The moment at the hotel reception is a bit of a dampener for many families: a nice room, but hardly any space for suitcases, toys, and wet swimsuits. Add to that breakfast for four, which hits the budget every morning. This is precisely where families can travel cheaper without hotels – and at the same time feel much freer. We have experienced how a real home at the vacation destination not only saves costs, but also makes the entire travel rhythm more relaxed.
Why hotels quickly become expensive for families
A hotel can be wonderful for a short trip. Two nights in the city, everything is central, breakfast is ready and waiting – I am happy to pay for that. As soon as a week's vacation, two children, and perhaps peak season are added to the mix, however, the math changes drastically.
Families often need a larger room or even two rooms. In some houses, the baby cot already counts as an additional person, while in others, breakfast, parking, and the tourist tax turn a supposedly cheap price into a hefty total amount. And even if the room remains affordable: Eating out in a restaurant in the evening with tired children is not always the relaxed vacation scene one had imagined beforehand.
I remember trips well where we had to weigh our options every morning: Have breakfast out again or quickly grab something at the bakery? Neither is a big deal. But these small expenses and decisions add up. Vacations shouldn't consist of constant calculating.
The alternative is not to give up comfort or end up in a tiny accommodation on the outskirts of the city. Apartment swap can mean the exact opposite: an inhabited apartment or house with a kitchen, washing machine, children's room, and often even a balcony, garden, or bicycles.
During an exchange, you make your own home available to other travelers and stay at theirs in return. This works either simultaneously or at different times using GuestPoints. This model is surprisingly practical, especially for families, because accommodation costs no longer make up the largest expense on every trip.
Because of this, we plan differently. Instead of just looking for the cheapest hotel room, we look at: Where would we like to have a normal, pleasant everyday life for a week? An apartment in Copenhagen near a playground. A house in the mountains with room for rain jackets and hiking boots. A city apartment where the supermarket is five minutes away. That sounds unspectacular, but with children, it's often worth its weight in gold.
The kitchen saves more than money
A kitchen is not a must for a successful vacation. But it takes the pressure off the day. In the morning, there is muesli, fruit, and coffee before everyone is truly awake. For on the go, you pack sandwiches and water. In the evening, you might cook pasta if going to a restaurant after a long day of swimming would simply be too much.
That saves noticeably, especially in expensive cities and ski resorts. I find the comfort even more important: children don't have to turn every meal into a test of patience just because nobody has a free table right now. And anyone who likes trying local specialties can still comfortably enjoy cheese from the market, vegetables from the shop around the corner, or fresh bread.
More space changes the mood
A hotel room forces everyone into just a few square meters. After a rainy day, that can get exhausting. In an apartment, one child can paint while the other looks at a book and the adults peacefully plan the next trip. Small amounts of personal space prevent an astonishing amount of vacation friction.
Also practical: washing machine, high chair, children's books, bathtub, or a few toys are available in many exchange offers. Of course, not every accommodation is perfectly tailored to your family. Therefore, it is worth reading the description carefully and asking openly in advance. Exactly this honest communication makes a good exchange.
How house swapping works even the first time
The biggest thought before signing up is almost always: Can I really let strangers live in my home? That is understandable. We also looked very closely at first. Over time, it became clear: Most members treat other people's property with respect because they are hosts themselves or want to become one.
At HomeExchange, profiles, reviews, and messages help you feel at ease. Our tip: Don't just look for a nice place to stay, but for people with whom communication is easy. Do they reply in a friendly and specific manner? Do they address your questions? Do they have experience, reviews, or a fully completed profile? That often says more than perfectly styled photos.
For the first exchange, I wouldn't choose a complicated long-haul flight with five layovers. A week in a region that is easy for you to reach is ideal. That way, you can get to know the concept without excessive planning pressure. After that, you quickly understand why many families stick with it.
Your own home doesn't have to look like a vacation home
A widespread concern is: our apartment isn't anything special after all. But families look for very different places. For some, a central city apartment is exciting, for others a house near a forest and lake. Good transport links, a children's room, a parking space, or a quiet neighborhood can be much more valuable than designer furniture.
The crucial thing is that you honestly show what your home looks like. Take bright photos, clearly describe sleeping arrangements, and mention special features such as many stairs, a cat, or limited parking. Anyone who knows what to expect will arrive more relaxed. And you will be more likely to get requests that really suit your home.
The Invoice: Where the Travel Budget Really Gets Breathing Room
During a home exchange, the classic accommodation bill is eliminated, but traveling is of course not completely free. Travel expenses, membership, food, admission fees, and occasionally cleaning remain part of the budget. Nevertheless, the ratio shifts significantly – especially with longer holidays.
Take a family with two children traveling for ten nights during the summer holidays. A family room or apartment can quickly cost several thousand euros depending on the destination. If accommodation does not have to be paid for anew every evening, it creates room for things that actually enrich the vacation: a train trip, a museum on a rainy day, a local market, or simply an extra day of travel.
The difference also shows outside of the peak season. A long weekend suddenly becomes more realistic because you don't have to check hotel prices first with every idea. Anyone who travels at least once a year and has their own home can often make good use of the membership with just one successful exchange.
What apartment swapping does not solve
I still wouldn't claim that home exchanges are always the best choice. Anyone who only needs one night at the airport, is on a business trip, or wants to enjoy hotel service every evening is better off in a hotel. Very spontaneous trips can also be more difficult if you are tied to a specific location or exact dates.
Home exchanging takes a little initiative. You write inquiries, answer questions, and prepare your home. In return, you don't travel anonymously, but rather to a place where someone actually lives. Frequently, you get recommendations that aren't in any guidebook: the best bakery, the quiet swimming spot, the bus route to the hiking trail, or the playground behind the house.
For us, that is precisely the best side effect. We don't just live more cheaply, we live right in the middle of it. The children remember the books on the shelf, the apple tree in the garden, or the hosts' cat. And we come home with the feeling of having gotten to know a place a little bit—not just a room in it.
When planning your next trip, don't just look at the price of accommodation. Think about how you want to live while away: with space to settle in, a kitchen for relaxed mornings, and a budget that still leaves room for experiences. Your first home exchange might feel like a small step into the unknown. But often, it's precisely the travel hack that makes you wonder after you return why you didn't start doing it sooner.
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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. 🧭 ❤️ 🏝️