How to reach your Airbnb host
You can contact an Airbnb host through the Airbnb app or website before you book, during your stay, or after you leave. Before booking, use the "Contact Host" button on the listing page — the host will see your message and can reply within 24 hours, though many respond faster. After you book, messages go through the Airbnb messaging system tied to your reservation, which both you and the host can access anytime.
Airbnb does not give out phone numbers or email addresses directly. All communication stays inside the platform until after checkout, when the host may choose to share their contact details with you. This protects both parties and keeps a record of what was discussed.
Key Takeaways
- Before booking, click "Contact Host" on the listing to ask questions — the host can see your message and reply within 24 hours.
- After you book, use the Airbnb app or website messaging to reach your host about check-in, house rules, or problems during your stay.
- Airbnb does not share phone numbers or email addresses until after checkout, so all communication happens through the platform.
- If your host does not respond to a message within 24 hours before booking, you can message another host or contact Airbnb support for help.
- After checkout, the host may share their personal contact information with you if they choose, but you are not required to exchange it.
Messaging a host before you book
On any Airbnb listing, scroll down to find the host's profile section. Click the "Contact Host" button — it is usually near the top of the listing or in the host's profile card. Type your question or message in the box that appears. You can ask about pet policies, parking, late arrival, or anything else about the property.
The host will receive a notification and can reply through the same message thread. Airbnb shows you when the host was last active, so you can see whether they are likely to respond soon. If the host does not reply within 24 hours and you want to book anyway, you can proceed — but many hosts are slower to respond before a reservation is confirmed.
Keep your pre-booking message clear and specific. Instead of "Is this place good?", ask "Can I check in after 9 p.m.?" or "Do you allow dogs?" Hosts are more likely to reply to concrete questions than vague ones.
Using the messaging system after you book
Once your reservation is confirmed, open the Airbnb app or website and go to your "Trips" or "Reservations" section. Find your upcoming stay and tap "Contact Host" — this opens a direct message thread tied to that specific booking. This is where you discuss check-in details, ask for extra towels, report a problem, or let the host know you are running late.
Messages sent through this system are logged by Airbnb and visible to both you and the host. The host can see your message when ready, and you will get a notification when they reply. This record is important if a dispute arises later — Airbnb can review the conversation to understand what was promised or what went wrong.
During your stay, use this channel for anything that needs the host's attention: a broken appliance, a noisy neighbor, questions about local restaurants, or requests for an early checkout. The host is responsible for responding to messages about the property itself.
What to do if your host does not respond
If you sent a message before booking and the host has not replied within 24 hours, you have two choices: book with a different host, or contact Airbnb support to ask whether the host is active. Airbnb can tell you if the account is in good standing and when the host last logged in.
If you have already booked and your host is not responding to messages during your stay, contact Airbnb support through the app. Go to "Help" at the bottom of the screen, select your reservation, and choose "Contact us". Describe the problem — for example, "I cannot reach my host about a broken toilet" — and Airbnb can intervene. They may contact the host on your behalf or help you find alternative accommodation if the issue is serious.
Hosts are expected to respond to messages within 24 hours. If a host consistently ignores messages, Airbnb can lower their rating or remove them from the platform, so reporting the problem helps other travelers too.
Contacting Airbnb support instead of the host
Some problems are better reported to Airbnb than to the host. If the listing does not match the photos, the property is unsafe, the host is harassing you, or you need to cancel and the host will not discuss it, go directly to Airbnb support. Open the app, tap "Help", select your reservation, and choose "Contact us".
Describe what happened in detail and include dates and times if possible. Airbnb support can review the listing, the messages, and the photos to determine whether the host violated their rules. They can also process refunds, help you rebook, or remove a listing if it is genuinely unsafe.
Do not wait until after your stay to report a serious problem. If something is wrong when you arrive, message the host first to give them a chance to fix it, but also contact Airbnb support the same day so they know about the issue while you are still there.
After checkout: when hosts share their contact information
After your checkout date, Airbnb may show you the host's email address or phone number if they have chosen to share it. This happens automatically for some hosts and is optional for others. You can use this information to stay in touch, leave a review, or ask follow-up questions about your stay.
You are not required to contact the host outside Airbnb, and they are not required to share their details. If you want to leave a review, you can do that through the Airbnb app without needing their personal contact information. If you do exchange contact details and want to book again, you can message them directly — but Airbnb still prefers that future bookings go through the platform so both parties have protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call or text my Airbnb host before I book?
No. Airbnb does not show phone numbers until after checkout, and only if the host chooses to share it. Before booking, use the "Contact Host" button on the listing page to send a message through the app. The host will see it and can reply within 24 hours.
What if the host's message says to call them or text them a number?
Do not do it. Hosts are not supposed to ask you to communicate outside the Airbnb platform before or during your stay. If a host is pushing you to call or text, report it to Airbnb support — it may be a scam or a sign the host is trying to avoid Airbnb's protections.
How long does it take for a host to respond to a message?
Hosts are expected to respond within 24 hours. Many respond within a few hours, especially if they are active on the app. You can see when the host was last active on their profile, which gives you a sense of how quickly they might reply.
Can I message a host after I have checked out?
Yes, but only through the Airbnb app for 14 days after checkout. After that, the message thread closes. If the host has shared their personal contact information with you, you can reach them directly after that window closes.
What should I do if I need to reach my host urgently during my stay?
Send a message through the Airbnb app when ready. If it is a safety emergency — fire, gas leak, break-in — call the local emergency number (911 in the US) first, then message the host and Airbnb support. For urgent but non-emergency issues like a broken heater, message the host and contact Airbnb support the same day.