The Vanderpump family, a four‑strong household from rural Cheshire, saved a combined £6,000 on two holiday swaps last two years by swapping homes with strangers across Europe.
Using the Home Link platform, the family cycled between their Cheshire five‑bedroom house and homes in Hamburg, Copenhagen and a future destination. Neither side paid for accommodation – only an annual membership fee to Home Link.
The cost crunch is clear: each swap saved around £2,500 on lodging plus an extra £700 on transport thanks to vehicle swaps. Henry says that with the money saved the family now has a second holiday a summer, and the kids love living in another family's home.
Living like a German family
In Hamburg, they stayed in a suburb and “lived like a German family,” exploring lakes on the city’s edge recommended by their hosts. In Copenhagen they stayed in a “very Scandinavian house” that was all on one level and uncluttered, and were given several electric bikes to cycle to the beach and the Baltic Sea.
How to swap successfully
Successful swaps start with a clear, photo‑rich listing and good communication. Hosts should declutter, provide a welcome guide, lock away valuables and check insurance coverage. For travellers, it helps to build trust by learning about hosts through social media or a brief intro letter. Experienced users like May Burrough and Petra Novak report saving thousands, but note they have only had one negative experience.
Home exchange platforms vet members and encourage mutual reviews, yet insurers still advise checking both homeowners and travel insurance for accidental damage coverage.
