Platform-neutral setup guide · Updated August 26, 2026
How to sync your Airbnb and Vrbo calendars
The reliable setup uses two iCal links: send your Airbnb calendar to Vrbo, then send your Vrbo calendar back to Airbnb. Each platform can then block dates booked on the other.
The important limitation: iCal is not instant. Airbnb says imported calendars refresh automatically about every three hours; Vrbo says its calendars sync every 30 minutes. This setup reduces double-booking risk, but it cannot eliminate the delay between platforms.
How the two-way sync works
An iCal link is a read-only feed of reservations and blocked dates. Importing one link creates a one-way connection. To keep both booking sites informed, you need one connection in each direction.
Send Airbnb availability to Vrbo
First, make Vrbo subscribe to the Airbnb listing’s calendar.
- 01
Open the listing calendar in Airbnb
On a computer, sign in to Airbnb, choose Calendar, and select the listing you want to connect. - 02
Find Airbnb’s calendar connection settings
Choose Availability. Under Connect calendars, select Connect to another website. - 03
Copy the Airbnb calendar link
Copy the Airbnb calendar link. This is a private iCal subscription URL, not the public URL for your listing. Do not post it publicly. - 04
Open the matching property in Vrbo
In the Vrbo Owner Dashboard, choose the same property. Go to Calendar, then Settings and Availability. - 05
Import the Airbnb calendar into Vrbo
Under Calendar sync, select Connect calendars, Manage imported calendars, then Import a calendar. Paste the Airbnb link into Calendar URL. - 06
Name and save the calendar
If the URL begins withwebcal://, change that part tohttps://. Select Next, name the calendar something recognizable such as “Airbnb,” and select Import.
Send Vrbo availability to Airbnb
Now create the reverse connection so Airbnb can see dates booked on Vrbo.
- 01
Return to the property calendar in Vrbo
In the Vrbo Owner Dashboard, open the property. Go to Calendar, then Settings and Availability. - 02
Export the Vrbo calendar
Under Calendar sync, select Connect calendars, then Export calendar. - 03
Copy the Vrbo calendar URL
Leave Include tentative bookings off when connecting to another booking platform, then select Copy URL. Vrbo recommends the tentative-booking option only for private calendars. - 04
Open the matching listing in Airbnb
In Airbnb, choose Calendar, select the same listing, choose Availability, then open Connect calendars and Connect to another website. - 05
Import the Vrbo calendar into Airbnb
Paste the Vrbo link into the calendar address field. Give it a clear name such as “Vrbo,” then select Add calendar.
Verify the connection safely
Use an existing future reservation to check the setup. Do not open a genuinely booked date just to test the sync.
- Confirm an Airbnb reservation appears as unavailable on the matching Vrbo calendar.
- Confirm a Vrbo reservation appears as unavailable on the matching Airbnb calendar.
- Check each imported calendar’s last refresh time. If needed, use the platform’s manual refresh control once.
- Repeat these checks for every property. A correct link attached to the wrong listing is still a broken setup.
What to expect from iCal sync
Vrbo: allow up to 30 minutes
Vrbo says a new import may take up to 20 minutes to appear and connected calendars sync every 30 minutes.
Airbnb: allow up to 3 hours
Airbnb says imported calendars refresh automatically every three hours. A manual refresh is available, but repeated refreshes are limited.
For a last-minute booking or cancellation, check both platforms and block dates manually if the update cannot wait. Hosts who need near-real-time inventory control should consider a channel manager or property management system with direct platform connections.
Common problems
Only one platform receives updates
You probably completed only one half of the setup. Export Airbnb to Vrbo and export Vrbo back to Airbnb.
The calendar URL is rejected
Copy the private iCal link from the platform’s calendar settings, not the public listing page. Airbnb expects an .ics link. Vrbo says to replace webcal:// with https:// when needed.
Dates have not appeared yet
Wait for the normal refresh interval, then try one manual refresh. Importing the same link again creates confusion and does not make the first sync faster.
Vrbo does not show calendar import controls
Vrbo says calendar import is unavailable when a listing is managed through third-party property management software. In that case, connect the channels through that system.
Pricing or listing rules do not match
That is expected. iCal is an availability feed, not a full listing connection. Prices, fees, minimum stays, messages, and listing content remain separate.
Official instructions
Platform menus change. These steps were checked against the official help pages on August 26, 2026.