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Learn how to configure the Claude desktop AI app to connect with Booking MCP server.

To start using MCP server, you need to configure a third-party AI application to connect with it first.

In this case, we suggest to configure the Claude Desktop AI assistant.

Use the mcp-remote bridge utility to configure Claude Desktop to connect to the Booking.com MCP server.

Ensure you have:

• Your Booking bearer token ready from your Booking.com partnership account.
• Downloaded Claude Desktop.

The following instructions show how to configure Claude Desktop. Similar steps apply to other MCP-compatible apps like Windsurf and Cursor.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Open Claude Desktop setup

   • Navigate to Settings > Developer > Local MCP Servers
   • Click Edit config

2. Add the Booking.com MCP server configuration

   Add this configuration using the mcp-remote package:

   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "booking-accommodations": {
         "command": "npx",
         "args": [
           "mcp-remote",
           "https://demandapi-mcp.booking.com/v1/mcp/YOUR_AFFILIATE_ID",
           "--header",
           "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_BEARER_TOKEN"
         ]
       }
     }
   }

3. Replace credentials

   • Replace YOUR_AFFILIATE_ID with your affiliate ID in the URL path.
   • Replace YOUR_BEARER_TOKEN with your bearer token.

4. Save and restart

   • Save the configuration file.
   • Restart Claude Desktop to load the new MCP server.

5. Verify the connection

   Test the integration by asking Claude to search for accommodations. For example:

   Search for accommodations in Paris, France. 
   Check-in date: November 14, 2025. 
   Check-out date: November 16, 2025. 
   2 guests, 1 room. 
   Show me options under $200 per night with free WiFi.

   Claude will use the accommodations_search tool to query the Booking.com MCP server. You'll see:

   • Claude acknowledging it will search with your specifications.
   • An expandable "Search Accommodations" section showing the tool request parameters.
   • Results displaying available accommodations matching your criteria.

   

Configuration notes:

• The mcp-remote package acts as a bridge between MCP clients and remote HTTP-based MCP servers.
• The --header flag passes the required authentication header to the Booking.com MCP server.
• Only the Authorization bearer token header is required for authentication.