Synchronizing your calendar across multiple vacation rental platforms is essential for managing your bookings efficiently and avoiding double bookings. This guide walks you through the process of configuring iCal synchronization to connect your Holidu calendar with other platforms.

Introduction to iCal Calendar Synchronization

iCal synchronization allows you to maintain a single source of truth for your property's availability across all your booking channels. When you sync your Holidu calendar with other platforms, any booking or block you create on one channel automatically updates on all connected calendars. This two-way synchronization reduces the risk of double bookings and saves you time managing multiple calendar systems.

Supported Channels and Platforms

Holidu supports iCal synchronization with a wide range of vacation rental platforms and booking channels. Here are the currently supported providers:

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 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 you want to import is not listed, check with your external provider whether they support two-way iCal synchronization. We recommend always testing the connection manually by creating a manual block on each calendar to confirm it syncs correctly. Please note that we cannot guarantee compatibility with every external iCal calendar, so verification is essential.

How to Import and Export an iCal Calendar

First-Time Setup

If you are setting up iCal synchronization for the first time, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the other booking platform or calendar service where you want to import availability from. Locate the iCal sync options and find your iCal URL (export link). Copy this URL to your clipboard.
2. In a separate browser window, log in to your Holidu account and select the property you want to synchronize.
3. On the left-hand side navigation menu, scroll down to find the Configuration section. Click on "iCal & Synchronization".
4. Click the "Configure" button to begin your first synchronization setup. Select the name of the channel you want to sync from the provided list of options.
5. On the setup screen, you will see two steps:
   • 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 that is provided and paste it into the iCal import section on the other provider's platform.
6. Click Save to complete the setup.

Adding Additional Synchronizations

If you already have one calendar synchronized and want to add another channel, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the additional booking platform or calendar service where you want to import availability from. Locate the iCal sync options and copy your iCal URL (export link).
2. In a separate browser window, log in to your Holidu account and select the property you want to synchronize.
3. On the left-hand side navigation menu, scroll down to find the Configuration section. Click on "iCal & Synchronization".
4. Click the "Add new synchronization" button to add an additional channel. Select the name of the new channel you want to sync from the provided list of options.
5. On the setup screen, follow the two steps:
   • Step 1 – Import: Paste the iCal URL from the new provider into the "Address of iCal" field.
   • Step 2 – Export: Copy Holidu's iCal URL that is provided and paste it into the iCal import section on the new provider's platform.
6. Click Save to complete the setup.

General iCal Import and Export Process

Whether you are setting up your first synchronization or adding a new one, the import and export process remains the same:

• Export from external platform: Each platform has its own method for exporting iCal URLs. This is typically found in calendar settings or synchronization options.
• Import into Holidu: Paste the external iCal URL into the Holidu synchronization settings.
• Export from Holidu: Copy your Holidu iCal URL and configure it in your external platform's calendar import settings.

Important Notes for Major Booking Platforms

Booking.com Calendar Synchronization

When syncing your Holidu calendar with Booking.com, ensure that you configure the export settings correctly. In your Booking.com account, navigate to your calendar settings and tick the box for "Booked and Closed Dates". This ensures that both confirmed bookings and any manual availability blocks you create on Booking.com are synchronized with your Holidu calendar. For detailed instructions on setting up Booking.com iCal synchronization, refer to the official Booking.com support documentation on connecting calendars.

Airbnb Calendar Synchronization

Airbnb's iCal feed has a specific limitation you should be aware of. The Airbnb iCal supports synchronization only for dates from today through the next 364 days. Any bookings or blocks set beyond this 365-day window will not be synced automatically to Holidu. If you need to block dates further in the future, you will need to create manual blocks in Holidu for those dates. For more information about Airbnb's iCal synchronization, consult Airbnb's official help documentation.

VRBO and HomeAway Calendar Synchronization

VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner), previously known as HomeAway, supports iCal synchronization with Holidu. Both platforms allow you to sync your calendar bidirectionally. When setting up VRBO synchronization, follow the same import and export steps outlined in the general process above. For detailed instructions specific to VRBO, visit their official help center for calendar synchronization guidance.

Troubleshooting Tips

Calendar Sync Is Not Working

If your calendar synchronization is not working as expected, try the following troubleshooting steps:

• Verify the iCal URL: Double-check that you have copied the iCal URL correctly from the external platform. Even small typos or extra spaces can cause the synchronization to fail. Copy and paste the URL carefully to ensure accuracy.
• Refresh your calendar manually: If the calendar does not update immediately after making changes, try refreshing it manually. In your Holidu iCal settings, click the green "Refresh" button next to your synchronization. It may take a few minutes for newly created blocks or bookings to appear across all platforms.
• Check platform-specific settings: Some platforms have additional export settings that must be enabled for proper synchronization. For example, Booking.com requires you to enable "Booked and Closed Dates" export. Review the platform-specific notes above for your particular booking channel.

Testing Your Calendar Synchronization

Always test your calendar synchronization connection after setup. To verify that the sync is working correctly:

1. Log into the external platform (for example, Airbnb) and create a manual availability block on a specific date that is not currently booked.
2. Return to your Holidu calendar and refresh it using the green "Refresh" button.
3. Check whether the blocked date from the external platform now appears as unavailable in Holidu.
4. Repeat the process in reverse: create a block in Holidu and verify it appears on the external platform after a refresh.
5. If both tests pass, your synchronization is working correctly and availability will remain aligned across platforms.

What to Do If Sync Still Does Not Work

If you have completed all troubleshooting steps and your calendar sync is still not functioning, verify that both platforms support two-way iCal synchronization. Not all calendar services support this feature. Additionally, some platforms may have rate limits or periodic maintenance that temporarily affects synchronization. If the problem persists, contact our support team for further assistance.

Video Guide

For a visual walkthrough of the iCal synchronization process, particularly for connecting to Airbnb, please watch our step-by-step video guide:

Watch the iCal Synchronization Setup Video

Summary

iCal calendar synchronization is a powerful tool for managing multiple vacation rental listings across different platforms. By following the setup steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your availability remains consistent across all channels, reducing the risk of double bookings and streamlining your property management workflow. Remember to test your synchronization after setup and refer to the platform-specific notes for Booking.com, Airbnb, and VRBO to ensure proper configuration.