Our first real HomeExchange experience with the family was nothing like a glamorous vacation. Quite the opposite: toys in our bags, snacks in our backpacks, a tired child in my arms, and the quiet question in my head: is home swapping with family really as relaxing as everyone says? After our first trip, it was clear: yes – if you know what matters. And that's exactly why I'm writing this experience report.
Our HomeExchange Experience with Family: Better Than Expected
As a family, you look at accommodations differently than before. It's not just about a nice place to sleep. It's about space, a kitchen, a washing machine, quiet nights, and ideally, toys, books, or a small garden. Hotels are often either too cramped or too expensive for this. Vacation apartments can work, but especially in popular regions, they quickly become unreasonably expensive.
The biggest difference was immediately noticeable during the apartment exchange: We didn't arrive at an anonymous vacation rental, but at a home. There were spices on the shelf, children's books in the living room, a high chair in the corner, and often things we hadn't even thought of ourselves. For families, that's exactly what's worth its weight in gold. You travel lighter, live more relaxed, and quickly feel like you've arrived on-site.
Naturally, there was also skepticism at the beginning. Are we really letting strangers into our home? And do we feel comfortable ourselves in an apartment that belongs to someone else? These questions are normal. However, our experience has been that families, in particular, are usually especially careful, friendly, and reliable when swapping. Anyone who travels with children themselves knows quite well how valuable a functioning, orderly family routine is while on the go.
Why HomeExchange Works So Well for Families
The real advantage isn't just the money saved, although that's certainly a strong argument. The bigger payoff is often the travel comfort. With children, accommodation is good if it makes everyday life easier. And that's exactly where HomeExchange plays to its strengths.
A kitchen means you don't have to eat out three times a day. That saves money and stress. Especially with small children, it's simply more pleasant to have breakfast in peace in the morning or to quickly cook something familiar in the evening. In addition, there are multiple rooms, real dining tables, storage space, and often things like a washing machine, bathtub, or baby crib.
What many underestimate before their first trip: The location is often more family-friendly too. Instead of tourist centers, you often end up in residential areas where people actually live. There are bakeries, supermarkets, playgrounds, and parks right around the corner. For us, traveling felt less like organizational stress and more like everyday life in a new place – and with children, that's often the most pleasant form of vacation.
What's really important before the first exchange
A good home exchange experience with family doesn't start at the destination, but with your own listing. Those who put effort into their profile usually receive suitable inquiries faster and start the exchange with a better feeling.
We have honestly described our home. Not perfect, not spick-and-span, but as it is. Families don't want a sterile designer apartment; they want to know if there's enough space, if children are welcome, and what's practical in the area. Photos of the children's room, kitchen, dining area, and outdoor space are often more important than a particularly prettily decorated living room.
Communication is equally crucial. I would always clarify early on how old the children are, what is needed, and what expectations both sides have. Is there a travel crib? Can the trampoline be used? How is it handled with bedding, towels, or the car? The more clearly these things are discussed beforehand, the more relaxed the trip will be.
The greatest advantages from our perspective
The financial aspect is obvious, but not the only point. Especially with Family vacation Accommodation costs add up quickly. When this item is almost eliminated, suddenly more becomes possible – longer trips, better travel times, or simply less pressure on your vacation budget.
But living quality is at least as important. We had accommodations through HomeExchange that we would never have booked as a normal vacation rental because they would have been outside our budget or no longer available on such short notice. As a family, you often get more space and a better quality of life this way.
In addition, there's personal interaction. Not in the sense of constant contact, but rather as a feeling of being welcome. Many hosts leave tips for cafes, playgrounds, swimming spots, or Rainy weather days. Especially with children, such tips are often more useful than any travel guide.
Which doesn't always go perfectly
To be honest, apartment swaps aren't automatically ideal for every family at every stage of their travels. If you love absolute hotel routines, expect daily cleaning, or generally feel uncomfortable in someone else's living space, it might feel unusual at first.
The organizational part is also a bit different than with a classic booking. You have to write messages, read profiles, clarify questions, and get to know each other a little. I find exactly that good because it builds trust. But those who just want to press a button and be done might need a moment to get used to it.
Sometimes an offer isn't a perfect fit either. Perhaps the apartment is great, but without a childproof balcony. Or the location is exciting for a city trip for two, but impractical with small children. The trick isn't to make every exchange fit, but to wait for the right one. HomeExchange works best when you don't say yes too quickly out of uncertainty.
Our best tips for your first HomeExchange experience with family
For starters, I wouldn't plan the most complicated trip of the year right away. A long weekend or one week In a region that is linguistically and organizationally uncomplicated, it is often better suited. This way, you get a feel for the system without too much depending on it.
It's also helpful to clearly state in your profile that you're traveling as a family and what's important to you. Many other families are specifically looking for such exchange partners. If you communicate openly and friendly, you'll quickly realize that the platform isn't made up of anonymous bookings, but of people who travel very similarly to you.
We also pay close attention to reviews and the way someone writes. A warm, concrete message often says more than ten perfectly styled photos. If someone seems clear, friendly, and reliable, that's usually a very good sign.
If you want to make it easier to get started, you should simply take a look at the system and create a profile. This page is particularly practical if you are thinking about trying it out yourself:
Who HomeExchange is particularly worthwhile for
From my perspective, families who own their own home and travel at least once a year benefit the most. It quickly becomes clear how much untapped potential lies dormant in your own apartment or house. While you're away, your home can serve as a base for someone else – and in return, you get to stay somewhere that suits your family's daily life.
It is particularly worthwhile for families who don't want every vacation to be completely planned. If you like to shop locally, cook for yourselves, explore neighborhoods, and experience destinations more authentically, this model fits very well. It is also often surprisingly practical for longer stays, vacations outside of peak season, or spontaneous trips.
It might be less suitable for you if you absolutely do not want to share your home or only travel very rarely. In that case, the effort will be noticeably smaller in comparison. But even then, it can be worthwhile to take a look – many are surprised at how uncomplicated the whole thing turns out to be in the end.
Our honest conclusion from several trips
If someone asks me about a home exchange experience with family today, I don't just say that you save money. I say that traveling with children often becomes better this way. More relaxed. Closer to everyday life. And in many cases, even nicer than a classic vacation rental, because you don't just end up somewhere, you arrive.
For us, HomeExchange wasn't a last resort or an experiment for particularly brave families. It was more the realization that you don't always have to pay more for good family trips, but rather should often just choose smarter. If you've been looking for a form of accommodation that finally brings together budget and comfort, then this might be your next great travel hack.
And sometimes the best travel decision doesn't start with booking a hotel, but with the thought: Actually, our home is empty anyway when we're away.
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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. 🧭 ❤️ 🏝️