Holiday Apartment Packing List: Printable Checklist and What Is Usually Provided

By Daniel Schulz, residir GmbH · Last updated: 14 October 2026

Besides clothes and a wash bag, your holiday apartment packing list should above all include things that a flat – unlike a hotel – often does not provide: basic kitchen supplies, washing-up liquid, spices and, depending on the property, bed linen and towels. What is provided is listed in the apartment’s inventory. Check it before you pack, and your suitcase will be lighter.

We are currently fitting out a building with 54 apartments in Lehel, and we are going through every list from the guest’s point of view: what do you need on the first evening, and what is missing by day three? This checklist is the result. It applies to any holiday apartment, while the tips on weather, getting there and shopping refer to Munich (as of October 2026).

In this article:

• What a holiday apartment usually provides
• Bed linen and towels
• Printable holiday apartment packing list
• Kitchen and food packing list
• City break packing list for Munich
• Packing list for children and families
• Packing list for a holiday with a dog
• Packing list for business trips and site work
• Arrival and check-in
• Conclusion
• Frequently asked questions

Holiday apartment: what to bring and what is usually provided

The most important question before packing is: what is already there? Holiday apartment essentials vary more than in hotels, because each landlord decides for themselves. The table shows what is usual in holiday apartments and what you are better off packing yourself.

Area	Usually provided	Often missing – better to bring
Sleeping	Beds, pillows, duvets, often bed linen too	Bed linen with some providers, travel pillow
Bathroom	Hand towels and bath towels, toilet paper to start with	Shower gel, shampoo, hairdryer depending on the flat, sauna towel
Kitchen	Cooker, fridge, pots, pans, crockery, cutlery	Spices, oil, coffee, washing-up liquid, kitchen roll, freezer bags
Technology	Wi-Fi, often a TV	Charging cables, power bank, travel adapter for guests from abroad
Laundry	Sometimes a washing machine, less often a dryer	A small amount of detergent, laundry bag
Service	Final cleaning, depending on the contract	Breakfast, reception and daily housekeeping are usually not offered

If you are wondering what to bring to a holiday apartment, read the property description first and only then start packing. If something is not mentioned, a quick message to the host is faster than half a suitcase full of towels that turn out to be waiting for you anyway.

Bed linen and towels in holiday apartments: usually included, but not always

Is bed linen included in a holiday apartment? In city flats and apartment buildings it usually is, and the beds are made when you arrive. In rural areas, however, such as on the coast or in the mountains, some landlords charge a fee for bed linen and towels or expect guests to bring both.

Look out for phrases in the description such as „bed linen and towels included“, „linen package for a fee“ or „please bring your own“. If nothing is mentioned, ask. If you have to bring your own bed linen, you will need a duvet cover and pillowcase per person plus a fitted sheet in the right size.

Towels in a holiday apartment

If a holiday apartment provides towels, it is usually one hand towel and one bath towel per person for the whole stay. On longer trips, some hosts change them after a week, while others provide a washing machine. Sauna towels, beach towels for the lake and tea towels are less often included.

With private accommodation booked via platforms, the picture is mixed. If you book through Airbnb in Munich, you will find the details under „Amenities“; it is worth taking a close look there, as hosts maintain the list themselves. In a boarding house or aparthotel, on the other hand, bed linen and towels are usually included in the price.

Printable holiday apartment packing list: the checklist

The following holiday apartment checklist is a what-to-bring list, sorted by category. You can print this checklist for your holiday apartment stay using your browser’s print function, or save it as a PDF and tick items off. That way you do not need a separate PDF download – simply cross out whatever your accommodation already provides.

Documents and money

• ☐ ID card or passport
• ☐ Booking confirmation with address and check-in details (also saved offline)
• ☐ Host’s phone number
• ☐ Debit or credit card and some cash
• ☐ Health insurance card (EHIC/GHIC for visitors from abroad)
• ☐ Train or plane tickets; if travelling by car, driving licence and vehicle registration document

Clothing

• ☐ Underwear and socks for every day plus spares
• ☐ Trousers, tops, one warmer jumper
• ☐ Weatherproof jacket
• ☐ Comfortable, worn-in shoes and a second pair
• ☐ Nightwear and slippers
• ☐ Swimwear, if you are planning a sauna, swimming pool or thermal spa visit

Bathroom and toiletries

• ☐ Toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo
• ☐ Deodorant, moisturiser, sun cream
• ☐ Comb or brush, possibly a hairdryer
• ☐ Razor, cosmetics, contact lenses
• ☐ Towels, if not provided

First-aid kit

• ☐ Personal medication in sufficient quantity
• ☐ Painkillers and fever remedies
• ☐ Plasters and blister plasters
• ☐ Remedies for colds and stomach upsets
• ☐ Tick repellent for trips into the countryside

Technology

• ☐ Smartphone and charging cable
• ☐ Power bank
• ☐ Extension lead, in case there are few sockets by the bed
• ☐ Headphones
• ☐ Travel adapter for guests from countries with different plugs (Germany uses type C/F)

This holiday apartment packing list covers the basics. Below you will find separate lists for the kitchen, children, dogs and business trips, which you can add depending on your trip.

