Airbnb Packing List: What We Bring (After a Few “We Should’ve Thought of That” Trips)

We almost always book Airbnbs when we travel - especially when our kids come along. The extra space, having a kitchen, everyone not on top of each other… it just makes the whole trip feel easier.

But if you’ve stayed in a few, you already know… they’re kind of hit or miss.

Some are stocked with everything, super thoughtful, no issues. And others, you get there and realize pretty quickly you’re going to have to make do with what’s there.

We didn’t really think much about that at first. We just packed like we normally would and figured we’d grab whatever we needed when we got there.

That worked… until it didn’t.

The trip that really changed how we think about this was Turks and Caicos where we had rented a beautiful villa. At one point, our daughter wanted a bag of Doritos. Just a normal, quick snack. We ran into a small store nearby, grabbed a bag, and then both of us kind of stopped when we saw the price.

$15. For Doritos.

We literally laughed because it felt so ridiculous… but also, it was one of those moments where you realize - okay, we probably should’ve planned this a little better. And it wasn’t just that. It was everything around it. Snacks, basics, even coffee… nothing was as easy as we expected, and those quick little runs started to add up quickly.

Same kind of experience when we stayed in Eleuthera - a low key island of the Bahamas - absolutely stunning and beautiful, but definitely made us rethink the whole “we’ll just grab it there” approach. Not only were items very expensive but the selection was also painfully limited.

Since then, we haven’t gone overboard or anything… we just bring a few things we know we’ll want. Stuff that makes those first couple days easier, keeps us from having to run out right away, and honestly just helps everything feel a little more relaxed from the start.

It’s not about packing more - it’s just about avoiding those little moments like $15 Doritos… and making sure we’re not starting the day without our coffee!

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Coffee (1st thing on our Airbnb packing list)

Coffee was one of the first lessons.

We’ve had places that technically “had coffee”… but it was either not great, missing something, or just more effort than we wanted first thing in the morning.

So now we don’t even think about it — we just bring what we know we like. Nothing crazy, just:

• a small reusable coffee filter

• our favorite coffee

• individual creamer and/or sugar packets (depending on your preference)

And if we’re not totally sure what the setup will be, we’ll throw in a mini kettle too. It sounds like a lot, but it’s really not — and it just removes that whole “what’s the coffee situation?” question completely.

🧳 See the full shoppable list of Airbnb travel essentials here.

Snacks + a few basics (learned this the hard way)

This is probably the one that stuck with us the most from those island trips. It wasn’t just the $15 Doritos — it was realizing how often we wanted something quick, easy, or healthy … and how much effort it took every time to go get it.

Whether it was:

• a healthy snack between meals

• something for the kids

• or just not feeling like heading back out

Those little moments added up fast.

Now we don’t overthink it — we just bring a small stash that covers us for those in-between times. Usually that looks like:

• protein bars

• a few easy snacks we know everyone will actually eat

• individual snack packs that travel well

• ziplock bags (we use these constantly for leftovers, beach snacks, everything)

• a couple collapsible food containers

• a foldable grocery bag for quick store runs

It’s not about packing food for the whole trip - just having a few things on hand (and a simple way to use them if you need to). We still love picking up local things and going out - but having a few reliable options on hand just makes everything feel easier. Especially those first couple of days when you’re still getting your bearings.

🧳 See the full shoppable list of Airbnb travel essentials here.

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Quick side note — this whole “plan a few essentials ahead” thing applies just as much to flying.

We started doing the same thing with our carry-ons, just keeping a small set of go-to items that make flights way more comfortable and a lot less chaotic.

So we put together a simple checklist of the exact essentials we always keep within reach.

👉 You can grab the Just In Case Carry-On Kit here (it’s free)

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A few kitchen things we started bringing

This is a smaller one, but it came up enough times that we started planning for it. Some Airbnbs have fully stocked kitchens… and others have the bare minimum — maybe some leftover salt from the prior guest and that’s about it.

We’ve had a few stays where we wanted to cook something simple and realized we were missing the most basic things — like salt, a sponge, or anything to actually clean up with.

So now, if we know we’ll be using the kitchen at all, we’ll throw in a few small things that make it easier:

• a mini spice set (just the basics — salt, pepper, maybe garlic powder)

• a small sponge or dish brush

• a travel-size dish soap

Nothing big, nothing that takes up real space - but adding these items to your AirBnB packing list makes a big difference if you’re planning even one or two meals in.

🧳 See the full shoppable list of Airbnb travel essentials here.

Toiletries + Laundry basics (because it’s hit or miss)

This is one of those things we thought we could rely on… until we couldn’t.

Some Airbnbs have everything - shampoo, body wash, laundry detergent - and others are completely bare. After a couple of those “we’ll just use what’s there” moments, we stopped guessing and just started bringing our own. Not a full setup — just enough to not have to think about it.

