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Airbnb alternatives for renting a vacation home

Settle into a unique home away from home, wherever you go.

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Amy Stoltenberg
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Airbnb may have a global presence and highly recognizable brand, but it’s not the only vacation rental site out there — and in many cases, it’s not the best. We’ve rounded up over 40 vacation rental sites like Airbnb to find amazing deals, niche stays, luxury estates and even free vacation rentals all around the world, from smalltown USA to glittering cities like NYC and Dubai.

Browse an Airbnb alternative to find the vacation rental of your dreams at a price that meets your budget.

What's in this guide?

  1. Top 16 sites like Airbnb
  2. 29 more sites like Airbnb
  3. Why you should consider an Airbnb alternative
  4. Are sites like Airbnb safe?
  5. Cheaper Airbnb alternatives
  6. Deals on sites like Airbnb
Traveling during COVID-19
The CDC continues to advise caution when traveling within or outside the US, However, it no longer requires self-quarantine or a COVID-19 test for fully vaccinated domestic travelers as of April 2021. International travelers need to get tested three days prior to flying out of the US and within three days after returning, even if you are fully vaccinated. It recommends that you delay travel if you’re not fully vaccinated to protect yourself and your family from getting or spreading the virus.

If you’re planning a trip outside the US, bear in mind that many countries have placed restrictions on US tourists. Check the US embassy website for updates before booking international travel.

Top 16 sites like Airbnb

Vrbo

Vacation Rentals by Owner boasts more than 1 million vacation rentals worldwide.

  • Transportation and attraction maps to better choose your stay.
  • More than 25,000 dog-friendly properties available.
  • See the exact square footage of most rentals.
Browse VrboMore info
FlipKey

FlipKey

Part of TripAdvisor Rentals, offers a collection of 300,000 rentals in 11,000 cities.

  • Filter searches by property type and extras, like whether it’s wheelchair accessible, pet-friendly or available to smokers.
  • Top properties feature certificates of excellence.
  • Only private spaces for rent.
Browse FlipKeyMore info

Homestay

Live in another culture with a more authentic overnight experience through welcoming hosts.

  • More than 30,000 rooms across 160+ countries.
  • Average prices start at about $30 a room.
  • Get to know your host and make your reservation via video call.
  • Suitable for long-term rentals.
Browse HomestayMore info

Agoda

Agoda offers a collection of apartments, houses, condos and other homey spaces.

  • It uses a 5-star rating system, just like hotels.
  • Get discounts that are exclusive to Agoda.
  • See the distance to popular attractions nearby.
Browse AgodaMore info

Expedia

After searching by location, filter by Private vacation home to see options similar to Airbnb.

  • Discounted rates for Expedia members.
  • Free cancellation available.
  • See the walking and driving times to popular attractions nearby.
Browse ExpediaMore info
Booking.com

Booking.com

Homes, apartments, lofts and more — up for rent by the owner.

  • Sign up to save 10% on bookings after completing two stays in two years.
  • Read ratings and reviews before you rent.
  • Book rooms, flights, car rentals and transportation.
Browse Booking.comMore info

Orbitz

Browse castles, safari camps, ranches, palaces, farmstays and other enticing stays.

  • Filter your search by business friendly or family friendly properties.
  • The listed price includes taxes and fees — unlike Airbnb, which calculates that at checkout
Browse OrbitzMore info

Hotels.com

Stay 10 nights and get one night free in condos, cottages, suites and more around the world.

  • Join its rewards program for perks and freebies
  • Filter your search by themed vacations — like Golf, Ski or Winery/Vineyard
  • Filter your search by proximity to popular landmarks — like the Hollywood Walk of Fame or Statue of Liberty
Browse Hotels.comMore info

Turnkey

Luxury and premium rentals that are professionally cleaned between stays.

  • Every rental has contactless check in and a full kitchen.
  • 24/7 customer service
Browse TurnkeyMore info
FlipKey

Vacasa

Private vacation rentals worldwide, managed by a central team.

  • Every property is professionally cleaned before you arrive.
  • Take a 3D virtual tours before booking to get a sense of the space.
  • Smaller, more curated collection than Airbnb.

