Travel Light: Items You Can Rent When You Arrive at Your Destination

With rising travel prices, it can get expensive to check bags at the airport. Most airlines today have you pay for second (and subsequent) bags, and some even charge $10 to $20 for your first bag; and perhaps even more if you have extra bags to check. Luckily, though, you can carry a small suitcase on your journey free if you take it with you through security. If you want to travel light, checking just a single bag or, better yet, packing everything you need into a carry-on bag. Take some time to learn about the items you can rent when you get to your destination. Every location is different, so call ahead before you leave, but here are some of the most popular items available for rent from your hotel or near-by locations:

A Cell Phone

While it is true that your cell phone may not take up a much room in your bag, it can be expensive to use it if you are traveling internationally. Instead, look into renting a GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) or international cell phone. You can pick these up when you get to your destination. This provides you with a phone number for people to contact you while you are on vacation. These phones typically give you pay-per-minute plans, so you can save money and space in your bag – remember, you can avoid bringing along a charger or other phone accessories.

Formal Clothing (and other special clothing)

Are you traveling for a wedding or other formal event? Instead of carrying clothing for the event with you, consider renting it once you get to your destination. Go to your local tailor and have your official measurements taken so they can be sent ahead to a rental shop at your travel location. You can even do this with business attire like a formal suit. Most places have both male and female options, and by renting, you can save a lot of space. If possible, make sure there are at least two options available for you to try when you get there. That way, if the first one is not flattering, you can go with the alternative. Along with formal clothing, there are also rental options for unique clothing you might need while at your destination, such as ski boots.

Jewelry

Renting jewelry for events while on vacation is surprisingly affordable. For just a few dollars a day, you can choose beautiful gold, silver, and even diamonds. Men’s and women’s jewelry, as well as watches, are available. You typically have to pay a deposit, which you can get back when you return the items, but when you consider how much space a travel jewelry case takes up in your luggage, it is definitely worth the fee. Keep in mind that most places require your bank information or a valid credit card with a high enough limit to cover the items you are borrowing.

Handbags

Along with jewelry, you can rent handbags to carry on your vacation. When traveling, you might have multiple styles of clothing or kinds of events to go to. It is hard to take just one purse if you are attending a formal even one night and going to the zoo the next day. By calling ahead, you can have handbag options waiting for you at your hotel. Like with jewelry, you may have to pay a deposit, which is returned to you when you return the item.

Sports Equipment

If you are planning to golf, snorkel, cycle, or participate in other sports while on vacation, it is usually better to rent the equipment once you get to your destination. Some airlines check items like skis free of charge, but usually, these count as a checked bag. Some hotels offer the option to rent this kind of equipment, but if yours does not, there should be rental shops nearby. Rental items might not be as comfortable as the items you own, but it is less expensive than shipping your own items.

Before you leave for your trip, call your hotel ahead of time to find out what else might be available, free of charge or what can be rented. For example, most offer hairdryers and coffee pots, but some even offer items like computers and printers that you can rent. At international hotels, you might be able to get adapters for your items that require electricity, and other items you might be able to get from your hotel include step stools, robes, and extra pillows. In short, the more items you can get at your location free of charge or an affordable rental price, the less you have to carry with you, saving you time and money.