Airbnb Check In Message Templates You Can Copy
A good Airbnb check in message tells guests exactly when they can arrive, how to get in, where to park, the wifi details and who to contact, in that order and in as few words as possible. Most hosts send a short series: a booking confirmation, a pre arrival message a few days out, a check in day message and a quick hello the first morning.
Below are the templates I would start from, with notes on timing and how to automate them. Replace anything in brackets with your own details.
When to send each message
| Message | Timing | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Booking confirmation | Right after booking | Thank them, set expectations |
| Pre arrival | 2 to 3 days before check in | Directions, parking, questions |
| Check in day | Morning of arrival | Door code, wifi, what to do on arrival |
| First morning | Morning after arrival | Catch small problems early |
| Early check in reply | When asked | Answer honestly without promising too much |
Airbnb also shares the check in instructions from your listing's arrival guide with guests automatically; its help center says guests will not receive them until 48 hours before the reservation starts (Airbnb, Add check in and checkout instructions). Your messages should match what is in the arrival guide, word for word where it matters, so guests never see two different door codes or parking instructions.
Template 1: booking confirmation
Hi [guest first name], thank you for booking [property name]! We're looking forward to hosting you from [check in date] to [checkout date].
Check in is from [check in time] and checkout is by [checkout time]. I'll send full arrival details a few days before your stay, including parking and how to get in.
If you're celebrating anything or have questions in the meantime, just message me here.
[Your name]
Keep it short. The guest just booked and does not need the door code yet.
Template 2: pre arrival
Hi [guest first name], your stay at [property name] is coming up on [check in date]. A few things to know before you arrive:
Address: [address] Parking: [where to park, permits, how many cars] Check in time: [check in time]. The home is cleaned and checked before every stay, so it may not be ready earlier. Getting in: You'll use [smart lock, keypad, lockbox]. I'll send your personal code on the morning of arrival. House manual: Everything else, from appliances to trash day, is here: [link or where to find it in the app].
Is there anything you need before you arrive?
This message answers the questions that otherwise arrive as last minute texts from a parking lot. Link your house manual here. If you do not have one yet, see what to put in your Airbnb house manual.
Template 3: check in day
Good morning [guest first name]! Today's the day. Here's everything you need:
Address: [address] Check in: from [check in time] Door code: [code]. [One sentence on where the lock is and how it works.] Wifi: [wifi name] / password: [wifi password] Parking: [short reminder]
When you arrive: [one or two things, such as "the thermostat is on the hallway wall" or "please keep the gate closed for the pool"].
If anything isn't right when you walk in, message me here right away and I'll sort it out.
Enjoy your stay!
The last line matters more than it looks. You want guests to tell you about a problem on arrival, when you can fix it, and not in a review. Guests who feel invited to report problems usually do.
Template 4: first morning
Hi [guest first name], I hope you settled in well! Is everything working and do you have everything you need? If anything is missing or not right, just let me know and I'll take care of it.
Send it the morning after arrival, not the evening they check in, when they are unpacking or out for dinner. This is the single best message for catching small problems before they become a cleanliness comment.
Template 5: early check in request
Hi [guest first name], thanks for asking! Our cleaner is at the home between stays, and I can't confirm an early check in until the cleaning and check are done. I'll message you as soon as it's ready. If it's ready before [check in time], you're welcome to come in early.
If you'd like to drop your bags before then, [option if you have one, or "unfortunately we don't have storage on site"].
Avoid promising early check in before you know the turnover is finished. A guest who walks in on a cleaner, or into a half made bed, has a worse first impression than one who waited an hour. For the scheduling side, see late checkouts and early check ins: protecting your turnover window.
Automating these messages on Airbnb
Airbnb's scheduled quick replies can send messages automatically based on a new reservation, check in or checkout (Airbnb, Scheduled quick replies). You can add shortcodes that fill in details for each reservation, including guest first name, check in date, check in time, address, wifi name, wifi password, checkout date and checkout time.
A few things to know from Airbnb's help article:
- If a detail is not filled in on your listing, the shortcode shows as unavailable. Check your listing details before relying on shortcodes.
- Last minute bookings may skip scheduled messages unless you turn on the setting to send them for last minute bookings and short stays.
- Messages are scheduled in the listing's time zone.
If you use a property management system such as Guesty, Hostfully, OwnerRez or Hospitable, you may prefer to run messages from there so every channel gets the same text.
Writing tips that reduce questions
- Lead with what they need right now. On check in day, that is the address and the code.
- Use bold labels so the message is easy to scan on a phone.
- One message, one purpose. Do not bury the door code in a long welcome paragraph.
- Include photos of the door, lockbox or parking spot in your arrival guide if they are hard to find.
- Match your listing. Check in time, parking and house rules must match exactly.
- Test your codes and wifi details after every change.
Make sure the home matches the message
A perfect message cannot fix a home that is not ready. The check in message sets an expectation, and the first few minutes inside either confirm it or break it. That is why I like to know the turnover was checked before sending the door code. With Clyn, your cleaner's photos are checked by AI against your standard and you get a pass or a fix list before the guest arrives. If something was missed, it gets fixed first. For the manual version, see the Airbnb inspection checklist.
Pair these with your end of stay messages in Airbnb checkout message templates.
FAQ
When should I send Airbnb check in instructions?
Send door codes and arrival details on the morning of check in, with a pre arrival message 2 to 3 days before. Airbnb also shares the check in instructions from your arrival guide automatically starting 48 hours before the reservation.
Can Airbnb send check in messages automatically?
Yes. Scheduled quick replies can send messages based on a new reservation, check in or checkout, and shortcodes fill in details like guest name, wifi password and check in time.
What should an Airbnb welcome message include?
The address, check in time, how to get in, parking, wifi name and password, a link to the house manual and an invitation to message you right away if anything is not right.
If you want every turnover checked before check in, you can try Clyn free on one property at clyn.com.