Marketing

What is Trivago?

Updated 2026-05-27

Trivago is a global accommodation metasearch engine that allows users to compare prices for hotels and alternative accommodations, including vacation rentals, from a wide array of online sources. It aggregates offers from hundreds of online travel agencies (OTAs), booking sites, and hotel chains, presenting them in a single, comprehensive list.

Unlike an OTA, Trivago does not handle bookings directly. Instead, it redirects users to the source website (e.g., Booking.com, Expedia) to complete their reservation.

Its primary function is price comparison and traffic referral, helping travelers find the best available deal.

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How it works

When a user enters a destination and dates on Trivago, its system queries its partner OTAs and booking sites in real-time. It then displays a list of available properties, showing different prices offered for the same property across various platforms.

Users can filter results by price, rating, and location. Upon selecting a deal, the user is transferred to the partner's website to finalize the booking.

Trivago's business model is primarily based on cost-per-click (CPC), where it earns a fee from the OTA each time a user clicks through to their site.

Why it matters

For vacation rental managers, Trivago acts as an indirect visibility channel. While direct listing is not possible, ensuring your properties are on major OTAs that partner with Trivago can significantly broaden your reach.

It exposes your listings to a vast audience focused on price comparison, potentially driving more traffic and bookings to your OTA profiles. Understanding this relationship is key to a comprehensive distribution strategy, especially when platforms like Lodgify can help centralize management of listings across various OTAs.

Examples

  • A user searching for a rental in Miami on Trivago might see prices for the same property listed on both Booking.com and Vrbo, allowing them to choose the cheaper option.
  • Booking.com
  • Expedia
  • Vrbo
  • Hotels.com

Frequently asked questions

Can I list my vacation rental directly on Trivago?+
No, property managers cannot list properties directly on Trivago. As a metasearch engine, it aggregates listings from partner sites. To appear in Trivago's search results, your vacation rental must be listed on an online travel agency (OTA) or booking platform that advertises on Trivago. Your listing is then automatically included in its comparison results.
How is Trivago different from an OTA like Booking.com?+
Trivago is a price comparison tool (metasearch), while an OTA like Booking.com is a direct booking platform. Trivago shows you prices for the same property from multiple websites but sends you to that website to book. An OTA manages the entire transaction, from search and booking to payment and customer communication. Trivago provides options; an OTA provides the booking service.
Does it cost money for my property to appear on Trivago?+
There is no direct fee for a property manager to have their listing appear on Trivago. The costs are indirect. Trivago charges its partners, such as OTAs, a fee (typically cost-per-click) when a user clicks on a link to their site. This advertising expense is factored into the commission that the OTA charges you for a booking.
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