Suggestions will show after typing in the search input. Use the up and down arrows to review. Use enter to select. If the selection is a phrase, that phrase will be submitted to search. If the suggestion is a link, the browser will navigate to that page.
How-to

About Airbnb: What it is and how it works

Whether you host a home, lead guests on an exciting tour, or provide a service (like professional photography), you can make guest’s stays more memorable almost anywhere around the world.

A community built for belonging

Airbnb was born in 2007 when 2 hosts welcomed 3 guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 2 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.

Enjoy unique homes, experiences, services, and more

From cozy cottages to elegant penthouses, hosts are happy to share their places. Whether it’s a work trip, weekend getaway, family vacation, or a longer stay, there are millions of amazing places to visit.

Then there are Airbnb Experiences, hosted by inspiring local experts. From horse whispering to canyon hiking, experience hosts share their passion for cooking, art, music, and so much more.

Want to book a private chef? Or relax with an in-home massage after a long day of exploring? Airbnb Services can make a stay more special—whether it’s in an Airbnb home, at a place of business, or out in the world.

A platform you can trust

We want your experience with Airbnb to be easy and enjoyable. Here’s how we help keep you safe and protect your data:

  • Verified identities of hosts, co-hosts, and guests who book
  • Verified listings
  • Experiences and services are vetted
  • Smart, secure messaging for hosts and guests to communicate with confidence
  • A trusted platform for collecting and transferring payments

Learn more about our commitment to your safety.

24/7 support for hosts and guests

Got questions? Get answers in our Help Center. You can learn about finding a place to stay, paying for your reservation, and more.

Our guests and hosts are always on the go, and so are we. Our global Community Support team is at the ready 24/7 in 11 different languages. We can help with rebooking, refunds, reimbursements, and more.

We also offer AirCover for hosts, which includes guest identity verification, reservation screening, $3M host damage protection, $1M host liability insurance, and a 24-hour safety line. It also includes $1M Airbnb Experiences liability insurance.

Getting started on Airbnb

We can’t wait to welcome you to Airbnb. Here’s everything you need to know about getting started—like how to create an account or a listing. And if you’re a guest, you’re just 3 steps away from your next getaway!

Hosting your home, an experience, or providing a service on Airbnb

If you’re interested in hosting your space, we’ll guide you through the process step-by-step. To host Airbnb Experiences or provide a service, just review our standards and requirements and then submit your exciting ideas for review.

Did this article help?

Related articles

Get help with your reservations, account, and more.
Log in or sign up