Schengen Visa and Airbnb

You may not receive an adequate answer to your question on this website. Note that most of the posters here are from North America, and hence, don't need a visa for a short stay in the Schengen Zone. As you are from South Africa, obviously, different story for you.

Thanks Tom. That makes sense.

Hugo, It will depend on the country you are applying for a visa. Come countries require official letters of invitation from private hosts (e.g., not hotels, B&B and other registered official lodging services) and, from what I've read, most AirBnB posters are unwilling to provide because it discloses their status to the authorities (many cities technically forbid subletting).

I did just that now - was a bit worried as I read a couple of people running into issues with cancellations. Thanks for all the input.

Unless Paul is an attorney versed in visas for people traveling to Europe from South Africa, I would not take visa advice from him. It's easy for any of us to tell you what to do. There are no consequences for us. If you don't play by the rules you may find yourself on the next plane home.

I don't have a personal problem with you Paul. I see some people on this board giving inaccurate information to unsuspecting people and I feel sorry for the people who don't know any better. As I said, those are the people who pay the consequences of inaccurate information. I just don't think that we as travelers should be giving what amounts to legal advice if we are not qualified to do so.