Airbnb's Minimum Age to Book

You must be at least 18 years old to create an Airbnb account and book a rental. Airbnb's terms of service require that anyone making a reservation be a legal adult in their country. This is a hard rule — there is no exception for younger travelers, even if a parent or guardian is present or paying.

If you are under 18, a parent or guardian can book the property in their own name and add you as a guest. The account holder remains responsible for the reservation, the rental agreement with the host, and any damage or house rules violations that occur during your stay.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be 18 or older to hold an Airbnb account and make a booking yourself.
  • If you are under 18, an adult can book the property under their account and list you as an additional guest.
  • The account holder is legally responsible for the entire reservation, including payment and adherence to house rules.
  • Some hosts set their own age restrictions and may decline bookings from guests under a certain age, even if they are adults.
  • Airbnb verifies identity during the booking process, so you will need a valid ID that matches your account information.

What Happens When You Create Your Account

When you sign up for Airbnb, you enter your date of birth. The platform checks this information against your age requirement and will not let you complete the account if you are under 18. You cannot work around this by entering a false birth date — Airbnb asks for identity verification later in the booking process, and mismatched information will flag your account.

During the booking process, Airbnb may ask you to verify your identity using a government-issued ID. This step confirms that the person making the reservation is the person whose name appears on the account. If you are booking as an adult but plan to travel with younger people, you do not need to verify their ages at this stage — only the account holder's identity matters for the booking itself.

Individual Host Age Policies

Beyond Airbnb's 18-year minimum, individual hosts can set their own age restrictions. Some hosts require guests to be 21 or older, particularly for properties in party-friendly neighborhoods or those with expensive furnishings and art. Others may restrict bookings to guests over 25. These policies appear in the listing details before you search or book, usually under house rules or in the property description.

If a host has set an age requirement higher than 18, you will not be able to book that property even if you meet Airbnb's minimum. The host's restriction is enforced at the search and booking stage — you straightforward will not see the listing as available to you, or the booking button will be disabled. This is different from a host declining your booking after you have already submitted it.

Traveling as a Group With Younger Members

If you are organizing a trip for a group that includes people under 18, the adult in the group should be the one to create the Airbnb account and make the booking. That person's age and identity will be verified, and they become the guest of record. The younger travelers can be listed as additional guests in the reservation.

When you add additional guests during booking, you enter their names but not their birthdates. Airbnb does not verify the ages of people added to a reservation — only the primary account holder's age is checked. However, if a host suspects underage guests are present without an adult, they can contact Airbnb to report a violation of house rules or their own policies.

Identity Verification and What to Expect

Airbnb's identity verification process varies depending on your booking history and the property. First-time bookers or those booking high-value properties are more likely to be asked to verify. You will be prompted to upload a photo of your government-issued ID — a driver's license, passport, or national ID card — and sometimes a selfie to confirm it matches.

The verification process typically takes a few minutes to a few hours. Airbnb's system checks that your ID is valid, that the name matches your account, and that your birthdate confirms you are 18 or older. If there is a mismatch or the ID is unclear, Airbnb will ask you to resubmit. Do not attempt to use someone else's ID or alter your birthdate — this will result in account suspension.

What to Do If You Are Under 18 and Want to Book

Ask a parent, guardian, or trusted adult to create an Airbnb account in their name. They will enter their own birthdate and go through the verification process with their ID. Once their account is set up, they can search for and book properties. During the booking, they will add you and any other travelers to the reservation.

The adult account holder will receive all confirmation emails, be responsible for payment, and be the point of contact for the host. Make sure the adult you choose understands these responsibilities and is comfortable being the primary guest. If there are any issues with the booking or the property, the host will contact the account holder first.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most common mistake is entering a false birthdate when creating your account, thinking you can change it later. Airbnb flags accounts where the birthdate does not match your ID during verification, and this can lead to account suspension. Always enter your real birthdate from the start.

Another mistake is not reading a host's age policy before booking. If a host requires guests to be 21 or older and you are 19, you will not be able to complete the booking even if you meet Airbnb's minimum age. Check the house rules and property description carefully — if you are unsure whether you meet the host's requirements, message the host before booking to ask.

Do not add guests to a reservation and then misrepresent their ages or relationship to the primary guest. Some hosts have policies about the number of guests, the ages of guests, or whether guests can be unrelated to the account holder. If a host discovers that the actual guests do not match what was stated in the booking, they can cancel the reservation and report you to Airbnb.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book an Airbnb if I am 17 and will be 18 before my trip?

No. Airbnb checks your age at the time you create your account and make the booking, not at the time of your stay. You must be 18 on the day you book. If your birthday is coming up soon, wait until after it to create your account.

What if a host declines my booking after I have already submitted it?

Hosts can decline bookings for any reason that does not violate Airbnb's non-discrimination policy. If a host declines, Airbnb will notify you and your payment will not be charged. You can then search for a different property. If you believe a host declined based on age discrimination, you can report it to Airbnb, though age is not a protected class in most jurisdictions.

Do I need to show my ID to the host when I arrive?

That depends on the host's policy. Some hosts ask to see ID at check-in to confirm you are the person who made the booking. This is a standard practice and helps protect both you and the host. Have your ID ready, but you are not required to hand it over — you can show it and let the host verify the information verbally.

Can my parents book a property and let me stay there alone?

Technically, yes — your parents can book the property and add you as a guest. However, many hosts prohibit unaccompanied minors or require that at least one adult be present at all times. Check the house rules before booking. If the host's policy is unclear, message them to ask whether an 18-year-old guest can stay alone or whether an adult must be present.

What happens if Airbnb discovers I lied about my age?

Airbnb will suspend or permanently delete your account. You will lose access to any future bookings, your payment method will be flagged, and you may have difficulty creating a new account later. It is not worth the risk — always provide accurate information when you sign up.