Syncing your calendar across multiple vacation rental platforms is essential for managing availability and preventing double bookings. This guide will walk you through the process of configuring iCal synchronization to connect your Holidu calendar with other booking platforms and calendar services.

Introduction to iCal Calendar Synchronization

iCal synchronization allows you to maintain a single source of truth for your property availability across multiple channels. When you sync your calendars, bookings and blocks created on any platform automatically update on all connected channels, significantly reducing the risk of double bookings and ensuring your guests see accurate availability information.

The connection is two-way: you can both import calendars from other platforms into Holidu and export your Holidu calendar to external channels. Once configured, your calendars stay synchronized automatically.

Supported Channels and Platforms

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

Provider	Support Status
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 isn't 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

If the calendar provider you want to connect is not listed above, check with your external platform whether they support two-way iCal synchronization. We recommend testing the connection manually by creating a test block on each calendar to confirm synchronization is working correctly.

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

How to Import and Export an iCal Calendar

The process for importing and exporting calendars is the same whether you are setting up synchronization for the first time or adding an additional sync connection.

Step-by-Step Setup Instructions

1. Log in to the other vacation rental platform or calendar service and find the iCal synchronization settings. Locate and copy your iCal URL (this is your export link).
2. In a new browser window, log in to your Holidu account and select the property you want to sync.
3. On the left-hand side navigation menu, scroll down to the Configuration section and click on iCal & Synchronization.
4. Choose your setup option:
   • First-time setup: Click Configure
   • Additional sync: Click Add new synchronization
5. Select the name of the channel you want to sync from the list of available options.
6. Follow the two setup steps on the screen:
   • Step 1 – Import: Paste the iCal URL from the other provider into the "Address of iCal" field.
   • Step 2 – Export: Copy Holidu's iCal URL and paste it into the iCal import section on the other provider's platform.
7. Click Save to complete the synchronization setup.

Video Tutorial

For a visual walkthrough of connecting your Airbnb calendar to Holidu, watch this helpful video tutorial:

How to Connect Your Airbnb Calendar to Holidu

Important Notes for Popular Booking Platforms

Booking.com Calendar Synchronization

When syncing with Booking.com, you must configure the export settings correctly to ensure all necessary information is transferred:

• Log in to your Booking.com account and access your iCal export settings
• Check the box for Booked and Closed Dates
• This ensures both confirmed bookings and manual blocks sync properly with your Holidu calendar

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

Airbnb Calendar Synchronization

Airbnb has specific limitations for calendar synchronization that you should be aware of:

• The Airbnb iCal URL only supports synchronization from today through the next 364 days
• Any dates beyond this 365-day window will not be automatically synced
• For bookings or blocks beyond 364 days, you will need to manually create them in Holidu

Learn more about Airbnb's iCal options in their official help documentation.

VRBO Calendar Synchronization

VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner) offers straightforward iCal synchronization. For step-by-step instructions on connecting your VRBO calendar, refer to their official calendar sync guide.

Troubleshooting Tips

Synchronization is Not Working

Check the iCal URL: Make sure the iCal URL has been copied correctly without any typos or missing characters. Even small errors in the URL will cause the sync to fail. Copy the URL directly from the source platform without manually typing it.

Calendar Updates Are Delayed

Refresh your calendar manually: If the calendar is not updating immediately, click the green Refresh button in your Holidu synchronization settings. Please note that it may take a few minutes for blocks and bookings to appear across all connected platforms. Google Calendar updates are slower than other channels, with refreshes occurring approximately once per day.

Verify Synchronization is Active

Perform a manual test: Always test the connection by creating a temporary block or entry in each calendar to confirm the sync is working bidirectionally. For example:

• Create a block on your Holidu calendar for a specific date
• Wait a few minutes and check if it appears on the other platform
• Repeat the test by creating a block on the external platform and verify it appears on Holidu
• Once confirmed, delete these test blocks

Still Having Issues?

If your calendar synchronization is still not working correctly after following these troubleshooting steps, contact Holidu support with details about which platforms you are trying to sync and what specific error or behavior you are experiencing. Our support team can help diagnose the issue and ensure your calendars are properly connected.