Holiday apartment packing list: kitchen and food

The kitchen is the biggest difference from a hotel. Pots, pans, crockery and cutlery are part of the basic equipment in almost every holiday apartment. What is usually missing are consumables. That is exactly why a separate packing list for the holiday apartment kitchen makes sense.

Starter kit: spices, oil and washing-up liquid

• ☐ Salt, pepper and two or three favourite spices in small containers
• ☐ Small bottle of oil
• ☐ Coffee, tea, sugar
• ☐ Washing-up liquid, sponge and a few dishwasher tablets
• ☐ Kitchen roll and freezer bags
• ☐ Tea towel
• ☐ For keen cooks: a sharp knife

Some hosts provide a small stock of basics, many do not. It is best to ask when you enquire whether spices, washing-up liquid and coffee are available. Then you will not pack things twice.

Food checklist for the holiday apartment

Bringing food to the holiday apartment is mainly worthwhile for the evening you arrive. A loaf of bread, some cold cuts or cheese, fruit and drinks are enough until you can do a proper shop. If you are travelling by car, a cool bag with milk and butter will also fit in.

In Bavaria, supermarkets usually close at 8 pm from Monday to Saturday and stay closed on Sundays and public holidays. If you arrive on a Saturday evening, it is therefore better to shop beforehand. Exceptions are shops in major stations such as the Hauptbahnhof (central station) and at the airport (as of October 2026).

If you are staying longer, for example in one of our furnished apartments in Munich for several weeks, stock up after you arrive and save yourself the carrying. For a weekend, one bag with the essentials is enough.

City break packing list for Munich: weather, shoes and seasons

Our city break packing list for Munich differs from a beach holiday in one key respect: you will walk a lot. In Munich, Marienplatz, the Viktualienmarkt and the English Garden are close together, and 15,000 steps a day soon add up. That makes your shoes more important than any outfit.

Packing list for a 3-day city break

• ☐ One pair of comfortable, worn-in shoes and a second pair for the evening
• ☐ Two to three tops and a spare pair of trousers
• ☐ Light rain jacket or compact umbrella
• ☐ Jumper or fleece for cool evenings
• ☐ Daypack or shoulder bag
• ☐ Water bottle, sunglasses, power bank

With this list you can travel comfortably with hand luggage for three days. A city break packing list for hand luggage works best if you decant liquids into travel sizes and choose clothes that mix and match. How to fill the days themselves is shown in our plan for a Munich weekend.

Winter city break packing list

From December to February, temperatures in Munich often hover around freezing, and snow and ice are possible. A winter city break packing list should include a warm coat, hat, gloves, scarf and shoes with a good grip. For Christmas markets, where you will be standing for a long time, thermal socks help.

Summer city break packing list

In July and August, daytime temperatures of 25 to 30 degrees are not unusual, and thunderstorms often roll in during the afternoon. For your summer packing list, that means light clothing, sun cream, a hat and still a light rain jacket. If you want to go to the Isar, pack swimwear and a towel that does not come from the flat.

Traditional dress, churches and dinner

You do not need to bring Tracht (traditional Bavarian dress) for Oktoberfest or the Spring Festival. You can also buy or hire a dirndl and lederhosen in Munich. For church visits, covered shoulders are enough, and for dinner at a restaurant, smart casual clothing is fine almost everywhere in Munich.

Holiday apartment packing list for children and families

With children, the packing list grows quickly. The advantage of a holiday apartment: you have a kitchen for baby food and bottles, more space to play and usually a washing machine. Before you pack a travel cot and high chair, ask whether the host can provide them. How to recognise a family-friendly holiday apartment with kids is summarised in a separate guide.

• ☐ Favourite cuddly toy, dummy, bedtime book
• ☐ Nappies and wet wipes for the first two days
• ☐ Children’s medicines, thermometer, plasters
• ☐ Spare clothes, waterproof trousers and wellies
• ☐ Children’s cutlery, beaker, bib
• ☐ Pushchair or baby carrier – a compact one is best for the old town and the underground
• ☐ Socket covers and a night light for toddlers
• ☐ Games and books for rainy days

This packing list for a holiday apartment with the family can easily be shortened if you shop locally. Nappies and baby food are available in every chemist. The only important thing is that you are covered for the evening you arrive and a possible Sunday.

