Anyone who has ever looked for accommodation for four people during the summer holidays knows this moment: the supposed bargain looks okay at first glance, but during the final booking step, you're hit with final cleaning fees, tourist taxes, parking fees, and often an additional charge for children. Saving money on accommodation during your vacation doesn't mean settling for a tiny room on the outskirts of town. It means planning differently.
For us, one solution has proven to be particularly relaxed: home swapping. Instead of paying for every night's stay, we live in a real home and also make our own home available to travelers at another time. Especially when traveling with family, this not only changes the travel budget but also the entire travel experience.
Why accommodations eat up your travel budget so quickly
Travel, food, admission fees – these costs are often discussed extensively before a trip. However, accommodation is frequently the largest single expense. This is particularly noticeable during school holidays, on long weekends, or in popular coastal and mountain regions. Prices then often rise precisely when families can and want to travel.
A hotel room is also rarely designed for everyday family life. Two rooms cost significantly more, a family room is quickly booked up, and with holiday apartments, additional costs add up. What's more: those with little space often eat out. That's nice on vacation, but three meals a day for four people is not a small amount.
The cheapest accommodation is therefore not automatically the best. A secluded apartment might be inexpensive, but if long daily commutes, parking fees, and spontaneous restaurant visits are added, the cost can skyrocket. Saving money works most reliably when accommodation, location, and daily routine align.
Home exchange: travel affordably without downsizing
With a home exchange, you don't stay anonymously in just any vacation property, but with people who open their apartment or house to travelers. In return, your own accommodation is also made available – directly through an exchange or via a point system for a later stay. The basic principle is surprisingly simple, even if it sounds a little unusual at first.
Our experience: An inhabited apartment is usually worth its weight in gold for families. There's a kitchen, often toys, books, a washing machine, and enough space so everyone doesn't have to lie in the dark whispering at 8 PM. One child can draw while the other is already sleeping. You can eat breakfast in peace, pack snacks for outings, and wash wet clothes after a rainy day. It's precisely these little things that make traveling with children easier.
At HomeExchange we've experienced how personal and straightforward that can be. Before the trip, you write to each other, clarifying arrival, key handover, and the most important questions. Some exchange partners leave tips about the bakery around the corner, the best playground, or the bus connection. This feels less like passing through and more like really being there for a while.
Of course, apartment swapping isn't a luxury hotel with a reception desk. Those expecting daily cleaning, a breakfast buffet, and perfectly consistent standards will likely feel more comfortable booking a hotel. In return, you gain space, everyday usability, and a travel budget that's freed up for longer holidays or special experiences.
Save on accommodation costs on vacation: how to get started
The biggest mistake is downplaying your own home. Many think: "Our home isn't anything special." However, other travelers are often looking for exactly that: a clean place to stay in a well-connected city, a house with a garden, an apartment near a lake, or simply a place where a family can live comfortably. Not every home has to be spectacular.
Take some conscious time for an honest profile. Good photos in daylight, a clear description, and practical details build trust. How many people can sleep comfortably? Is there a high chair, a balcony, parking, or a washing machine? Are there stairs? The more specific the information, the better the inquiries will fit.
For the first few exchanges, I wouldn't choose the most complicated holiday period right away. A long weekend or a week in a city that's easy to get to takes the pressure off. This way, you'll figure out which agreements are important to you and how it feels to arrive at a stranger's home. After the first successful stay, the thought of spending several hundred euros for each night honestly seems quite strange.
It's also important not to just search for the well-known dream destination. Demand is high in popular coastal towns and metropolises. Traveling just before or after the main season, a less obvious neighborhood, or a region next to a hotspot can offer more choices. For families, the most beautiful memories are rarely the most famous photo opportunities anyway, but rather the swimming lake after breakfast, the Saturday market, or the small forest path behind the house.
Four cost traps you can avoid along the way
Apartment swapping not only saves on the cost of accommodation. It also eases the pressure of several typical vacation expenses:
- Breakfast and Snacks: With a kitchen and refrigerator, you shop regionally instead of going to the cafe for everyone in the morning or buying expensive small items on the go.
- Laundry: On longer trips, you can pack less clothing and won't have to look for a laundromat after a week.
- Space for breaks: A quiet afternoon at home often prevents a costly Plan B when children are tired or the weather is bad.
- Mobility Exchange apartments are often in real residential neighborhoods, close to buses, trains, supermarkets, and playgrounds. This can save on car rental and parking fees.
This doesn't mean you have to forgo restaurant visits on vacation. On the contrary, if not every breakfast and every dinner has to be eaten out, you'll have more room for that one restaurant you're really craving. We really like this mix: a relaxed breakfast in the morning, a small bite to eat while out and about at lunchtime, and either cooking for yourself or going out in the evening, depending on your mood.
Trust is built before the journey, not just at the doorstep.
The most common question about home exchange is understandable: Can I really trust strangers with my home? A healthy gut feeling is part of that. Good platforms offer profiles, ratings, and a clear framework. Nevertheless, you may choose who you want to swap with and ask questions.
We discuss arrival times, sleeping arrangements, the use of specific rooms, and anything else that's important to us beforehand. Some people put away personal belongings, others clear out a closet. We've found it helpful to leave a brief house manual: Wi-Fi, waste separation, plants, important appliances, and favorite addresses. This isn't a required exercise, but a friendly help for the guests.
Your own expectations should also remain realistic. You're staying in a home, not a perfectly styled showroom. Maybe there's a child's bike in the hallway or mismatched dishes. But that's often where the charm lies. Those who arrive with respect and treat the home as they would like to be treated themselves usually experience a surprisingly open travel culture.
When alternative accommodation can be worthwhile
Apartment swapping doesn't suit every trip. For a spontaneous night at the airport, a business trip with a tight schedule, or a short getaway where you specifically seek wellness and service, a hotel might be simpler. Also, if you have no way to offer your home, you'll need a different solution.
For a week's vacation, a city trip with children, or a longer break, bartering is particularly advantageous. The longer the stay and the larger the group, the more significant the financial benefit. Then there's something you won't see in any price comparison tool: you live in a neighborhood for a few days instead of next to a hundred other tourists.
If you've been dreaming of traveling more often, the answer doesn't necessarily have to be a bigger budget. Perhaps the best lever is already at your home. Your apartment isn't just the place you return to after a trip – it can be the beginning of your next journey.
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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. 🧭 ❤️ 🏝️