Follow these tips before booking an AirBnB to make sure you succeed on the first go. You’d think that booking accommodation for a trip is a straight-forward thing, but unfortunately not. We live in a complex world where convenience has lulled us into a false sense of security.
You know what they say: if it seems too good to be true, it probably isn’t. And this applies to traveling as well. But who am I to talk as if I know so much about this. Well, here are couple justifications for my arrogance:
- I moved abroad on my own at the age of 19 (quite some time ago)
- I’ve have lived in 6 different countries so far
- And I have spent the past 3 years as a full-blown digital nomad.
So, I’d say I have some experience in booking long and short term accommodation for travels. I also know what it means when things go wrong. And as someone who doesn’t believe in gate-keeping, I’d like to share my expertise so you don’t make the same mistakes that I did. Let’s dig in!
7 Tips to Consider Before Booking an AirBnB
Before I reveal my tips to consider before booking an AirBnB, I’d like to explain why these tips are particularly important:
The online world is full of scams so you need to keep your wits about you when looking for places to stay online. Even well known and popular platforms like Booking, Trivago or AirBnB attract scammers and fail to recognise them. Online scams are a huge business these days and these people usually have more to gain than to lose.
Thus, the responsibility falls on every single one of us to personally make sure we don’t get fooled unnecessarily. These are the most common types of scams related to booking travel accommodation online:
Scam type |
Description |
Fake listings |
Scammers create listings for properties they don’t own, using high-quality photos and enticing descriptions. |
Price manipulation |
Some listings show artificially low prices, with hidden fees revealed only late in the booking process. |
Last-minute cancellations |
A property may appear booked but is actually available. Scammers cancel late while keeping your booking fees. |
Advanced payment scams |
Guests are asked to pay in advance to secure a booking, with money transferred directly to the scammer’s account. |
Bait and Switch |
The property you booked is not the one you arrive at. Instead, you may be sent to a different lower-quality space. |
Overbooking traps |
Upon arrival, guests are informed the property is overbooked, and they are redirected to inferior accommodations. |
And now that we know what the pitfalls are, it’s time to get down to business! By following these 7 tips you can be pretty sure that the accommodation you book actually exists and is worth your while.
Step 1: Choose your location
I don’t mean a country or a city, I’m sure you already know what those specifics are before booking an AirBnB. I’m talking about getting a bit more specific: find the city on Google Maps and consider which area in the city would be the best to look for an apartment in.
By choosing the right location you make sure you’re staying in an area that provides you with convenience and safety. You can start looking for a specific area by considering what is important to you when staying abroad.
Consider for example:
- what do you want to have at a walking distance; a famous sight, train station, grocery stores, an event venue?
- do you prefer a central location (could be noisy) or a quiet and peaceful area?
- if you want to go out partying, maybe an apartment close to the best bars so you have a short walk ‘home‘
Step 2: Set a budget before booking an AirBnB
Figuring out a budget is one of the most essential things to consider when booking travels. And when you set yourself a budget before booking an AirBnB, the whole booking process becomes simpler. You can filter options on the platform according to price, which then means you don’t have to scroll through hundreds of options.
So, the question is how much are you willing to pay for the accommodation? The important thing to consider here are the additional costs related to booking an AirBnB. Depending on the listing, they may have additional cleaning fees or service charges that can add up sneakily. Read what’s included in the price before clicking the ‘Reserve’ button.
Step 3: Read reviews from previous guests
Reviews written by previous guests are a brilliant resource worth utilising before booking an AirBnB. We people are very prone to report especially on things we didn’t like, so this is an easy way to discover potential red flags.
Things to pay special attention to when reading reviews:
- what’s the impression of the host that you get from the reviews?
- what is the accommodation like; what was missing/what was especially great?
- did some guests meet issues in the accommodation and how (if) they were dealt with?
In case the reviews leave you with questions, you can message the hosts before actually reserving anything. In general we can say that high ratings paired with detailed feedback indicate a positive experience.
But pay a little bit of attention here; scammers can fake reviews too. If all reviews seem very generic and too similar, it may be a red flag.
