travel
‘It’s like having a friend everywhere you travel’: after 12 home exchanges, I’ll never book a hotel again
The Which? travel editor on the unexpected joys and considerable savings of house swapping. Plus top tips on how to do it
TL;DR
- House swapping can reduce accommodation costs to approximately £5 per day, allowing for extended stays in diverse global locations.
- The process involves direct exchanges or a points system and fosters genuine relationships through communication and shared experiences.
- Participants must be comfortable with others staying in their home and be prepared for cleaning duties.
- Platforms like Home Exchange offer identity verification and guarantees, with most swaps being scam-free due to the absence of direct money exchange.
- Finding suitable accommodation requires filtering and matching with hosts, with options for pre-exchange calls and house manuals.
- While luxury homes attract more offers, ordinary houses in popular locations are also successful for swapping.
- Maintaining a clean and well-kept home is important, and participants should clear space for guests.
- While minor breakages are usually forgiven, valuable items should be stored away, and home insurance should be checked for coverage.
- House swapping is generally not subject to the same legal restrictions as short-term rentals, but visa rules may apply for pet-sitting.
- The author emphasizes that the true value lies in the relationships and fulfilling experiences, not just the financial savings.