The moment we saw the holiday apartment prices for four people in the summer was sobering: For two weeks at the seaside, accommodation alone should cost as much as a small used car. Our Experiences with apartment exchange during the summer holidays This completely changed our perspective. Instead of living in a cramped apartment with two cooktops, we had a real home – with a kitchen, washing machine, toys, and enough space for everyone.
That’s exactly what makes family house swapping so interesting. You don’t necessarily travel more luxuriously, but much more relaxed. And the savings on accommodation budget remains for things you really remember later: a good dinner, admission to the outdoor pool, a rental bike or simply a few extra vacation days.
Our apartment exchange experiences during the summer vacation
We were still nervous about the first exchange. Would anyone really like our apartment? What if something goes wrong? And does it feel strange to live in someone else’s home? The honest answer: The first messages take some courage. But once the exchange becomes personal, a lot of things start to fall into place. You start writing about arrival times, baby cots, plants on the balcony, and the best baker around the corner. A profile quickly becomes a family with similar questions as your own.
Our first summer exchange took us to an apartment where a hand-painted map of favorite places hung in the hallway. It didn’t show the major attractions, but the shady playground, the ice cream shop with no tourist prices, and the small lake where you could walk, which was exactly what you wouldn’t find in a traditional hotel.
Of course, a home exchange is not an anonymous booking with a reception open 24/7. You take on responsibility and communicate more directly. In return, you gain a form of travel that is much more personal. Especially in the summer, when vacation rentals are scarce and expensive, this is a real advantage.
Why summer is especially good for apartment swaps
During the summer holidays, many people want to travel – and at the same time, just as many apartments and houses are empty. This increases the choice, especially in family-friendly regions. For those who are not limited to just two fixed departure dates, there are often surprisingly suitable options available.
For us, however, the daily life on site is the most important aspect. After a day at the beach or on a hike, children do not want to have to spend the whole day in a hotel room. An apartment with separate bedrooms, a fridge for snacks and maybe even a garden noticeably takes the pressure off the day. Washing clothes on the go is also not a small detail for children; it can be worth its weight in gold.
The second big advantage: You usually live in ordinary neighborhoods instead of in pure vacation areas. In the morning we buy groceries at the neighborhood store, cook for ourselves in between, and experience a slower pace of life in a city or region. This is especially suited for traveling, where not every day needs to be planned in advance.
Reciprocal exchange or GuestPoints?
Many people think first of swapping apartments when two families have to move into their new homes at exactly the same time. That can work wonderfully, but it’s not the only option. At HomeExchange there are also GuestPoints. Simply put: you stay with a host family without them necessarily having to come to you. Points are earned for your stay, which you can, for example, collect by sharing your home.
That makes Summer holidays much more flexible. Maybe you want to go to South Tyrol in July, while your guests can only use your apartment in October. Or you have a week off, but the other family has two. Such situations are difficult to arrange with the classic 1:1 exchange, but with GuestPoints they are often possible.
What really decides during summer holidays
Beautiful photos help, but they are not the only thing. When we make inquiries, we primarily look at whether the accommodation suits our daily routine. Is it within walking distance of the lake, or do you always need a car? Is there air conditioning if the region gets very hot in the high summer? Is there a baby bed available, and can the balcony be safely used with small children?
The situation should also be evaluated honestly. An apartment on the outskirts of the city can be perfect if a lake, forest, or playground is right next door. Those who want to go out to eat in the center every night may be less happy there. Apartment exchange works best when both parties not only look at the price but also at the appropriate way to travel.
For longer stays, we also ask about the internet, parking options, and how the apartment stays cool in the summer. In old houses, it can be wonderfully cool, but in apartment buildings, it can quickly get very warm. These questions do not seem demanding; they show that you plan your stay carefully.
The request: friendly, specific and not too short
A good inquiry is not an application letter to a hotel. It should indicate why exactly this home is suitable for your trip. Therefore, we briefly mention who is traveling with you, when we would like to arrive, and what appeals to us about the accommodation or the surroundings. When we host guests ourselves, it makes a big difference whether someone simply writes, „Is available?“ or whether the family has taken a visible interest in our profile.
It is also helpful to present your own apartment completely and honestly. Good photos, clear information about sleeping places and a few personal details create trust. Whoever hides away a children's room, a staircase or an imperfect balcony will later cause more disappointment. An inhabited apartment does not have to look like a design hotel. It should simply be clean, well explained and inviting.
Trust is built before departure
We often hear the question about security. It is justified, after all, people are allowed to stay in their own homes. Our experience: Trust is not built by trying to control everything, but by clear agreements. A short video call before the exchange can help, but it is not a must. Often, already detailed messages and verified profiles are enough to create a good feeling.
Before leaving, we leave a simple house folder. It contains information about Wi-Fi, waste separation, important devices, emergency contacts, and a few tips for the area. Particularly useful are tips such as: Where can you park for free? Which bakery is open on Sundays? Where is there a good indoor playground in case of rain? Our guests should arrive and not have to first work through ten open questions.
We remove valuable or very personal items. Not because we distrust our guests, but because it is more relaxing for both parties. We don’t expect the same from others either: an apartment should look lived-in. Small traces of use are part of a real home.
Which doesn't always go perfectly
Home swapping is not a magic trick. Sometimes hosts don’t respond, sometimes the schedules don’t match, and sometimes the dream home is rented out faster than expected. Especially for the high season It is worth looking early and sending several friendly requests.
People have different standards when it comes to cleanliness and order. We would therefore never expect an apartment to look clinically clean. What matters is that it is well-maintained, safe, and prepared in the way described in the profile. Should anything be unclear, a reassuring message is almost always better than silent complaints.
For us, that also means not accepting every exchange offer. If the communication feels strange or important questions remain unanswered, we continue searching. There are plenty of opportunities where both parties feel comfortable. The best exchange isn’t necessarily the most beautiful apartment, but the one where expectations and communication are aligned.
Our tip for the first summer
It doesn’t start with a complicated three-month exchange at the other end of the world. A week in a region that you can easily reach by car or train is a relaxed start. This way you experience what it feels like to settle into a foreign home without every little thing becoming too big at once.
After the first successful stay, the perspective on holiday costs often changes. Suddenly, it’s no longer the accommodation that’s the obstacle; it’s just a question of where to go next. That’s exactly the appeal for us: Your own apartment is not just the place you lock yourself away in for the holidays. It can be the start of trips that might never have taken place otherwise.
If the thought of waking up in a real home in the morning and experiencing the summer in person instead of between hotel walls appeals to you, then give apartment swapping a fair chance. The first request only takes a few minutes – and can permanently change your holiday plans.
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On my travel blog Wandernotizen I'll take you along on our family trips around the globe. Between wanderlust and everyday chaos, you'll find honest travel reports, tips, and plenty of material to ignite your wanderlust. 🧭 ❤️ 🏝️