How to Find Free Places to Stay All Over the World
Contrary to public opinion, traveling doesn’t have to be expensive. There are actually several ways to cut your travel costs by finding a free place to stay. And no, you don’t have to beg your long-lost cousin or sleep on someone’s couch. You might even upgrade your situation with a luxury house all to yourself.
TRUSTED HOUSESITTERS
If you love animals, Trusted Housesitters is a website that will connect you with pet owners in need of someone to take care of their fur babies while they are away. The cost is $99 for a one-year membership. Upload your profile and connect with pet owners around the world. Often you’ll get an entire house to yourself with the added bonus of a furry companion.
WORKAWAY
Workaway lets you work for a place to stay. People who need some help offer a room in their house in exchange for about 20 hours of work a week. A one-year membership is $129 but you can scroll through the website for free. Click on “Find a Host” and choose a destination in 170 countries.
You can choose your own adventure on Workaway. There are olive farms looking for extra hands, hostels looking for temporary staff, and people seeking construction help or child care. Stays can range from one week to several months, giving you the opportunity to live like a local and possibly make a lasting friend.
HOME EXCHANGE
If you have your own place, you can swap it with someone else. There are several websites that offer this service. HomeExchange.com is one of the biggest networks with 100,000 subscribers in 130 countries, who have signed up for $220 for a year of unlimited exchanges. Homelink-USA proclaims that it is the oldest home swap network, and offers a 30-day free trial, after which the service is $115 for a year of exchanges.
Home exchange is great for families with children who could use a kitchen to normalize traveling. It also offers the opportunity to experience a place like a local, since many homes are in residential areas.
