About six miles from Reims, next to a golf course, sits a house with a heated pool and room for ten—an ideal spot for many families planning a holiday in France. Just an hour’s drive from Disneyland Paris, this four-bedroom home is peaceful, close to a village bakery, has a secure electric gate, and sits on nearly half a hectare of land.
The cost? Nothing, if you’re open to a “house swap holiday,” where you exchange homes with someone else.
Regular swappers say they’ve saved tens of thousands of pounds over the years. Plenty of websites can help you find the perfect swap (see end of story). You don’t even have to swap at the same time or with the same person.
While the sites charge fees, these are far outweighed by the savings—which can reach four figures for a family of four on a two-week summer trip, according to Susannah Cery, founder of Family Home Swaps.
Here’s how it works and a few tips to get started.
How to present your home
When listing your home on a swap site, be honest about its strengths and weaknesses. Mention if you have a garden, parking, or amenities like a dishwasher. Include plenty of photos that show your space clearly. Highlight nearby attractions—museums, pubs, cafes—and note how far you are from the beach or transport links.
Most profiles ask for specifics: smart TV, Wi-Fi, washing machine, etc. Feel free to highlight special features like a sauna or pool. Also mention if a pet lives there, in case of allergies.
Even with lots of interest, it can take time to find the right match for your available dates.
Getting to know your swappers
Françoise Campbell, who swaps her central London flat, says she and her partner receive many inquiries. “We look at the other person’s profile to get a sense of their personality and how they keep their home,” she says. “You can tell a lot from how they write, too.”
Since the couple has a cat, swappers need to care for it. If someone doesn’t mention the cat, Campbell says they’re less likely to move forward. “What gives us pause is when someone just says, ‘Here are my dates’—treating it like a hotel. This is more of a community.”
Many swappers arrange video calls. Cery suggests, “Ask the family to give you a phone tour. Building that connection is really important… because having someone in your home is personal.”
When it’s time to swap
Your guests will appreciate a list of local restaurants, cafes, and things to do. Leave instructions for the heating, alarm system, and bin schedules, along with emergency contacts like doctors or pharmacies.
Clear some space in the wardrobe and fridge. Hosts often leave a few essentials. Lock away or store any personal items you don’t want handled—a spare room or the garage works well.If you have a room you’d prefer guests not to enter, make sure to let them know. Also, inform your home insurance provider. Since policies vary, check what is and isn’t covered. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), it’s important to seek clarity on this.
Hannah Davidson, a senior underwriting manager at Aviva, notes that most home insurance policies do not cover theft or damage—whether malicious or accidental—caused by guests. However, she adds that the home-swapping website you used may offer some property damage coverage.
When staying in someone else’s home, review your travel insurance to confirm it includes accidental damage protection. The consumer group Which? points out that many policies include personal liability coverage, which can help if you need to pay for accidental property damage. “However, there can be exclusions—such as if the property owner is a family member—and we’ve seen cases where it doesn’t apply within the UK,” they note.
The ABI advises that while you might be willing to cover minor incidents yourself, “you don’t want to face a large, unexpected bill for more serious damage. Policies differ, so review the limits and exclusions, and contact your insurer if anything is unclear.”
Personal recommendations that enhance a holiday
Emma Morgan traveled to Bali with her family for her husband Matt’s 50th birthday. They stayed in an “amazing villa” through a house swap, and the owners provided recommendations for the best local restaurants and places to visit.
The detached villa in Ubud features a pool overlooking paddy fields and is near a similar home where scenes from the 2010 film Eat, Pray, Love were shot.
“On the owners’ recommendation, we bought day passes to an incredible eco-hotel with a jungle outdoor spa and natural pools by the river. We had no idea it existed, and it was the highlight of our trip,” says Morgan. “They also suggested a small local restaurant within walking distance that we would never have found on our own.”
During Morgan’s five-night stay (which would have cost over £500 at a neighboring property), a French family stayed at her home in Dorset, looking after her cat and watering the plants. When she returned, she found all the bedding and towels had been washed, and a thank-you card was waiting.
Morgan has been swapping homes for five years and appreciates the community spirit that comes from no money changing hands. “It’s very much an exchange built on trust within a like-minded community, rather than just a financial transaction,” she says.
Main house swap platforms
– HomeExchange (£190/year) offers two types: traditional “reciprocal” swaps (simultaneous or at different times) and a GuestPoints system, where homes are valued based on location, size, and amenities. Points are earned by hosting and spent on stays elsewhere.
– HomeLink (£125/year) allows members to list their property and desired swap details. Users then contact each other to arrange exchanges.
– Guardian Home Exchange (£59/year), run by Home Base Holidays in partnership with the Guardian, facilitates both simultaneous and non-simultaneous swaps.
– Kindred (no annual fee) provides one hosting credit for each night you host, which can be used for a night in another member’s home. Cleaning and service fees apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
House Swapping Your Ticket to a Dream Holiday FAQs
Getting Started The Basics
What exactly is a house swap
Its an arrangement where two parties agree to stay in each others homes for a set period typically for a holiday No money changes hands for the accommodation
Isnt that just for strangers on the internet Isnt it risky
While you connect through dedicated websites the process is built on trust verification and communication Reputable platforms have review systems ID verification and secure messaging to minimize risk Many swappers become friends
Do I have to swap at the exact same time
Not always A simultaneous swap is most common but a nonsimultaneous swap is possible where you host someone at one time and stay at their home later
What if my home isnt a luxury villa
Most swaps arent The beauty is swapping likeforlike A city apartment a suburban family home or a countryside cottage are all in high demand People want an authentic local experience
Benefits The Dream Holiday Angle
Whats the biggest advantage over a regular holiday rental
Cost You eliminate the biggest travel expense accommodation This frees up your budget for flights experiences and dining out
What other benefits are there
Live like a local Stay in a real neighborhood not a tourist zone
More space Entire homes are usually larger than hotel rooms
Home comforts Full kitchens laundry and often a car bikes or pet care
Trust You have a vested interest in caring for each others homes
Can I really swap my home for anywhere
Your options depend on your homes location and appeal and your flexibility Popular cities and desirable regions get more interest but with an open mind and good profile the possibilities are vast
Practicalities Making It Work
How do I find a swap
Through dedicated platforms like HomeExchange Love Home Swap or others You create a detailed profile with photos of your home and list your desired destinations
What are the key things to discuss before agreeing
Exact dates and handover logistics
Use of cars bikes or other amenities
