Packing tips for staying at an Airbnb rental

If you’re new to using Airbnb when travelling, you should know that it’s different than staying in a hotel. Obviously, there is more room to spread out, and you get a different feel for the place you’re visiting because you’re often situated in a neighbourhood. You should also know that to have the most comfortable stay, there are a few extra items you will want to pack.

Hat tip to reader Cal Harrison for suggesting this post topic.

Packing Tips for Staying At an Airbnb Rental

Steve and I have stayed in vacation rentals including through Airbnb for the past several years. Experience has taught us that the amenities you will find in your rental can vary wildly from place to place. Consequently, when we stay in a rental, we include the following items in our luggage.

Laundry Soap

One of the big benefits of staying in a vacation rental is that many have laundry facilities. Some have in-suite machines, and others have access to coin-operated, shared machines. We take our own laundry soap in a large Ziploc bag because although the owner or a previous tenant will sometimes leave soap behind, other times there is nothing. Paying for a full-sized laundry soap at the grocery store is an unnecessary expense, and it’s also a hassle. Also, check with the owner ahead of time about the currency you’ll need if the machines are coin operated so you can have the right amount on hand.

Toiletries

The great thing about a hotel is that you don’t have to worry about packing shampoo, conditioner and soap. At a rental, more often than not, you will need to supply your own. So, save those travel-sized items from your last hotel stay to take with you to your Airbnb.

Toilet Paper

Generally speaking, toilet paper is provided, but there have been a couple of times when there was just part of a roll left, which wasn’t going to carry us through to the end or our stay. We usually end up buying a four-pack. I always tell myself that I will pack half a roll with me in my luggage, but I always forget to do so.

Spices and Condiments

Another great thing about staying in a rental is that you will have a kitchen available to you to make meals if you choose. However, rentals often don’t provide many, if any, condiments or spices. Buying full jars of these items can be pricey and often get wasted. Read a previous post I wrote on what to gather and pack for your rental kitchen.

Electronics and Small Appliances

Sometimes there’s a hairdryer. Always check with your host on this one. I had an experience where the listing said there was a hairdryer, but there wasn’t. We had a dinner date shortly after we arrived and after hopping in the shower, I discovered there wasn’t a dryer. In a panic (ladies, you understand) we contacted the owner, and she rushed one over to us.

You also can’t always count on having numerous electrical outlets. Packing an outlet expander is good insurance. Along the same line, sometimes even though a rental has wifi, the connection is not solid throughout the property. A wifi range extender has come in handy many times. These items may not be so important if you are staying at an Airbnb on vacation, but if you’re working remotely as we often do, they are a must.

Anything to Add?

That’s our list. If you stay in short-term rentals, have you noticed anything we’ve missed?

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