Now we always pack:

• travel-size shampoo and conditioner

• travel-size body wash

• the basic toiletries we use every day (think mini versions of your favorite facewash, toothpaste, floss, etc.)

• a hanging toiletry bag

• a few laundry detergent sheets (great for quick sink washes or small loads and they take up no space)

• retractable, portable clothesline (makes clothes drying so much easier)

We’ll usually do a quick reset when we get there too — wipe down the bathroom and surfaces with antibacterial wipes, unpack a few things — and it immediately makes the space feel more settled.

🧳 See the full shoppable list of Airbnb travel essentials here.

Sleep setup (this made a bigger difference than we expected)

This is something we didn’t think about at all in the beginning… but now we always do.

Sleeping somewhere new is just different. New sounds, different light, unfamiliar setup — and sometimes it only takes one rough night to realize it matters.

So we started bringing a few small things that help us settle in faster and actually sleep well:

• our own cotton pillowcases (this one surprised us how much it helps)

• earplugs (especially in busier or unfamiliar areas)

• a simple sleep mask

• a small white noise machine or app

None of it takes up much space, but it makes a noticeable difference — especially on longer trips.

🧳 See the full shoppable list of Airbnb travel essentials here.

When things don’t go as planned (because sometimes they don’t)

This is probably the category we didn’t think about at all in the beginning… and now we never skip it. Mainly because of that first night in Curaçao that we still talk about.

The power went out for a few hours at night - no lights, no AC - and suddenly we were lying there in the dark, sweating, hoping for even the smallest breeze. It wasn’t dramatic… but it was definitely uncomfortable, and it turned into one of those long, restless nights where you realize how much you rely on the little things.

And then, of course, there was the splinter situation. At one of our stays, our daughter got a splinter in her foot — not huge, but definitely not something you can ignore. And somehow that turned into me doing what felt like a full-on mini operation right there. Thankfully, I had packed a small first aid bag, so we actually had what we needed — but it was one of those moments where you realize how quickly something small can turn into a whole situation.

Since then, we’ve made a few upgrades to our “just in case” setup — nothing over the top, just the things that make your life easier in unexpected situations:

• a small flashlight (after that night in Curacao, this is non-negotiable)

• a portable fan (for when AC isn’t working… or just isn’t enough)

• an extension cord + compact power strip (because outlets are never where you need them)

• a portable charger (for when the power is out)

• a travel first aid kit stored in a portable organizer bag (always packed now, no exceptions)

None of this takes up much space, but these are the items that quietly save the day when something doesn’t go as planned. And after a few of those moments, we’d just rather be prepared.

🧳 See the full shoppable list of Airbnb travel essentials here.

💊 Check out the complete travel medicine kit list here.

Beach trip things we don’t leave to chance

Beach trips are where we used to think, we’ll just grab it when we get there. And technically… you can. But after a few stays, we realized how inconsistent it really is.

Some Airbnbs have what feels like bottles and bottles of sunscreen left behind from past guests — half-used, different brands, just kind of sitting there. And then others are completely bare bones. Nothing. Not even the basics. And buying a basic bottle locally runs $30+. So it’s always a bit of a gamble.

Besides sunscreen, we have learned that bringing a few beach essentials just makes things way easier:

• sunscreen (the exact kind we already use and trust)

• mosquito spray (especially for evenings — learned that one quickly)

• a collapsible cooler (perfect for drinks, snacks, and not overpaying for everything nearby)

• insulated water bottles (these get used constantly, especially in the heat)

• a quick-dry beach towel (takes up almost no space and dries way faster than standard towels)

It’s one of those small shifts that just makes everything easier. No guessing what’s there, no extra stops - just drop your bags and head straight to the beach.

🧳 See the full shoppable list of Airbnb travel essentials here.

Final thoughts

We don’t bring everything on this list every time. But having a rough version of this in mind has honestly made our trips so much smoother.

Less running out for things we assumed would be there.

Less “we’ll just figure it out.”

And definitely fewer $15 Doritos situations!

It’s not about packing more - it’s just about removing those little friction points so when we get there, we can actually settle in and enjoy it. Because at the end of the day, that’s the whole point.

🧳 See the full shoppable list of Airbnb travel essentials here.

💊 Check out the complete travel medicine kit list here.

Safe travels!

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The Real Travel Essential: A System

We talk a lot about travel essentials — the right carry-on, packing cubes, adapters, sunscreen. But those aren’t what make or break a trip.

The real difference comes from the decisions you make before you pack — when to go, where to stay, what to book, and in what order. When those decisions are structured, you stop overpaying, stop second-guessing, and start traveling with confidence.

That’s exactly why we built a complete Travel Smarter System — a repeatable process that connects timing, destination choice, research, itinerary planning, and packing into one cohesive approach. If you want a smarter way to plan your next trip, you can explore it here.