The New Way to Score a More Luxurious Vacation Rental

"What's more, her two-week stay cost a grand total of $435 in service charges and cleaning fees, or about $30 a night, because she'd arranged to swap places with Andreas Sellinidis, a photographer who lives in New York and has a vacation home in Athens."

"That kind of incredible value proposition is driving renewed interest in home swapping, even among affluent travelers who can (and sometimes still do) splash out on hotel suites and vacation rentals."

"While the concept dates to the 1950s, when university professors arranged summer-break swaps, this style of travel is also getting a boost from the ongoing availability of remote work and from technology platforms that make trading places easier."

"The company, which launched in 2021, has seen rapid growth, with a five-fold increase in bookings from 2023 to 2024 and a global membership of nearly 200,000 travelers-up 700 percent since 2024."

Home swapping offers substantial savings and authentic local experiences, exemplified by a two-week Athens stay that cost $435 in fees. Remote work and digital platforms have made exchanges more practical and accessible. Newer platforms such as Kindred have reported rapid membership and booking growth, while legacy services like HomeExchange are expanding into luxury listings including castles, yachts, and villas. Networks aimed at second-home owners coordinate exchanges among affluent travelers. Market growth figures include a five-fold booking increase for one platform and membership gains that push HomeExchange above 250,000 members. Swapping appeals across budget and luxury segments.

Read at Travel + Leisure