Home Exchange

Trade spaces in 187 countries with no limit to your swaps!

  • Gain access to more than 400,000 homes.
  • Earn GuestPoints by renting your home for savings on future stays.
  • Choose from a yearly or nightly plan.

Innclusive

A site that emphasizes diversity and inclusivity.

  • Reward system lets you earn money through referrals.
  • Available in 130+ countries.
  • Attend networking events to meet like-minded travelers.

Kid and Coe

The ultimate platform for kid-friendly accommodations throughout the world.

  • Partners with concierge services and baby equipment rental companies to ensure you’ve got what you need.
  • Personally reviewed properties ensure suitability for families.
  • Host or exchange your own home to earn discounts on future stays.

One Fine Stay

Curated abodes with luxurious amenities and a personal greeting on arrival.

  • Exclusive properties that meet high standards.
  • No booking fees at checkout.
  • Enjoy boutique toiletries, quality linens and 24/7 customer support by phone or text.

TripAdvisor Rentals

This user review and advice forum offers thousands of vacation rentals right on its site.

  • Compare vacation homes and hotels in one place.
  • Full refunds on misrepresented properties.
  • Homes, condos, cottages, rural retreats and more.

Tripping

Compare 10 million properties worldwide to save time and money.

  • Save on hotels and other accommodations.
  • Choose from more than 150,000 destinations

29 more sites like Airbnb

Lots of sites like Airbnb specialize in a specific type of rental, like cottages in the English countryside, villas in the Caribbean or even campsites. If you’re still on the prowl for a vacation rental website that checks all your boxes, these Airbnb alternatives are worth a look.

Site Rental locationsFeatures
Agriturismo
  • Italy
Over 6,000 farmhouses in the Italian countryside
Blueground
  • 14 major cities worldwide, including Boston, Chicago, NYC, LA and Washington, DC
Furnished rentals for monthly, yearly or longer stays
Boutique Homes
  • Select destinations worldwide
Luxury properties by renowned architects and designers
Casamundo
  • Europe
  • USA
Over 700,000 holiday rentals — in business since 2003

Charming Villas

  • Northeastern Spain
Official member of the Tourist Registry of Catalonia
Cottages.com
  • England
  • Scotland
  • Wales
Over 19,000 holiday cottages and lodges in and around the UK
Couchsurfing
  • Worldwide
Stay on someone’s couch for free — or super cheap
Gites
  • France
Book a bed and breakfast or rental in picturesque French towns, villages and cities
Hipcamp
  • USA
Campsites and glampsites for nights beneath the stars on the cheap
HomeToGo
  • Worldwide
It pulls listings from Airbnb, Vrbo, TripAdvisor, Booking.com and more
HouseTrip
  • Worldwide
A site by TripAdvisor
Interhome
  • Europe
  • USA
Over 95,000 vacation rentals in 31 countries — and it’s been around since 1965
Naturaki
  • Girona, Spain
80 rural vacation rentals in gorgeous Costa Brava, in northeastern Spain
Novasol
  • Europe
Over 50,000 vacation rentals in 19 European countries
Oliver’s Travels
  • Europe
  • Florida
  • Other tropical destinations
Villas, chateaus and holiday homes — with a concierge service for travelers looking for luxury
Outdoorsy
  • USA
Rent a mobile home and road trip around the country
The Plum Guide
  • Europe
  • The Middle East
  • USA
It only selects the top 3% of rental homes that its team reviews
RentAVilla
  • The Caribbean
  • France
  • Greece
  • Indonesia
  • Italy
  • Mexico
  • Morocco
  • Portugal
  • Spain
Family-owned company — in business since 1983
Quest Apartments
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • Fiji
Apartment hotels especially for business travelers
Rural Retreats
  • UK
Over 580 dreamy retreats in the English countryside, including cottages and lighthouses
RVshare
  • USA
Rent an RV directly from the owner
SabbaticalHomes.com
  • Worldwide
Home rental and exchange for academics
Sonder
  • 30 cities in the US and Europe
Elevated design and highly curated experiences
Snaptrip
  • UK
  • Ireland
Over 600,000 rentals for last-minute getaways in England and Ireland
Sykes Holiday Cottages
  • UK
  • Ireland
Over 60,000 cottages, lodges and apartments in the UK
Top Villas
  • Caribbean
  • Europe
  • USA
Luxury rentals in vacation destinations like Marco Island, Malibu, Snowmass and more
TrustedHousesitters
  • Worldwide
Stay for free — but you’ve gotta look after the owner’s house and pets
Vintage Travel
  • Europe
Handpicked villas with private pools
Wimdu
  • Worldwide
Over 350,000 rentals worldwide

