A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated on Sep. 25, 2024
Looking to book a vacation rental for your next trip? First, you need to know a few things about Vrbo vs. Airbnb to figure out which is right for you.
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The best hotels have plenty of perks…but they also have a few detractions. First, there’s the check-in line. Then there are the fees for things that really should be included. Plus, you’re generally limited to a small, cookie-cutter room with just a bed and a bathroom. If you’re looking for a homier experience, book a vacation rental instead. While you may know the difference between an Airbnb vs. a hotel, in the battle between the two top rental sites, Vrbo vs. Airbnb, which is better?
It really depends on what you’re looking for. While both have options for lakehouse rentals, beach house rentals, cabin rentals, and even castle rentals, each site has a slightly different approach. Also, one offers only fully private rentals, while the other also provides options for home or room sharing. Also wondering about Vrbo vs. Airbnb vs. HomeAway? HomeAway merged with Vrbo a few years ago, so it’s no longer an option for renters. With that in mind, here’s what you need to know about Airbnb vs. Vrbo, along with some popular Airbnbs, cheap Airbnbs, and amazing Vrbos to consider.
Airbnb is an online marketplace where homeowners personally list a place to stay and travelers can book directly. Launched in 2008, it now has around 6 million listings worldwide in 220 countries and 100,000-plus cities. Those listings include entire apartments and homes, private rooms or shared rooms within someone’s home (yep, while the owners are there), and even rooms at some boutique hotels and bed-and-breakfasts.
What makes Airbnb unique is that you can choose to spend the night in anything from a bedroom in someone’s house to a tree house to a castle in France. (No, really—the company reports that it has nearly 3,000 castles and 1,400 tree houses in its current listings.)
Airbnb is particularly popular with millennial travelers and those looking for a more immersive or intimate travel experience. Single or shared rooms also offer the opportunity for lower costs. Generally speaking, if you love meeting people who live in the destination you’re visiting or even staying with people who know the area, especially in far-flung locales, Airbnb may be the way to go. Some hosts even create itineraries for guests, help with local language translations, and offer restaurant suggestions. We’ve even heard of hosts picking up guests at the airport.
Since more than one billion travelers have stayed at an Airbnb, there’s a good chance you’re at least familiar with the brand, but here’s a helpful cheat sheet when deciding on an Airbnb vs. Vrbo.
Airbnb pros:
Airbnb cons:
Want to stay in a centuries-old castle? A ski chalet on a mountainside? How about a quirky tree house? Airbnb has a wide array of options for stays that will definitely make your vacation stand out. These are a few of our favorites:
Next, check out this list of the most extravagant Airbnb listings in every state—including yours!
When you’re considering a Vrbo vs. Airbnb, it helps to know the lingo. Vrbo (pronounced ver-bow) stands for Vacation Rental By Owner, and once you know that, it probably won’t surprise you to learn that this platform is exclusively for vacation home rentals (or that you’ll be dealing directly with homeowners). When you rent through Vrbo, there’s no option to rent individual rooms or shared spaces—you’ll be getting an entire home or apartment for the duration of your stay. Vrbo has been around since 1995, and it offers approximately two million listings in 190 countries.
Due to the exclusive use and privacy of the vacation homes available, Vrbo is a perfect fit for families who want to spread out instead of squishing into a hotel room, or for groups who want to be together in a shared space. You’ll also have kitchens to cook meals, which cuts down on vacation costs, and common spaces to spend time together without having to troop down to a hotel lobby.
Vrbo pros:
Vrbo cons:
There are houses of every size on Vrbo, as well as some very unique properties—including whole islands. (Yes, you read that right!) Here are a few of our favorites:
If you’re still debating between Vrbo vs. Airbnb, or a hotel where you’ll be waited on hand and foot, compare these rental listings with the best all-inclusive resorts.
Of course, the quality of vacation rentals, whether they’re on Airbnb or Vrbo, varies widely. But there are a few things that will help you find the best options for you.
Now that you know the differences between Vrbo vs. Airbnb, do a search on the vacation rental website you’re most interested in. To get started, choose a location and the dates you want to travel. Note, however, that during peak seasons—like summer—sites may require a minimum stay of anywhere from two to seven nights.
On most vacation-rental websites, a booking calendar should pop up, showing you availability. Note that if you’re using Airbnb, you may have to get in touch with a host if you need more info.
Eliminate unwanted surprises on your credit card statement by checking for additional fees before you book. Both Airbnb and Vrbo also may have a number of additional costs, such as cleaning, that can drive up the price that’s initially displayed. Those types of costs may be more common on Vrbo and on whole-home rentals on Airbnb.
An important note: Don’t assume that you can cancel for a full refund unless the listing explicitly states that. Since each listing’s rules are determined by an individual owner, whether you’re renting an Airbnb or Vrbo, each will be different. To that end, you’ll also want to check rules on occupancy limits, pet restrictions, and damage waivers and responsibilities.
Wait—you’re not ready to book just yet! There may be extra charges for cleaning fees, pet fees (if applicable), and requirements for minimum stays, so make sure you’re OK with all of that before you book.
Always pay directly through the site, whether you book through Airbnb or Vrbo. This activates protections and gives you access to customer service, and it’s one of the services you’ll always want to pay for with a credit card.
