Pack for a shortlet as you would for a home with none of your own things in it. A shortlet usually comes with beds, bedding, towels, a kitchen and Wi-Fi. Everything else varies from host to host. So check the listing first, then bring the few things that keep you comfortable, even when the power or water is off.
Below you will find what to check, a full packing list, and extra lists for long stays and for children.
Check what the home provides
Read the listing and the house rules, then ask the host about anything that is not clear. These items vary the most from home to home:
| Item | What to ask the host |
|---|---|
| Towels | How many per guest, and are they changed on long stays? |
| Toiletries | Is there soap, shampoo and toilet roll, and how much? |
| Drinking water | Is bottled water provided, or can I buy it nearby? |
| Kitchen | Is there a cooker, fridge, pots and plates? Is gas included? |
| Iron and hair dryer | Are they in the home? |
| Washing machine | Is there one, or a laundry service nearby? |
| Backup power | What runs when the grid is off, and for how long? |
| Children’s items | Is there a cot or a high chair? |
For the full list of questions, read what comes with a shortlet.
The packing list
Documents and money
- A valid ID: passport, driving licence or national ID card. Some hosts ask to see it.
- Your booking details and the host’s phone number, saved so you can see them offline.
- A bank card, and some cash in small notes.
Coming home from abroad? Bring your passport, check your visa if you need one, and tell your bank you are travelling so your card works. An unlocked phone lets you use a local SIM for data and calls.
Power and phones
- Phone chargers and cables, and a power bank that is fully charged.
- A plug adaptor if your plugs are not the three-pin kind used in Nigeria.
- A small extension lead with surge protection.
- A rechargeable fan or torch, if you sleep badly in the heat.
- A pocket Wi-Fi device or spare mobile data, if you must stay online for work.
Toiletries and health
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and your own soap and shampoo.
- Insect repellent.
- Your medicines in their packs, with enough for the whole stay.
- Sunscreen, hand sanitiser and a small first-aid kit.
- Sanitary products.
Clothes and comfort
- Light clothes for the heat, and one warmer layer for the air conditioning.
- Indoor slippers or flip-flops.
- Swimwear, if the home has a pool.
- An umbrella in the rainy season.
- Earplugs and an eye mask, if you are a light sleeper. A generator nearby can be noisy.
Staycation essentials
On a staycation, the point is to relax, so bring what makes the home feel like yours for a weekend. Think of a speaker, games or a book, your streaming log-ins, and the snacks and drinks you like. Check the house rules on music and visitors before you plan a get-together.
Planning a weekend close to home? Browse shortlets in Lekki or shortlets in Ikeja, or read weekend getaways in Lagos for couples.
On Cabans, if the property asks for ID, you send a photo or PDF of your passport, driving licence or national ID card from your stay page. Only your host and our team can see it, and your host can open it only until 30 days after check-out. It is kept securely for up to 6 years, as data laws require, and then deleted. See how to send your ID when a host asks.
Pack for the season and the city
Nigeria’s weather changes what you need more than the length of your stay does.
- Rainy season. Bring an umbrella, sandals that can get wet, and a bag cover for your laptop. Roads can flood after heavy rain, so allow extra time for rides.
- Harmattan. The dry, dusty months around December and January call for lip balm, body cream, eye drops and something to cover your nose and mouth outdoors. Mornings can feel cool, so pack one warm layer.
- The heat. Light cotton clothes, a hat and a refillable water bottle help all year round.
Lagos and Abuja feel different too. Lagos is humid and busy, so pack for long days out in the heat and traffic. Abuja is more spread out, so plan rides between places rather than walks.
Your arrival-day bag
Keep these in the bag you carry, not in the suitcase:
- Your ID and your bank card.
- Your phone, a charger and a charged power bank.
- The address, the directions and the host’s number, saved offline.
- Drinking water and a snack, in case you wait at the gate.
- A toothbrush and a change of clothes, in case your luggage is delayed.
If you arrive late at night, send the host your arrival time before you set off, and agree how you will get in.
