How to sync your Airbnb calendar with other platforms - a complete guide

# Understanding Airbnb calendar syncing

Calendar syncing allows you to automatically update your availability across various platforms whenever a booking is made or canceled. This process helps prevent double bookings, which can lead to unhappy guests and potential penalties from booking platforms. When you sync your calendars, each platform communicates with the others, ensuring that your calendar is always accurate.

# How Calendar Syncing Works

Calendar syncing typically works through a process known as "iCal" integration. iCal, short for Internet Calendar, is a file format that allows you to share calendar information between different systems. When you sync your Airbnb calendar with another platform, both calendars will automatically update to reflect new bookings, blocked dates, or cancellations.

# Exporting Your Airbnb Calendar

The first step to syncing your Airbnb calendar with other platforms is to export your Airbnb calendar.

Steps:

1. Log in to your Airbnb account.
2. Navigate to your listing.
3. Go to the "Availability" section.
4. Scroll down to "Sync Calendars" and select "Export Calendar."
5. Copy the calendar URL provided by Airbnb.
6. This URL is a unique link that allows other platforms to access your Airbnb calendar data.

Importing Your Airbnb Calendar to Other Platforms

Once you have the Airbnb calendar URL, you can import it into other platforms where you list your property. Here's how to import your Airbnb calendar to two commonly used platforms, Vrbo and Booking.com:

For Vrbo:

1. Log in to your Vrbo account.
2. Go to your listing and navigate to the calendar section.
3. Select "Import Calendar."
4. Paste the Airbnb calendar URL and name it (e.g., Airbnb Calendar).
5. Save the changes.

For Booking.com:

1. Log in to your Booking.com account.
2. Go to the "Rates & Availability" tab and select "Calendar."
3. Choose "Sync Calendars" and then "Import Calendar."
4. Paste the Airbnb calendar URL and save the settings.
5. For Google Calendar (for personal use):
6. Open Google Calendar.
7. On the left side, find "Other Calendars" and click on the "+" sign.
8. Select "From URL" and paste the Airbnb calendar link.
9. Click "Add Calendar."

Exporting Calendars from Other Platforms to Airbnb

To fully synchronize your calendars, you should also import calendars from other platforms into Airbnb.

Steps:

1. Log in to the platform where your listing is hosted (e.g Vrbo or Booking.com).**
2. Navigate to the calendar section of your listing. 
3. Look for the option to "Export Calendar" and copy the calendar URL provided.
4. Once you have the URL from the other platform:
5. Log in to your Airbnb account.
6. Go to the "Availability" section of your listing.
7. Scroll down to "Sync Calendars" and select "Import Calendar."
8. Paste the calendar URL from the other platform and give it a name (e.g., Vrbo Calendar, Booking.com Calendar).
9. Click "Import Calendar" to complete the process.

Setting Up Two-Way Syncing

Two-way syncing ensures that your calendars are updated on all platforms whenever a booking is made or canceled. This is essential for preventing double bookings and maintaining accurate availability across all platforms.

To enable two-way syncing:

• Export the calendar from each platform you use (as described in the previous steps).
• Import these calendars into each other's platforms. For example, after importing your Airbnb calendar into Vrbo, you should also import your Vrbo calendar into Airbnb.

By doing this, all your calendars will communicate with each other, ensuring that any change on one platform reflects on the others.

Regularly Check Your Sync Settings

While calendar syncing is generally reliable, it's important to occasionally check that your sync settings are working correctly. Log in to each platform to verify that bookings are correctly reflected on all calendars. This will help you catch any potential issues before they become problematic.

Consider Using a Channel Manager

If you manage multiple properties or list your property on several platforms, using a channel manager might be beneficial. A channel manager is a tool that helps synchronize your calendars and manage bookings from a single dashboard. It automatically updates your availability across all platforms, reducing the risk of double bookings and saving you time.

Some popular channel managers that integrate with Airbnb and other platforms include:

• IGMS
• Lodgify
• Hostaway
• Your Porter

These tools often come with additional features, such as automated messaging, pricing adjustments, and reporting, which can further streamline your rental management process.

Benefits of Airbnb Calendar Syncing

Calendar syncing offers several benefits, including:

• Avoiding Double Bookings: Automatically updates availability to prevent conflicts.
• Saving Time: Reduces the need to manually update multiple calendars.
• Improving Guest Experience: Ensures that your listings are accurate and up-to-date, which builds trust with potential guests.
• Maximizing Bookings: By accurately reflecting availability, you increase the chances of filling vacancies across platforms.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

While calendar syncing is generally straightforward, you might encounter some common issues, such as:

• Delays in Updates: Sometimes, there can be a delay in updating availability across platforms. If this happens, check your sync settings or consider using a channel manager.
• Errors in Imported Data: Occasionally, you might notice discrepancies in the imported calendar. In this case, re-import the calendar URL or manually update the availability.
• Expired Calendar URLs: Some platforms refresh their calendar URLs periodically. If your calendar stops syncing, try generating a new export link and updating it on all platforms.