How to Sync your Airbnb Calendar with VRBO & Booking.com

According to Statista, by 2029, online sales are projected to drive 78% of all revenue in the vacation rentals market, a clear sign that digital bookings are the future. And for hosts and property managers listing on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com, this means you’ll have to be present on multiple platforms.

But here’s the key to making the most of it, keeping all your calendars in sync.

Whether you're managing multiple listings or just getting started with calendar syncing, having your Airbnb calendar, Booking.com calendar, and other platforms linked can help you avoid double bookings, boost occupancy, and make day-to-day operations a whole lot easier.

The best part? You don’t need to juggle different dashboards or rely on guesswork. In this guide, we’ll walk you through:

• How to sync your Airbnb calendar with Booking.com and Vrbo manually using iCal links

• Why a channel manager like Hostaway can automate and simplify everything

• Easy strategies to keep your availability accurate and up to date, without the stress

Let’s dive in and help you unlock smoother operations and more bookings with synced calendars.

The Problem with Unsynced Calendars

If your calendars aren’t synchronized, your business could be running on borrowed time. It might seem manageable at first, manually updating your Airbnb dashboard, copying dates between platforms, maybe even checking in on a couple of other calendars. But as bookings increase, so does the risk.

Without proper calendar sync, it’s all too easy to fall into a cycle of:

• Double bookings that can lead to cancellations and negatively impact ratings and reviews.

• Lost revenue from blocked dates or missed opportunities

• Manual edits across platforms that eat up your time

• Confusion when managing multiple listings on other booking platforms

The core calendar function of any OTA is to keep availability accurate. But if your calendars don’t communicate with each other, even a short delay in updating one can lead to conflicting reservations. And unfortunately, one bad experience can mean a negative review and a hit to your reputation.

That’s why syncing isn’t just a nice organizational tool. It’s a smart way to prevent double bookings, reduce stress and run a more efficient operation.

Methods to Sync Your Airbnb Calendar with Booking.com & Vrbo

When it comes to keeping your Airbnb calendar in sync with Booking.com and other calendars, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The right method depends on how many listings you manage, how hands-on you want to be and what kind of tools you’re already using.

In general, there are three main ways to sync calendars:

1. Manually using iCal links (great for solo hosts or beginners)

2. Automatically through a channel manager (ideal for growing portfolios or busy property managers)

3. Basic syncing via platforms like Google or Apple Calendar (a lightweight option with limited functionality)

Here’s a breakdown of each method, so you can choose one that keeps your calendar (and your hosting sanity) on track.

Method 1: Sync manually using iCal links

If you’re just starting out or managing one or two listings, you can manually sync your Airbnb calendar with Booking.com and Vrbo using something called an iCal link. It’s a simple way to connect calendars by sharing booking information between platforms, so your availability stays up to date.

What is an iCal link?

iCal is a universal calendar format used to share date-based info. Most major online travel agencies, including Airbnb, provide an export calendar option that lets you share your booking schedule with other calendars. Likewise, you can import calendars from other platforms so they block dates when a reservation is made elsewhere.

It’s not lightning-fast (updates can take up to two hours), but for low-volume listings, it does the trick.

How to manually sync Airbnb with Vrbo and Booking.com

Step 1: Export your Airbnb calendar

1. Log into your Airbnb account

2. Go to your calendar section

3. Click on Availability settings (gear icon or “Settings” depending on view)

4. Find the option to export calendar and copy your Airbnb iCal link

Step 2: Import Airbnb calendar into Vrbo or Booking.com

1. Log into your Vrbo or Booking.com account

2. Head to your property’s calendar settings

3. Choose the option to import calendar

4. Paste your Airbnb calendar link and save

Step 3: Export Vrbo/Booking.com Calendar & Import to Airbnb

1. Grab the export calendar link from Vrbo or Booking.com

2. Return to Airbnb’s calendar section

3. Select import calendar, paste the link and name it (e.g., “Vrbo Calendar”)

4. Save your settings

Syncing calendars manually requires connecting each OTA to every other used so, repeat this process for each platform so that the same dates are blocked off across all calendars automatically.

With manual updates, regularly updating calendars is crucial to providing an accurate booking experience.

Method 2: Sync via channel manager

If you're managing multiple listings across more than one online travel agency (OTA), manually updating calendars can turn into a full-time job. That’s where a channel manager comes in.

What is a channel manager?

A channel manager is software that connects all your booking platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, etc. and keeps your calendars synchronized in real time. Instead of bouncing between tabs and playing calendar tetris, a channel manager acts as the central command center for your listings.

