Shortlet prices in Nigeria change with the city, the area, the size of the home, your dates and how long you stay. What you pay in the end is the night price plus a few other parts, such as a cleaning fee and a refundable caution deposit.
We do not print a price list here. Prices move every season, and a list would be out of date within weeks. Instead, this guide shows what pushes a price up or down, what the full bill in naira includes, and how to see the exact total before you pay. Then you can check live shortlets (or short lets, as some people write it) for your own dates.
Why prices vary so much
Two flats in the same city can cost very different amounts a night. These are the main reasons:
- The area. Homes near business districts, the airport or the beach cost more. So do homes in quiet, well-guarded estates.
- The size. More bedrooms and more guests mean a higher price. But a big flat shared by a group can cost less per person.
- The building. A lift, a pool, a gym or a 24-hour guard all add to the price.
- Power. Steady power costs the host money in fuel, batteries or solar. A home with light all day usually costs more than one without.
- The dates. December, Easter, Sallah and long weekends are busy. Many hosts charge more on busy nights.
- How long you stay. Many hosts give a discount for a week or a month.
- How early you book. Book late for a busy date and the cheaper homes are often gone.
- What is included. Cleaning during the stay, a TV subscription, breakfast or an airport pick-up can all be in the price, or extra.
City by city: what drives the price
Each city has its own pattern. Use these notes to know what to compare, then open the city page to see real homes and their prices today.
Lagos
Traffic shapes prices in Lagos. Homes close to where you need to be cost more, because a short trip saves hours. On the Island, Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Lekki are close to offices, restaurants and the beach. On the Mainland, Ikeja is near the airport, and Yaba and Surulere are central. For Lagos in detail, read how much is a shortlet in Lagos?
Abuja
Abuja prices follow the business and government calendar. Homes in Maitama, Asokoro and Wuse 2 are close to offices and embassies. Garki and Gwarinpa give more space for families. See all shortlet apartments in Abuja.
Port Harcourt
Many guests in Port Harcourt travel for work. Homes in secure areas with steady power and good internet tend to cost more, and weekday demand can be strong.
Ibadan, Benin City and the south
In Ibadan, Benin City, Warri, Owerri, Calabar and Uyo, many guests come for weddings, burials, church events and family visits. Prices can jump on those weekends and in December.
The north
In Kaduna and Kano, Sallah holidays and business trips bring the busiest nights. Book early for Sallah.
The full bill in naira
The night price is only the start. When you compare two shortlets, compare the full bill. It usually has these parts:
- The nights. The night price times the number of nights. Some homes charge different prices on different dates.
- A discount, if you stay long enough to get one.
- A cleaning fee. Charged once per stay, not per night. On a one-night stay it can be a big part of the bill.
- A caution deposit. Money held in case something is damaged. It comes back after check-out, less the cost of any damage the host can show.
- A payment or service fee, on some sites and payment methods.
- Extras during your stay, such as drinks, breakfast or an airport pick-up.
Also ask what is not included. Some homes ask guests to buy their own fuel or electricity units. Some limit generator hours. A cheaper home can end up costing more if you pay for power on top.
On Cabans, a shortlet that takes online bookings shows the whole bill before you pay. The “Price Breakdown” lists the nights, any discount, the “Cleaning fee”, the “Caution deposit (refundable)” and the “Total”. You pay online through Paystack, in naira. Paystack’s payment processing fee is added when you pay, and you see it before you pay. That fee is not refunded.
How to check dates and prices shows each part of the booking box.
