The fastest way to reach your host is through the Airbnb app or website messaging system
Open the Airbnb app or go to airbnb.com, find the listing you want to contact about, and look for a "Contact Host" button. This button appears on the listing page itself — you do not need to book first. Click it, type your message in the text box, and send. Your message goes to the host's Airbnb inbox, and they will see a notification on their phone or computer.
If you have already booked, you can message your host through the "Messages" tab in your reservation. Open your booking confirmation, select the host's name, and type directly into the chat. This is the same system — messages stay within Airbnb, and neither you nor the host sees the other's phone number or email address unless one of you chooses to share it.
Response time varies. Some hosts reply within hours; others take a day or two. Airbnb does not may provide a response time, but hosts who ignore messages repeatedly may lose their standing on the platform.
Key Takeaways
- Message your host through the Airbnb app or website before or after booking — no phone number or email address is required.
- The "Contact Host" button on a listing page lets you ask questions before you commit to a reservation.
- After you book, use the "Messages" tab in your reservation to communicate about check-in, house rules, or problems.
- Hosts are not required to respond within a set time, but persistent non-response can affect their account status.
- If a host does not respond and you have already paid, contact Airbnb support through the Resolution Center in your app.
Messaging before you book a reservation
If you want to ask the host a question before you commit — about pet policies, parking, or whether they can accommodate an early check-in — use the "Contact Host" button on the listing page. You do not need to book first. Type your question, hit send, and wait for a reply.
This is useful if you have a specific need. For example, if the listing says "pets negotiable," you can message the host to ask whether your dog is welcome before you spend the booking fee. If the host says no, you have not lost money. If they say yes, you have confirmation in writing within the Airbnb system.
Some hosts respond to pre-booking messages quickly because they want to close the sale. Others are slower. If a host does not respond within 24 hours and you want to book anyway, you can proceed — but understand that slow messaging before booking often means slow messaging after.
Messaging after you have booked
Once your reservation is confirmed, your messages with the host move to the "Messages" section of that specific booking. Open the Airbnb app, go to "Trips," select your reservation, and tap "Messages." Type what you need to say and send.
Use this channel for check-in details, questions about the house, problems with appliances or Wi-Fi, or anything else related to your stay. Keep these conversations in Airbnb's system — do not ask the host for their personal phone number or email unless you have a genuine emergency and cannot reach them through the app.
If you have a problem during your stay — the heat does not work, the listing does not match the photos, or the host is unresponsive — document it with screenshots and report it to Airbnb through the Resolution Center. Airbnb staff can step in if the host is not cooperating.
What to do if your host does not respond
If you have booked and your host is not answering messages, first check whether your message actually sent. Open the Messages tab and look for a checkmark or "delivered" status next to your message. If it shows as sent but you have heard nothing after 24 hours, escalate.
Go to the Resolution Center in your Airbnb app (usually found under "Help" or "Account"). Describe the problem — for example, "I have a reservation starting tomorrow and my host has not responded to three messages about check-in time." Airbnb can contact the host on your behalf or, in some cases, cancel the reservation and refund you if the host is unresponsive.
If you are already at the property and cannot reach the host, look for a house manual or check-in instructions left in the listing or sent by email before your arrival. Many hosts provide a door code, key location, or Wi-Fi password in advance so guests can enter even if real-time contact fails.
Hosts who ask you to message outside Airbnb
Some hosts ask guests to text them directly or message on WhatsApp instead of using Airbnb's system. Airbnb's terms of service discourage this, and for good reason: if something goes wrong, Airbnb cannot see the conversation or help resolve it. Messages outside the platform also leave you without proof of what was agreed.
You are not required to switch to a host's personal phone number or email. You can politely decline and say you prefer to keep everything in Airbnb. If a host pressures you or becomes hostile when you refuse, that is a red flag — report it to Airbnb.
The only exception is if you have already checked in and the host gives you their number for a genuine emergency — a burst pipe, a fire, or a medical issue. In that case, calling is faster than waiting for an Airbnb message. But for routine questions, stay in the app.
How to leave a message that gets a fast response
Be specific and ask one clear question. "Hi, I am arriving tomorrow at 4 p.m. — what is the check-in code?" is better than "When can I check in?" The host knows exactly what you need and can answer in one sentence.
Keep it short. Hosts receive many messages, and a long paragraph is less likely to get a quick reply than a two-sentence question. If you have multiple concerns, send them as separate messages so the host can answer them one at a time.
Send messages during the host's likely waking hours. If the listing shows the host is in a different time zone, account for that. A message sent at 3 a.m. in their location may not be seen until morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call my Airbnb host directly?
Airbnb does not provide phone numbers for hosts or guests. You can only reach your host through the app's messaging system unless they have chosen to share their number with you after you book. If you need urgent help during your stay and cannot reach the host through messages, contact Airbnb support directly through the app.
What if I message a host and they never reply?
If you have not booked yet, move on to a different listing — a non-responsive host before booking will likely be non-responsive after. If you have already booked and the host is silent, use the Resolution Center to report it. Airbnb can cancel your reservation and refund you if the host is unreachable before your check-in date.
Is it safe to give my phone number to a host?
You do not have to. Keep all communication in Airbnb's system unless you decide to share your number yourself. If a host asks for it unprompted, you can decline. If they pressure you, report it to Airbnb.
Can I message a host after my stay is over?
Yes, the Messages tab stays open for 30 days after checkout. After that, you cannot message the host directly, but you can contact Airbnb support if you have a dispute about charges or a safety issue that occurred during your stay.
What should I do if a host asks me to book outside Airbnb?
Do not do it. Booking outside Airbnb means you lose Airbnb's protection, refund policies, and dispute resolution. If a host asks this, report them to Airbnb. Legitimate hosts use the platform as intended.