Guide to Vacation Grocery Delivery Services [Tips, Tricks & More]

Gearing up for a vacation is no easy feat. From packing suitcases, arranging travel plans and building an itinerary, grocery shopping is the last thing you should worry about. That’s where vacation grocery delivery comes into play — this is the modern solution to cater to all families’ needs on the go.

Gone are the days of lugging the entire family to the store in unfamiliar surroundings. Instead, you can use vacation grocery delivery services to drop off all your items right to your lodging area. From fresh produce to kid-friendly snacks, you can customize your order to be delivered as soon as you check in. Here is everything you need to know about getting groceries delivered while on vacation, regardless of where you’re staying.

Can I get groceries delivered while on vacation?

You can get groceries delivered while on vacation with Instacart. Here at Instacart, we make it easy to order the items you need and have them delivered without skipping a beat on your vacation.

Order your groceries and have them delivered to your hotel, vacation rental or wherever else you are staying. However, some hotels have restrictions on nonguests and may require a room key to activate elevators or hotel entrances. Make sure to loop in your shopper — you can always meet them outside to retrieve your order.

Items you may need on vacation

Stock up on all your favorite items like water bottles, laundry detergent and beauty products without pausing your vacation. Add all of your items to your digital cart and place your order.

Here are some items you may need that you can order through vacation grocery delivery services:

Beverages:

• Alcohol
• Coffee
• Energy drinks
• Juices
• Kombucha
• Probiotic drinks
• Soda
• Sports drinks
• Tea
• Water
• Water enhancers

Food items:

• Baked goods
• Chips
• Cereal 
• Cookies
• Crackers 
• Dairy products
• Deli items
• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Frozen meals
• Protein bars
• Ready-to-eat meals

Grab it now on Instacart:

Peanut butter

Frozen pizza

Cereal

Bread

Coffee

Energy drinks

Water

Deli meat

Chips

Granola bars

Baby supplies:

• Body care
• Diapers
• Food
• Medicine 
• Monitors 
• Toys 
• Wipes

Pet supplies:

• Pet toys
• Pet food
• Pet treats
• Pet grooming supplies
• Pet accessories
• Flea and tick treatment

Personal care:

• Beauty products
• Body care
• Eye care
• Ear care
• Deodorant
• Feminine products
• Hair care
• Oral care
• Shaving tools

Health care:

• Cold and flu medicine
• First-aid products
• Muscle and joint products
• Protein supplements
• Sexual wellness products
• Stomach pain relief medicine
• Vitamins and supplements

Grab it now on Instacart:

Shampoo

Face wash

Deodorant

First aid kit

Immune support

Air freshener

Damage-free hooks

Pens

Backpack

Household essentials:

• Air fresheners
• Cleaning supplies
• Disposable drinkware
• Disposable plates
• Food storage containers
• Laundry supplies
• Paper towels and napkins
• Water filters

Electronics:

• Camera film
• Chargers and cords
• Fans
• Headphones
• Polaroid and disposable cameras

Books:

• Crossword or word search puzzles 
• Magazines
• Newspapers
• Novels

Games:

• Playing cards
• Board games 
• Puzzles 
• Toys

How does vacation grocery delivery work?

Vacation grocery delivery is similar to normal grocery shopping but tailored to the travelers’ specific needs. You can order your necessities while kicking back by the beach or even checking out the newest exhibit at the zoo or museum. Regardless of where you are staying and the type of lodging you booked, follow these steps for a seamless grocery delivery experience.

1. Download the mobile app or use the desktop site 

To get your groceries delivered while on vacation with Instacart, you’ll need to download the mobile app or open the desktop site. Now that you’re on the main page, you should be able to find everything you need and much more.

2. Add items to your virtual cart 

As you browse through the online grocery store and see the items you want, hit the “add to cart” button — your groceries will move to your virtual cart seamlessly. Perhaps you’re looking for canned chicken for easy weeknight dinner ideas. Or maybe you’re looking for a new type of coffee to keep you energized for all of the excitement at the theme parks. The possibilities are endless with a click of a button!

3. Input your delivery information

Now that you’ve added all of your necessities (and more), it’s time to input all your delivery information. Make sure to be as specific as possible to ensure a seamless delivery. This includes your building, gate code, parking information and any other details your shopper may need to avoid any obstacles. This is also where you’ll add your contact information for a smooth handoff.

