How do you sync your Vrbo calendar via iCal?

The menu names appear here as they are given in the English Vrbo Help.

Step 1: How do you copy the Vrbo link?

1. Log in to the Vrbo Owner Dashboard and select the listing if you have more than one.
2. Select «Calendar» from the menu.
3. Open «Settings» and then the «Availability» tab.
4. Under «Calendar sync», select «Connect calendars» and then «Export calendar».
5. Leave «Include tentative bookings» switched off. Vrbo recommends this option only for private calendars, not other booking sites.
6. Click «Copy URL».

Step 2: How do you add it to Stovita?

1. In Stovita, open «Properties», then «Platforms», and click «Connect calendar».
2. Select the property and paste the Vrbo link into the «Platform calendar link» field. Stovita recognises Vrbo from the link.
3. Save and click «Copy calendar link».

Step 3: How do you import the Stovita link into Vrbo?

1. In Vrbo, go back to «Calendar sync» and «Connect calendars».
2. Select «Manage imported calendars» and then «Import a calendar».
3. Paste the Stovita link into the «Calendar URL» field. It starts with https and contains «icalendar», as Vrbo describes for a valid link.
4. Click «Next», enter a name of no more than 30 characters, such as «Stovita», and click «Import».

The process is similar in the Vrbo app for hosts: «Calendar», the cog, the «Availability» tab, then «Connect calendars». The export is called «Step 1: Export your Vrbo calendar» and the import «Step 2: Import external calendar». Confirm by selecting «Update».

How often does Vrbo sync?

According to Vrbo Help, imported entries can take up to 20 minutes to appear in the Owner Dashboard. For the app, Vrbo says calendars sync every 30 minutes. Tap the arrow icon to sync manually. Vrbo shows entries from imported calendars for the next 365 days.

Stovita reads the Vrbo link every 15 minutes. So a Vrbo booking will soon block those nights on your other platforms too, as soon as they read the Stovita link again.

What does the link transfer?

Vrbo exports your property’s availability calendar. Unconfirmed enquiries appear only if you select «Include tentative bookings», and then as blocked dates. A calendar link doesn’t transfer prices, guest details or payments. Your Stovita link includes your direct bookings, blocks and availability from other platforms, but not Vrbo bookings.

What mistakes are common?

• Property management software active: If you manage your listing through third-party property management software, Vrbo says you can’t import calendars.
• webcal instead of https: If a link starts with webcal, change it to https. Stovita does this automatically when you paste it.
• Imported your own calendar: Don’t import the Vrbo link back into Vrbo. Vrbo warns that this can cause problems with payments for those dates.
• More than five calendars: Vrbo allows a maximum of five imported calendars per property. One Stovita link is enough because it includes all your other connected platforms.
• Duplicate name or link: Vrbo requires unique names and links that haven’t already been imported.
• One-way only: If the Stovita connection says «Never fetched», Vrbo doesn’t have the Stovita link.

Find out more about costs and demand: Vrbo in Switzerland.