12+ Sites like Airbnb for 2021 Vacation Rentals | finder.com
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Airbnb alternatives for renting a vacation home

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

Alex Keshen
Alex Keshen

&

Amy Stoltenberg
Amy Stoltenberg

Updated . What changed?

Fact checked

Living like a local has never been easier. There are all kinds of sites like Airbnb out there offering you the chance to stay in local homes, quirky places and other unconventional sleeping quarters — all much more exciting than a hotel.

Here are just a few places where you can find your dream accommodation, be it a hilltop villa in Italy, a chic New York City apartment, a traditional ryokan in Japan or a cozy chalet in Whistler.

What's in this guide?

  1. Airbnb alternatives to check out before booking your next trip.
  2. Are sites like Airbnb safe?
  3. How do I pay?
  4. Planning a trip? Check out these deals from Airbnb alternatives
  5. Bottom line
  6. Frequently asked questions

Airbnb alternatives to check out before booking your next trip.

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 HomeawayMore info

Agoda

AgodaHomes is 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

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

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.

Like hotels, listings on sites like Airbnb get reviewed by previous guests, which are usually clearly displayed on each listing. For example, on this listing on Homestay, the host has an average of 5/5 based on 39 reviews. The green badge on the upper right corner means the host is verified by the company.

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

HomestayListingExample

Similar to the green badge used by Homestay, Airbnb has “super hosts”, who have received five stars from at least 80% of their guests.

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.

Traveling during COVID-19
The CDC advises postponing travel to protect yourself and your family from getting or spreading COVID-19. If you plan to travel during the pandemic, monitor the risk assessment levels for your destination when planning your trip, before departure and on arrival. Follow safety measures that include wearing a mask in public, social distancing and washing your hands. If you are diagnosed with, have symptoms of or are waiting for test results for COVID-19 — or are otherwise at risk of illness — do not attend gatherings or travel for 14 days.

How do I pay?

Most sites act as a middleman between the guest and host and allow you to pay for your stay through their platform. This is also the safest way to pay, as it will offer a secure payment system and you’ll get a confirmation screen or email stating you’ve paid.

Like hotels, some prefer you pay up front when you make the booking, while others you’ll pay for closer to your stay date.

When you pay up front, it may take a day or two to process your booking as the host needs to accept your request to stay before your card is charged.

Planning a trip? Check out these deals from Airbnb alternatives

TurnKeyTurnKey

10% off midweek stays

Valid for stays booked and completed between 12/22/20 and 3/14/2021

Last verified

Show code

Coupon code ends

TurnKeyTurnKey

10% off stays of 7 nights

Stays must be booked and completed 12/22/20 - 3/14/2021

Last verified

Show code

Coupon code ends

VrboVrbo

US vacation rentals starting under $50 per night

Last verified

Get deal

Bottom line

Each site like Airbnb has its own distinct flavor, whether you’re looking for entire vacation homes or just a room to borrow. After securing a spot to rest your head, find the cheapest deals on flights.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a site like Airbnb for boat rentals?
Yes. Boatsetter lets you rent a boat directly from the owner in hundreds of locations around the US.

Is there a site like Airbnb for RV rentals?
Yes. Check out RVshare to rent an RV directly from owner in all 50 states.

How can I book a private room within a house on VRBO?
The key difference between Airbnb and VRBO is that Airbnb lets you rent rooms within houses occupied by other people. VRBO rents full properties only.

How many properties does Airbnb list?
Airbnb advertises more than 7 million properties worldwide — more than any other homesharing site.

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