Local booking sites like Airbnb

While there are lots of sites like Airbnb that search thousands of properties worldwide, it’s also worth considering local vacation rental booking sites. Often, you can find cottages, apartments and other unique stays on sites that are specific to a country, region or city.

Local booking sites like Airbnb often have warmer hospitality and more personalized customer service. For example, Naturaki only manages rentals in Girona and Costa Brava, Spain. Naturaki manages all its rentals exclusively and maintains one-on-one relationships with the owners. You’ll find a similar experience at Charming Villas in Northeastern Spain, Gites in France and Agriturismo in rural Italy.

Why you should consider an Airbnb alternative

If you’re still on the fence about choosing a booking site other than Airbnb, here are some perks you’ll get by shopping elsewhere:

  • More options. Some international cities and more remote areas might not have many Airbnb options to choose from, whether because it’s not as popular in that destination or all the Airbnbs have sold out. Widen your search by browsing competitive sites.
  • Curated and niche selections. It can be difficult to find the exact experience you’re looking for on Airbnb simply because there are so many options. Target your search with a site that specializes only in villas with pools, like Vintage Travel, or properties that’ve won design awards, like Boutique Homes.
  • Concierge services. Maybe you enjoy the idea of scrolling through vacation rentals to get inspired, but when it comes to actually booking a place, you’d rather someone else take care of the details. A site like Oliver’s Travels can provide a VIP experience — instead of a DIY vacation.
  • Lower prices. It’s often possible to find cheaper rates on lesser-known Airbnb alternatives. Or stay for free with Couchsurfing or a home exchange site.

Are sites like Airbnb safe?

Yes, sites like Airbnbs are generally safe — as long as you stay with hosts that have a track record of happy guests. Also be sure to use basic street smarts, keeping your wits about you and looking for red flags, like a host that doesn’t respond. Most Airbnb alternatives have a verification system so you can be sure that the person you’re staying with has been vetted by the site.

When looking for a place to stay, find a host that has a higher number of positive reviews — it will also likely mean they’re a more experienced host, with a strong track record of safety.

It’s also recommended to check the area that you’re staying in. Check online to see how far the stay is from the attractions you’d like to visit, and check out Google Maps’ street view function to get a feel for what the local area is like.

Cheaper Airbnb alternatives

Airbnb can cause sticker shock when it comes time to pay because it adds service and cleaning fees at checkout. You should be able to find cheaper rates on these sites:

  • Booking.com — all fees are included in the listed price
  • Couchsurfer — most stays are free
  • Homestay — rates start at $30 nightly
  • Home Exchange — pay $150 and get cheap rates for a year
  • Orbitz — all fees are included in the listed price

Even if you want to book through a different website, filtering your search from cheapest to priciest might help you find great rentals that are cheaper than what you’d find on Airbnb.

Deals on sites like Airbnb

Booking.com
Deal

Browse US vacation rentals starting under $100/night

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TurnKey
Code

10% off midweek booking

Expires 31 Aug 2021
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TurnKey
Code

10% off 7-night stays

Expires 1 Sep 2021
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Show code
TurnKey
Deal

Check out the great deals at TurnKey Vacation Rentals

Expires 31 Dec 2029
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Get deal

Bottom line

Vrbo is one of our favorite alternatives to Airbnb because the user experience is similar, the prices are competitive and the rentals are private but not overly pricey. Budget travelers should look into sites like Airbnb that offer home exchange, while those in search of a luxury experience should head to Boutique Homes or Sonder.

That said, getting inspired is a wonderful part of planning a trip, so take your time to browse more alternatives to Airbnb before booking your stay.

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