Answers · Direct bookings
How do I sync Airbnb bookings with my own website?
Short answer
Your website needs a booking calendar that reads your Airbnb calendar link, and Airbnb needs your website's calendar link in return. Each then blocks the dates the other has sold. With Airflow you paste your Airbnb link into your listing and Airflow reads it every hour, you paste Airflow's link into Airbnb, and you embed the Airflow booking widget on your site. The widget offers only free dates, and holds them while a guest is paying.
A website with a contact form is not in sync
Most host websites show an enquiry form or a calendar that is updated by hand. Neither knows what Airbnb sold this morning, so a guest can ask for, or book, dates that are gone.
Syncing means two flows. Airbnb's bookings must reach your site so it stops offering those dates, and your site's bookings must reach Airbnb so it stops selling them. Setting up only one direction is the usual mistake.
How to do it with Airflow
- 1
Copy your Airbnb calendar link
In Airbnb, open the listing's calendar settings and export the calendar. This gives an iCal link.
- 2
Paste it into your Airflow listing
Under Bookings, on the Import tab. Airflow reads it every hour and blocks the dates, and there is a Sync now button.
- 3
Give Airbnb your Airflow link
Copy the listing's calendar link from the same tab and import it in Airbnb's calendar settings. A booking on your site now blocks Airbnb.
- 4
Put the booking widget on your site
Copy the embed code from the listing's Go Live tab into any page, or use the WordPress plugin. It shows live availability and takes the booking.
What happens when each side gets a booking
The two directions, and their timing.
| Guest books on Airbnb | Airflow blocks the dates at its next hourly read, or sooner from the confirmation email |
|---|---|
| Guest books on your site | Airflow's calendar link updates at once; Airbnb blocks the dates when it next refreshes the link |
| Two guests try the same dates on your site | The dates are held for the first while they pay |
| Guest cancels on Airbnb | The block is removed when it disappears from Airbnb's calendar |
Airbnb decides how often it refreshes an imported calendar. Allow for a delay in that direction.
Dates and details are two different things
A calendar link carries dates only. It tells your site a night is taken, not who is coming or what they paid. To have the full booking as well, forward your Airbnb confirmation emails to Airflow or connect your inbox. The booking then appears with the guest, the price and the fees, and Airflow matches it to the blocked dates using Airbnb's confirmation code.
Closing the gap
Because Airbnb refreshes on its own schedule, there is a short period after a direct booking when Airbnb could still sell those nights. Forwarding confirmations promptly, keeping a sensible minimum notice before arrival, and checking Needs Attention when Airflow flags a conflict covers nearly all of it. A channel manager with an API connection closes the gap further and costs more.
Other ways to do this
Airflow is one option. These are the others, and when each is the better choice.
- A calendar plugin that imports iCal
- Several WordPress and website-builder plugins display an imported Airbnb calendar. Check that the plugin also exports a link for Airbnb and takes bookings, or you have only one direction.
- A channel manager
- Connects to Airbnb through its API and updates within minutes in both directions. Suited to hosts with many listings.
- Update the website by hand
- Workable for a few bookings a year, and the first thing to fail when you are busy.
What Airflow does not do
- Calendar links carry dates, not guest details or prices.
- Airflow cannot control how often Airbnb refreshes an imported calendar, so a short delay in that direction remains.
- Airflow does not connect to the Airbnb API.
Common questions
Can my website show my Airbnb availability?
Yes. A booking calendar that reads your Airbnb iCal link shows the same blocked dates. The Airflow booking widget does this on any website.
How often does the sync run?
Airflow reads your Airbnb calendar link every hour, with a Sync now button. Airbnb refreshes the link you give it on its own schedule.
Will a booking on my website block Airbnb?
Yes, once Airbnb has imported your Airflow calendar link. The block appears when Airbnb next refreshes it.
Does this work with WordPress, Wix or Squarespace?
The booking widget is an embed code that works on any site that accepts one, and there is a plugin for WordPress.
Does calendar sync cost anything?
Calendar sync does not use automated tasks. The booking widget and booking links are available on every plan.
Can I sync Booking.com and Vrbo as well?
Yes. Each has a calendar link, and they are added to the same listing in the same way.
Try it on your own bookings
Forward a few booking emails and look at what Airflow builds from them. A card is needed at sign-up.
Start with Airflow See plans and pricing