Booking Airbnb the right way: how we find the good apartments

Our Airbnb tips come from years in which we booked almost nothing but apartments – in cities, by the beach and in the countryside.

Airbnb tips: why we book apartments instead of hotels

We often travel for several weeks, frequently with our dog and laptops. That is why we need a kitchen, a washing machine and a table to work at – and you usually get that more cheaply in an apartment than in a hotel. An apartment also feels like home much faster, especially in cities like Lisbon or New York, where we stayed longer. There are still risks, though, and that is exactly what the following tips are for.

Hotels are easy – apartments are better if you stay longer, cook or travel as a group. This is how we go about it:

Before you book

1. Read the reviews first, then look at the photos. Fewer than 10 reviews = risk. Watch out for words like “noisy”, “construction site”, “smell”.
2. Check the map: neighbourhood, distance to public transport, reachable at night?
3. Filters: washing machine, kitchen, self check-in, air conditioning (southern Europe, Brazil, Florida!).
4. Show the total price – the cleaning fee and service fee change the picture.

Questions for the host

• How fast is the internet (Mbit/s)? Could you send a screenshot of a speed test?
• Is there a workspace with a chair?
• Is early check-in / late check-out possible?

After you arrive

Within 24 hours, photograph everything that is not right and message the host – only then will support step in.

We are hosts ourselves and have been booking through Airbnb for years – with our link you get a welcome credit as a new customer.

Airbnb tips on prices, fees and cancellation

Since the end of 2025 Airbnb has changed its fees: for most listings the host now pays a single service fee and guests no longer see a separate service fee. The displayed price is more honest as a result – but still check the total, because cleaning fees and local tourist taxes may be added depending on the listing. For longer stays many hosts offer discounts from seven nights (weekly discount) and from 28 nights (monthly discount) – if you are staying several weeks, try your dates with 28 nights once.

The cancellation policy matters as much as the price. Hosts choose between flexible, moderate and strict policies; with flexible you get everything back until shortly before arrival, with strict often only part of it. For trips whose dates are not fixed yet, we only book flexible – better a few euros more per night than losing the whole amount.

Airbnb: frequently asked questions

Facts as of 25.10.2026 – prices and rules can change, so check the official sources named above before you travel.

Airbnb tips: our conclusion

Our conclusion on these Airbnb tips: read the reviews first, then look at the photos and ask the host specific questions before booking. For longer stays it is almost always worth looking at weekly or monthly discounts, because they are often substantial. Especially if you stay longer, an apartment is usually cheaper and more practical than a hotel, because you can cook and do your laundry. How we organise rental cars and scooters is explained in Rental car or motorbike; background on the platform is on Wikipedia.