How to Sync Airbnb and Vrbo Calendars to Prevent Double Bookings
To sync your Airbnb and Vrbo calendars, export the iCal URL from each platform, merge them into one combined feed, then import that single URL back into both listings so a booking on either platform blocks the same dates everywhere. This guide walks through every step, plus how to add Booking.com and what sync delays to expect.
Why Airbnb-Vrbo sync matters
Both Airbnb and Vrbo offer built-in iCal import/export, but each platform refreshes on its own schedule. During the gap between syncs, a date booked on one platform still shows as available on the other. That gap is where double bookings happen.
By combining both feeds into a single URL and importing that URL back into each platform, you reduce the number of separate sync paths and give each platform the most complete picture of your availability.
How much does this actually help?
Instead of Airbnb pulling from Vrbo directly (one sync path), both platforms pull from a single combined feed that includes all sources. This means a booking on Airbnb is visible to Vrbo as soon as Vrbo fetches the combined feed, with no waiting for a second hop.Step-by-step: sync Airbnb and Vrbo calendars
- 1
Export your Airbnb iCal URL
Open your Airbnb calendar.
Click Availability settings, scroll to Sync calendars, and click Export calendar.
Copy the URL. It will look something like:
https://www.airbnb.com/calendar/ical/12345678.ics?s=abc123... - 2
Export your Vrbo iCal URL
Open the listing in your Vrbo owner dashboard and select Calendar. In Settings, open the Availability tab.
Under Calendar sync, choose Connect calendars, then Export calendar, and select Copy URL.
- 3
Combine feeds with iCalendar Sync
Go to icalendarsync.com and paste both URLs into the sync tool. Click Preview combined calendar.
The tool shows both feeds merged into one calendar. Get your sync link saves it to RentalBeam Plus, which gives you the one link to paste back.
- 4
Import the combined URL into each platform
In Airbnb: go to Calendar > Connect calendars > Import calendar. Paste the combined URL.
In Vrbo: go to Calendar settings > Import calendar. Paste the same combined URL.
Both platforms now pull from one feed that includes all your blocked dates.
What the combined feed gives you
- Both platforms see each other's bookings through one URL
- Fewer sync hops means faster availability updates
- Works with Booking.com, Google Calendar, and any iCal-compatible tool
- The merged preview is free, with no account
- The combined link comes with RentalBeam Plus, with nothing to install
Limitations to keep in mind
iCal sync only handles date availability. It does not sync pricing, guest messages, listing content, or cancellation status. For that, you need a full channel manager or PMS.
Sync speed depends on how frequently each platform fetches the iCal URL. Airbnb tends to refresh every few hours, while Vrbo can take up to 24 hours. There is no way to force a platform to fetch more often from your end.
Same-day bookings are riskier
Because of sync delays, same-day or next-day bookings carry higher double-booking risk. Consider adding advance notice requirements on your listings (e.g. 1-day minimum notice) to give syncs time to propagate.Adding Booking.com to the mix
The same process works for Booking.com. Log into the Extranet, go to Calendar, scroll to the Sync calendars box, click Export calendar, then Copy link, and add it as a third source in the sync tool. Your merged calendar will include all three platforms.
The tool previews up to 3 iCal sources. For the combined link, more sources, custom date blocking, and an embeddable availability calendar widget, check out RentalBeam.
Going further: sync visibility with RentalBeam
The free preview shows you the merged calendar. For hosts who want to see exactly what is happening with each calendar source, RentalBeam adds visibility and control that iCal alone cannot provide.
Calendar sync
A unified view of all iCal sources with Healthy, Not updating, or Can't read status and exact last-sync times.
Export Access Tracking
See when Airbnb, Vrbo, or Google Calendar last fetched your export URL, including access counts and fetcher identity.
Selective iCal Export
Choose which sources, custom blocked dates, and bookings to include in each export feed.
Custom date blocking
Block owner stays or maintenance windows with labels and colors. These override any imported feed data.
RentalBeam also includes an embeddable availability calendar widget for your property website, and a Pro-tier direct booking form with configurable pricing, fees, and discount rules.