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Best Airbnb Markets in South Asia (2026)

Based on Airbtics data from January 2025 to December 2025, this page shows the top Airbnb locations to invest in South Asia with key statistics and information, like short-term rental regulations, number of listings, occupancy rate, average daily rate, and annual revenue. This allows you to discover the most profitable cities to invest in, buy, and own Airbnb rental properties in South Asia.

The Airbtics Market Score indicates how attractive a location is for investing in an Airbnb rental property. We determine this score based on the following criteria:

  1. Short-term rental yield: The ratio between annual revenue and property price, as a percentage. Locations with higher Airbnb rental yield score better.
  2. Short-term rental regulations: How STR-friendly the local Airbnb rules and laws are. Markets with more lenient regulations get a higher score.
  3. Market size: The number of Airbnb listings. Larger vacation rental markets get a higher score as it is easier for investors to buy and sell properties.
  4. Growth: How fast the market is becoming saturated. Priority is given to markets that are already developed but are not approaching saturation yet.
  5. Seasonality: To what degree Airbnb performance is affected by seasonality. Less seasonal impact is preferred as investors can enjoy a more stable short-term rental performance throughout the year.
Learn more about how we collect the data and accuracy

Last updated: February, 2026

South Asia Short-Term Rental Market Overview (Full-Year 2025 Analysis)

National averages across all South Asia markets
Average Occupancy Rate i
39.60%
Average Annual Revenue i
$5,612
Average Daily Rate (ADR) i
$38
YoY Supply Growth i
48.80%
YoY Revenue Change i
-6.79%

Top 25 South Asia Cities for Airbnb in 2026

Position Market Grade Market Name Regulation No of Listings Avg. Occupancy Rate Avg. Daily Rate Revenue Short-term Rental Yield Rent Gap
1C+Goa
Lenient
9,68446%$46$7,81912.3%34.5%
2CBengaluru
Lenient
5,25448%$25$4,47612.3%34.5%
3CMumbai
Lenient
3,00558%$53$11,33412.3%34.5%
4CNew delhi
Lenient
2,22247%$39$6,79812.3%34.5%
5CGurgaon
Lenient
2,08632%$32$3,81312.3%34.5%
6DHyderabad
Lenient
2,05841%$34$5,17212.3%34.5%
7B+Jaipur
Lenient
1,88435%$35$4,57912.3%34.5%
8BChennai
Lenient
1,45552%$35$6,75712.3%34.5%
9C+Kolkata
Lenient
1,43844%$28$4,61112.3%34.5%
10D+Pune
Lenient
1,26544%$29$4,75912.3%34.5%
11D+Guwahati
Lenient
1,17530%$21$2,38012.3%34.5%
12AVaranasi
Lenient
1,17539%$34$4,90812.3%34.5%
13B+Noida
Lenient
1,17136%$35$4,68312.3%34.5%
14CIslamabad
Lenient
1,16428%$34$3,52512.3%34.5%
15BDehradun
Lenient
1,09133%$30$3,67012.3%34.5%
16C+Lahore
Lenient
1,07030%$38$4,24112.3%34.5%
17B+Kochi
Lenient
92542%$33$5,16112.3%34.5%
18CBhowali–nainital
Lenient
92428%$66$6,83512.3%34.5%
19E+Chandigarh
Lenient
91134%$28$3,53512.3%34.5%
20C+Lonavala
Lenient
82931%$122$13,98612.3%34.5%
21B+Weligama
Lenient
81554%$43$8,58512.3%34.5%
22C+Manali
Lenient
79936%$34$4,52412.3%34.5%
23BDhaka
Lenient
65342%$36$5,67512.3%34.5%
24C+Kathmandu
Lenient
63646%$25$4,29812.3%34.5%
25C+Rishikesh
Lenient
59834%$33$4,17912.3%34.5%

Find the Best Airbnb Markets with Our Interactive Tool

Use our interactive Market Explorer to find the best places to start an Airbnb in South Asia. Compare multiple markets side by side, apply filters like regulations, budget (property or rent prices), and market size, and even export the results to Excel.

Explore Interactive Tool

📊 Want a deeper dive into South Asia's STR market?

