Option 1: Embed a Google Calendar
Google Calendar can add another calendar from a link, so you can add the iCal export from Airbnb, Vrbo or Booking.com. To show a calendar to website visitors, Google's instructions are to make it available to the public and copy an embed code from Google Calendar on a computer.
This costs nothing if you already use Google, but the result is a general-purpose calendar: each booking appears as an event rather than as unavailable nights, and Google's help pages do not say how often a calendar added by link refreshes.
- Add each booking-platform export separately under Other calendars, From URL.
- Making a calendar public shows it to anyone; Google offers a setting that shows only free and busy times instead of event details.
- The embedded calendar uses Google's design, with each booking shown as an event.
- Test the full setup, including whether your imported calendars appear on the public embed, before sharing it with guests.
Booking-platform exports can include reservation details in event descriptions. If you publish a Google Calendar, choose the free and busy option so those details are not visible.
Google Calendar embed and SingleCal compared
Both can show availability from your booking-platform exports. The difference is what guests see and how much you have to set up and check yourself.
| Capability | Google Calendar embed | SingleCal |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free with a Google account | Free for one rental; Pro is $49 a year plus tax for up to five |
| What guests see | Bookings as calendar events | Available and unavailable nights, with check-in and check-out days shown as half days |
| Combining platforms | Add each export as a separate calendar | Combines Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking.com exports into one view |
| Update timing | Not stated by Google for calendars added by link | About every 6 hours on Free and about every 15 minutes on Pro |
| Booking details | Hidden only if you choose free and busy sharing | Guests see only unavailable dates, never booking details or which platform a booking came from |
| Booking button | Not included | Links guests to your chosen listing |
| Where it works | Sites that accept an embed code | Sites that accept an embed code, plus a hosted page you can share as a link |
Neither option takes bookings. Guests still book on your listing.
Want guests to see your availability in one place? SingleCal combines your Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking.com calendars, free for one rental.
Option 2: Install a WordPress booking plugin
If your website runs on WordPress, booking plugins can import iCal exports and show a calendar, and some add bookings and payments on your own site. Free and paid versions differ, so check what the free version includes before relying on it.
Examples from the WordPress.org plugin directory, as described on each plugin's listing when this guide was checked:
- Booking Calendar: the free version lists importing and exporting .ics feeds from sources including Airbnb, Booking.com and Vrbo. Its listing does not state an import schedule.
- Host Domination Booking Engine: the free version allows three external iCal feeds per calendar and checks them about every 30 minutes, which the listing says can vary with WordPress cron, traffic and hosting.
- WP Simple Booking Calendar: syncing with Airbnb, Booking.com and other iCal sources is listed as a Premium feature.
Plugins only work on WordPress sites where you can install plugins, and you are responsible for keeping them updated. Plugin features and limits change, so confirm them on the plugin's own listing.
WordPress booking plugin and SingleCal compared
A booking plugin can turn your WordPress site into a booking website. SingleCal does one narrower job: it shows guests your combined availability and sends them to your listing.
| Capability | WordPress booking plugin | SingleCal |
|---|---|---|
| Website platform | WordPress sites that allow plugins | Any site that accepts an embed code, or no website at all |
| Bookings and payments | Available in some plugins, often in paid versions | Not included; guests book on your listing |
| Calendar sync | Varies by plugin and plan | Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking.com iCal exports |
| Maintenance | You update the plugin and WordPress | Hosted by SingleCal |
| Setup | Install, configure and style the plugin | Paste iCal links, choose a booking link, then copy the embed code or share the page |
If you want guests to book and pay on your own website, a booking plugin or a booking engine is the right category to evaluate. SingleCal is not one.
Option 3: Use SingleCal
SingleCal combines the iCal exports from Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking.com into one availability calendar for guests. You can embed it on your website or share it as a hosted page, and guests continue to your chosen listing to book.
SingleCal publishes this guide and is one of the options compared, so we have tried to describe the alternatives fairly and link to their own pages.
- 1
Copy your iCal exports
Copy the calendar export link from each booking platform you use.
- 2
Add them to SingleCal
Paste the links and choose where guests should book.
- 3
Share or embed
Share the hosted page link, or paste the embed code into your website builder.
How to choose
Start with what guests need to do on your website, then with how much setup and maintenance you want to take on.
- Choose Google Calendar if you want something free today and a basic event-style calendar is enough.
- Choose a WordPress booking plugin if your site runs on WordPress and you want bookings or payments on it.
- Choose SingleCal if you want a clear availability calendar on any website, or a page to share, without running booking software.
- Whichever you choose, add a test booking block and confirm it appears where guests will look.
Put your Airbnb calendar on your website today.
Paste your Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking.com calendar links, choose where guests should book, then copy the embed code into your website builder. Free for one rental.