Many shortlets in Nigeria let you check in from early afternoon and ask you to check out by late morning. A common pattern is check-in from 14:00 (2pm) and check-out by 11:00 (11am). Every host can set their own times, so always check the listing before you book.
This guide explains why those times exist, where to find the times for your stay, and what to do if you need to arrive early or leave late.
Typical times, and why they exist
The gap between check-out and check-in is not wasted time. It is when the home is turned round for the next guest. In a few hours, the host or cleaner has to:
- strip the beds and wash or change the linen and towels;
- clean the kitchen, bathrooms and floors;
- take out the rubbish and restock water, toiletries and basics;
- check for damage and anything left behind;
- test the power, the water, the air conditioning and the Wi-Fi.
On a busy day, one guest leaves in the morning and another arrives in the afternoon. The times keep that day possible. They also help if the power is off or water needs pumping, which can slow a clean in Nigeria.
| Time | Common for | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| 14:00 (2pm) check-in | Many shortlets and hotels | The home should be clean and ready from 2 in the afternoon |
| 15:00 (3pm) or later check-in | Homes with a small cleaning team | Plan lunch or a meeting before you arrive |
| 11:00 (11am) check-out | Many shortlets | Pack the night before and leave by late morning |
| 12:00 (noon) check-out | Many hotels, some shortlets | A little more time on your last morning |
Hotels in Nigeria often use similar times. The difference is that a hotel has many rooms and a front desk, so it can sometimes bend the rules. A shortlet is one home, often with one cleaner, so the times matter more.
All times are the property’s local time. Nigeria is on West Africa Time (WAT) all year, one hour ahead of GMT. If you are flying in from abroad, set your phone to local time before you land.
Where to find your stay’s times
Check the times before you book, not on the day. Look in these places:
- The listing. Good listings state check-in and check-out times near the price or in the house rules.
- Your booking confirmation. It should repeat the dates and times. If it does not, ask the host to confirm them in writing.
- The house rules. Look for any rule about quiet hours, late arrivals or key collection.
If the times are missing, ask before you pay. A clear answer now avoids waiting outside a locked gate with your bags later.
On Cabans, a shortlet that takes online bookings shows its times under the calendar, such as “Check-in: from 14:00” and “Check-out: by 11:00”. These are the standard times, and hosts can change them. Once your stay is confirmed, your stay page repeats them in full, for example “Check in from Thu 1 Oct 2026, 14:00; check out by Thu 8 Oct 2026, 11:00.”
Arriving early
Early flights and overnight buses often arrive in the morning, hours before check-in. Here are your options, from the surest to the least sure:
- Book the night before. If you land at 6 in the morning, book from the previous night. The home is ready and waiting, and you can sleep straight away. It costs one more night, but it is the only sure way.
- Ask for an early check-in. Message the host a few days ahead. If no one stayed the night before, they may agree. Some hosts charge for it; agree any price in writing.
- Ask to drop your bags. Even if the home is not ready, the host or caretaker may let you leave your luggage.
- Plan the morning. Have breakfast, a meeting or a visit nearby, and arrive at check-in time.
Never turn up early without asking. A cleaner may be mid-clean, or the home may still be occupied. For stays near the airport, see our guide to shortlets near Lagos airport, or browse homes in Ikeja.
Arriving late at night
Late arrivals are common in Nigeria. Flights land late, roads are slow and meetings run over. A late arrival is fine, as long as the host knows it is coming.
- Tell the host your arrival time when you book, and again on the day if it changes.
- Ask how you get in after dark. Will someone meet you, or is there a door code or key box? Does the estate gate close at night, and will security let you in?
- Get a phone number for the host or caretaker that will be answered late.
- Check the power. Ask whether there is backup power at night, so you are not arriving to a dark flat.
- Plan food. Kitchens and shops may be closed. Buy water and something to eat on the way, or ask the host what is nearby.
Check-in time is the earliest you can arrive, not the latest. Some hosts are happy for you to arrive in the evening, and others ask guests to arrive before a set hour. Look for that in the house rules. Our shortlet safety tips cover arriving safely after dark.
Leaving late
A late flight home can leave you with a long afternoon and nowhere to go. Plan it before your last day.
- Ask about a late check-out a day or two ahead. The host will know by then whether another guest is arriving.
