Home-swapping has become something close to a global phenomenon in recent years, allowing travellers to experience destinations like a local.
(Photo: HomeExchange.com
Ever wondered how to visit somewhere in a way that makes it feel like home? Home exchange platforms invite you to swap nights at your main residence for discounted or free stays at other people’s homes across the globe. Users of such platforms gain access to a vast network of properties, each imbued with the kind of character you get in someone’s private home but that hotels often lack. Here’s our comparison of some of the top home-swapping sites around.
HomeExchange.com
HomeExchange.com are one of the largest and oldest home exchange platforms, boasting 270,000 properties across 145 countries. The platform is particularly popular with people looking for a ‘homestay’-style experience, due to the fact that as well as conventional home swaps it also offers options where guests stay with a host family.
By registering your home on the platform, you’ll gain access to key features including community forums. There’s also a strong vetting process with background checks and ID verification for all owners, providing maximum peace of mind.
Among the many impressive properties that are listed on the Home Exchange platform are a New Mexico mansion overlooking the National Forest, equipped with 5 bedrooms and accommodating up to 15 guests. Or those seeking a stay in the romantic French capital of Paris may be tempted by an artist’s studio in the Montmartre district, featuring 3 bedrooms and a 10-minute walk from the iconic Sacré Coeur Basilica.
ThirdHome
(Photo: Thirdhome.com)
ThirdHome are a home exchange club catering to owners of high-end properties. The platform differentiates itself from competitors by catering exclusively to the luxury vacation home market, with a comprehensive vetting process ensuring all properties meet a very high standard.
By offering their homes, members earn “Keys” when other members book stays, which can then be used to access a curated collection of high-quality properties in over 100 countries available for them to stay in. This unique system offers flexibility in travel dates and locations, enabling members to explore the world without the typical rental costs associated with luxury accommodation.
Stand-out properties listed include a 5-bedroom home located in the golfer’s paradise of PGA West in La Quinta, California and featuring an outdoor kitchen equipped with a grill for pool-side barbeques. There’s also an English stone farmhouse dating back to the 1600s that sleeps up to 14 guests and accepts pets.
(Photo: ThirdHome.com)
Intervac
Billed as the original home exchange platform having been founded in Europe back in 1953, Intervac have grown and grown over the decades, giving house swappers the chance to experience authentic local living and make connections with fellow travellers. While lacking some of the more high-tech filters and verification processes of newer platforms, the company prioritise mutual trust and the simple ideal of opening one’s home to like-minded folk.
Intervac maintain a distinctly European focus, with its listings concentrated heavily among the stately manors and sun-drenched villas of the continent. A diverse array of architectural styles and cultural influences make up the network’s offerings, allowing members to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of European heritage and hospitality.
Notable properties available for home-sharing on the platform include a stunning Prague apartment nestled near the city’s famous castle that sleeps up to 6 guests.