10 Alternatives To Airbnb For Vacation Rentals

Get inspired for your next getaway with these short- and long-term rentals that are like Airbnb.

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Find plenty of rental alternatives to Airbnb that are also cheaper in destinations like Austin, TX., on sites like Homestay, VRBO and TripAdvisor Rentals.
Anne Rippy via Getty Images
Find plenty of rental alternatives to Airbnb that are also cheaper in destinations like Austin, TX., on sites like Homestay, VRBO and TripAdvisor Rentals.

Whether you’re planning a trip to one of the world’s best beaches or one of the world’s best cities for foodies, you’re probably looking for some killer digs to boot.

Though travel is a bit limited these days with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, that hasn’t stopped many folks from seeking out long-term Airbnbs rentals for month-long says, nearby getaways to you and long-term vacation rentals so they can get away — while staying away from others.

Though you’d be hard-pressed to find someone these days who hasn’t used vacation rental marketplace Airbnb as an alternative to hotels, there are lots of reasons people avoid using the site.

Whether you’re looking for a treehouse in Asheville, NC., or a California home with an infinity pool, these Airbnb alternatives have hundreds of thousands of listings for every vacation style, budget and occasion.

Get inspired for your next getaway with these 10 alternatives to Airbnb:

1. VRBO

VRBO stands for Vacation Rental By Owner, and is part of the HomeAway family. VRBO has more than 1 million homes in over 190 countries. Only vacation homes are listed on the site, which means it offers un-hosted experiences that are ideal for travelers who want a longer stay. Check out VRBO.

Started by a mom in 2013, this home rental company aims to make travel easier for families. Kid and Coe offers homes around the world, from apartments in San Francisco to villas in Italy. Plus, would-be renters can list their must haves at their vacation home (think child gates or high chairs) so you know what you’re getting before you walk in the door. Check out Kid and Coe.

If you’ve ever wanted to live out the plot to “The Holiday,” Home Exchange is a good start. Just like the site says, it’s a platform for you to swap homes with other travelers during a set period of time. It lists more than 65,000 properties in more than 150 countries. Though a paid membership is required to join and use the service, it’s a simple way of validating all of the users and properties on the site, too. And, for folks who aren’t necessarily into the idea of fully swapping homes with strangers, there’s a rental option that allows you to hosts guests, and in turn for hosting, you gain “balloons” that you can use for travel at your leisure. Learn more about Home Exchange.

TripAdvisor Rentals is TripAdvisor’s answer to getaway travel with at-home amenities. It’s a leading vacation rentals marketplace with more than 830,000 properties in 190 countries. TripAdvisor Rentals stands out from others in this list namely because it’s part of the world’s largest travel community. That means you’ll get offers, guidance and expertise from others in the travel community to help you plan your best trip ever. Check out TripAdvisor Rentals.

TurnKey is different from vacation rentals like Airbnb and HomeAway in one unique way. Instead of dealing directly with the homeowners once you book, TurnKey operates as a middleman who deals with guest needs, future bookings, and more. It gives all of their rentals a sense of consistency and quality, and local teams near each listing ensure guests have all of their needs taken care of, while the homeowners or property managers go on living their lives. TurnKey requires that all guests (unless otherwise approved) be over the age of 25. Check out TurnKey Vacation Rentals.

Agoda Homes is part of the Booking.com family. The site reaches 2.3 million travelers from 65 countries, making it an enticing choice for vacation rental owners who want a no-frills way to list their properties. Learn more about Agoda Homes.

If you’re surprised that you can rent apartments through Booking.com, don’t worry. We were too. But, the travel fare aggregator specializes in more than, well, aggregating good flight and hotel deals. You can specifically search for apartment rental listings on the site if you’re looking for more homey accommodations. It’s basically a minimalist’s dream ― one site to book your flight, car, taxis, restaurants and vacation rental. Check out Booking.com’s apartment listings.

Founded by two Berlin-based brothers, Welcome Beyond is unique in that the company finds small hotels and home rentals that are “truly original.” You can search by trip type “design & architecture” or “eco-tourism,” among others, and find homes all over the world. Check out Welcome Beyond.

FlipKey is owned by TripAdvisor Rentals, which means it has the feeling of a small startup, with steady hand of a travel-industry giant. They offer more than 300,000 domestic and international rentals. Check out FlipKey.

Homestay is what Airbnb used to be, in that with each booking is a genuinely hosted experience where you stay in the hosts home as a guest. The site offers both short- and long-term homestays that are ideal for tourists, international students, solo travelers and even working professionals who want a more hosted travel experience. Check out Homestay.

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