How iCal Calendar Sync Works for Airbnb, Booking.com and Vrbo
iCal sync is the simplest way to keep the calendars of several booking sites in line. Every major platform supports it, it is free, and you can set it up in a few minutes per listing.
It also has limits that are worth understanding before you rely on it. This guide explains how it works, what each platform says about refresh timing, and where it can let you down.
What an iCal link is
An iCal link is a web address that points to a calendar file, usually ending in .ics. When another site reads that address, it sees which dates on your listing are booked or blocked. It is a one-way feed: the site that publishes the link is the source, and the site that imports it reads from it.
To sync two platforms in both directions, you set up two links. You export from A and import into B, then export from B and import into A.
Export and import in practice
Airbnb
In your listing calendar, open Availability and under Connect calendars choose Connect to another website. Copy the Airbnb calendar link to export. To import, paste a link ending in .ics from the other site and give the calendar a name. Airbnb updates connected calendars automatically every 3 hours, and you can use Refresh to pull changes sooner. It imports up to 2 years of data, and an imported calendar cannot be paused. You would disconnect and reconnect it.
Booking.com
In the Extranet, go to Rates & Availability, then Sync calendars, and add a calendar connection for each room or unit. The correct link contains /ical/ in the address. Booking.com imports each connected calendar every two hours, and you can use Import now to update it sooner. Booking.com also says calendar sync is not enabled for all properties, so check that your property is eligible.
Vrbo
In the Owner Dashboard, open Calendar, then Availability settings, and connect calendars. Paste the other site's iCal link, which should contain icalendar in the address. If a link starts with webcal, change it to https. Vrbo allows up to five imported calendars per property and shows imported events for up to the next 365 days. Imported events can take up to 20 minutes to appear, and calendars sync every 30 minutes in the app. You cannot import calendars if the property is managed through third-party property management software.
How often each platform refreshes
- Airbnb: every 3 hours, plus a manual refresh.
- Booking.com: every two hours, plus Import now.
- Vrbo: every 30 minutes in the mobile app flow, plus manual refresh. Imported events can take up to 20 minutes to appear.
These figures come from each platform's own help pages as of October 2026. Platforms can change them, so check the linked sources if timing matters to you.
Where iCal falls short
- It is delayed. Two guests can book in the gap between refreshes.
- Blocks may not match. Airbnb notes that nights you block on another calendar may or may not be blocked on Airbnb, including preparation time or advance notice settings you set elsewhere.
- It is only a list of taken dates. It is not a full integration, so rates, guest messages and booking details do not travel through it.
- A wrong link fails quietly. Always confirm that a last updated time appears after you connect.
Importing iCal into Staynora
On the Channels page in Staynora you can paste an Airbnb or Booking.com iCal link for a property. Staynora imports the reservations and blocked dates and shows them on your calendar. The import is one-way and refreshes when you sync, not in real time, and Staynora does not change your Airbnb or Booking.com calendar. Direct two-way connections are coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does iCal sync work in both directions?
Only if you set up a link in each direction. Each link is one-way: one site publishes, the other imports.
Why is my new booking not showing on the other site?
The other site has not refreshed yet. Check its last updated time and use its manual refresh option.
Sources
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