# How to Sync Calendars Across Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo

Step-by-step instructions for connecting your short-term rental calendars across multiple platforms — and how to avoid double bookings.

*Published: 2026-05-09 · 4 min read*

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Managing the same property across Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo means a booking on one platform needs to block the same dates everywhere else — or you risk a double booking.

## Ways to Sync

There are two main approaches:

  - **iCal (what this guide covers)** — each platform exports a live `.ics` feed URL; other platforms poll it on a schedule. It's free, requires no approval, and works between any platforms that support iCal. The trade-off is a sync delay of 1–4 hours.

  - **Direct API / channel manager** — tools like Lodgify, Hostaway, Guesty, and Beds24 connect to each platform's proprietary API for real-time two-way sync with no polling delay. This is the right choice for high-volume or luxury properties. Access to these APIs requires being an approved connectivity partner, so individual hosts can't use them directly — you go through a channel manager instead.

iCal is the easiest starting point for most independent hosts and works well for properties with moderate demand.

## Step 1: Copy Your iCal Export URLs

### Airbnb

  - Go to your listing's **Calendar → Availability settings → Sync calendars**.

  - Click **Export Calendar** and copy the URL.

### Booking.com

  - In the Extranet: **Calendar → Sync calendars → Export calendar**.

  - Copy the iCal URL.

### Vrbo

  - Go to **Calendar → Import/Export → Export your Vrbo calendar**.

  - Copy the iCal URL.

## Step 2: Cross-Import the Feeds

Each platform must import the URLs from both others — 6 connections total for 3 platforms.

  - **Airbnb:** Calendar → Sync calendars → **Import Calendar** → paste Booking.com URL, then Vrbo URL.

  - **Booking.com:** Calendar → Sync calendars → **Add a new iCal URL** → paste Airbnb URL, then Vrbo URL.

  - **Vrbo:** Calendar → Import/Export → **Import an external calendar** → paste Airbnb URL, then Booking.com URL.

## Reducing Double Booking Risk

  - **Add a 1-day preparation buffer** on each platform — this covers the sync lag window.

  - **Enable instant book everywhere** so blocks propagate as fast as possible.

  - **Keep export URLs private** — they expose your blocked dates without authentication.

If dates aren't syncing as expected, see [Airbnb / Booking.com iCal Sync Not Working — How to Diagnose It](/blog/airbnb-ical-sync-not-working).