Fueling Your Adventure: Crafting the Ultimate Airbnb/VRBO Grocery List for Budget-Savvy Travelers

Whenever I stay in a rental home on vacation, I take advantage of the kitchen to save a few bucks on snacks and breakfast. After a week-long Hawaiian adventure and a long weekend in Joshua Tree, I’ve carefully crafted the perfect grocery list for an Airbnb or VRBO vacation. 

Check out some of the suggested items below, along with a few tips and tricks I learned along the way. 

Fuel Your Adventure: Crafting the Ultimate Airbnb Grocery List for Budget-Savvy Travelers. Quick note: this page contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click on the URL and make a purchase (at no cost to you!). As an affiliate, I only recommend services and products from trusted partners I have thoroughly vetted and can genuinely recommend. Thank you!

The Perfect Airbnb Grocery List

Pantry Items

• Bread - Perfect for toast and quick sandwiches on the go

• Peanut Butter - Need a sandwich on the go? Don’t want to worry about keeping said sandwich cold? Boom. Peanut butter. 

• Protein Bars/Clif Bars - Easy to throw in a bag and fend off hunger between meals.

• Chips & Salsa  - I love having a little happy hour app on hand to enjoy in the Airbnb. Plus, who doesn’t love saving a few bucks and skipping expensive apps at dinner out? 

Refrigerated Foods

• Apples or Grapes - Add some fresh fruit to your breakfast, or bring some along for snacking during the day. I find apples and grapes hold up well, even when left unrefrigerated in the car. 

• Small Veggie Tray - Something about travel makes me crave fresh vegetables. I love having a small veggie tray of carrots, broccoli, and bell peppers around to accompany my happy hour chips and salsa. 

• Greek Yogurt - Start the day off with some protein and an easy, on-the-go breakfast.

• Cheese - Great for snacking, or throwing together a grilled cheese sandwich (My go-to hangover cure)

• Butter - Needed for the aforementioned grilled cheese, or toast in the morning.

Frozen Foods

• Frozen Breakfast Sandwiches - If you like hot breakfast but don’t have the time to cook, try a frozen breakfast sandwich (Just make sure your Airbnb is equipped with the proper kitchen appliances to make them… We learned the hard way when we didn’t have a microwave in Joshua Tree!)

• Ice - If you’re planning to pack a big cooler, getting extra ice is a must! 

Beverages

• Gatorade - Remember to replenish those electrolytes after a long day of hiking or adventures!

• Wine - For the aforementioned happy hours. You’re welcome. 

• Celsius - I’m addicted to these. Enough said.  

• Water Bottles - I usually bring my reusable bottle to reduce waste. But if you’re traveling out of the country or somewhere without a water purifier, sometimes buying some from the store is the best option. Maximize plastic usage by freezing a couple of bottles to double as ice packs for coolers. 

Other Items to Consider Packing or Purchasing

• Saran Wrap or Plastic Baggies - While Airbnbs typically stock basic supplies like trash bags and paper towels, I’ve yet to see saran wrap or plastic baggies in kitchen drawers. If you’re planning to pack a lunch or snack, be sure to have a container to carry things in. 

• Batteries - Double-check that your portable fans, flashlights, and gear have fresh batteries before hitting the road for adventure.