Post-lockdown holiday? Try a home exchange

Over the last few weeks we've been receiving so many inquiries from people new to home swapping and looking for budget friendly, safe ways to enjoy a much needed holiday.

Staycations are proving a particularly popular option, however, many people have found that holiday rentals here in the UK are already fully booked. The good news is that there are still lots of very tempting home swap holiday offers available through Home Base Holiday.

One of the big perks of home swapping is the cost savings - who doesn't love free holiday accommodation? In addition to being a very budget friendly way to travel, swapping homes allows you to enjoy the space, comforts and conveniences of staying in a real home; this can be especially appealing at this time where the thought of busy hotels and holiday rentals can be quite off-putting. By staying in a real home you have your own private safe base just for you and your family (+ if you're not yet comfortable eating out, you can simply prepare meals from your home swap host's kitchen).

Is home exchanging right for you?

Home exchanging was once seen as a bit of a niche way to travel and not really well known by most holiday makers. However, over recent years, more and more people have discovered home exchanging and discovered what makes it such a fantastic way to travel. Swapping homes allows you to really get a feel for the places - often side-stepping the busy tourist trail in favour of staying in a real local neighbourhood. Plus, you can pick up so many wonderful travel tips and recommendations from your home swap partners - a real local's insight.

Give yourself plenty of time: the most successful home swappers often tend to be the most proactive and so allow yourself plenty of time to discuss and then agree your home swap holiday. If you do not have the time to communicate with members to agree a swap, or if you know that you will not be able to relax knowing people are staying in your home, then perhaps home swapping is not the best option for you. For most people though, home swapping is a very rewarding and wonderful way to travel.

How to start home swapping:

The first step is to sign up to Home Base Holidays so that you can add your home swap listing. There are three membership options:

Two-week free trial membership: Free
Six-month membership: £29
One-year membership: £49

Once you have added your home, you can then start contacting other members to discuss and agree your home swap holidays.

Will your home be safe?

Home Base Holidays has been helping people arrange holiday home swaps for nearly 40 years and over that time it’s been extremely rare that we've heard of issues during an exchange. However, it is important to contact your home insurance company prior to accepting an exchange to confirm that your insurance policy will remain valid during the period that non-paying guests will be staying (contact us if you need any help finding suitable cover).

Members’ exchange experiences:

Below are links to blog post of Home Base Holidays members’ home swap experiences.

Some of the latest holiday home swap travel offers available through Home Base Holidays.

Arrange free holiday accommodation: search home swap offers

Join Home Base Holidays: start home swapping

Looking for a much needed break? Arrange a home swap and enjoy free holiday accommodation. View the latest home swap offers then sign up to Home Base Holidays.