Step 4: Think about what amenities are a must-have for you
Before booking an AirBnB, think about what amenities are non-negotiable to you when you travel. Especially for longer stays things like a washing machine and a well equipped kitchen are essential, as I noticed while living in a hotel. It can be useful to make a checklist of must-have amenities.
Once you find a nice AirBnB listing, you can check what amenities the apartment offers from the “What this place offers” list. Ensure that the property meets your needs! Check especially for features like Wi-Fi, air condition and an elevator in case the building is higher than three floors.
Step 5: Check the house rules before booking an AirBnB
AirBnBs are regular houses/apartments owned and rented out by regular individuals. As such, different listings can have special rules that need to be abided by while staying there. You should always read through the rules just in case, even though they often are quite basic, like considering the neighbours, not breaking anything, etc.
Understanding the house rules makes sure you have a good stay and prevents unnecessary misunderstandings. Check policies regarding pets, smoking, and noise levels and pick accommodation that aligns with your lifestyle.
Step 6: Pay attention to host’s communication
Booking an AirBnB isn’t the same as booking a hotel. There is no check-in desk or room service. Before booking an AirBnB, accept the fact that it is very much a self-service solution.
And as someone who has been stranded in a dark street late at night in a strange country because I couldn’t gain entry to my accommodation, I know exactly how important it is to have a responsive host. In addition, in case there are issues with the accommodation – like WiFi not working, roof leaking etc. – you want them fixed asap, right?
A responsive and accommodating host is the core of a successful AirBnB experience. Good communication from the moment you book the accommodation all the way to check-out is what you’ll want.
Step 7: Make sure the cancellation policy suits you
With the previous 6 tips you’re already well on your way to a successful AirBnB experience. Last but not least you should still also acquaint yourself with the cancellation policies of different listings before hitting the ‘Reserve’ button.
This is simply because we live in a very uncertain world. A country that seems peaceful today might be in turmoil by the time you’re supposed to travel there. Check that the cancellation policy gives you enough time to cancel the booking early enough but also late enough.
As a travel professional, I’d say that a cancellation policy that allows you to cancel 1 month before the check-in date is very practical. Obviously this can also be negotiated with the host according to your specific needs.
Final Thoughts
Being able to travel is such a privilege. And these days we have so many options in terms of locations, travel vehicles and accommodation. While hotels are great, especially for longer stays AirBnBs are a much smarter option. They’re (usually) actual lived-in apartments with well equipped kitchens and necessary appliances, like a washing machine.
But with all the options come also trials and tribulations. Scammers are the biggest problem, but there are many things that we can mess up ourselves if we don’t pay a little bit of attention before booking an AirBnB. In this article I’ve shared 7 quick tips to take into account while looking for the perfect place to stay in your next destination. Did I miss something, would you add anything to the list? ♥
FAQ
How can I make sure I choose the right AirBnB for me?
To make sure you select the ideal Airbnb, you should first determine the location within the city you’ll visit and the essential amenities. Use filters on the platform to refine your search based on these aspects. Read previous guests’ reviews to find valuable insights into the property’s quality and the host’s reliability.
What should I do if I have a problem with my AirBnB booking?
If you encounter issues, the first step is to contact the host directly through the messaging feature provided on the platform. If the problem persists or requires further assistance, reach out to Airbnb’s customer support for help in resolving the situation. Before booking an AirBnB, check the cancellation policy; that way you can still cancel your reservation without losing any money in case the host is not responsive.
What are the cancellation policies for Airbnb accommodations?
Airbnb hosts can choose different cancellation policies, which can range from a month to 1 day before your arrival date. Before making a reservation, always check the specific policy associated with that listing to understand what your options are in case you need to cancel. It’s always safe to choose a listing that offers a flexible cancellation policy.
How can I make sure the AirBnB listing is legitimate?
To verify a listing’s legitimacy, look for verified properties and read guest reviews carefully. Additionally, check the host’s responsiveness by messaging them before booking. This can help you gauge their reliability and commitment to providing a good experience.
