management.
Lodgify’s vacation rental channel manager makes syncing your calendars across Airbnb and other top booking platforms a cinch. Sign up for a free seven-day trial to see for yourself!
OTA-specific Airbnb calendar sync instructions
Now for how to sync your calendar in Airbnb: Specific instructions depend on what you’re syncing your Airbnb calendar with, so let’s take a look at the most popular options below:
Airbnb calendar sync FAQs
How do I find my calendar on Airbnb?
To find your calendar on Airbnb, log in to the Airbnb extranet and navigate to the host dashboard. Click on Calendar in the top right corner. From there, you can select listings and take actions such as exporting or syncing your calendar.
What is the best calendar to sync with Airbnb?
The “best” calendar to sync with your Airbnb calendar is simply whatever calendar you’re using! You should sync your calendars across all the booking sites on which you’re listing to ensure you show real-time availability and avoid double bookings. For example, you might sync your Airbnb calendar with Vrbo, Booking.com, and your direct booking site.
How does an Airbnb sync work?
An Airbnb calendar sync works by connecting your Airbnb calendar with your other booking calendars to avoid double bookings and show real-time availability. After syncing, bookings made on one calendar will automatically block on your other calendars. The exact process for how this works depends on whether you sync your calendars via iCal or using a channel manager.
How do I sync my Airbnb calendar with another calendar?
You have two options to sync your Airbnb calendar with another calendar: connecting via iCal or via an Airbnb channel manager.
Syncing via iCal involves exporting your calendar on Airbnb, importing it to the other calendar you’d like to sync with, and then reversing the process. A channel manager, on the other hand, allows you to effortlessly link your OTA accounts in one dashboard, ensuring automatic calendar synchronization across all channels. Read more about each option here.
How do I export my Airbnb calendar?
To export your Airbnb calendar via desktop, simply follow these instructions from Airbnb:
- Click Calendar and select the listing calendar you want to export.
- Click Availability.
- Under Connect calendars, click Airbnb calendar export.
- Copy the link, then paste it into your other iCal-based calendar.
Remember that you can also sync your Airbnb calendar using a channel manager.
How often does the Airbnb calendar sync?
According to Airbnb, your Airbnb calendar updates automatically every two hours, pulling information from the calendars you’re connected with. To update your calendar more often, simply go to your connected calendar and select Refresh.
Note: If you’ve synced multiple calendars, they may automatically update at different times.
Can I sync two Airbnb calendars?
Yes, it is possible to sync calendars from two Airbnb listings with one another. To do so, follow these instructions from Airbnb:
- Click Calendar and select the listing calendar you want to link.
- Click Availability, then go to Connect calendars.
- Click Connect multiple Airbnb listings.
- Choose the main listing that contains your other listings.
- Click Next.
- Select the listings you want to link.
- Click Link calendars.
How do I sync two Airbnb calendars?
To sync two Airbnb calendars with one another, follow these instructions from Airbnb:
- Click Calendar and select the listing calendar you want to link.
- Click Availability, then go to Connect calendars.
- Click Connect multiple Airbnb listings.
- Choose the main listing that contains your other listings.
- Click Next.
- Select the listings you want to link.
- Click Link calendars.
Why link Airbnb calendars?
Linking multiple Airbnb calendars with one another makes sense if you have multiple listings within the same property. For example, you might have one listing for the entire property, and another for a private room. Linking these listings ensures that when you accept a booking for the entire property, the dates will also be blocked on the calendar for the private room.
What happens when you link Airbnb calendars?
When you link Airbnb calendars for multiple listings, bookings for one listing will also be blocked in the other listing’s calendar. This is a good idea if you have multiple listings within the same property, such as one listing for the entire place and another for an individual room. That way, reservations for the entire property will also appear on the calendar for the individual room, avoiding double bookings.
Airbnb calendar syncs made easy
Keeping your Airbnb calendar up to date is crucial for smooth hosting operations, preventing double bookings and enhancing the guest experience. While you can make manual updates, using an Airbnb channel manager like Lodgify’s is always going to be the most efficient and effective way to ensure seamless synchronization.
Want to give it a try? Sign up for a free seven-day trial to check out our channel manager and other property management features.