You must be at least 18 years old to book an Airbnb rental

Airbnb requires the person making the reservation to be 18 or older. This is a hard rule — you cannot book a property if you are under 18, even with a parent or guardian's permission or payment method. The account holder (the person whose name is on the reservation) is legally responsible for the booking and any damage or violations that occur during the stay.

If you are under 18 and want to stay at an Airbnb, an adult who is 18 or older must create the account and make the reservation in their name. That adult becomes the primary guest and is the one Airbnb holds accountable for the property and house rules.

Key Takeaways

  • The person booking the Airbnb must be at least 18 years old; no exceptions are made for minors with parental consent.
  • If you are under 18, an adult aged 18 or older must create the account and book the property in their own name.
  • Some hosts set their own minimum age requirements that are higher than 18, so you may see listings that require guests to be 21 or 25.
  • Airbnb verifies identity during the booking process, so the person making the reservation must provide valid identification that matches their account.
  • If you are traveling with minors, the adult on the reservation is responsible for supervising them and following all house rules.

Why Airbnb sets an 18-year-old minimum

The 18-year-old requirement exists because Airbnb treats the booking as a legal contract. The person who books the property agrees to the terms of service, the house rules set by the host, and is financially liable if anything goes wrong — a broken window, excessive noise complaints, or unauthorized guests. Airbnb needs someone who can be held legally accountable, which is why they require the account holder to be an adult.

This protects both the host and Airbnb itself. Hosts rely on the booking system to screen guests and enforce consequences if rules are broken. If minors could book directly, there would be no clear legal recourse if a property was damaged or a host's rules were violated.

Individual hosts can set higher age limits

While Airbnb's platform minimum is 18, individual hosts are allowed to set their own minimum age requirement for their property. Some hosts require guests to be 21, 25, or even older. You will see this restriction listed in the property details before you book — it appears in the house rules or guest requirements section.

Hosts set higher minimums for various reasons: they may have had past problems with younger guests, they may rent to business travelers only, or they may straightforward prefer a certain demographic. If a property has a higher age minimum and you do not meet it, you will not be able to book that specific listing, even if you are 18 or older.

How Airbnb verifies your age

When you create an Airbnb account, you provide your date of birth. Airbnb also requires identity verification at some point in the booking process — this typically means uploading a photo of a government-issued ID (passport, driver's license, or national ID card) that matches the name and birthdate on your account.

The verification process is automated in most cases, though Airbnb may ask for additional information if something does not match. If you cannot provide a valid ID that matches your account details, you will not be able to complete the booking. This is why it is important to use your real legal name when you sign up.

What happens if you are traveling with minors

If you are 18 or older and want to book an Airbnb for a trip that includes people under 18, you can do so — but you are responsible for them. The house rules still explore to everyone in the rental, including children and teenagers. If the host's rules say no parties or no excessive noise, that applies whether your guests are adults or minors.

Some hosts have restrictions on the number of guests or the number of bedrooms required based on group composition. A few hosts do not allow bookings for groups that include minors, though this is less common. Always read the house rules and guest requirements before booking to understand what the host expects.

What to do if you are under 18 and want to stay at an Airbnb

If you are under 18, ask a parent, guardian, or trusted adult who is 18 or older to create an Airbnb account and make the reservation. That person will need to provide their real name, date of birth, and a valid government-issued ID for verification. They become the guest of record and are responsible for the booking.

Be clear with the adult about what you need — the dates, the location, the number of people in your group, and your budget. They will handle the payment and communication with the host. Once the reservation is confirmed, you can travel and stay at the property, but the adult on the booking is the one Airbnb will contact if there are any issues.

Age requirements for hosting on Airbnb

If you want to list a property on Airbnb as a host rather than book as a guest, you must also be at least 18 years old. Hosts are responsible for maintaining their property, following local laws, and ensuring guest safety. Airbnb requires the same identity verification for hosts as it does for guests.

Some jurisdictions have additional age requirements or restrictions on who can legally rent out residential property, so check your local laws before listing. If you are under 18 and interested in hosting, you will need to wait until you reach 18 to create a host account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my parents book an Airbnb and let me stay there alone?

Technically, yes — your parents can make the reservation. However, some hosts may have house rules that prohibit unaccompanied minors, and Airbnb's terms of service state that guests under 18 should be supervised by an adult. Check the specific property's rules before booking, and be honest with the host about who will be staying there.

What if I turn 18 during my Airbnb stay?

Your age at the time of booking is what matters. If you were under 18 when the reservation was made, an adult had to book it. Your birthday during the stay does not change the booking or your status as a guest. The adult who made the reservation remains responsible for the property.

Can I book an Airbnb with a fake ID?

No. Airbnb's verification system is designed to catch mismatches between your ID and your account information. Using a fake ID is fraud and can result in your account being permanently banned from Airbnb. It is not worth the risk.

Do I need to be 18 to stay at an Airbnb if my parents are paying?

Yes. The age requirement applies regardless of who pays. The person whose name is on the booking must be 18 or older. Your parents can pay for the reservation, but one of them must be the account holder and the guest of record.

What if a host's minimum age is higher than 18 and I do not meet it?

You cannot book that property. You can search for other listings that do not have a higher age restriction, or you can contact the host directly to ask if they would make an exception — though they are not required to. Many properties have no age restriction beyond Airbnb's 18-year minimum.