Explore our comprehensive 2025 Short-Term Rental Market Report for South Asia, featuring detailed market trends, supply analysis, and year-over-year insights.

View 2025 Market Report

Why Invest in Airbnb South Asia in 2026?

In recent years, South Asia has emerged as one of the best locations for investing in short-term rentals thanks to its popular tourist attractions, thriving business activities, growing digital nomad presence, and vibrant cities like Lonavala, Mumbai and Weligama. With millions of international visitors coming each year, the demand for vacation rental accommodations is growing, making Airbnb South Asia a lucrative option for both local and foreign investors.

Due to strong demand from travelers, South Asia offers competitive average daily rates (ADR), healthy occupancy rates, and attractive revenue potential in the best Airbnb markets. Whether you're looking to start your first Airbnb business with a modest budget or to add a luxury short-term rental property to your portfolio, South Asia has a profitable location to meet your budget and aspirations as an investor.

Market Saturation Analysis: South Asia

Benchmark: Markets are categorized relative to South Asia's national averages (Supply: +48.8%, Revenue: -6.8%). Markets above the national average are marked with ↑, while those below are marked with ↓.

🟢

Healthy Growth

Supply > avg, Revenue > avg
Expansion with demand keeping up

  • Dehradun Supply: +54.3% | Revenue: -0.1%
  • Varanasi Supply: +62.0% | Revenue: -4.9%
  • Islamabad Supply: +75.8% | Revenue: -6.7%
🟡

Early Saturation

Supply > avg, Revenue ≤ avg
Competition rising

  • Lahore Supply: +85.1% | Revenue: -8.5%
  • Chandigarh Supply: +66.9% | Revenue: -14.1%
  • Hyderabad Supply: +65.8% | Revenue: -21.7%
  • Gurgaon Supply: +60.0% | Revenue: -14.1%
  • Pune Supply: +58.4% | Revenue: -16.5%
  • Rishikesh Supply: +53.7% | Revenue: -8.1%
  • Guwahati Supply: +51.7% | Revenue: -8.7%
🔵

Under-the-Radar

Supply ≤ avg, Revenue > avg
Hidden opportunities

  • Noida Supply: +44.6% | Revenue: +12.1%
  • Weligama Supply: +35.5% | Revenue: +8.6%
  • Kochi Supply: +39.7% | Revenue: +5.4%
  • Dhaka Supply: +43.1% | Revenue: +5.0%
  • Jaipur Supply: +40.6% | Revenue: +0.3%
  • Kathmandu Supply: +33.5% | Revenue: -0.3%
  • Bengaluru Supply: +46.2% | Revenue: -5.7%
  • Chennai Supply: +46.8% | Revenue: -6.2%
🔴

Declining

Supply ≤ avg, Revenue ≤ avg
Risky markets

  • Goa Supply: +29.5% | Revenue: -16.8%
  • Bhowali–nainital Supply: +42.6% | Revenue: -15.6%
  • Lonavala Supply: +36.6% | Revenue: -14.4%
  • Kolkata Supply: +31.3% | Revenue: -11.1%
  • New delhi Supply: +39.9% | Revenue: -9.9%
  • Mumbai Supply: +41.9% | Revenue: -9.6%
  • Manali Supply: +34.4% | Revenue: -8.2%

Best Cities for Airbnb in South Asia by Budget

Top 3 Affordable & Mid-Range Airbnb Markets: $500,000 & Below

These markets offer accessible investment opportunities with lower to moderate property prices, suitable for investors seeking entry-level or mid-range options.

  1. Jaipur
    • Property price: $60,000
    • STR revenue: $4,579/year
    • Yield: 9.6%
  2. Guwahati
    • Property price: $60,000
    • STR revenue: $2,380/year
    • Yield: 5.8%
  3. Varanasi
    • Property price: $60,000
    • STR revenue: $4,908/year
    • Yield: 10.5%

Top 3 Best Places for Airbnb Arbitrage in South Asia

  1. Lahore
    • STR revenue: $4,241/year
    • Rent gap: $3,796
  2. Varanasi
    • STR revenue: $4,908/year
    • Rent gap: $2,419
  3. Manali
    • STR revenue: $4,524/year
    • Rent gap: $2,233



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