Comparing two shortlets side by side
A low night price can hide a high total. Before you choose, put two homes side by side for the same dates. Copy this table and fill it in with what each listing or host tells you:
| Line | Home A | Home B |
|---|---|---|
| Night price × number of nights | ₦________ | ₦________ |
| Discount for a longer stay (take it off) | ₦________ | ₦________ |
| Cleaning fee (once) | ₦________ | ₦________ |
| Any payment or service fee | ₦________ | ₦________ |
| Power, fuel or units you must buy yourself | ₦________ | ₦________ |
| What the stay really costs you | ₦________ | ₦________ |
| Caution deposit (paid now, back after you leave) | ₦________ | ₦________ |
Keep the caution deposit on its own line. It leaves your account when you book, so you need the money. But it should come back, so it is not part of what the stay costs you.
Then weigh up what the numbers do not show:
- How far is each home from where you need to be, at the times you will travel?
- How many hours of power does each promise, and what backs it up?
- Which one lets you cancel for free, and until when?
- Which host answered your questions quickly and clearly?
Paying less
You cannot control the season, but you can control a lot else. Try these:
- Stay longer. A week or a month often brings a lower price per night.
- Move your dates. Even one day away from a big weekend can change the price.
- Book early for busy dates. For December and Sallah, the good-value homes go first.
- Pick the next area over. Look near the place you need, not only inside it. Gbagada or Magodo can suit a Mainland trip.
- Choose one bedroom fewer. Count the beds you truly need.
- Share with your group. A big flat split between friends or family can beat several small ones.
- Watch the cleaning fee on short stays. It is charged once, so it matters most on one or two nights.
Staying in Lagos on a budget? See cheap shortlets in Lagos you can book.
One warning. A price far below every similar home is a warning sign, not a bargain. Read shortlet scams: 10 warning signs before you send any money.
How to see the exact price before paying
Never pay until you can see the full total for your exact dates, in writing. Whatever site or host you use, check:
- the dates, the number of nights and the number of guests;
- each part of the bill, from the list above;
- which parts come back to you, and when;
- the cancellation terms: until when you can cancel, and how much comes back;
- the currency you will be charged in.
On Cabans, choose your check-in and check-out dates in the booking box on the listing. The price is worked out for your exact dates, and the free-cancellation deadline shows before you pay. When you press “Reserve”, the dates are held for 30 minutes while you pay, and nothing is charged yet. See how booking a shortlet online works.
Find a shortlet you can book and compare live prices for your own dates. Staying in Lagos? Start with shortlet apartments in Lagos.
Own a furnished home in a busy area? List your short let and let guests see your prices too.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a shortlet in Nigeria per night?
It depends on the city, the area, the size of the home, the dates and how long you stay. Prices also change through the year, so any fixed list soon goes out of date. The best guide is live listings for the area and dates you want. Compare the full total for your stay, not only the night price.
Why are shortlets more expensive in December?
Many Nigerians living abroad and in other cities come home in December, and many events and family gatherings happen then. More people want the same homes on the same nights, so hosts raise prices. Booking early gives you more choice.
Is the caution deposit part of the shortlet price?
You usually pay it with the booking, so it is part of what leaves your account. But it is refundable. You get it back after check-out, less the cost of any damage the host can show. Count it when you budget, and keep it separate in your head from the night price.
Are shortlets cheaper than hotels in Nigeria?
Sometimes. For a group or a family, one shortlet with several bedrooms can cost less than several hotel rooms, and you get a kitchen. For one person on a short trip, a hotel can be simpler. Compare the total cost for your whole stay, including cleaning fees and deposits.
How can I find a cheap shortlet?
Stay a little longer to get a longer-stay discount, travel outside busy dates, choose one bedroom fewer, or look in a nearby area with the same access. Compare full totals, not night prices. Never send money to a stranger to “hold” a cheap deal.
Do I pay for a shortlet in naira?
Hosts on Cabans set their shortlet prices in naira. Wherever you book, check which currency you will be charged in before you pay, because a price in another currency can cost more by the time your bank converts it.
Related guides
How much is a shortlet in Lagos? · Short let vs hotel · Best areas for a shortlet in Lagos · Monthly shortlet or rent a flat? · Shortlet vs vacation rental · Detty December in Lagos
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