Air Bnb is no longer a global phenomenon and has become a part of the every day norm for the traveller. Allowing people a greater variety of accommodation options across the globe. Literally opening up news doors for people. Kind of neat isn’t it? With the sky high prices of accommodation in Australia is Air Bnb a better option compared to traditional hotels?
What is Air Bnb?
It’s hard to think that perhaps people haven’t heard of AirBnb or don’t really understand how it works. Airbnb is a peer to peer platform on which people can list and book accommodation around the world – whether that be a spare bed, a private room or a whole house.
Booking with Air Bnb is similar to traditional booking methods. You search, find a place that you like that’s on your dates and within budget and send a booking request. A lot of hosts are now accepting instant bookings, which makes like a lot easier. Once your booking has been confirmed send your host a friendly message to say hello.
Is Air Bnb popular in Australia?
A Deloitte Access Economics report for Airbnb found that Airbnb guests make a significant contribution to Australia’s economy, contributing $1.6 billion in GDP and supporting over 14,000 jobs. With hosts across Australia accommodating around 2.1 million guests for 3.7 million nights in 2015-16.
Airbnb guests are now a significant driver of the tourism economy, with a total contribution to Australia’s GDP of $1.6 billion in 2015-16, supporting over 14,000 jobs in addition to the activities of hosts.
So I guess if we trust Deloitte then yes Air Bnb is rather popular in Australia. If you’d like to read this report in more detail go ahead – Deloitte Economic effects of Airbnb in Australia
Oh the places you can go.
We’ve been big users of Air Bnb for a few years now. We tend to go to odd places in odd times and that makes finding traditional accommodation either more difficult to find or just too expensive. Air Bnb has
Tasmanian standard hotels were a little bit more expensive than what I had budgeted for. With a very loose itinerary and really letting us wherever we felt like on our road trip, I didn’t want to be locked in by strict check in times. We had a wonderful experience at Richmond and Sheffield – photos below.
Glamping in a ger in the King Valley was an amazing experience. Hidden away atop of a ridge line amongst an old vineyard.
The System Isn’t Perfect
Sad but true. The Air BnB system has it’s issues, which have been well documented. Dirty properties, guests not able to get in contact with hosts, unsafe properties. Which is easy to see how this can happen. You, the average person is dealing with Host also an average person. That’s kinda the backbone of the system. Connecting average people and not professional hospitality staff members.
Tips & Tricks for being the perfect AirBnB guest
Communication is key – Ensure you communicate really clearly with your host. If you’re going to be late, if there are any issues.
Don’t be a dick – I know I say this a lot but you’re most likely renting someone’s home. So treat it better than what you treat your own. Most Airbnbs won’t have a cleaning service so when it comes to cleaning, it’s DIY. If a cleaning fee is charged that’s for after you leave
It’s Not A Hotel – there is no 24hr check in. Make sure you communicate clearly on what time you can check in.
Just because it isn’t a hotel doesn’t mean that there are no cancellation penalties. Some hosts are flexible, others not. Make sure you read the cancellation policy before confirming your booking.
Review Away – read the reviews. Understand the reviews. And leave an honest review.
Would we recommend that you use Air Bnb in Australia? Yup without a doubt! In most major cities it’s a hell of a lot cheaper than middle range hotels. We’ve met some really lovely hosts along the way. Is it worth the perceived hassle? Yes, it is.
Have you ever stayed in an Airbnb? Have you got any tips or tricks to add to your list? When you choose a place to stay, what’s on your list of love, want, need?
If you want to try out Air Bnb use this link and get a $50 gift voucher for your first stay.
Jeanette
Founder, Principal Blogger & Coffee Drinker
Coffee Lover | Travel Blogger | Horse Rider | Adventure Racer | Donut Dame. Generally nice lady-enjoys wine, indie movies & random dance parties in my tent.
Disclaimer:
This article contains affiliate links. If you do decide to purchase any items from the links above we receive a meagre sacrifice from the accounting gods. These funds help us continue to live, feed the dogs and go on cafe runs. Which Milly really does appreciate.
Any and all views and opinions expressed are entirely my own based on personal experiences when travelling and are honest and factual without any bias.
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Travellers are some of the most financially savvy people you will ever meet.
Travellers are some of the most financially savvy people you will ever meet. Have you ever wondered how people afford to travel, invest & drink take away coffee?
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I totally agree that Airbnb in Australia is worth it. Thanks for the gift voucher. You’re the best.
