How to sync vrbo and airbnb calendars?

Introduction

Syncing calendars between VRBO and Airbnb is essential for vacation rental hosts who list their properties on both platforms. By synchronizing calendars, hosts can avoid double bookings and ensure that their availability is accurately reflected on both platforms. In this article, we will explore the steps to sync VRBO and Airbnb calendars effectively.

Syncing VRBO and Airbnb Calendars

Step 1: Enable iCal Calendar Sync: Both VRBO and Airbnb support the iCal format for calendar syncing. To begin, log in to your VRBO account and navigate to the calendar settings. Look for the option to enable iCal calendar sync and follow the instructions provided. Similarly, log in to your Airbnb account, go to the calendar settings, and enable iCal calendar sync.

Step 2: Obtain the iCal URL: Once iCal calendar sync is enabled on both platforms, you need to obtain the iCal URL for each platform. In VRBO, locate the iCal URL in the calendar settings and copy it. In Airbnb, go to the calendar settings and find the iCal URL, then copy it as well.

Step 3: Add iCal URL to the Other Platform: Now that you have the iCal URL from VRBO, go to your Airbnb account and navigate to the calendar settings. Look for the option to import an external calendar and paste the VRBO iCal URL there. Similarly, in your VRBO account, go to the calendar settings and find the option to import an external calendar. Paste the Airbnb iCal URL in this field.

Step 4: Test the Sync: After adding the iCal URLs to the respective platforms, it’s crucial to test the sync to ensure it’s working correctly. Make a test booking on one platform and check if it reflects on the other platform’s calendar. Repeat the process by making a test booking on the other platform and verifying the sync again. This step helps ensure that both calendars are syncing bidirectionally.

Step 5: Regularly Check and Update: Once the initial sync is successful, it’s important to regularly check and update the calendars to avoid any discrepancies. Whenever a booking is made or canceled on either platform, make sure to update the other platform’s calendar accordingly. This will help maintain accurate availability information across both VRBO and Airbnb.

Conclusion

Syncing calendars between VRBO and Airbnb is a crucial step for vacation rental hosts to avoid double bookings and maintain accurate availability information. By following the steps outlined in this article, hosts can effectively sync their calendars and streamline their operations on both platforms.