Bristol

As of May 2026, Bristol, Bath, Cardiff have 3,270 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 13% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Bristol generates £30K per year. High-performing properties earn £55K/year, while low-performing properties earn £11K/year. The stark disparity between top and bottom performers suggests that market revenue is heavily concentrated, indicating that competitive advantage is derived from specific asset positioning rather than broad market demand.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Bristol. Average annual revenue is £30K with 46% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to £55K/year. With a 13% reduction in supply, the market is undergoing a contraction, which may signal a shift toward a more selective landscape where only the most efficient listings maintain profitability.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Bristol is 46%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of £164, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of £55 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Bristol, with annual revenue of £64K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Bristol market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Bristol area. Bristol: Moderate. Planning permission required for whole-property lets over 90 days/year. Owner-occupancy exemptions exist. Enforcement increasing but inconsistent. Bath: Strict. Article 4 direction requires planning permission for STRs. Council actively refuses applications in residential areas. Strong enforcement with compliance checks. Cardiff: Lenient. No specific STR regulations currently. Standard planning and tax rules apply. Minimal enforcement, hosts operate freely. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Bristol Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 13% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 7%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The parallel decline in both metrics suggests that the market is adjusting to lower demand levels while maintaining a relatively stable equilibrium between available inventory and booking volume.

Launch around January, 2-3 months before peak fall season (April peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 7% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (June-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Bristol listings include: Kitchen (94%), Tv (90%), Heating (81%), Washing Machine (76%), Parking (41%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Washing Machine, Bbq, Pets Allowed, with Washing Machine properties earning approximately 31% more (£40K/year vs £31K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Bristol over the last 12 months: May: £2K, June: £2K, July: £2K, August: £2K, September: £2K, October: £2K, November: £2K, December: £2K, January: £1K, February: £1K, March: £2K, April: £2K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Bristol is £164, up 11% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average £110/night, 2-bedroom properties average £169/night, 3-bedroom properties average £236/night, 4+ bedroom properties average £449/night. Rates peak in December and are lowest in May.

Guests in Bristol book an average of 33 days in advance, down 23% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 30 days, 2-bedroom: 36 days, 3-bedroom: 36 days, 4+ bedroom: 41 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Bristol Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 13%, revenue per listing decreased 7%, occupancy fell 2%, average nightly rates increased 11%, and lead time decreased 23%. Increased nightly rates alongside shorter lead times reflect a market where hosts are prioritizing yield management over occupancy to offset reduced demand.

In Bristol, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Sunday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 26% higher occupancy than weekdays.