Bartering has moved into the mainstream. Couples swap spaces, wardrobes, and books, and now the idea of trading homes for a vacation is catching on in Aragon. With 435 families participating in HomeExchange in the province, travelers are discovering an affordable way to explore the world by swapping homes, and visits to Zaragoza rose by 9 percent compared with last summer as more people search for vacation homes.
Where did this holiday home swapping trend come from? About three decades ago, an American company founded by a group of professors aimed to make travel more affordable by exchanging homes. It started with a mail catalog where houses were listed because there was no internet yet, explains Pilar Manrique, a spokesperson for HomeExchange in Spain.
As the internet emerged and global communication exploded, home swapping became widely known. When the trend truly took off, a French company created a point system for exchanges and acquired the American company in 2008, according to the speaker.
From that French-American merger, HomeExchange was born. It is a free registration platform where users swap homes for a weekend, a week, or even a month. It remains a very economical way to travel because a flat rate of €160 per year covers all exchanges, and there is also cancellation insurance and protection for potential home damage, Manrique notes.
To participate, the only requirement is to offer a home. And cheating isn’t worth it; the company confirms that every offer is genuine. Profiles, identities, and photos are verified to ensure the listings reflect real homes, reinforcing a trust-based system for the platform.
After a profile is saved and a property is published, users begin searching for their destination. It operates like any travel site, with a search engine where you specify the city, the number of travelers, and the dates you want to visit, Manrique explains.
There are two types of exchanges: reciprocal, where both parties swap homes at the same time, and non-reciprocal, where one traveler stays in someone else’s house without a return swap.
In non-reciprocal swaps, a new point system called GuestPoints applies. Each listed home is assigned a nightly point value based on features such as a terrace, garden, or number of rooms. This system makes it possible to trade between many different homes, even if the swap dates don’t align perfectly.
GuestPoints are completely free, and they are earned not only at registration but also through hosting and exchanging. The more a home is used, the more travel points it accrues, expanding the traveler’s options.
a small community
Lorraine and John are a married couple with a dog who tried this travel method five years ago and have stuck with it. They find it highly cost-effective and convenient, especially since they travel with a pet. The couple recalls their first exchange as a town in Burgos and notes how their lifestyle has benefited from swapping houses rather than booking traditional accommodations.
The best part of the system, they say, is the warmth of the people. HomeExchange has fostered a tight-knit community; some guests bring small gifts from their home regions, and in return the hosts offer local products like wine or olive oil from their area as a welcoming gesture.
Juan and Lorena’s little house in Zaragoza personifies this spirit of hospitality. HOME CHANGE.
Emma and her partner joined the platform in 2013 and travel with three kids. They find swapping homes suits their lifestyle perfectly. Kids can bring a cot and toys, and the family can settle into a home rather than a hotel when tired after a day of sightseeing. This approach provides flexibility and comfort that aligns with family life on vacation.
For Emma, the most meaningful aspect is the learning experience for children. They don’t stay in a hotel where everything is provided; instead, they see and respect other people’s belongings. The chance to travel spontaneously is another perk; exchanges sometimes lead to visits to places they hadn’t planned, revealing destinations they might never have discovered otherwise.
Regarding Zaragoza, Emma notes there is strong demand, particularly on weekends. Visitors come to experience the Pilar festivities, explore the city, and then continue to other locales. The user base is diverse, with many guests coming from Europe, especially France, Italy, and Portugal, alongside locals.
From the growing interest in home exchanges to the stories of families who have embraced this travel style, it’s clear that swapping homes has become a fashionable way to see the world. It has become a simple, enjoyable alternative for those who want to travel with flexibility and connection to local communities.