For longer stays
- Laundry. Ask whether there is a washing machine, or where the nearest laundry service is. Pack washing powder.
- Groceries. Plan a first shop on day one. Ask the host where the nearest supermarket and market are.
- Work. A laptop stand, headphones with a microphone, and a second way to get online.
- Cleaning. Ask whether a clean during the stay is included, or can be arranged.
- Post and parcels. Ask whether deliveries can come to the gate, and who receives them.
Staying a month or more? Compare a shortlet with a rental in monthly shortlet vs renting.
For children
- Ask whether the host can provide a cot or a high chair. If not, bring a travel cot.
- Pack socket covers and a door stopper if you have small children.
- Check for a pool, balcony or stairs, and plan how you will keep children safe near them.
- Bring favourite snacks, a night light, and toys or a tablet for quiet time.
- Pack children’s medicines, a thermometer and oral rehydration salts.
- Tell the host how many children are coming, and their ages. Check whether children count towards the guest limit.
Travelling as a big family? See shortlet duplexes for groups.
On Cabans, children count as guests. When you choose the number of guests, include everyone staying, children too.
What you can order during your stay
You do not have to pack everything. Some hosts can arrange things once you arrive, such as bottled water, breakfast, extra towels, a clean or a ride to the airport. Ask before you arrive what they offer, and how you pay for it.
On Cabans, some hosts sell extras, such as bottled water, snacks or breakfast. Once your host completes your check-in, they appear on your stay page under “Shop for your stay”. They are delivered to your stay free, and you pay for them in your basket. Card payments start at ₦1,000 (one thousand naira). You can also use “Stay services” to ask for fresh towels, bed linen or a cleaner. See how to order extras and pay your bill, or our guide to shortlet extras.
Before you leave: a quick check
Things are easy to leave behind in a home that is not yours. Before you hand back the keys, check:
- every socket, for chargers and adaptors;
- the bathroom, for toiletries and medicines;
- the fridge and the kitchen cupboards;
- under the beds, and inside drawers and wardrobes;
- the safe, if the home has one.
Then take a few photos of how you left the place. If there is ever a question about the caution deposit, those photos help you. Read is a shortlet caution fee refundable? to see why.
For everything else to do on the day you leave, see our shortlet check-out checklist.
Got everything on the list? Find a shortlet you can book, or plan a weekend away with staycation shortlets in Lagos.
Hosting yourself? Use this list to see what guests forget, then list your short let with those basics in place.
Frequently asked questions
What should I bring to a shortlet?
Your ID, phone chargers and a charged power bank, your own toiletries and medicines, light clothes and indoor slippers. Check the listing first, so you know what the home already has.
Do shortlets provide towels and toiletries?
Towels and bedding usually come with the home. Toiletries vary: some hosts leave a small starter supply, others none. For more than a night or two, pack your own.
Should I bring a power bank to a shortlet?
Yes. Even homes with good backup power can have a short gap when the supply switches over. A charged power bank keeps your phone working, and a rechargeable fan helps on hot nights.
What are staycation essentials?
Comfortable clothes, swimwear if there is a pool, chargers, a speaker or games, snacks you like, and your ID. The point of a staycation is to relax, so bring what makes a home feel like yours for a weekend.
Can I cook in a shortlet?
Usually. A shortlet is a furnished home, and a kitchen is normally part of it. Check what is in it, and pack basics such as cooking oil, salt and spices if you plan to cook.
What should I pack for children in a shortlet?
A travel cot if the host has none, socket covers, a night light, children’s medicines, favourite snacks and toys. Check for a pool, balcony or stairs, and plan how you will keep small children safe near them.
Do I need to send my ID for a shortlet on Cabans?
Only if the property asks for it. You then send a photo or PDF of your passport, driving licence or national ID card from your stay page. Only your host and our team can see it, and your host can open it only until 30 days after check-out. It is kept securely for up to 6 years, as data laws require, and then deleted.
Related guides
What comes with a shortlet? · Shortlet safety tips · Check-in and check-out times · The Nigerian staycation · Shortlet duplexes for groups
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