Travel
How to Split an Airbnb with Friends
Fair ways to split vacation rental costs. By room, per person, couples vs singles, early or late arrivals. Every scenario covered.
Common Airbnb expenses
A group rental adds up fast. Here is every cost you will want to track and split.
Nightly rate
$100-$500/night
The base cost of the rental, usually the biggest line item to split.
Cleaning fee
$50-$200 flat
A fixed charge that stays the same regardless of how many nights you book.
Service fee
$40-$150
Platform fees charged by the booking site on top of the rental price.
Security deposit
$100-$500
Held by the host and returned if no damage occurs during your stay.
Shared groceries
$50-$200
Breakfast supplies, drinks, snacks, and anything the group shares in the kitchen.
Parking and local transit
$10-$30/day
Garage fees, rental cars, rideshares, and public transit passes.
Example: 8 friends, 4 nights
| Expense | Paid by | Amount | Split |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbnb booking total | Taylor | $2,400 | 8 ways |
| Airport shuttle (6 riders) | Jordan | $180 | 6 riders |
| Welcome dinner groceries | Sam | $120 | 8 ways |
| Extra cleaning (pet fee) | Casey | $75 | 2 pet owners |
| Beach gear rental | Riley | $60 | 8 ways |
Nudj calculates the minimum settlements, turning many potential payments into just a few transfers.
The tricky parts of splitting an Airbnb
Couples sharing a room
A couple in the master suite should pay more than one person on the couch. Common approach: couples pay 1.5x a single person's share.
The person who booked
The booker fronts thousands of dollars. Collect deposits before the trip or use a tracking app so the booker is not floating the cost alone.
Different arrival and departure dates
Prorate the nightly rate. If someone stays 2 of 4 nights, they pay half the accommodation but their full share of fixed costs like cleaning.
Damage and security deposits
If the deposit is returned in full, great. If not, split the deducted amount among everyone (or among those responsible).
Split the Airbnb, not the friendship
Create a Circle before you book. Track every cost and settle up with the fewest transfers after checkout.