Travel Tips: How to Be a Perfect Houseguest

Staying with those you know while on vacation is a great way to reconnect with important people in your life. It’s also a chance to explore a new place while saving on expenses. You can pay your loved ones back for their generosity by being the perfect houseguest.

As you land at your destination, pick up your rental car and head off to make yourself at home, keep in mind that your hosts are also making last-minute preparations to ensure that you have a comfortable stay. Here is a list of tips on how to be the best houseguest while keeping your stay stress-free for all.

Before You Travel

Consider the best luggage for your space. If your hosts have limited space and you brought a lot of luggage, leave the biggest pieces in the car and bring in smaller suitcases filled with essentials to keep you covered for a few days at a time. Later, switch out their contents with the clothes you left in the car.
Pack in comfort. Bring layers like an extra sweatshirt, slippers, pajamas and a robe in case your hosts keep their home on the cool side, and lightweight T-shirts and shorts for those who keep their home warmer. You’ll stay warm (or cool!) without having to quibble over adjusting the thermostat.
Plan activities and entertainment in advance. Alleviate any pressure your host may feel to be your round-the-clock tour guide by mapping out your own agenda. Before your trip, research activities that you can enjoy together, such as a botanical garden if you’re traveling in spring, a water park in the summer, a festival in the fall or light displays around the holiday. Traveling with children? Make sure to bring entertainment for them, such as toys and board games, as well as a bin or bag to store these items. Doing so will help keep the kiddos occupied and organized. And if your agenda includes a few day trips, check out these car games for fun on the road.

While You’re in Town

Make a quick stop at the store. Call your hosts when leaving the airport to ask if they need anything — a gallon of milk or a dozen eggs for the cookies they volunteered to bake with your kids. While you’re there, pick up some snacks and breakfast items, like granola bars or cereal, which are quick to set out, easy to clean up and won’t burden your hosts with having to cook a hot breakfast every morning.
Keep the living room livable. If you’re sleeping in a common area on a sleeper sofa, help your hosts by making up the “bed” when you get up for the day. Work with your hosts to find an out-of-the way nook to store your suitcase. Keep your space clean and belongings out of high-traffic areas.
Cook and clean in the kitchen. During your stay, offer to take meal prep off your hosts’ plate for a day and make an easy slow cooker or pressure cooker dish. Cooking something simple means you’ll use fewer dishes and you won’t take over the kitchen (often the most popular room in the house) for too long.
Enlist help from the kiddos. Even the littlest houseguests can lend a hand, whether they’re taking the hosts’ dog for a walk, picking up their toys or setting the table for dinner.
Give your hosts a mini break. If you have other people to visit during your trip, share your family’s schedule so your hosts know when you’re busy, and ask about their schedule as well. For example, if your host has a standing appointment on Mondays, volunteer to take all the kids to a playground or out for ice cream to get out of the house for a bit.

When It's Time to Head Home

Leave memories, not a mess. Just as you tidy up your sleep area each day, do so when you leave. It’s also a good practice to gather up all the linens and towels you’ve been using for your hosts so they can be laundered. For bonus points, offer to wash them yourself.
Give them a “souvenir” of your time. Show your gratitude with a thank you card, a bottle of wine or a gift card from a local store they love, or have your favorite photo from the trip framed. Better yet, make them a travel memories photo cube with these simple steps.