1. The short answer

Booking.com was established in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in 1996. It was originally called Bookings.nl, founded by Geert-Jan Bruinsma. In 2000, it merged with Bookings Online and rebranded as Booking.com. The company was acquired by Priceline Group (now Booking Holdings) in 2005, which provided the capital to expand globally.

Today, Booking.com is headquartered at Herengracht 597, Amsterdam. It employs over 20,000 people across 70+ countries and is the largest platform in the Booking Holdings portfolio, which also includes Priceline, Agoda, Kayak, and OpenTable.

2. Key milestones

1996: Bookings.nl founded in Amsterdam by Geert-Jan Bruinsma.

2000: Merged with Bookings Online, rebranded as Booking.com.

2005: Acquired by Priceline Group for approximately USD 133 million.

2006-2010: Rapid global expansion. Booking.com overtook Expedia in European market share.

2010: Expanded beyond hotels into apartments, holiday homes, and short-term rentals.

2018: Priceline Group rebranded as Booking Holdings, reflecting Booking.com's dominance in the portfolio.

2023: Listed over 28 million properties worldwide across 220+ countries and territories.

3. How Booking.com works for travellers

For guests, Booking.com is a search and booking platform. You search by destination and dates, filter by price, rating, amenities, and property type, and book directly through the platform. Key features for travellers:

• Free cancellation options: most properties offer free cancellation rates alongside non-refundable discounts.
• No booking fees: Booking.com does not charge guests a service fee (unlike Airbnb's 14% guest fee). The price shown is the price paid.
• Genius loyalty programme: 10%+ discounts at participating properties after 2 bookings.
• Pay at property: many listings allow payment on arrival rather than upfront.

For more on how Booking.com handles cancellations and refunds, see our guide to Booking.com refunds. If something goes wrong with a stay, see our guide to Booking.com complaints.

4. How Booking.com works for property hosts

Booking.com is the second-largest booking channel for short-term rental hosts after Airbnb. Listing on both platforms increases your visibility and occupancy. Here is how the host side works.

4.1 Commission model

Unlike Airbnb (which charges hosts 3% and guests up to 14%), Booking.com charges hosts a commission of approximately 15% per booking. The guest pays no service fee. This means the price the guest sees is lower, which can improve conversion, but the host receives less per booking.

4.2 Instant booking

Booking.com uses instant booking by default. Guests book without host approval. This increases booking velocity but means less screening control compared to Airbnb's request-to-book option.

4.3 Guest demographics

Booking.com attracts a different guest profile than Airbnb. It is stronger in Europe, popular with business travellers, and used by older demographics who are more familiar with hotel-style booking. Listing on Booking.com accesses 30-40% of potential guests who do not use Airbnb.

4.4 Calendar sync

If you list on both Airbnb and Booking.com, calendar synchronisation is essential to prevent double bookings. See our guide to syncing your Airbnb calendar with Booking.com for the step-by-step process.

5. Why multi-platform listing matters

Most professional Airbnb management companies list properties on both Airbnb and Booking.com (plus Vrbo and direct channels). The reason is simple: more platforms means more visibility, more bookings, and higher occupancy.

A property listed only on Airbnb is competing for one pool of guests. Adding Booking.com typically increases bookings by 20-30% because you are reaching guests who prefer or exclusively use Booking.com. The combined effect of multi-platform distribution is one of the biggest advantages of professional management.

For a comparison of how different platforms charge hosts, see our guide to Airbnb hosting fees. For how Booking.com compares to Expedia Group platforms, see our guide to Expedia vs Hotels.com.

6. FAQ

Where is Booking.com headquartered?

Amsterdam, Netherlands. The headquarters are at Herengracht 597. Booking.com has been based in Amsterdam since its founding in 1996 and has not relocated despite its global expansion.

Who owns Booking.com?

Booking Holdings, Inc. (formerly Priceline Group), a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ (BKNG). Booking Holdings also owns Priceline, Agoda, Kayak, and OpenTable. Booking.com is the largest brand in the portfolio.

Is Booking.com the same as Airbnb?

No. They are separate companies with different business models. Airbnb charges hosts 3% and guests up to 14%. Booking.com charges hosts approximately 15% and guests nothing. Both list short-term rental properties, but they attract different guest demographics and have different booking flows.

Should I list my property on Booking.com as well as Airbnb?

In most cases, yes. Multi-platform distribution increases your visibility and occupancy. Booking.com reaches guests who do not use Airbnb, particularly in Europe and among business travellers. Use calendar sync or a channel manager to prevent double bookings.

How much commission does Booking.com charge hosts?

Approximately 15% of the booking value. This is higher than Airbnb's 3% host fee, but Booking.com does not charge guests a service fee, so the listed price is lower for guests. The net effect on your income depends on how many bookings Booking.com generates compared to Airbnb.

This guide is general information. Booking.com's terms, commission rates, and features may change. Check the platform for the most current details.