The average Bristol short let takes about £31,700 a year in bookings, according to BNBCalc's Bristol market data, based on 12-month averages to September 2026. Larger homes earn far more: the average 4+ bedroom listing takes £58,900. Here's what Bristol short lets earn by size, and how that compares with renting to a tenant.
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Key takeaways
- The average Bristol short let takes about £31,700 a year in bookings.
- Listings are booked on about 51% of nights, at an average of £154 a night.
- 4+ bedroom homes average about £58,900 a year in bookings.
- The ONS average Bristol rent is £1,883 a month, with the tenant paying bills.
- Compare what's left after every cost, not the headline figures.
Contents
What does the average Bristol short let earn?
BNBCalc's figures for the 12 months to September 2026:
- Average bookings of about £31,700 a year per listing, unchanged on the year before.
- Listings booked on about 51% of available nights, down 5%.
- An average nightly rate of £154, up 11%.
- Guests booking about 34 days ahead.
What do Bristol short lets earn by size?
| Size | Bookings a year | About a month | Average cleaning fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | £12,700 | £1,060 | £38 |
| 1 bedroom | £22,700 | £1,890 | £48 |
| 2 bedrooms | £33,900 | £2,820 | £73 |
| 3 bedrooms | £43,000 | £3,580 | £96 |
| 4+ bedrooms | £58,900 | £4,910 | £163 |
These are booking figures before platform fees, management and running costs. Source: BNBCalc Bristol market data.
How does that compare with renting to a tenant?
The ONS puts the average Bristol private rent at an average of £1,883 in August 2026. By size, the ONS gives £1,225 for one bedroom, two bedrooms £1,544, three bedrooms £1,759, and four or more bedrooms £2,546.
The gap looks biggest for larger homes: a 4+ bedroom short let averages about £4,910 a month in bookings, against about £2,546 in rent. But the honest comparison is what's left after costs. With a tenant, they pay the bills. With a short let, you pay management, cleaning, bills, council tax and insurance. Our short-let vs long-let calculator does the sum for your home.
What drives Bristol bookings?
Bristol draws weekend city breaks, concerts, university visits and business travel all year, with its biggest weeks in summer, including the harbourside festivals and the Balloon Fiesta in August. Read our Bristol events calendar.
Who runs Bristol short lets?
Most are professionally run. BNBCalc's data shows Professionally managed (79%) of Bristol listings, with the rest run by independent hosts. Airbnb carries most listings, at 80%, with 15% on Vrbo and 5% on Booking.com.
What do guests pay more for?
BNBCalc compares what listings earn with and without certain features. In Bristol, listings with a washing machine earned about 36% more, listings with a barbecue about 28% more, and listings that allow pets about 20% more. Bigger homes are more likely to have these features, so part of the difference comes from size, not the feature alone.
Check the numbers for your home
Our Bristol short-let management team will show you likely earnings after fees, based on homes like yours. Get your free valuation and see whether the numbers work for your home.
Frequently asked questions
How much can you earn on Airbnb in Bristol?
The average Bristol short let takes about £31,700 a year in bookings, according to BNBCalc's 12-month averages to September 2026.
What occupancy do Bristol short lets get?
About 51% of available nights, at an average of £154 a night.
How much does a 2-bed short let earn in Bristol?
About £33,900 a year in bookings, or roughly £2,820 a month, before fees and costs.
Is a short let better than renting in Bristol?
Often, for larger homes, but compare what's left after costs. The ONS average Bristol rent is £1,883 a month.
Which platforms do Bristol hosts use?
Mostly Airbnb, with 80% of listings, followed by Vrbo at 15% and Booking.com at 5%.
Related guides
Sources
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. It is our own interpretation of the rules and figures as they stand on the date shown above, and they can change. Speak to a qualified solicitor or accountant before you act on anything here.