Did you know that missing a booking due to calendar conflicts can significantly impact your Airbnb income? Seamlessly syncing your Airbnb and Google Calendars is a straightforward process, helping you avoid double bookings and manage your rental effectively.

First, log into your Airbnb account and navigate to the “Calendar” section. There, you'll find an "Import Calendar" option. Clicking on this will prompt you to paste a URL.

Next, go to your Google Calendar. Find the calendar you want to sync with Airbnb and access its settings. Locate the "Integrate calendar" section and find your calendar's "Secret address in iCal format." Copy this URL. Return to Airbnb and paste the Google Calendar URL into the import field. Choose a name for your calendar and click "Import Calendar."

To sync Airbnb bookings into your Google Calendar, you will have to find your Airbnb calendar URL and paste it into Google calendar. Find your "Export Calendar" option in Airbnb and copy the provided iCal URL. In Google Calendar, click "Add other calendars" then "From URL." Paste your Airbnb URL and that's it. Your calendars should now be synchronized, reflecting all bookings. Remember to refresh your calendars periodically to ensure real-time updates.

Expert opinions

Okay, here's a breakdown of how to sync your Airbnb calendar with your Google Calendar, explained by an "expert":

By Emily Carter, Your Airbnb & Tech Concierge

Hello! As someone who has spent countless hours managing rentals and leveraging technology to make it seamless, I'm happy to walk you through syncing your Airbnb and Google calendars. This is essential for any Airbnb host, ensuring you avoid double bookings and stay organized. Here's how to do it:

Why Syncing is Crucial

• Prevent Double Bookings: This is the BIGGEST reason. Syncing ensures that if someone books your Airbnb, that time is automatically blocked off in your Google Calendar, and vice-versa. This avoids the dreaded situation of having to cancel a guest's reservation (and potentially incurring penalties).
• Stay Organized: See all your bookings (Airbnb and other commitments) in one place. This provides a comprehensive view of your availability and frees up your time.
• Manage Personal & Professional: Easily blend your personal appointments, travel plans, and Airbnb bookings.

Step-by-Step Guide to Syncing:

1. Exporting your Airbnb Calendar (Creating the iCal Link):

• Log in to your Airbnb Account: Go to Airbnb.com and sign in to your account.
• Navigate to your Listings: Go to the "Listings" section of your Airbnb account.
• Select the Listing: Click on the specific listing for which you want to sync the calendar.
• Go to Calendar: Choose the "Calendar" tab (or similar wording).
• Find the "Import Calendar" Option: In the calendar view, look for an option labeled "Availability Settings," "Sync Calendars," or "Import/Export Calendar". The wording might vary slightly.
• Get the iCal Link: You should find an option to export or copy calendar link. This will generate a unique iCal (iCalendar) URL. This link is what you'll use to connect to Google Calendar. Copy this iCal link. Keep it private, it's a security key for your calendar

2. Importing the Airbnb Calendar into Google Calendar:

• Log in to Google Calendar: Go to calendar.google.com and sign in to your Google account.
• Add Other Calendars: On the left side of the screen, find the section titled "Other calendars". Click the "+" icon next to it.
• "From URL" Option: Select the option that says "From URL".
• Paste the iCal Link: In the "Calendar URL" field, paste the iCal link that you copied from Airbnb in step 1.
• Add Calendar: Click "Add Calendar".
• Configure Calendar Settings (Optional): Google will create a new calendar based on your Airbnb listing. You can customize this new calendar's name, color, and other settings by going to "Calendar settings" (you can find it from "…" that is placed next to the newly created calendar from the sidebar and by choosing "Settings and sharing"). You can edit things like the name of the calendar or auto-refresh frequency.

3. Importing your Google Calendar into Airbnb (Optional – for Two-Way Sync):

• Get your Google Calendar iCal Link: In Google Calendar, go to "Settings" (gear icon) > "Settings".
• Select your specific Google Calendar: In the left sidebar, find the calendar you want to sync (usually your main calendar).
• Get the "Secret address in iCal format": Carefully scroll down to the section labeled "Integrate calendar". Find "Secret address in iCal format". Click the "Copy to clipboard" icon next to this link. This is the iCal link for your Google Calendar.
• Go back to the Airbnb Listing: Go back to your Airbnb listing's Calendar as you did in step 1.
• Find "Import Calendar" Option: This time, look for the "Import Calendar" or "Sync Calendars" option on Airbnb.
• Paste the Google Calendar iCal Link: Paste the Google Calendar iCal link into the appropriate field.
• Import and Save: Follow the on-screen instructions to import the calendar and save your changes.

Important Considerations & Troubleshooting:

• Syncing Time: The calendars don't sync instantly. The refresh rate often defaults to every few hours (you can usually change this setting; typically Google Calendar syncs the data quicker). Be patient, and regularly check your calendars to confirm the information is up-to-date.
• Two-Way vs. One-Way Sync: Be mindful of whether you've set up a one-way or two-way sync. A one-way sync typically imports from Airbnb to Google Calendar (as described in steps 1 & 2). A two-way sync allows changes in either calendar to reflect in the other.
• Calendar Overlap: Be very careful when you're syncing. Make sure no other calendar events accidentally overlap the Airbnb bookings.
• iCal Link Expiration: Airbnb iCal links can sometimes expire. If your sync stops working, you may need to generate a new link in Airbnb and update it in Google Calendar.
• Troubleshooting:
  • Check the iCal Links: Double-check that you've copied the iCal links correctly.
  • Refresh Google Calendar: Sometimes, simply refreshing your Google Calendar can kick-start the sync.
  • Check Airbnb and Google Calendar Support: Consult Airbnb and Google's help sections for specific troubleshooting steps.

By following these steps, you'll create a seamless and efficient system for managing your Airbnb bookings. Happy hosting!

Here are some FAQs on syncing your Airbnb calendar with Google Calendar:

FAQ

Q: How do I find the Airbnb calendar link?
A: Log in to your Airbnb account, navigate to your listing's calendar, and click "Availability settings." You'll find the "Sync Calendars" option, which allows you to export your calendar link.

Q: Where do I paste the Airbnb calendar link in Google Calendar?
A: In Google Calendar, go to "Other calendars" on the left sidebar and click the "+" icon. Select "From URL" and paste the Airbnb calendar link there.

Q: How often does the Airbnb calendar update in Google Calendar?
A: The sync isn't instantaneous. Airbnb updates typically refresh every few hours, but it may take up to 24 hours for changes to fully appear in your Google Calendar.

Q: Can I sync Google Calendar to my Airbnb calendar?
A: Yes. In Google Calendar, go to the calendar settings for the calendar you want to export, find the "Integrate calendar" section, and copy the "Secret address in iCal format." Then, paste it into the "Import calendar" section on Airbnb.

Q: What happens if I update my availability in one calendar?
A: When you change availability in either calendar, those changes should eventually reflect in the other calendar. This keeps both calendars synchronized, avoiding double bookings.

Q: What if the sync isn't working?
A: Double-check the calendar links, ensure they're correct, and give it time to update. If problems persist, try deleting and re-adding the calendar to force a refresh or contact Airbnb support.