Airbnb hosting can be a rewarding and lucrative experience, especially considering that over 150 million people use the platform to book short-term stays worldwide.
Yet, to truly succeed as an Airbnb host and maximize your revenue, itâs essential to understand Airbnb hosting feesâa percentage of the total reservation cost hosts must pay for listing on the booking platform.
The percentage typically falls between 5% and 15% of the total reservation cost, but it will vary depending on the location of your listings, the fee structure you choose, and a few other factors. Simply put, understanding Airbnb fees for hosts can directly impact your profitability.
But exactly what percentage does Airbnb take? Hereâs what kind of Airbnb fee you can expect to pay and how to calculate the total as part of effectively pricing your listings.
Donât see the form to download the Airbnb Host Guide? Click here.
Disclaimer: Lodgify is an Airbnb Preferred+ Software Partner. This post, including any claims or statements within, is solely from Lodgify and is not endorsed by, directly affiliated with, authorized, or sponsored by Airbnb in any way.
What are Airbnb fees for hosts?
Airbnb hosting fees are the charges hosts incur for using Airbnbâs platform to list and rent out their properties. With every booking, these fees are subtracted from the hostâs earnings.
While that might sound straightforward, itâs usually anything but. Airbnb host fees vary greatly depending on the booking and your fee structure.
And if youâre thinking of becoming an Airbnb Luxe host, be prepared to pay a little differently (i.e., more).
What percentage does Airbnb take?
Like anything in the vacation rental world, the answer isnât so simple.
Most hosts are subject to a standard 3% service fee based on the total booking amount. However, Airbnb offers several fee structures, meaning you can choose the one that best suits your needs as a host.
Geography plays a substantial role in the Airbnb host fee equation, too. And if, like many savvy hosts, your property is connected to an Airbnb channel manager such as Lodgify, you might have to choose different fee structuresâthe split-fee model doesnât always apply to these listings (but more on that below).
As if thatâs not enough, Airbnb also factors in your cancellation policy when crunching the numbers for your host service fee. If you maintain a strict cancellation policy, expect your fee to run approximately 2% higher than for those with more flexible policies.
How much does it cost to list on Airbnb?
Listing your property on Airbnb is entirely free. There are no upfront charges to create and publish your listing on the platform.
You can craft a compelling listing, add photos, describe your property, and set your rates without incurring any initial expenses.
You will only incur fees once you start to accept bookings.
Service fees: How much does Airbnb take from hosts in 2025?
Airbnb service fees are calculated as a percentage of the total reservation cost, incorporating the nightly rate and potential additional fees like cleaning fees. The percentage typically falls between 5% and 15% of the total reservation cost.
While service fees differ for each booking platform, Airbnb hosting fees can be broadly categorized into the split fee and the host-only fee.
Split fee
The split fee structure is the most common, as it shares the cost between hosts and guests. Hereâs how it works.
How much does Airbnb charge hosts?
- This fee amounts to 3% of the booking subtotal for most hosts. However, itâs essential to note that there are exceptions to this rule. Some hosts may incur a slightly higher fee, especially if they fall into specific categories. For instance, hosts with listings in Italy and those who have opted for Super Strict cancellation policies may pay more.
- This fee is calculated based on the booking subtotal, which includes the nightly rate, cleaning fees, and any additional guest fees (if applicable). It does not include any taxes.
- The host fee is automatically deducted from the host payout.
How much does Airbnb charge guests?
- The guest service fee usually amounts to 14.2% of the booking subtotal. This fee is calculated based on the same criteria as the host fee: the booking subtotal, which includes the nightly rate, cleaning fees, and additional guest fees (if applicable).
- The actual percentage may vary based on various factors, but as a guest, youâll see it itemized during the checkout process before you confirm your booking.
- Airbnb applies a reduced guest service fee for stays extending beyond three months, offering even more savings for extended guests.
- The guest fee also differs for cross-currency bookings, but more on that in a bit.
đĄ What percent does Airbnb take? An exampleâŠ
Letâs say youâre an Airbnb host with a nightly rate of $150 plus a $50 cleaning fee.
Assuming youâve chosen the split fee structure and a guest books your listing for just one night, Airbnb would take 3% of the booking subtotal for your host feeâthatâs $6. So, you would make $194 for that one night.
They would also charge your guest 14.2% of the booking subtotal as a service feeâthatâs $28.40. The guest would pay $228.40 plus applicable taxes.
Host-only fee
The host-only fee is a more straightforward fee structure where the host pays it in full instead of having guests cover a portion of the commission.
- Itâs typically in the range of 14-16%, but there are exceptions based on factors like your cancellation policy and the duration of stay.
- Hosts with Super Strict cancellation policies may incur slightly higher fees, while those offering monthly stays may enjoy reduced rates.
- Choosing the host-only fee structure is mandatory for traditional hospitality listings, including hotels and serviced apartments.
Airbnb fees for hosts using a channel manager or iCal
The host-only fee structure is also mandatory for software-connected hosts. Itâs called Simplified Pricing and was introduced in December 2020.
Hosts who use a property management system (such asâyou guessed itâLodgify) to help them manage and grow their businesses have no choice but to choose Simplified Pricing, a set 15% fee of the booking subtotal.
