Looking for a unique way to travel without breaking the bank? Home exchange and home swap platforms might be the perfect solution for you. These websites allow you to swap your house with someone else, giving you a place to stay while experiencing a new location. Here are six of the best home exchange platforms you should consider for your next adventure.
Key Takeaways
- HomeExchange has over 400,000 homes in 187 countries, making it easy to find a swap anywhere.
- Love Home Swap offers a 14-day free trial and has properties in more than 160 countries.
- People Like Us focuses on building a community, making it a friendly option for home swapping.
- Kindred is well-known for its user-friendly interface and excellent customer service.
- HomeLink is one of the oldest home exchange platforms and has representatives in 27 countries.
HomeExchange
HomeExchange is a top player in the home swapping market, featuring over 400,000 homes in 187 countries. The platform is user-friendly, much like Airbnb, making it easy to find the information you need. Joining is simple: create a profile, list your favorite destinations, and add details and photos of your home.
HomeExchange offers two types of swaps:
- Reciprocal Exchange: Swap homes with another member, either at the same time or on different dates.
- GuestPoints System: Earn points by hosting members or referring others. Use these points to stay in other members' homes.
HomeExchange is the only vacation home-swapping website we used firsthand on the list. Not because the others aren’t worth it, we just had such a great experience with HomeExchange that we have less incentive to try something new.
Membership costs $150 per year, with a free second year if you don't arrange a swap in the first year. This makes it a risk-free option for those new to home swapping.
Love Home Swap
Love Home Swap is a popular platform for exchanging homes with other families. It offers two main options: a classic swap or a points swap. You can start with a 2-week free trial and then choose from three plans, averaging about $150 per year. These plans provide different levels of access to the site's features, with the best plan including access to a support team and free airport lounge passes.
Love Home Swap has been facilitating home swaps since 2011 and showcases 75,000 properties in over 160 countries. It's simple to use: choose your destination and a home, then make the swap directly or through the site's Swap Points system. After the 14-day free trial, annual membership starts from £144, allowing unlimited swaps throughout the year.
The point option is great for those seeking more flexibility in travel while home swapping, as destinations and dates do not need to be matched with a home swapping mate.
People Like Us
People Like Us is a home exchange platform that brings together a community of travel enthusiasts. The platform was created by Drew, who combined his love for travel, software development, and language learning to build a network of like-minded individuals. The platform offers both reciprocal and non-reciprocal exchanges, making it flexible for different needs.
💰 Cost: Membership costs $95 per year or $225 for a 3-year membership, which includes a Globe. A Globe allows you to do a non-reciprocal exchange.
🤝 Types of Exchanges: You can choose between reciprocal exchanges or non-reciprocal exchanges using Globes.
❤️ What We Love: The platform has a very engaged Facebook community, making it easy to find home swapping opportunities. They also have a partnership with the Worldschooling community, making it ideal for families interested in world schooling.
Though we haven’t secured an exchange yet through the People Like Us website, this seems like an excellent option. And it’s possible to register as a TRIAL member to get an idea before paying for the membership.
Kindred
Kindred is a new home swapping platform that started in 2021. It quickly gained traction in North America and Europe, boasting over 3,000 members and a waitlist of more than 45,000 people. Every single profile on Kindred is analyzed by a team member and manually approved. This ensures a high level of trust and quality among its users.
Kindred operates differently from other home exchange platforms. It provides a concierge service to help you book trips and coordinate with members. This is especially useful if you live in a trendy area and receive multiple home-swapping requests each week. The team handles the initial discussions to ensure serious and compatible requests.
On Kindred, homes are vetted and professionally photographed, so you know that what you see accurately represents what you'll get.
What We Love About Kindred
- No need to worry about cleaning; it's taken care of.
- Only primary houses can be added, keeping the home exchange feeling alive.
- All homes are well-loved and offer a feel-like homestay.
What We Don't Like About Kindred
- It's more expensive than other platforms, costing $35 per night (max) or $600 for a yearly membership, plus cleaning fees.
Type of Exchanges
- Reciprocal exchanges
- Kindred credit exchanges (1 credit = 1 night)
HomeLink
HomeLink is one of the original home swapping companies, having started in 1953. This platform offers a free 30-day trial to help you get comfortable with the website and its services. During this trial, you can browse through listings and contact members.
After the trial, there is an annual fee if you decide to continue. The pricing depends on your chosen plan:
| Plan | Duration | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| International | 12 months | $99 |
| USA only | 12 months | $55 |
| International | 24 months | $158 |
| USA only | 24 months | $88 |
HomeLink focuses on conventional home exchange, where members swap homes at the same time. This platform has a long history and a simple approach that has stood the test of time.
HomeLink has been around since 1953, proving that house swapping existed well before the internet.
There are a few disadvantages worth noting, however. This platform:
- Has an annual fee after the free trial.
- Only offers annual memberships.
- May not have as many listings as newer platforms.
Despite these drawbacks, many families have had amazing experiences with HomeLink, finding the process smooth and straightforward.
Intervac
Intervac is a versatile home exchange platform that has been around since 1953. It offers three types of services: basic home exchange, bed and breakfast options, and rental listings. With 30,000 families using the platform, it's a popular choice for those looking to swap homes. The site is user-friendly, making it easy to explore hot listings and unexpected destinations.
Membership Pricing
- One year: $115 USD
- Two years: $195 USD
Additional Services
Intervac also provides bed and breakfast options and rental listings at reduced rates, giving members more flexibility in their travel plans.
Feel at home on your vacation with a home exchange. First, you can save money! With no hotel or accommodation fees, you will have more money to spend on the trip itself for restaurants, shopping, and activities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, home exchange platforms offer a unique and budget-friendly way to travel. By swapping homes, you can experience new places like a local and save money on accommodation. Each platform has its own features and benefits, so it's important to choose the one that best fits your needs. Whether you're looking for a luxury swap or a family-friendly exchange, there's a site out there for you. Happy swapping and safe travels!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is home swapping?
Home swapping is when you trade homes with someone else for a vacation. You stay in their home, and they stay in yours.
How do I join a home exchange site?
To join, you usually create a profile, list your favorite destinations, and add info and pictures of your home.
Is home swapping safe?
Yes, most sites have safety measures like user reviews and verification processes to ensure trust.
Do I have to pay to use home exchange sites?
Some sites charge a membership fee, while others might offer free trials or charge per swap.
Can I swap homes internationally?
Absolutely! Many home exchange sites have listings in countries all over the world.
What if something gets damaged in my home?
Many home exchange sites offer insurance options or guarantees to cover potential damages.
How long can I stay in someone else's home?
The length of stay is usually agreed upon by both parties. It can range from a weekend to several months.
Do I need to clean my home before swapping?
Yes, it's good manners to clean your home before your guests arrive. Some people even hire cleaning services.