Airbnb Split Stays | Everything to Know

Travel has changed — a lot. With flexible work schedules, a growing appetite for longer getaways and an interest in exploring more than one neighborhood or destination, guests are no longer content staying in just one place. That’s exactly why Airbnb introduced split stays.

Launched in Airbnb’s Summer 2022 Update (alongside Airbnb Categories and AirCover), split stays is an innovative way to help travelers plan longer, more flexible vacations — and an exciting opportunity for hosts and property managers to increase visibility and capture bookings that would’ve otherwise been missed.

In this article, we’ll walk you through exactly how split stays work, what the benefits are for you and how to optimize your listings so they show up more often in these searches.

What Are Airbnb Split Stays?

Airbnb split stays is a feature that helps guests book longer trips — and helps hosts land bookings they might’ve otherwise missed. Instead of requiring one property to be available for an entire stay, Airbnb automatically pairs two separate listings that, together, cover the full date range.

Let’s say a traveler is planning a 7-night stay, but your property is only available for 4 of those nights. In the past, your listing might have been excluded from their search entirely. Now, with split stays, Airbnb can match your availability with another listing that is available for the remaining dates to create one seamless itinerary, giving your property a chance to show up in more searches and fill more nights.

For hosts, it’s a simple but powerful shift. Even if your calendar isn’t wide open, you still have a chance to get discovered — and booked — by travelers planning longer getaways.

What Are the Key Features of Airbnb Split Stays?

At its core, Airbnb split stays is about flexibility — for both guests and hosts. This feature was designed to meet the rising demand for longer trips while giving hosts more ways to get discovered. Here’s how it works:

1. Available for longer trips: Applies to guest searches for trips between 7 days and 6 months.

2. Limited to certain destinations & categories: Split stays appear in select markets and across 14 Airbnb Categories like “Design,” “Camping,” and “National Parks.”

3. Two listings, one trip: Guests book two properties that together cover the full duration — no more, no less.

4. Seamless transitions: The first property’s checkout date aligns with the other listing's check-in date.

5. Smart matching algorithm: Airbnb pairs listings based on location, type and amenities — so listings with similar features (e.g., ocean views, hot tubs) are more likely to be matched.

6. Independent bookings: Each stay is a separate reservation with its own rules, pricing and cancellation policy.

Host Tip: Want to boost your chances of being included in a split stay pairing? Make sure your listing is up to date with clear amenities, accurate descriptions and high-quality photos. The more your property stands out — and matches well with others — the more likely it is to be included in a seamless, bookable combo.

How Does Split Stays Affect Hosts?

For hosts and property managers, Airbnb split stays opens up exciting new opportunities — especially when it comes to visibility and booking potential.

When guests search for trips of a week or more, Airbnb’s algorithm becomes more flexible. It now includes listings that are:

• Just outside the main destination

• Available for only part of the stay

• A strong match in amenities or property type

That means your listing can appear in more search results, even if your availability or location isn’t a perfect fit. For example, a cabin just outside a target area might get paired with a nearby apartment — creating a seamless guest experience and a new booking opportunity for both hosts.

According to Airbnb, split stays can add up to 40% more listings to search results. It’s a great way to get discovered, make use of partial availability and capture bookings that might have slipped through the cracks.

Yes, competition increases — but so does your reach. And if your listing is well-optimized, Airbnb split stays can help you stand out without adding any extra work.

Benefits of Split Stays for Hosts & Property Managers

Embracing split stays can offer several advantages:

• Higher occupancy rates: By filling in calendar gaps, you can increase your overall occupancy.

• Diversified guest base: Attract guests interested in exploring different neighborhoods or experiences during their trip.

• Competitive edge: Listings optimized for split stays may have an advantage in search results, especially for longer stays.

How Does Airbnb Split Stays Work for Guests?

For guests planning trips of one week to six months, Airbnb’s split stays feature offers an easy way to book longer getaways — even when one property isn’t available for the entire stay.

When a guest searches for an extended trip, Airbnb may suggest two separate listings that together meet their travel dates. These options show up directly in the search results and are clearly marked on the map with an animated arc connecting the two properties. Guests can quickly see where both listings are located, the order of stays and how the check-out and check-in dates align for a smooth transition.

How Airbnb's algorithm matches listings

Airbnb’s algorithm matches listings based on search criteria like location, amenities and property type. Guests can refine results using custom filters like price range, number of beds, guest count and desired amenities. Split stays also appear in 14 Airbnb listing categories making it easier for guests to plan multi-stop adventures around specific themes.

What guests should know before booking

Each portion of a split stay is still treated as a separate reservation, with its own house rules, pricing and cancellation policy. Guests must communicate with both hosts individually and will see each stay listed as a separate trip in their Airbnb dashboard. They also have the option to cancel one or both bookings, depending on the hosts' cancellation terms.

Guest sentiments about split stays

While split stays can offer more flexibility, they’re not always welcome. Some guests prefer not to move during their stay even if the listing is in the same area and view the feature as an unnecessary complication. 

In fact, feedback suggests that many find split stays annoying, particularly when they’re hoping for a single, uninterrupted booking and feel the extra movement creates clutter in their search results.

How to Enable Split Stays for Your Property

Airbnb doesn’t offer a switch or setting to “turn on” split stays — instead, properties are automatically included based on search criteria like availability, specific destination and how well they match with other listings. That said, there are several steps you can take to increase your chances of being paired as part of a split stay and show up more often in long-stay search results.

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1. Keep your calendar up to date

Split stays work best when Airbnb can find partial availability across listings. That means your calendar needs to be accurate and regularly updated. Even a few open nights during popular travel windows can make your property eligible to be paired with another.

2. Offer stays of 7 nights or longer

Since split stays only appear for guest searches of at least 7 days, make sure your listing allows weekly and monthly bookings. You can adjust this under your trip length settings in your listing preferences.

3. Align with Airbnb categories

Since many split stay matches appear within Airbnb’s curated categories, such as design, surfing, countryside or national parks. If your property fits into one of these themes, be sure to highlight it in your title, description and amenities so Airbnb’s algorithm can categorize it correctly.

Stay Flexible, Get Booked More

Split stays are more than just a convenience for guests — they’re a powerful tool for hosts to increase visibility, fill calendar gaps and attract longer bookings. By optimizing your listing and staying aligned with Airbnb’s evolving search features, you can unlock new opportunities without changing the way you host. Embrace the flexibility and let Airbnb do the matchmaking for you.

P.S. You can get the most out of Airbnb and all other major OTAs with Hostaway's vacation rental channel manager.