Synchronizing your Holidu calendar with other platforms ensures your availability stays up-to-date across all your listing channels. This comprehensive guide walks you through configuring iCal synchronization to prevent double bookings and streamline your property management.

What is iCal Synchronization?

iCal (iCalendar) synchronization allows you to connect your Holidu calendar with booking platforms and calendar services. The connection works both ways: you can import availability from other channels into Holidu, and export your Holidu availability to other platforms. Once configured, blocked dates and bookings automatically sync across all connected channels, reducing the risk of double bookings and keeping your calendar consistent everywhere.

Supported Channels and Platforms

Holidu supports iCal synchronization with a wide range of booking platforms and calendar services. Here is the complete list of supported providers:

Provider	iCal Sync 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 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

If your calendar provider is not listed, contact them to check whether they support two-way iCal synchronization. We recommend always testing the connection manually by creating a test block on each calendar to confirm the sync works correctly before relying on it for your actual bookings.

How to Import and Export an iCal Calendar

First-Time Setup: Click Configure

If you are setting up calendar synchronization for the first time, follow these steps to import and export your iCal calendar.

1. Log in to the external booking platform or calendar service where you want to sync from and locate the iCal synchronization settings. Find and copy your iCal export URL (this is the calendar link you will import into Holidu).
2. In a new browser window or tab, log in to your Holidu account and select the property you want to synchronize.
3. On the left-hand side menu, scroll down to the Configuration section and click on "iCal & Synchronization".
4. Click the "Configure" button to begin your first synchronization setup.
5. Select the name of the channel or platform from the provided list of options that matches where you are syncing from.
6. Complete the two required steps on the setup screen:
   • Step 1 – Import: Paste the iCal URL you copied from the external provider into the "Address of iCal" field.
   • Step 2 – Export: Copy the Holidu iCal URL that is displayed and paste it into the iCal import section on the other provider's platform settings.
7. Click the Save button to complete the synchronization setup.

Additional Synchronization: Click Add New Synchronization

If you already have one calendar synchronized and want to add another platform, use the "Add new synchronization" option instead.

1. Log in to the additional external booking platform or calendar service and locate the iCal synchronization settings. Copy your iCal export URL.
2. Log in to your Holidu account and navigate to your property.
3. On the left-hand side menu under Configuration, click on "iCal & Synchronization".
4. Click the "Add new synchronization" button to set up an additional calendar connection.
5. Select the name of the new channel from the list of available options.
6. Complete the two required setup steps:
   • Step 1 – Import: Paste the iCal URL from the additional provider into the "Address of iCal" field.
   • Step 2 – Export: Copy the Holidu iCal URL and paste it into the iCal import section on the new provider's platform settings.
7. Click Save to activate the new synchronization.

You can repeat this process to add as many calendar synchronizations as needed. The import and export steps remain identical for each additional sync you configure.

Important Notes About Booking.com, Airbnb, and VRBO

Booking.com Synchronization

When synchronizing your calendar with Booking.com, it is essential to configure the correct export settings on the Booking.com side to ensure all necessary dates sync properly with Holidu. In your Booking.com account settings, locate the iCal or calendar export options and ensure you have checked the box labeled "Booked and Closed Dates". This setting ensures that both confirmed bookings and any manual blocks or closed dates you create on Booking.com will synchronize with your Holidu calendar, preventing accidental double bookings. For detailed instructions from Booking.com, refer to their official guide on connecting calendars.

Airbnb Synchronization

Airbnb's iCal calendar has a specific limitation you should be aware of. The Airbnb iCal feed only supports synchronization from today through the next 364 days. Any dates beyond this 365-day window will not be automatically synced to Holidu. If you need to block dates further in the future, you must manually create blocks in Holidu for any dates beyond the 364-day sync range. This ensures your property remains properly blocked on Holidu even when the Airbnb calendar cannot sync that far in advance. For more information, consult Airbnb's official calendar help documentation.

VRBO Synchronization

VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner), formerly known as HomeAway, provides straightforward iCal synchronization with Holidu. Configure both the import and export steps as described in the main setup instructions above. When setting up the export on VRBO, paste your Holidu iCal URL into the appropriate field in your VRBO account settings. Once connected, your calendar will remain synchronized, and bookings made through VRBO will appear on your Holidu calendar. For step-by-step guidance from VRBO, check their official iCal and calendar synchronization help article.

Troubleshooting Tips

Calendar Sync Is Not Working

If your iCal synchronization is not functioning as expected, check the following common issues:

• Verify the iCal URL: Double-check that you have copied the iCal URL correctly from the external provider. Even a single typo or extra space in the URL will cause the synchronization to fail. Copy and paste the URL carefully, and avoid manually typing it if possible.
• Confirm URL format: Make sure the URL you are using is the iCal export URL and not a regular calendar page link. The URL should typically end with ".ics" or contain "ical" in its path.
• Check provider settings: Return to the external platform and confirm that iCal synchronization is enabled in their settings. Some platforms require you to explicitly activate calendar sharing before the iCal URL becomes functional.

Calendar Updates Are Delayed

If your calendar is not updating immediately after creating a block or receiving a booking, try the following:

• Refresh the calendar manually: In your Holidu iCal & Synchronization settings, look for a green "Refresh" button next to your synchronized calendar. Click this button to force an immediate refresh of the calendar data.
• Wait for automatic sync: iCal calendars do not always update instantly. Depending on the provider, it may take a few minutes to several hours for new blocks and bookings to appear. Google Calendar, for example, typically refreshes approximately once per day, making it slower than other platforms.
• Check the provider's sync schedule: Some external platforms have their own refresh intervals. Review the provider's documentation to understand how frequently they update their iCal feed.

Test Your Synchronization

The best way to verify that your iCal synchronization is working correctly is to perform a manual test before relying on it for your actual bookings:

1. Create a test block or unavailable date on one platform (for example, block a single day on Booking.com).
2. Wait a few minutes and then check your Holidu calendar to confirm that the blocked date appears.
3. Repeat the test in the opposite direction: create a block on Holidu and verify that it appears on the external platform within a reasonable timeframe.
4. If both directions sync successfully, your calendar synchronization is working properly. If either direction fails, review the troubleshooting steps above or contact support.

Compatibility with Uncommon Providers

If you are trying to sync a calendar provider that is not listed in the supported channels table, contact that provider's support team to confirm they offer two-way iCal synchronization. Not all calendar services support the iCal standard or may have limitations that prevent compatibility with Holidu. We cannot guarantee compatibility with every external iCal calendar application. Always verify that the sync works correctly with your specific provider before depending on it.

Learn More With Video Guidance

For a visual walkthrough of connecting your Airbnb calendar to Holidu via iCal synchronization, watch this step-by-step video guide. The process is similar for other platforms, though specific URLs and button locations may vary slightly.

View the iCal Synchronization Video Guide