- Get the answer in writing, with the new time and any extra cost.
- Book one more night if your flight is in the evening and you need to rest or work until you leave. It is often the calmest option.
- Ask to leave your bags if you only need a few hours in town.
- Pack the night before. Check the wardrobes, the bathroom and the chargers by the bed.
If the host says no, do not stay past check-out. The next guest is counting on a clean home, and staying on can put your caution deposit at risk.
Already checked in and want to stay longer? On Cabans you can ask your host to extend your stay. The host must approve it, and the extra nights must be free. The extra nights cost the home’s night prices, with no discount, and you pay for them online through Paystack. If you leave early instead, the unused nights are not refunded unless the host approves a refund. On your last morning, follow a check-out checklist for guests. Hosting yourself? Read early check-in and late check-out for hosts.
What happens on arrival and departure
A shortlet arrival is different from a hotel. There is usually no front desk, so the host, a caretaker or a door code lets you in.
On arrival
- Follow the host’s arrival instructions: the gate, the building, the flat and who to call.
- Tell the host when you are close, especially after dark.
- Walk round the home before you unpack. Photograph anything broken or dirty and tell the host the same day.
- Check the locks, the water, the power and the Wi-Fi.
- Show your ID if the host asks for it.
On departure
- Follow the host’s check-out list, such as putting towels in the bath or taking out the rubbish.
- Turn off the air conditioning, lights and taps.
- Take photos of the home as you leave it. They help if there is a question about your caution deposit.
- Return the keys the way the host asked, and tell them you have gone.
On Cabans, the arrival and departure steps happen on your stay page. From the day before check-in, press “I have arrived” when you get there, and your host is told you are there. They hand over the keys and approve your check-in. Only then do your door code and Wi-Fi password appear on your stay page. For your safety they are never sent by email. See how to check in when you arrive.
When you leave, press “I am leaving”. Your host confirms the check-out, and the codes disappear from your stay page. They never show later than 2 hours after the check-out time. If nobody confirms the check-out, the stay is completed automatically 2 days after the check-out date. See how to check out.
Your caution deposit is checked after you leave. Our guide to the shortlet caution fee refund explains how to get it back in full.
A simple timeline for your stay
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| When you book | Check both times, and ask about early arrival or late departure if you need it |
| A few days before | Confirm the arrival instructions and a phone contact |
| Arrival day | Arrive after check-in time, tell the host, walk round and report problems |
| The night before you leave | Pack, and check the check-out list |
| Departure day | Leave by check-out time, take photos and hand back the keys |
Find a shortlet with the right times
Find a shortlet you can book and check the times before you choose. Popular places to start are Lekki, Victoria Island and Abuja. Hosting yourself? List your short let and set times that give your cleaner enough room.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard check-in and check-out time for a shortlet?
Many shortlets in Nigeria let you check in from early afternoon, often 14:00 (2pm), and ask you to leave by late morning, often 11:00 or 12:00. Each host sets their own times, so always check the listing before you book.
What time is check-out at hotels in Nigeria?
Many hotels in Nigeria use similar times to shortlets: check-in in the early afternoon and check-out around late morning or midday. Times differ from hotel to hotel, so check your booking.
Can I check in early to a shortlet?
Only if the host agrees. The home may need cleaning after the last guest. Ask before you travel. If you must be sure, book the night before your arrival so the home is yours from the moment you land.
Can I leave a shortlet later than check-out time?
Ask the host a day or two before. If no one arrives that day, they may agree. If another guest is due, they may not be able to. For a late flight, booking one more night is the safest plan.
Is the check-out day a night I pay for?
No. You pay for nights, not days. If you check in on Monday and check out on Wednesday, you pay for two nights: Monday and Tuesday.
What time zone are shortlet check-in times in?
Times are the property’s local time. All of Nigeria is on West Africa Time (WAT), one hour ahead of GMT, and the clocks do not change during the year.
When can I tell my host I have arrived on Cabans?
From the day before check-in, on a confirmed booking. Open your stay page and press “I have arrived”. Your host is told you are there and hands over the keys.
Related guides
Shortlets near Lagos airport · Shortlet caution fee refund · Shortlet house rules · What is a shortlet? · Shortlet safety tips
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