We saved £6,000 on holidays by swapping homes with strangers

Henry Vanderpump, 42, his partner Elliw, 39, and their two young children have completed two home‑exchange holidays in the last two years and have another trip planned for this summer. Each swap saw the family stay in a different household’s five‑bedroom home in Tarporley, agrarian Cheshire, while the hosts occupied the Vanderpumps’ property. No money changes hands for accommodation; the family only pays an annual membership fee to Home Link, the listing service they use to arrange the exchanges. So far the Vanderpumps have stayed in similarly sized homes in Hamburg and Copenhagen. Henry estimates they have saved roughly £2,500 on accommodation per trip, with an additional £700 saved on transport because they also swapped vehicles. “We used to have 1 vacation a summer, now we have 2 [because of the savings we make from home exchanges]. And the kids love the idea of living in someone else's house while that person is living in ours,” he said. Home‑swapping is not new; the practice dates back at least to the 1950s. Commentators note a growing number of participants, driven by rising living costs or a desire for a different kind of travel experience. Henry emphasizes that the primary benefit goes beyond savings. “The best thing about swapping homes isn't the savings but getting to visit places off the tourist trail and have a 'really authentic experience,'” he remarked. During a 2024 visit to Hamburg, the family lived “like a German family” for a week, exploring lakes on the city’s edge as recommended by their hosts. In Copenhagen the previous year they occupied “a very Scandinavian house” that was “all on one level and had no clutter.” Henry added, “They also lent us several electric bikes to use. We cycled to the beach, swam in the Baltic and tried restaurants they recommended.” Some homeowners remain uneasy about strangers staying in their property, and those who do participate must invest time in preparation and tidying before guests arrive. Home Link advises that members typically exchange 10‑15 messages before securing an offer. “Last minute bookings won't ever work,” said May Burrough, 38, a main operating serviceman from London who has completed 34 swaps over the past three years using HomeExchange. Instead of direct swaps, Burrough often hosts guests in her central London flat while she stays abroad with her husband in France, accumulating points on the platform for future trips. She estimates her savings from exchanges in destinations such as Barcelona and the Swiss Alps range from £5,000 to £8,000. Burrough values the “community feel” of home swaps and reports only one “semi‑negative experience,” when a booking she believed was for an entire flat turned out to be a room in a shared flat. Before guests arrive she ensures her flat is clean, clears wardrobe space, supplies fresh sheets and towels, and locks away valuables. The major home‑swap platforms vet members and invite reciprocal reviews. The Association of British Insurers urges hosts to verify that their home and contents insurance provides adequate coverage before welcoming guests. It also recommends checking travel insurance to confirm it covers accidental damage while staying in another’s home. Petra Novak, 34, who uses the Kindred site while working remotely across Europe, says the platform’s own damage protection policy has covered her on the rare occasions when something was damaged in her London flat. She claims to have saved between £18,000 and £20,000 through home exchanges. Although initially nervous about swapping homes with strangers, she has never experienced a bad outcome. For added reassurance she reviews prospective guests’ social‑media profiles and finds that a personal interaction helps build trust. “I personally like when someone submits their booking request with a nice introduction letter, telling me about themselves and the reason why they would be visiting London,” she said.