Is Airbnb still cheaper than hotels?

Not always. Airbnb is no longer universally cheaper than hotels, and in many cases hotels are comparable or even cheaper once fees are included.

A good rule of thumb:

• Solo travelers and couples: hotels are often the better deal for short stays, especially once Airbnb cleaning fees and service fees are added.
• Families and larger groups: Airbnb can still be cheaper if you can split the cost of a larger place.
• Longer stays: Airbnb may offer weekly or monthly discounts that can make it more competitive.

Recent comparisons have also found that in some markets, hotels average less than Airbnbs, so the cheaper option really depends on the city, dates, group size, and length of stay.

The safest answer is: sometimes yes, sometimes no. Compare the final checkout total, not just the advertised nightly rate, since fees and taxes can change the overall price a lot.