What To Bring To An Airbnb [Know Before You Go]

Airbnb
Written By Taz Zaidi

What To Bring To An Airbnb

Airbnb allows guests to choose from much variety.

But freedom to choose any “type” or style of lodging means you can’t expect every Airbnb rental to provide the same amenities. This is why it’s important to know what to bring to an Airbnb and how to find a place with the specific amenities you want.

In this guide, we’ll cover what guests should bring to an Airbnb stay.

After listing the essential amenities that your host will provide (such as a towel), we’ll cover the five things to consider bringing to your stay, plus how to filter your search to find a place with the amenities you want.

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*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted hotel rooms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on hotels, click here.

Which Amenities Are Included In My Airbnb Booking?

Airbnb hosts provide 5 essential amenities to guests: toilet paper, soap, linens, a towel (per guest) and a pillow (per guest). Expect these amenities no matter what “type” of place you book (private, shared, short-term, long-term). If an Airbnb provides a kitchen, its utensils are also typically available for use by guests.

It’s important to know that while hotels replace these five items daily during a guest’s stay, Airbnb hosts are not required to replace them (but some will do so if a guest requests it). Generally, Airbnb hosts also provide fewer amenities than hoteliers do. To read Airbnb’s complete host requirements, click here.

*Many experienced travelers believe that Vrbo.com is better than Airbnb for apartment and house rentals. To see today’s deals on Vrbo, click here.

5 Things You Should Bring To Your Airbnb Stay

Below are 5 things every Airbnb guest should consider bringing to a stay. I’ve provided context as to why you should bring each, as well as quality, budget-friendly options on Amazon.com if you need to purchase any items. All these items are affordable (you can find all five for under $100 total).

1) Basic Toiletries

Airbnb rentals don’t always provide the basic toiletries found in hotels. In an Airbnb, you’ll have hand soap and toilet paper, but expect to bring your toothbrush, toothpaste, shower soap (sometimes included), shampoo (sometimes included) and other hygienic items that are part of your routine (like a hair dryer).

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2) Toiletry Bag

Regardless of the setup in your Airbnb rental (shared or private), one great way to organize your toiletries is with a toiletry bag. Some bags have a hook, which lets them hang in bathrooms, lockers or bedside.

  • For Men: For a water-resistant, reliable toiletry bag with multiple compartments and available in various colors on Amazon, click here.

  • For Women: For a water-resistant, reliable toiletry bag with multiple compartments that comes in various colors on Amazon, click here.

If you’re booking a shared space rental for the first time, read our Airbnb Etiquette Guide.

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3) Universal Travel Adapter

If you’re traveling to a destination that has a different wall socket input than in your home country, buy an adapter for your trip. You’ll just insert your plug into the adapter, then insert the adapter into a wall socket.

You can either buy a region-specific adapter for your specific destination, or buy a universal adapter that will work on all future trips. To see which adapter you’ll need in your destination, click here.

  • For a quality, well-priced universal travel adapter on Amazon, click here.

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4) Power Strip

While hotels usually provide a wall outlet beside or within reach of your bed, Airbnb rentals often do not. I’ve booked plenty of modern Airbnb flats where the outlets weren’t ideally-located. This is why it’s a good idea to bring your own power strip to an Airbnb.

  • For a reasonably-sized power strip (that also has 4 USB ports), click here.

5) Flip Flops

I’ve stayed in multiple unique stays where my feet would get dusty from walking around, such as in a rock-floored apartment in Georgia, a cave house in Cappadocia and a forest hut in Costa Rica.

In each case, the hosts were great and the places were clean, but the material the floor was made of required me to wipe my feet every time I walked barefoot on them (luckily I brought flip flops).

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* Three more items to consider bringing to an Airbnb rental, particularly for urban destinations or shared spaces, include: ear plugs (for sound sleeping), padlock (to lock your belongings if there's a locker) and a microfiber towel (the towel provided by your host may not be of the quality you prefer).

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted hotel rooms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on hotels, click here.

How To Filter Your Search For Specific Features

The best way to find an Airbnb with a specific feature (such as a hair dryer or WiFi) is to filter your search. Below, I’ve included features Airbnb users commonly seek out when booking. You’ll see these features under the “More filters” tab on the search results page.

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  • Airbnb with kitchen

    • Select “Kitchen” under “Amenities”

  • Airbnb with wifi

    • Select “Wifi” under “Amenities”

  • Airbnb with washer and dryer

    • Select “Washer” and/or “Dryer” under “Amenities”

  • Airbnb with fireplace

    • Select “Indoor fireplace” under “Amenities”

  • Airbnb with EV (electric vehicle) charging

    • Select “EV charger” under “Facilities”

  • Airbnb with parking

    • Select “Free parking on premises” under “Facilities”

For the full guide to 15 features Airbnb users often seek out (like a pool, gym and view), click here.

*Many experienced travelers believe that Vrbo.com is better than Airbnb for apartment and house rentals. To see today’s deals on Vrbo, click here.

Conclusion

Hopefully you found this guide helpful.

Airbnb offers autonomy to hosts and independence to guests. But freedom to choose any “type” or style of lodging means you can’t expect all rentals to provide the same comforts. Consider bringing the 5 items we covered above to avoid potential issues! To learn more about Airbnb, explore our other guides below.

Enjoy your travels!

Learn More About Airbnb

Introduction To Airbnb

Understand Your Options

Get Started With Airbnb

Know Before You Go

Specific Types Of Bookings

Cancellations, Refunds And Changes

Airbnb’s Other Listing Categories

Airbnb’s Other Features

Help With Your Account

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Taz Zaidi [Author]
Taz Zaidi [Author]

Taz Zaidi is an American travel writer and the founder/creator of TRVLGUIDES.com. Connect with him on Instagram (@tazzaidi) or on his personal website, at tazzaidi.com.

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Taz Zaidi
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