Syncing your Holidu calendar with other platforms ensures your availability is always up-to-date across all channels and prevents double bookings. This guide walks you through configuring iCal synchronization with external providers in just a few simple steps.

Supported Channels and Platforms

Holidu supports iCal synchronization with a wide range of vacation rental platforms and calendar systems. Here are the channels you can connect:

Provider	iCal Sync Support
Admin	Supported
Abritel	Supported
Airbnb	Supported (365-day limit — bookings beyond that need a manual block)
Atraveo	Supported
Avaibook	Supported
Avantio	Supported
Booking.com	Supported — tick "Booked + Closed dates" in your Booking.com export settings
FeWo-direkt	Supported
Feratel	Supported
Fewomanager.de	Supported
Icnea	Supported
Iperbooking	Supported
Menorca Vacations	Supported
Mister B&B	Supported
Octorate	Supported — export only (one-way)
TouristManager - LTS	Supported
VRBO / HomeAway	Supported
Wimdu	Supported
Google Calendar	Supported — refreshes approximately once per day, slower than other channels
Outlook / iCloud Calendar	Not tested — sync is not confirmed to work
Smoobu	Supported
Wubook	Supported — export only (one-way)
KrossBooking	Supported
Amenitiz	Supported
Expedia	Supported
Eviivo	Supported
Fincallorca	Supported
Homerti	Supported
Ruralidays	Supported
SECRA	Supported
Spain-Holiday	Supported
Your Rentals	Supported
Gites.fr	Supported
Rentals United	Not supported
Kigo	Not supported
TripAdvisor	Not supported
Siteminder	Not supported
Homerez	Not supported
Belvilla	Not supported

Important: If the calendar provider you want to connect is not listed above, contact your external provider to confirm they support two-way iCal synchronization. We recommend testing the connection manually by creating a block on each calendar to verify the sync works correctly.

Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee compatibility with every external iCal calendar. Always verify that the sync functions as expected before relying on it for your bookings.

How to Import and Export an iCal Calendar

First-Time Setup

Follow these steps if you are setting up iCal synchronization for the first time:

1. Log in to the external platform or channel where your calendar is hosted (for example, Airbnb, Booking.com, or VRBO).
2. Locate the iCal synchronization settings and find your iCal export URL. This is the unique link that contains your calendar data.
3. In a new browser window, log in to your Holidu account and select the property you want to sync.
4. On the left-hand side menu, scroll down to Configuration and click on iCal & Synchronization.
5. Click the Configure button to begin your first synchronization.
6. From the dropdown menu, select the name of the external channel you want to sync with (for example, Airbnb, Booking.com, or VRBO).
7. Follow the two-step setup process on the screen:
   • Step 1 — Import: Paste the iCal URL from the external platform into the "Address of iCal" field in Holidu.
   • Step 2 — Export: Copy Holidu's iCal URL from the setup screen and paste it into the iCal import section on your external platform.
8. Click Save to complete the setup.

Adding Additional Synchronizations

If you already have one iCal synchronization configured and want to add another channel, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Holidu account and select the property you want to update.
2. On the left-hand side menu, scroll down to Configuration and click on iCal & Synchronization.
3. Click the Add new synchronization button.
4. From the dropdown menu, select the name of the additional channel you want to sync with.
5. Follow the same two-step process described above:
   • Step 1 — Import: Paste the iCal URL from the external platform into the "Address of iCal" field.
   • Step 2 — Export: Copy Holidu's iCal URL and paste it into the iCal import section on your external platform.
6. Click Save to complete the new synchronization.

Important Notes About Popular Booking Platforms

Booking.com Calendar Synchronization

To ensure your Booking.com calendar syncs correctly with Holidu, follow these additional steps:

• Log in to your Booking.com partner account.
• Go to the calendar export settings.
• Make sure to tick the checkbox for "Booked and Closed Dates." This ensures that both confirmed bookings and any manual blocks you create on Booking.com are reflected in your Holidu calendar.

For detailed instructions from Booking.com, visit their iCal synchronization guide.

Airbnb Calendar Limitations

Airbnb's iCal implementation has an important limitation you should be aware of:

• Airbnb's iCal calendar only synchronizes from today through the next 364 days. Any dates beyond this 365-day window will not be synced to Holidu.
• If you have bookings or blocks scheduled beyond 364 days from today, you must manually create them in Holidu as well.

Learn more from Airbnb's official iCal help article.

VRBO Calendar Synchronization

VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner) and HomeAway both support full iCal synchronization with Holidu. Follow the same import and export steps outlined above.

For more information, check VRBO's calendar synchronization guide.

Troubleshooting Tips

The Synchronization Is Not Working

If your calendar is not syncing as expected, try these troubleshooting steps:

• Verify the iCal URL: Double-check that you have copied the iCal URL correctly from the external platform. Even small typos can cause the synchronization to fail. Copy the URL again and paste it carefully into Holidu.
• Refresh the calendar: If the calendar does not update immediately, click the green "Refresh" button in Holidu's iCal synchronization settings. Calendar updates may take a few minutes to appear.
• Create a manual test block: Always verify the connection is working by creating a manual block (unavailable date) in each calendar separately. Check that the block appears on the other platform within a few minutes. This confirms the two-way synchronization is active.
• Check your internet connection: Ensure your internet connection is stable and that you are not experiencing any connectivity issues during setup.
• Confirm platform support: Verify that your external platform appears on the list of supported channels above. If it is not listed, check with the platform's support team to confirm they offer iCal synchronization.

Bookings Are Not Appearing in Holidu

If bookings from your external platform are not showing up in Holidu:

• Make sure you have completed both Step 1 (Import) and Step 2 (Export) in the synchronization setup. The import step is what brings your external bookings into Holidu.
• For Booking.com, verify that you have ticked the "Booked and Closed Dates" checkbox in their export settings.
• Wait a few minutes for the sync to complete, then click the Refresh button to manually trigger an update.

Holidu Bookings Are Not Appearing on External Platforms

If your Holidu bookings are not syncing to your external platforms:

• Ensure you have completed Step 2 (Export) correctly. You must paste Holidu's iCal URL into the import field on your external platform.
• Log in to your external platform and confirm that the iCal import is enabled.
• Check your external platform's calendar settings to verify that imported calendars are set to display or sync.
• Click the Refresh button in Holidu and wait a few minutes for the export to process.

Video Guide

For a visual walkthrough of how to connect your Holidu calendar to Airbnb, watch this step-by-step video:

View Calendar Synchronization Video

Summary

Configuring iCal synchronization between Holidu and other platforms is straightforward:

1. Gather the iCal URL from your external platform.
2. Log in to Holidu and navigate to iCal & Synchronization under Configuration.
3. Click Configure for your first sync or Add new synchronization for additional channels.
4. Paste the external iCal URL in Step 1 and copy Holidu's iCal URL to your external platform in Step 2.
5. Click Save and test the connection by creating a manual block on each calendar.

Once your calendars are connected, your availability will stay synchronized across all platforms, reducing the risk of double bookings and keeping your guests informed of true availability.