When it comes to deciding on your Airbnb checkout time, you’ve got a lot of options. But, picking the wrong checkout time can lead to tons of guest frustration and even negative reviews (speaking from first-hand experience here!).

So, how do you know which Airbnb checkout time is best for your short-term rental? By the end of this post, you’ll be able to determine just that.

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The Best Airbnb Checkout Time For Your Short-Term Rental

Standard Airbnb checkout times

Airbnb checkout times are typically 10AM or 11AM in the property’s timezone (FYI these checkout times are standard at hotels, too, even if your guests try to convince you otherwise). While choosing from one of these two options might seem simple, there are some very important differences you need to consider first.

How to determine your Airbnb checkout time

Before choosing the best checkout time for your Airbnb, you’ve got to consider two factors: (1) what your guests want and (2) what your cleaners need.

Your Airbnb guests, of course, want to spend as much time as possible at your Airbnb. So, if they had it totally their way, they would always get an 11AM or later checkout. (Many guests ask for a 12PM checkout.)

If you can have an 11AM or later checkout, go for it! Your guests will be happy and we always want happy guests, especially at checkout time, which is their last experience at your Airbnb before leaving a review.

But, an 11AM checkout isn’t always possible because…drumroll please…your cleaners have to clean!

And cleaning takes time. Cleaning multiple properties on the same day takes even more time. Inspecting the property afterward (which your cleaning team should do) takes even more time!

When determining your Airbnb checkout time, considering what works best for your cleaners is just as more important than what’s best for your guests. Sure, you might get a complaint or two from guests saying your checkout time is too early for them (especially guests traveling with young kids) but imagine the complaints you’d get if your cleaners didn’t have enough time to finish cleaning before the next guest—YIKES.

So, before deciding on your Airbnb checkout time, talk to your cleaners! Ask them what checkout time is best for them. Make sure to talk to them about the differences between back-to-back days and non-back-to-back days. They will likely say they can’t accept late checkouts on days when another group is checking in that afternoon.

Then, it’s up to you to decide what works best for your business.

Pro tip: There are over 15 sections on your listing that can be optimized today to start earning you more revenue today!

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How to change the check out time on your Airbnb listing

Once you’ve decided on your checkout time, updating your Airbnb listing is easy! Under your listing settings, select “info for guests” on the left-hand side of your screen. Then, under “pre-booking details” you’ll see the option to add/edit your checkout time. More info here.

What if your guests ask for a late checkout?

In an effort to make your guests’ stay as wonderful as possible, I would strongly recommend giving your guests a late checkout whenever you can, especially if they ask.

But, before approving a late checkout, there are three different scenarios and potential issues to watch out for:

1) Guests asking to check out 1-2 hours later

Guests requesting a late checkout will typically ask to extend their stay for an extra hour or two. Before approving any late checkouts, talk to your cleaners about when they can accommodate a late checkout, how much advance notice they need, and how you should notify them.

As long as your cleaners give the ‘okay’ ahead of time, you should be able to accommodate checkouts 1-2 hours later than your typical checkout time.

2) Guests asking to check out 2+ hours later

Honestly, a guest has never asked me to extend their checkout more than two hours. If they did, and I was confident I wouldn’t get a booking the evening of checkout, I would politely let them know that I require a half-day fee for that late of a checkout.

3) Guests demanding a late checkout

If guests demand a late checkout before booking, I would seriously consider declining their booking request/inquiry. Making demands is not a sign of a good Airbnb guest and it’s likely they’ll continue making demands throughout their stay.

Pro tip: There are over 15 sections on your listing that can be optimized today to start earning you more revenue today!

What happens if an Airbnb guest doesn’t check out on time?

When a guest books an Airbnb, they agree to the checkout time stated on the listing. They are not allowed to stay past the agreed-upon time. If they do, hosts will often firmly let them know they need to leave, charge them for the extra time, report them to Airbnb, and/or share this information in their review of the guest.

Pro tip: Simply making guests aware of your checkout time is usually enough to prevent an unapproved late checkout. To make sure every guest is aware of your checkout time, I strongly encourage you to include it in your house rules, printed house manual, and in several of your automated messages.

Takeaway

Now that we’ve laid out these important considerations, you’re ready to make a super-informed decision about your Airbnb checkout time. You also know what to do when guests ask for a late checkout. And you even know what to do if a guest doesn’t check out on time. Great work!

Drop a comment if you have any questions about your Airbnb checkout time.

Recommended: The Best Airbnb Check-in Time For Your Short-Term Rental

FAQs

Is my Airbnb checkout time unreasonable?

The short answer? If your checkout time is before 10AM, then yes, it will probably seem unreasonable to most guests for the reasons discussed in this post.

How does late checkout work at Airbnb?

When an Airbnb guest books an Airbnb, they agree to the checkout time stated on the listing. If they would like a later checkout time, they can politely ask the host. Airbnb hosts can approve or deny late checkouts at their sole discretion.

Can I check out early from Airbnb?

Absolutely! Hosts love it when guests check out early because it gives them extra time to clean before the next guests. During busy season, this can be especially helpful in ensuring all guests have a wonderful stay. If possible, please message your host to let them know of your early departure—they’ll really appreciate it!

Does Airbnb have late checkout?

When an Airbnb guest books an Airbnb, they agree to the checkout time stated on the listing. If they would like a later checkout time, they can politely ask the host. Airbnb hosts can approve or deny late checkouts at their sole discretion.

How do I deal with late check out on Airbnb?

In an effort to make your guests’ stay as wonderful as possible, I would strongly recommend giving your guests a late checkout as often as you can. But, there are several important issues you need to watch out for before approving a late check out, which are detailed in this post.

What happens if I need to leave my Airbnb early?

Hosts love it when guests check out early because it gives them extra time to clean before the next guest. During busy season, this can be especially helpful in ensuring all guests have a wonderful stay. If possible, please message your host to let them know of your early departure—they’ll really appreciate it!

What time is Airbnb check out?

Airbnb check-out times differ for each Airbnb and are stated at the very bottom of each Airbnb listing.

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What questions do you have about your Airbnb checkout time? Let me know in the comments!

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