Airbnb is a digital platform where you can not only find and rent temporary accommodation in almost every country in the world but also apply as a host and publish accommodation offers.
This website, which started as an idea of a small group of friends who rented out an extra room in their apartment, has grown significantly over the years and today has offers in more than 190 countries around the world.
First Steps on Airbnb
To start using the platform, you must create an account. You can log in with your email, phone number, Apple ID, Facebook, or Google account.
You can access it through the website or by downloading the app for Android or iOS-compatible mobile devices.
Once you create the account, you must enter the requested information, verify your ID and add a profile photo (some hosts require it).
When you are setting up the account, you will have the option to be a Host, Guest, or both, and switch from traveling to hosting. Now you are ready to look for places to book!
Options for All Tastes
The platform offers options to suit all tastes: from rural houses to private islands. There are also four types of accommodation: entire place, private room, hotel room, and shared room. So you will surely find something that suits your needs and budget.
When searching for a place to book, you can set filters, such as date of travel, a neighborhood within a city, type of accommodation, accessibility features, home highlights, and so on. These filters ease your search.
You can also use the map to better locate your destination according to areas or regions you like, and read reviews from former guests.
Other Useful Functions
Airbnb offers a number of features that make your search easier:
- Flexible tab: A convenient feature of the platform is that you don't need to set a specific date. The Flexible tab allows you to set the length of the trip —a weekend, a complete week, a month, etc.— and find the accommodation you are most interested in.
- Monthly stays: If you are deciding to rent a place for 28 nights or more, there are Airbnb hosts who offer their place for this type of booking. For this type of reservation, the payment is upfront.
- Pet-friendly accommodation: Forget about leaving your pets at home! When you are searching for accommodation, you can add the number of adults and children that will be staying and also if you are going with pets. Many options are pet-friendly.
Create Your Wishlist
If you still have not decided which accommodation to book, you can create wishlists so you do not miss out on places that you discover on Airbnb.
To save a place of your interest, you just have to click on the heart that appears next to the place, and you can come back to see it later. You can create different wishlists to keep your entries organized and find them more easily.
How to Host
If you are interested in posting a place for rent, you can create a Host account, as it was said above. You will need to set pricing per night, describe the place and its amenities, include pictures, write check-in instructions, etc. For more information, check “About hosting” on the official website. Of course, Airbnb charges a commission for each booking.
Our Final Verdict
Airbnb is a platform that offers many options. The search functions offered are many, and you have to know how to make the most of them to find accommodations that suit the type of trip you are looking for and, not least, your budget. For hosts, despite the fees, it is a good way to rent your property and earn more money. Go ahead and try it for yourself!