Packing list for a holiday with a dog

The same rule applies to your dog as to you: familiar things help them settle in. A blanket that smells of home and their usual food are more important than new toys.

• ☐ Lead, collar or harness, address tag
• ☐ Bowls and usual food for the whole trip
• ☐ Own blanket or dog bed
• ☐ Plenty of poo bags
• ☐ Towel for wet paws
• ☐ EU pet passport or vaccination record
• ☐ Tick and flea protection, medication

Check before booking whether dogs are allowed and whether there is an extra charge. If you are looking for dog friendly apartments in Munich near the Isar, the morning walk is just around the corner. With us, dogs are possible on request depending on the apartment category. Check the rules for dogs on buses and trains with the MVV (Munich’s public transport network) in advance.

Packing list for business trips and site work

If you are in Munich for work, you pack differently: fewer casual clothes, more tech and documents. A business trip packing list is shorter, but every missing item costs time. If you are working from the flat for several weeks, you will find a separate checklist in our guide to a workation.

• ☐ Laptop, charger, mouse, monitor cable if needed
• ☐ Company ID, business cards, documents
• ☐ Business clothes folded to minimise creasing, one spare shirt or blouse
• ☐ Headphones for calls
• ☐ For site work: workwear, safety boots, tools as required by the job

For longer projects, accommodation with a kitchen and fast Wi-Fi is better than a hotel room. Serviced apartments in Munich are designed for business travellers, usually with a workspace and flexible check-in.

For tradespeople and installation teams, other things matter: space for workwear, a washing machine and a kitchen for dinner after work. If you are looking for centrally located workers accommodation in Munich, a washing machine and tumble dryer in the building will save you half a suitcase.

Arrival and check-in: what to have to hand

Many holiday apartments have no reception. The key is in a safe or key box, and you receive the code by email or text shortly before arrival. Save this message offline so that you can still get in at the front door without a signal.

• Late arrival: with self check-in, arriving at 11 pm is no problem. Even so, check in advance whether there are quiet hours in the building and where the rubbish goes – both are usually set out in the holiday rental house rules.
• Arriving early, flat not ready yet: ask about luggage storage. Our building has luggage lockers, so you can head into town before check-in.
• Phone charged: navigation, door code and contact with the host all depend on your smartphone, so a power bank belongs in your hand luggage.

If you are arriving by car, check beforehand whether the accommodation offers a parking space. In central Munich you need a green low-emission sticker (Umweltplakette) inside the Mittlerer Ring ring road, and on-street parking is scarce. Car parks, park and ride and charges are summarised in our guide to parking in Munich.

When you leave, a short holiday apartment checklist helps: chargers unplugged, fridge empty, windows closed, key back in the safe. What the holiday rental cleaning fee covers is stated in your booking terms.

Conclusion

A good holiday apartment packing list starts with the property’s inventory: once you know what is provided, you only need to pack clothes, toiletries, tech and a small kitchen kit – leaving more room in your suitcase for everything you want to bring back from Munich.

Frequently asked questions about the holiday apartment packing list

Is bed linen included in a holiday apartment?

Usually yes, but not always. Many holiday apartments make up the beds before you arrive, while some charge extra for bed linen or expect guests to bring their own. What applies is stated in the inventory or the booking terms. If in doubt, ask before booking.

Are towels provided in a holiday apartment?

In most holiday apartments, hand towels and bath towels are provided if bed linen is included. Beach towels, sauna towels and tea towels are less common. Check the property details before you pack your suitcase.

What do you need to bring to a holiday apartment?

You should bring ID, your booking confirmation, clothes, a wash bag, medication, charging cables and, for the first meals, a few basic groceries such as coffee, salt and oil. Washing-up liquid, spices and kitchen roll are not available in every flat.

What should you bring for the kitchen in a holiday apartment?

For the kitchen, coffee or tea, salt, pepper, oil, a few dishwasher tablets or some washing-up liquid, freezer bags and a sharp knife if you cook a lot have all proved their worth. Pots, pans and crockery are part of the basic equipment in most holiday apartments.

Is the holiday apartment packing list available as a PDF?

You do not need a separate file: you can print the checklist in this article using your browser’s print function or save it as a PDF. Simply cross out any items you do not need.

What should a packing list for a 3-day city break include?

For 3 days, comfortable worn-in shoes, a weatherproof jacket, two to three tops, a spare pair of trousers, a wash bag, charger, power bank and a small daypack are enough. You can easily manage with hand luggage.

What do you need for a holiday with a dog in a holiday apartment?

For your dog, pack a lead, collar or harness, bowls, their usual food, a blanket or dog bed, poo bags, a towel for wet paws and the vaccination record. Check whether dogs are allowed before booking.