Alternatives to Airbnb: choosing booking channels for your property
Airbnb is a well-known platform for listing holiday accommodation, but it is not the only option. The right combination depends on your property, its guests and your capacity to manage several channels.
There are other options, of course. If you want a wider choice, it is worth exploring alternatives to Airbnb for listing your holiday let:
Alternatives to Airbnb
If you have a holiday let, you probably already list it on a platform where potential guests can find it. Airbnb is one of the main platforms and has many users, but there are others.
- Vrbo: Expedia Group’s holiday rental brand, into which HomeAway was integrated. Consider whether its focus on whole properties suits your accommodation, and check registration, payment and commission terms before signing up.
- Booking: one of the most popular platforms for advertising and booking accommodation. This global tourism business needs little introduction and offers a wide choice. Holiday apartments can also be listed there, and the platform often runs offers for users.
- Tripadvisor Vacation Rentals: this is no longer a channel for registering new holiday rentals. The service ended on 18 November 2025; Tripadvisor’s wider activities should not be confused with this discontinued offering.
- Rentalia: another option to consider for marketing your property. Check its website for current coverage, listing arrangements and terms. Do not assume that promotions or free periods mentioned in older articles remain available.
Diversification can increase exposure, but every channel adds work and costs. Prioritise those that bring suitable bookings and a reasonable net return. Synchronise calendars and monitor policies to avoid double bookings.
Compare the final price guests see with what you receive after commissions, promotions and payment costs. Do not activate discounts without checking whether they combine and whether the resulting margin is sufficient.
Would you like help putting this into practice? Explore these options!
What to compare before adding another channel
- The guest profile and length of stay it attracts.
- The total cost per booking and who collects payment from the guest.
- Synchronisation of availability, rates and restrictions.
- Procedures for cancellations, damage and customer support.
Sources: HomeAway’s integration into Vrbo and the closure of Tripadvisor Vacation Rentals.