Certain vacation properties and hotels have restrictions for non-guests, including deliveries. Inform any guards or front desk staff of your upcoming delivery. Don’t feel defeated if your lodging has restrictions. You can always meet your shopper outside.

4. Receive your groceries

After you follow the instructions above, your online grocery order should be delivered without any hiccups. With Instacart’s innovative technology, you can track your shopper and even communicate with them if they run into any obstacles. Remember to put away your cold items like beverages, frozen foods and dairy products before getting back to your vacation.

Price of vacation grocery delivery services

Instacart is free to sign up, but there are other fees you should be aware of before placing your vacation grocery delivery order. You can expect standard delivery fees to be between $3.99 and $9.99. However, this price can sometimes be higher. While there are fees, you are saving time, energy and gas — and you don’t have to pause your trip.

Worried about the fees? Sign up for Instacart+ to receive free delivery, credit back, lower service fees and more benefits.

Here are a few additional fees you may notice on your order:

• Alcohol service: You can conveniently order alcohol online, but there are fees to cover delivery compliance and ID verification.
• Distance: Depending on your exact lodging location, there may be a long-distance service fee if the route is over 30 minutes or requires tolls.
• Heavy items: If you add any items exceeding 50 pounds, you could receive a heavy order fee to compensate for the operational expenses.
• Priority order: Need your grocery delivery order fast? Choose the priority order option to expedite your delivery window for a small fee.
• Order pickup: If you choose the pickup option, some retailers do have a pickup fee for these orders.
• Bottle deposit and bags: This fee is set according to applicable city, state, provincial, territory or retailer rules.

Benefits of vacation grocery delivery services

Still unsure if grocery delivery services on vacation are right for you? Here are a few benefits of vacation grocery delivery to aid in your decision.

Save time with the convenience of delivery

There’s no need to pause your fun vacation to trek to the grocery store. Vacation-goers don’t need to waste their time traveling to and from the store, getting lost in the aisles of a new store and waiting in long lines. It’s perfect for travelers who don’t have a rental car or a fully-packed schedule.

You can find everything you need (and more) on the mobile app or the website. Order premade deli sandwiches if you need beach food ideas, or stock up on protein bars, which can boost your energy and make excellent hiking snacks.

Depending on when and where you are ordering from, you may qualify for same-day delivery — receive your order without squeezing in grocery shopping time in your itinerary.

Help stick to your budget

It’s not surprising that your intended grocery budget can get out of control on vacation. Sure, eating your meals in the theme park or indulging in local restaurants is convenient, but these costs can add. When too many cooks are in the kitchen (or dragging your family to the store), your cart and budget can be blown out of proportion. Stick to your budget and don’t lose sight of how much you’re spending by adding the necessities (and some treats) to your virtual grocery shopping cart.

Lower your stress

Arrive at your lodging area with peace of mind, knowing your grocery shopping is covered. With the help of Instacart, vacation grocery delivery allows you to plan your meals ahead of time and stock up on snacks for the whole family. You can also select specific items that suit your dietary needs, including ingredients to whip up gluten-free dinners full of flavor — you also don’t have to worry about finding these items in unfamiliar aisles.

Tips and tricks for using vacation grocery delivery services

Getting your groceries delivered to your vacation rental, hotel or lodging area is easier than it may sound. Check out these tips and tricks to streamline your experience.

• Review lodging policies: Double-check the policy on outside guests and deliveries to vacation rentals, hotels and other lodging areas.
• Plan ahead: Make a grocery list of essential items you may need during your vacation so you don’t forget anything when placing your order.
• Input all information: Include your name, phone number, hotel or community name, access codes or guard instructions and any additional information when placing your order.
• Add any special instructions: Include detailed instructions for a seamless handoff.
• Coordinate your delivery time: Schedule your vacation grocery delivery to arrive shortly after check-in so you have your items at the start of your trip.
• Stay alert: Keep your eye on the delivery tracker during the scheduled delivery window in case your shopper has any questions.

Embark on the vacation grocery delivery train

No need to hit the breaks on your trip — embark on the vacation grocery delivery train right now. Add all of your items to your virtual cart and place your order with the click of a button. From premade types of sushi for dinner to snacks for the kids on the go, leave the grocery shopping to Instacart.

Not sure what to make for your family? Check out these easy meal planning ideas for all taste buds.

Instacart

Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.