Understanding Airbnb Fees: Guests vs. Hosts
Airbnb uses two fee structures: the Split-Fee model (most common) and the Host-Only fee model (used by hotels and property managers):
- Guest Service Fee (~14.2%): Calculated on the booking subtotal (nightly rate + cleaning fee). Longer stays or higher price tags may see this fee drop toward 13%.
- Host Service Fee (3%): Deducted automatically from the host payout on each booking.
- Cleaning Fees: 100% determined by the host. Unlike hotels, this one-time fee significantly inflates the effective nightly rate for 1- or 2-night stays.
- Occupancy Taxes (8%–15%): Mandatory local hotel taxes collected by Airbnb and remitted to municipal authorities.
How to Calculate True Cost Per Night
To avoid surprise checkout totals, calculate the Effective Nightly Rate:
Effective Nightly Cost = Total Checkout Price ÷ Number of Nights
A $100/night listing with an $80 cleaning fee, $35 service fee, and $25 taxes costs $240 for a single night—effectively 2.4× the advertised headline price!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is an Airbnb for a week or month?
Many hosts offer 10% to 20% discounts for weekly stays (7+ nights) and 20% to 40% discounts for monthly stays (28+ nights). Use the discount field in our calculator above to see your discounted total.
How do I price my Airbnb as a host?
When setting your nightly rate, factor in the 3% host fee, linen cleaning supplies, local utility averages, and annual vacancy rates. Ensure your net payout covers mortgage, maintenance, and desired profit margins.