Two answers, depending on the listing
- Single-fee listings (most hosts now): the guest pays no separate service fee. The entire fee comes out of the host's payout, so the guest sees the price the host set.[1][2] In some countries, taxes are added at checkout or included in the price.[2]
- Split-fee listings (being phased out): the guest pays a service fee of 14.1% to 16.5% of the booking subtotal. The subtotal is the nightly price plus any fees the host charges, excluding the guest fee and taxes.[1]
Airbnb is moving all home hosts to the single fee and phasing out the split fee.[1] Airbnb's deadline to adjust prices was September 15, 2026 outside the European Economic Area, and October 13, 2026 inside the EEA and Switzerland.[2]
What moves the guest fee on split-fee bookings
- Airbnb says the fee "varies based on a variety of factors and may be higher or lower depending on the booking."[1]
- Paying in another currency: when the guest pays in a different currency from the host's listing currency, the fee includes an extra amount, up to 16.5% of the subtotal.[1]
- VAT: where VAT applies, the service fee shown already includes it.[1]
- Guests can see the fee in the price breakdown before they book.[1]
The same stay, from the guest's side
A $600 booking subtotal (for example 2 nights at $250 plus a $100 cleaning fee), before taxes:
| Guest pays | Host keeps | |
|---|---|---|
| Split fee, 14.1% guest fee | $684.60 | $582.00 |
| Split fee, 16.5% guest fee | $699.00 | $582.00 |
| Single fee, host raised prices 14.8% | $688.76 | $582.00 |
| Single fee, host didn't reprice | $600.00 | $507.00 |
So when a host reprices to keep their payout, the guest total stays inside the range guests paid under the split fee. Airbnb's own example is a $115 price that guests see as $115, and that pays the host $97.[2]
What this means if you're a host
- Your listed price is the guest's price. With no service fee added, a guest comparing listings sees the number you set.[2] There's no hidden fee to blame for a high total anymore.
- Other platforms still add a guest fee. Vrbo charges guests a service fee at checkout, and Skift reports a smaller one will remain in most cases after October 29, 2026.[3] See the Vrbo service fee, explained.
- Check the guest total in the calculator. The Airbnb fee calculator shows what the guest pays now next to the old split-fee total for the same booking.
For the host side, see how much Airbnb charges hosts and split fee vs host-only fee.
Run your own numbers: the Airbnb fee calculator shows your payout and what the guest pays for any booking.