Cardiff

As of May 2026, Cardiff, Newport, Bristol have 1,683 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 14% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Cardiff generates £22K per year. High-performing properties earn £49K/year, while low-performing properties earn £8K/year. The wide performance gap suggests that revenue is highly sensitive to listing differentiation, as declining supply has not prevented a drop in overall market earnings.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Cardiff. Average annual revenue is £22K with 36% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to £49K/year. The significant delta between average and high performers indicates that market saturation is uneven, with top-tier units capturing a disproportionate share of the limited demand.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Cardiff is 36%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of £164, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of £43 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Cardiff, with annual revenue of £48K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Cardiff market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Cardiff area. Cardiff: Moderate. Registration required under Welsh licensing scheme (2023+). Some enforcement activity but system still developing. Newport: Moderate. Same Welsh registration requirements as Cardiff. Enforcement emerging but inconsistent across properties. Bristol: Lenient. Planning permission needed for entire properties over 90 days, but minimal active enforcement. Many hosts operate without compliance. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Cardiff Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 14% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 9%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The synchronized contraction in both metrics points to a market adjusting its footprint to align with softened consumer spending.

Launch around April, 2-3 months before peak fall season (July peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -25% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (March-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Cardiff listings include: Tv (93%), Kitchen (92%), Washing Machine (80%), Heating (78%), Parking (45%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Hot Tub, Bbq, Washing Machine, with Hot Tub properties earning approximately 76% more (£59K/year vs £33K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Cardiff over the last 12 months: May: £1K, June: £1K, July: £2K, August: £2K, September: £1K, October: £1K, November: £1K, December: £1K, January: £694, February: £1K, March: £1K, April: £1K. 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 Cardiff is £164, up 9% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average £108/night, 2-bedroom properties average £162/night, 3-bedroom properties average £208/night, 4+ bedroom properties average £335/night. Rates peak in July and are lowest in January.

Guests in Cardiff book an average of 29 days in advance, down 23% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 27 days, 2-bedroom: 30 days, 3-bedroom: 29 days, 4+ bedroom: 33 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Cardiff Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 14%, revenue per listing decreased 9%, occupancy fell 5%, average nightly rates increased 9%, and lead time decreased 23%. These shifts reflect a move toward shorter booking cycles and higher price pressure despite a reduction in active inventory.

In Cardiff, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Sunday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Monday. Weekends show 30% higher occupancy than weekdays.