The moment accommodation prices for the summer holidays appear on the screen is sobering for many families: four people, two weeks, a good location—and suddenly the hotel eats up almost the entire travel budget. Exactly here, practical tips for house swapping have saved our vacation time and time again. Instead of staying in a cramped room, we had space, a kitchen, toys for the kids, and often even neighbors who told us about their favorite bakery.
Home swapping might sound like a major leap of faith at first. In reality, it is primarily a different way to travel: more personal than a hotel, significantly cheaper, and often more comfortable for families. To ensure the anticipation doesn't end in unnecessary organizational stress, it pays to approach the most important steps correctly from the very beginning.
Practical tips for home swapping: Show your own home first
A good swap profile doesn't need to look polished like a real estate listing. It should honestly show how a family would live at your place. Bright photos in daylight are more important than designer furniture. Photograph the living area, kitchen, bathroom, sleeping arrangements, and—if available—a balcony, garden, or nearby playground. A picture of the view from the window or the neighborhood conveys more atmosphere than the tenth shot of the same couch.
Also describe the things that truly matter on a family vacation. Is there a crib, high chair, toys, a washing machine, or good bus connections? Is the supermarket just around the corner, does a hiking trail start right outside the front door, or is the apartment on the fourth floor without an elevator? Details like these do not make the listing any less attractive. On the contrary: they ensure that the right people get in touch.
We always state what is normal for us and what guests should know. Anyone sensitive to street noise should know when the tram passes by in the morning. Anyone traveling with small children appreciates knowing that the apartment is child-safe. Honesty saves explanations later and builds trust before you even write the first message.
Do not wait for the perfect request
Many newcomers put their profile online and hope that their dream home in Lisbon, Copenhagen, or by the sea will come knocking on its own. That can happen, but it is not the best strategy. When it comes to home exchanging, taking the initiative works surprisingly well. Search actively for houses and apartments that fit your timeframe and write personal messages to multiple hosts.
The first message should be short, friendly, and specific. State who you are, when you would like to travel, and why this particular home appeals to you. A sentence like „We like your apartment“ is nice, but remains generic. Better is: „Your garden and the proximity to the lake would be ideal for our children, and we would love to explore the region by bike.“ This shows that you haven't copied indiscriminately.
Plan with flexibility. Especially during holiday seasons, flexible arrival and departure dates dramatically increase your chances. If you don't necessarily have to travel from Saturday to Saturday, opportunities suddenly arise that others miss. For a city break, a neighborhood outside the center can also be perfect—especially if the subway runs fast and you don't want to sleep right in the middle of the hustle and bustle at night.
Mutual exchange or points? Both can work
In a classic simultaneous home exchange, one family stays at your place while you stay at theirs. This is wonderfully direct and can almost feel like getting to know each other from a distance. However, it requires matching dates and mutual interest. For vacations during peak season or at distant destinations, this is not always easy.
That is why Redemption points are so convenient. You leave your home to another family and can use the points later for accommodation in a completely different place. For us, that took a lot of pressure off: we didn't have to wait for that exact family from our desired location to want to visit us at the same time.
Before you agree, don't just look at the score. Does the apartment really fit your trip? With two kids, a nice studio in the center can be less relaxing than a larger apartment with a good tram connection. Conversely, a small home is completely sufficient for a long weekend if the location and amenities are right. Home exchange isn't a competition for the most spectacular accommodation, but a question of what suits you well while traveling.
Clarify the important questions before accepting
If an inquiry sounds promising, a short, open exchange helps. Ask about sleeping arrangements, Wi-Fi, parking, heating, or air conditioning if that is relevant for your stay. When children are involved, stair gates, a bathtub, blackout options, and the distance to the nearest playground are often more valuable than a particularly fancy kitchen.
Dealing with personal belongings is also part of it. Some hosts clear a shelf in the bathroom and a compartment in the fridge, while others leave almost everything. Both are fine as long as it is agreed upon in advance. We lock away private documents, valuables, and things with emotional value. Not because we distrust guests, but because we ourselves can leave more relaxed when everything is clear.
Discuss as well whether there are pets in the household, whether smoking is allowed, and if there are any house rules. Perhaps the balcony cannot be used after 10 PM or the parking space is not available for guests. The more naturally such points are addressed, the more hassle-free the stay remains. A good gut feeling is important, but it does not replace clear agreements.
Preparing the home hospitably, without perfectionism
Before departure, we don't do a spring clean for a magazine. But we make sure that other people can find their way around immediately. Fresh bed linen, enough towels, some space in the wardrobe, and a clean refrigerator are the basics. A small welcome package with coffee, pasta, or local snacks is not mandatory, but a very nice gesture – especially after a long journey with children.
Most helpful is a simple guest directory. It contains Wi-Fi access, waste separation, instructions for the coffee machine and heating, emergency contacts, and tips for everyday life. Our guests are usually especially pleased with personal recommendations: Where are the best croissants? Which playground is good even in the rain? Which hike is truly worthwhile with children and not just in the brochure?
For us, a short message to immediate neighbors is also part of it. They don't have to play host, but it's nice when they know that company is coming. Sometimes this even results in help if a fuse blows or someone doesn't know where the garbage containers are.
Stay relaxed and respectful during the exchange
Living in someone else's home is a different way of traveling than staying in a hotel. That is precisely the appeal. You shop at the market in the morning, perhaps cook something on a whim, know the way to the bakery after just a few days, and don't feel like mere transients in the neighborhood. At the same time, you are staying with someone who is placing their trust in you. Treat the home the way you would want yours to be treated.
Minor mishaps happen. A glass breaks, a child accidentally draws on a piece of paper, a plant suddenly looks sad. It is better to report it immediately and honestly than to hope for an inconspicuous solution. Our experience: almost everything can be resolved easily if you communicate respectfully. Most people know that a lived-in home is not a museum.
Before departure, you tidy up, dispose of leftover food, strip the beds if it was agreed upon, and leave the apartment in a condition you would be happy to return to yourselves. A few photos or a short message can reassure hosts if they are returning home later. This last impression is just as important as the first inquiry.
Why home swapping means more than just saving money for families
Of course, the money saved on accommodation is a strong argument. Especially with kids, it makes a huge difference whether cash is blown on a second hotel room or is left over for trips, ice cream at the harbor, and a rainy day at the museum. But after several exchange experiences, living comfort is almost as valuable to us: separate bedrooms, a kitchen for uncomplicated meals, and enough space when not everyone is in a good mood at the same time.
Added to that is a feeling that is hard to book: for a few days, you live in a real neighborhood. That makes a city more approachable and a trip slower, without becoming boring. Anyone who wants to try this out can Profile on HomeExchange invest and, without any travel pressure at first, see what possibilities your own home opens up. Often, the next big family vacation doesn't start with a hotel booking, but with a few good photos from your own living room.
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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. 🧭 ❤️ 🏝️