However, if youâre a host using vacation rental software and the majority of your listings are located in either the U.S., Canada, the Bahamas, Mexico, Argentina, Taiwan or Uruguay, you can head to your account settings and choose between the host-only or split-fee.
Airbnb host fees for cross-currency bookings
On April 1, 2024, Airbnb implemented a key change for hosts using the split-fee model: an extra guest fee of up to 2% for bookings made in a different currency than the hostâs chosen one.
Just in case it isnât clearâthis fee is passed onto guests, not hosts. However, this could mean international guests will have to pay an Airbnb guest service fee of up to 16.2% for international bookings.
Itâs important for vacation rental managers and hosts to understand this change, as it could affect international booking trends and thereby force you to reconsider your pricing strategy. The changes do not impact those operating under Airbnbâs host-only fee model.
Additional costs on Airbnb
Beyond the standard Airbnb hosting fees, property owners and managers might find themselves juggling a host (excuse the pun!) of other Airbnb fees, including the following.
VAT fees
Airbnb is legally obligated to apply VAT to its service fees for your reservations in countries where electronically supplied services are taxable. This will depend on your country of residence or the location of your listing.
The VAT is applied to the host service fee for a booking. Depending on where you reside or where your listing is located, you might have to apply VAT (or other taxes like occupancy taxes) on the accommodation or experience services you offer to guests.
Ultimately, itâs best to consult a tax advisor for personalized assistance.
Cleaning costs
Hosts donât cover cleaning costs; guests pay cleaning fees. However, as a host, itâs your responsibility to add a cleaning fee to your listing and ensure it covers the actual costs of cleaning.
If youâre unsure how to set your prices strategically, you can use Airbnbâs dynamic pricing tool. Or, if youâre using Lodgifyâs channel manager, connect Lodgify Dynamic Pricing, a tool that strategically adjusts your vacation rental rates based on hundreds of factors, including demand, seasonality, and days of the week.
Co-host payments
Hosts can share reservations with co-hosts and decide on the split as a percentage or a fixed amount per reservation.
Cancellation fees
Airbnbâs host cancellation policy aims to minimize disruption to guests in the event of hostsâ cancellations.
If a host cancels a confirmed reservation, a cancellation fee is applied. The actual fee charged to hosts for cancellation varies based on the timing of the cancellation concerning the arrival date.
As of October 2023, these are the current Airbnb host cancellation fees:
- Less than 48 hours before or after arrival time: 50% of the total amount of the remaining nights
- Between 30 days and 48 hours before arrival: 25% of the total amount of the reservation
- More than 30 days before arrival: 10% of the total amount of the reservation
The fee includes the base rate, cleaning fee, and any pet fees but does not include taxes or guest fees. Fees are generally withheld from future payments to the host.
Note that in exceptional situations, cancellation fees may be waived.
Other costs
Outside of any Airbnb costs, there are some additional charges you may have to pay as either a host or guest. These costs will depend on factors such as your bank, where youâre located, and which currency you are converting, but itâs good to be aware of themâjust in case. Contact your bank directly if you have any questions about those fees.
Why is it important to understand how much Airbnb charges owners?
As an owner or property manager, understanding the various costs associated with listing your property on Airbnb provides a clear financial perspective for your vacation rental business.
By accounting for expenses like Airbnb commission and cleaning costs, you can create a more accurate budget and better understand your financial bottom line.
With that financial insight, you can learn how to set competitive rates that cover your costs effectively, helping you optimize your vacation rental business to be more efficient and profitable.
How do I avoid paying Airbnb commission fees?
While bypassing Airbnb hosting fees altogether is impossible, you can explore alternatives to diversify your booking channels using platforms with different fee structures.
Using a vacation rental website builder to create your own website allows you to accept direct bookings, avoiding service fees imposed by online booking platforms like Airbnb.
With Lodgify, for example, you can create a stylish direct booking website in a few simple steps with no technical experience necessary. Or, if you have your own website already built, you can simply connect the booking widget to accept direct bookings with ease.
Connect your website to Airbnb with Lodgify
Lodgifyâs Airbnb channel manager is an invaluable tool for hosts seeking to streamline their property management across multiple booking platforms, including Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and their own direct website.
With its intuitive interface and powerful automation features, hosts can effortlessly synchronize their property listings, calendars, and rates across all platforms, reducing the risk of double bookings and saving precious time.
Moreover, the real-time updates ensure that your property is consistently displayed with accurate information, enhancing your online reputation and guest satisfaction. Try it for free now to see just how much time, effort, and stress you could save!
Avoid Airbnb fees for owners
To grow your vacation rental business on Airbnb, itâs essential to understand the costs associated with accepting bookings on the popular platform. Doing so allows you to establish competitive rates while covering your expenses.
Ensure you understand which payment model applies to your listings on the platform, whether itâs the split fee, host-only fee, or Simplified Pricing. Once you understand the total cost of Airbnb hosting fees, including what percentage Airbnb will take out of your final payment, explore different booking options to maximize your business.
Diversifying your channels with your own website and using Airbnb management software for other vacation rental platforms can help you showcase your properties to an even wider audience. This way, you can make the most of your vacation rental business and thrive as a host, whether on Airbnb or elsewhere, like Lodgify.
Donât see the form to download the Airbnb Host Guide? Click here.
