Families Cut Holiday Costs by £2,500 a Trip Through Home Swaps
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 9
Families Cut Holiday Costs by £2,500 a Trip Through Home Swaps
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 9
Summary
Home-swapping families say they are saving thousands on holidays by trading houses — and sometimes cars — with strangers instead of paying for hotels or rentals.
£2,500 in accommodation and another £700 in transport were saved per trip by the Vanderpump family, who say the lower costs let them take two summer holidays instead of one.
34 swaps in three years helped London-based May Burrough save £5,000-£8,000, while Petra Novak estimates home exchanges have cut her travel costs by £18,000-£20,000.
10-15 messages are typically needed before securing an offer, and hosts still have to declutter, leave instructions and lock away valuables before guests arrive.
1950s-era home exchanges appear to be gaining traction again as higher living costs push travelers toward cheaper, more local-style stays, though insurers say hosts should check home and travel cover first.