Such a great article! Thank you for this. 🙂 Usually I look for the accommodation via Airbnb, so it’s interesting to see how the thing works in Australia. I would love to visit this beautiful country one day.
really handy for me as I’m literally about to check in with my first Air BnB. I know there are mixed reviews but I love the idea of meeting locals and the comfort of it all. Hopefully I have some good luck with it!
I’ve mixed feelings about Airbnb. I’ve used them in the past and had stays in lovely apartments and met great hosts. 🙂
However, when it comes to Berlin, I’m a little resentful of what they’ve done to make the rental market tougher here. I have nothing against people who rent out their flats when they go away for the weekend or a room to make extra cash. But when a rich person or a company buys up tons of flats only to rent them to tourists and turn a profit, I wish Airbnb would help do more to prevent this (some Airbnb’s are banned here now but the platform still allows people to break the rules). It’s so tough for people who actually live here to find an apartment and for people who live in those buildings to deal with drunk loud tourists all of the time instead of real neighbours.
So these days, I find it difficult to throw my support to them as I don’t want to be just another person contributing to the problem.
It’s an interesting issue. Here in Australia we have people buying properties to rent them directly. Not so much through air bnb!
Love this post. We have used AirBnB around the world and love the flexibility you get – especially if you get places with kitchens and/or washing machines. Definitely agree with reading the reviews – they can be very insightful and tell you things about the place (good and bad) not covered in the listing.
Love what I have read. I have been in the accommodation leasing in Anglesea Victoria, Great Ocean Road Australia Anglesea Heights Luxury Accommodation for 6 years. With great reservations I am going to list on Air Bnb soon. At present in London but did the last 19 days Air Bnb Very
Interesting! !!! Heading home in 2 weeks can’t wait to get back to beautiful Melbourne and spectacular Great Ocean Road my holiday business . I will follow thus great site Thanks so much for all suggestions.
I haven’t used AirBNB yet, but heard a lot of good things about it. Though there are other side to it too. But the experience of staying at local’s house is always good as they can be really helpful in a strange city.
I’m an Air BnB convert! I love the freedom that staying in an apartment or house offers. You get a more local experience, for sure. As a mom who always travels with her child, it also means that I’m not going to bed or sitting in a dark bathroom on an iPad at 8pm because my daughter has to go to bed early.
Staying in an AirBnB is very much worth it anywhere, I’d argue, for the most part anyway. Very much a global phenomenon, AirBnB comes with some challenges, though. I wonder if there’s a backlash against the service in Australia as there is in the US where it’s “helping” to push up prices of rentals for locals (people/companies buy up properties to rent them out on the platform, reducing availability to long-term renters).
The Australian rental market is very strong. So no need to buy and try air bnb. Just buy and rent on the traditional market.
I have never used AirBnB as my friends have some mixed reviews. I would prefer hotels over homestays due to 24hours services. Homestays are great when hosts are also living with us like a farmhouse sort of thing.
I’m both a host and user of Airbnb, and I’ve had both good and bad experiences, but then, that is life right? I still say I’ve made some good profits, but not without its problems, and strange complaints from guests ie, there’s no local shopping high street in your area…! (Not my fault, I didn’t list that). I digress..! Still, I would use it 😀
Well why haven’t you started a high street shopping strip?
The main reason I’ve not been to Australia yet is because it’s expensive. It’s good to know Airbnb works well there, I’ll definitely use it when I finally make it to Australia. You are right that you respect the house you stay in as it’s someone’s home.
I booked my first Air BnB last month was was let down right away (after paying) and was told sorry but the hosts daughter wanted the room. Took me ages to get my money back and only in Air BnB credits for now. Certainly has its faults. I am willing to try it again though since it does offer great options for places to stay
Oh no that’s a horrid experience
I’m not a fan of it much either, anymore. I used to use it all the time, but have had too many bad experiences with the service. I’m not saying every hotel stay I’ve had has been perfect, but AirBnb personally feels like too much of a wildcard these days.
Oh that’s shit to hear LC
Airbnb is fantastic! It’s our new go-to for all accommodation. We occasionally stay in hotels but nowadays our first port of call is Airbnb. Just like Australia, it’s really taken off in New Zealand too. So much so that we think when we build our house in Queenstown we’ll rent out a room and eventually create a little separate dwelling to rent out through Airbnb ourselves! Hopefully to fund our travels…
Oh let us know when you’re hosting in Queenstown so we can come and stay. We really need to get over and down that way
I’ve only stayed at an AirBnB once. Personally, not my thing as I prefer hotels. I agree that they are usually cheaper, but we have hundreds of thousands points with all the major hotel chains and haven’t paid for a room in forever!