Would you swap homes with a stranger for a cheaper holiday? Or does the thought of someone using your kitchen while you're away make you want to install a moat? Henry Vanderpump, 42, his wife Elliw, 39, and their two young children have had two home exchange holidays in the past two years and have another planned this summer. They stay in another family's home while that family stays in their five-bedroom house in Tarporley, rural Cheshire. Neither side pays for accommodation, though they do pay an annual membership fee to Home Link, the listings site they use.
So far, the Vanderpumps have stayed in similar-sized properties in Hamburg and Copenhagen, saving around £2,500 per trip on accommodation plus £700 on transport, as they also swapped cars. Henry says, "We used to have one holiday a summer, now we have two. And the kids love the idea of living in someone else's house while that person is living in theirs." Home exchanges have been around since at least the 1950s, but more people are embracing them due to the rising cost of living or a desire for authentic experiences.
Henry says the best part isn't the savings but visiting places off the tourist trail. When they visited Hamburg in 2024, they lived "like a German family" in a suburb, exploring lakes recommended by their hosts. Last year, they stayed in "a very Scandinavian house" in suburban Copenhagen - "all on one level and with no clutter" - and used the hosts' electric bikes to cycle to the beach and swim in the Baltic.
Some people aren't comfortable with strangers in their home, and those who are face a lot of preparation and tidying. Home swappers may also need flexibility - Home Link says members typically send 10-15 messages before getting an offer. May Burrough, 38, a COO from London, has done 34 home swaps over three years using HomeExchange. Instead of direct exchanges, she hosts people in her central London flat while she's overseas with her partner in France, building up points to book trips later.
Tips for home swapping include making a clear listing, keeping in contact, decluttering, leaving a comprehensive guide, sharing local recommendations, locking away valuables, and checking insurance. May reckons she has saved £5,000-£8,000 through swaps in places like Barcelona and the Swiss Alps. She loves the "community feel" and has only had one "semi-negative experience" when a booking turned out to be a room in a flat share. She cleans, clears wardrobe space, and locks away valuables before guests arrive.
Main home-swap platforms vet members and encourage reviews. The Association of British Insurers advises checking home and contents insurance before hosting, and travel insurance before staying elsewhere. Petra Novak, 34, who uses Kindred while working remotely around Europe, has saved £18,000-£20,000 through exchanges. She was nervous at first but never had a bad experience. For peace of mind, she checks prospective guests' social media and appreciates a nice introduction letter along with booking requests.