You can sync Airbnb, Vrbo and multiple channels automatically, ensuring that when a booking comes in on one platform, your availability is updated instantly across the rest. No more double bookings, no more late-night calendar updates.

Why use a channel manager?

Here’s what makes a channel manager a game-changer for short-term rental pros:

• Real-time calendar sync: Instantly updates all your calendars across multiple OTAs.

• Centralized control: Manage pricing, availability and messages from one dashboard.

• Fewer errors: Automate processes and eliminate manual mistakes.

• Save time: Focus on growing your business, not juggling platforms.

Method 3: Syncing with Google or Apple Calendar

If you're managing just one property and prefer a simple setup, you might consider syncing your Airbnb calendar with your Google Calendar or Apple Calendar. This method won’t link directly with platforms like Booking.com or Vrbo, but it can help you stay organized, especially if you use your personal calendar to manage bookings and availability.

How it works

Airbnb allows you to export your calendar using an iCal link, which you can then import into your preferred personal calendar app. This means your Airbnb bookings will show up alongside your meetings, reminders and other events, handy if you want a quick view of your hosting schedule at a glance.

While this doesn’t help you sync calendars across multiple channels, it’s a great tool for solo hosts who want to stay on top of their reservations without diving into a full channel manager just yet.

How to connect Airbnb with Apple or Google Calendar

For Google Calendar:

1. Copy your Airbnb iCal link (found in the calendar settings on your Airbnb dashboard).

2. Open Google Calendar.

3. On the left, click the + next to "Other calendars" and choose “From URL.”

4. Paste your calendar link, then click “Add Calendar.”

For Apple Calendar (Mac/iOS):

1. Copy your iCal link from Airbnb.

2. Open the Calendar app on your device.

3. Click “File” → “New Calendar Subscription.”

4. Paste the Airbnb calendar link and choose your preferences.

When this option works best

This method is best for:

• Hosts without many listings, just one or two listings at most, who want a simple overview

• Anyone who lives by their Google Calendar

• Hosts who don’t need full two-way syncing or automation (yet)

But remember, this is a one-way sync, updates made in your Google or Apple Calendar won’t reflect back on Airbnb. And it won’t help you sync Airbnb calendar with Booking.com or Vrbo directly. For that, a channel manager is still your best bet.

Common Calendar Sync Mistakes to Avoid

Even with syncing in place, a few small missteps can create big problems. Here’s what to avoid:

• Not refreshing iCal feeds: Manual syncing with Airbnb iCal links isn’t instant. Delays can lead to double bookings if calendars aren’t updated quickly enough.

• Relying only on manual sync: Manually copying calendar links works for basic setups, but it’s risky when managing multiple platforms. One missed update and your availability settings are off.

• Forgetting minimum stays: Especially during high-demand periods, not adjusting your minimum night settings means you could lose out on longer, more profitable stays.

• Using Instant Book across platforms without real-time sync: If you enable Instant Book on Airbnb, Booking.com or Vrbo without automated calendar syncing, you're opening the door to double bookings. Manual methods can’t keep up with Instant Book speed.

To keep your Airbnb calendar sync truly reliable, automation is key, especially when you're scaling up or using Instant Book on multiple OTAs.

Keep Your Calendars Synced and Your Business Thriving

In today’s multi-platform booking landscape, syncing your calendars is one of the simplest ways to protect your time, your reputation and your revenue. Whether you’re just starting out with iCal links or upgrading to a channel manager like Hostaway, staying in sync means fewer mistakes, happier guests and a smoother path to growth.

Take the guesswork out of availability, keep your calendars synced and watch your business thrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do iCal links update calendar data?

Most platforms refresh iCal feeds every few hours, but this can vary. Airbnb, for example, updates imported calendars roughly every two hours.

Can I use Instant Book on multiple platforms if I sync manually?

You can, but it’s risky. Manual syncing isn’t fast enough to block out dates across platforms the moment a booking is made. 

Do I need a channel manager if I only list on Airbnb and one other OTA?

Not necessarily. But, if you’re growing, using multiple channels or want to automate your operations, a channel manager can save you hours each week and reduce costly mistakes.

Does the Hostaway channel manager only sync calendars?

Not at all! While Hostaway seamlessly syncs your calendars across Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo and more, it also syncs pricing, availability, booking rules and listing content. That means when you update your nightly rate in Hostaway, the changes are pushed instantly to all connected platforms, saving you time and helping you stay competitive.

Can I still make changes directly in Airbnb or Booking.com after syncing with Hostaway?

Yes, but it’s easier to make updates from within Hostaway’s dashboard. Hostaway acts as your central control panel, so making changes there ensures that your updates sync consistently across all platforms.