The best travel memories aren’t the souvenirs you buy or the hotels you book (well, most of the time). It’s the people you meet and the cultural experiences you have that make the longest-lasting memories—and that’s why platforms like Airbnb Experiences are pretty incredible. The booking platform functions the same way regular Airbnb does—but instead of finding unique properties, you’re booking unique cultural activities that include a local guide to show you the ropes.
If you’re planning an upcoming trip and looking to find unique and unforgettable experiences while traveling, checking out what’s available on Airbnb Experience is well worth it. Below we’re laying out exactly what you need to know before booking as well as a handful of stand-out Experiences around the world that are giving us major wanderlust.
How to Book an Airbnb Experience
Booking an Airbnb Experience more or less follows exactly the same process as booking a regular Airbnb accommodation; all you have to do is log in to your regular Airbnb account, find the activity that appeals to you, select the date(s) you’re hoping to reserve, the number of participants and hit reserve. You’ll gain access to your Airbnb Experience Host who will provide more detailed information on the experience and exactly where and when you will meet up to start the activity.
How to Search for Airbnb Experiences
Sometimes the most exciting part of vacation is those anticipatory moments in the planning phase—and that’s certainly the case when searching for and booking an Airbnb Experience. It’s so much fun to search through the listings in different cities around the world; the local-led classes and experiences range from classic activities you’ll see in all the guidebooks to more out-of-the-box experiences that allow you to get to know a country and its culture on a more intimate level.
The Airbnb Experience homepage allows you to search for listings “nearby” or to select the specific city or country you’re looking to book in. You can filter by the language the experience is hosted in, the dates and time slots available, and the number of guests an experience can accommodate. You can also filter specific prices and activities. So, for example, if you’re looking for a cooking class for under $30, you’ll filter your minimum price to the maximum price ($30) and select the “food & drink” tab.
Fine Print to Be Aware Of
Airbnb takes the quality and standards of its Experiences seriously and ensures that all hosts are verified before being able to offer their services. Hosts that have consistent bad reviews or complaints are banned from listing their Experience—which means you can pretty much guarantee that you’ll have a great Experience. Keep in mind that you can usually cancel up until seven days before the Experience start time for a full refund or within 24 hours if the booking is made within 48 hours before the start time. After that, you won’t receive a refund if you need to cancel or change the Experience. Some Experiences do have different cancellation policies, though, so check the fine print (under “Cancellation Policy” on the booking page).
Pros/Cons of Booking an Airbnb Experience
There are a handful of pros and cons to take into account when booking an Airbnb Experience. Here’s what to take into consideration before booking:
Pros
- It’s a great way to immerse yourself in a local experience you might otherwise not get to experience.
- Booking Experiences through Airbnb ensures you can read honest reviews and select an activity you feel comfortable and safe doing.
- Browsing experiences in a given city might spark ideas for activities you didn’t know existed or didn’t know you wanted to do.
- You’re putting money directly into the pockets of locals (albeit Airbnb does take a percentage).
Cons
- Some experiences’ cancellation policies require you to cancel seven days in advance in order to get a refund (or 24 hours in advance if you book in less than 48 hours from the start time).
- If you have a bad or unsatisfying experience, it can be a hassle to try and submit a claim to get a refund.
3 Airbnb Experiences You Should Definitely Consider for Your Next Trip
Once you start going down the Airbnb Experience rabbit hole, it’s hard to narrow it down to just a handful of options—there’s just such an abundance of choice to explore! We pulled some of our favorite options from around the world that make us want to book a trip immediately. Here are three Airbnb Experiences you should definitely consider for your next trip:
Izakaya Food Tour in Shinjuku, Tokyo
Tokyo is vast and can be a little bit overwhelming for first-time travelers—but that doesn’t mean you should forego experiencing the iconic nightlife and food scene. This food tour in Shinjuku takes guests through some of the best izakayas (Japanese gastro-pubs) in the bustling neighborhood. The price tag includes a local guide and all food and drinks consumed.
Turkish Mosaic Lamp Workshop in Istanbul
You’ve likely seen colorful Turkish lamps before—they’re a popular home decor item in the US and finding one of these colorful lamps at a market in Istanbul is as easy as finding Turkish delights or evil eye keychains. But this Airbnb Experience takes you behind the scenes to see exactly how these stunning lamps are made—and you get to make your own unique lamp in the process. The workshop fee includes food, drinks, and all materials. You’ll also receive free protective packaging to ensure your handmade lamp makes it home in good shape.
“The Best Photos in Paris” Photoshoot in Paris
Who doesn’t want to score great Instagram-ready photos while in Paris? Honestly—it can be a little bit stressful trying to find the best corners with perfect views of the Eiffel Tower peaking through on your own. Instead of worrying about getting the shot, opt for “The Best Photos in Paris” Airbnb Experience. The hour-long session includes a professional photographer who knows all the best spots for unique and beautiful Parisian photography. Then you’ll have the rest of your trip to relax stress free on a terrasse with a glass of wine or a cafe au lait.
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