# Get started

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

## Third part client configuration

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](https://www.claude.com/) AI assistant.

## Claude Desktop

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

### Prerequisites

Ensure you have:

* Your Booking bearer token ready from your Booking.com partnership account.
* Downloaded [Claude Desktop](https://www.claude.com/download).


### Claude Desktop configuration

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`](https://www.npmjs.com/package/mcp-remote) package:

```json
{
  "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.
![Claude Desktop using the accommodations_search tool](/assets/claude-desktop.de548c2120ffe5c2e93d26909bdc9d6dfa803441778dfb3911d33ff6b12c3f59.fbd405b5.png)


**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.


## Additional resources

Resources
- [Boking MCP server implementation guide](/mcp-server/docs/implementation-guide)
- [MCP Protocol specification](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/)
- [mcp-remote npm package](https://www.npmjs.com/package/mcp-remote)