City swapping is a simple and secure way of taking a city break, without forking out for a hotel. You swap your home for someone else’s in a different city for a holiday.

We help people to swap their homes for the weekend through a unique database that features hundreds of properties in cities all over the world. Simply enter your destination, and we’ll find the right one for you.

We can’t guarantee there will be mints on your pillow before bedtime. But we can guarantee a unique travel experience that promises a genuine home away from home.

Further questions and answers can be found in our FAQs otherwise feel free to Contact Us with any burning questions you may have.

Step 1 – Sign up and list your property

Swap My City Pad offers three levels of membership; gold, silver and bronze: you can list your property for free with a bronze membership until you find that perfect bolthole, after which you can upgrade to silver or gold membership that enables you to start communicating with other members and arranging that well earned city break home exchange at a mere £39.99 a year or £49.99 a year respectively.

Gold members (£49.99 a year) have the added benefit of joining a network relating to their profession. This will enable members to search for city pads belonging to someone in a similar profession as them. Not only is this a great networking tool, but gives members the added peace of mind when exchanging, for instance a doctor/teacher/financier/lawyer in London can swap with a professional in the same industry as them but in a different city.

A year’s membership entitles you to home swap as many times as you like in as many cities that takes your fancy. If you are unable to arrange a swap in your first year we will offer you free membership for the 2nd year for FREE!

Now it’s time to list your city pad and show it off. Listing your home couldn’t be easier with Swap My City Pad, we’ve thought of everything and all you need to do is fill in the information requested. Provide an honest and truthful description of your home including lots of photographs. Describe who your travel party are, what pets you have and embed videos (if you want). Select the dates you want to travel, or just leave yourself open to offers and start hunting for your perfect home from home.

Swap My City Pad has thought of everything and the entire process is automated from listing your property, communicating with other members via our secure online messaging system, and drawing up a house book and agreements.

We treat your privacy with utmost importance and none of your contact details are made available to other members. You will have your own designated Account section where you can manage your property details, keep a record of your favourite properties, write your blogs, update My City and message other members directly and securely. Your peace of mind is our priority!

Step 2 – Search for a city swap

Once you’ve listed your property you can start to search for a home exchange, whether you are planning to take a trip to NYC for a spot of shopping, ramble through the night markets of Marrakech, head to London to watch Wimbledon, or attend the Masquerade Ball in Venice, Swap My City Pad can make these dreams come true for less than the cost of one night in a hotel. The world is indeed your oyster!

By keeping your options open, whether it is your dates of travel or destination, you increase your chances of a city break in a destination that you may have never considered before.

If you are new to home swapping, you can search for people who have different levels of experience when it comes to home exchange, from a first timer to a seasoned swapper.

Members can also search for city pads that have received positive reviews from previousswappers via a feedback system much like eBay’s feedback system.

Step 3 – Draw up your house book and contribute to My City

Once you’ve listed your property take some time to complete your house book. This can be put together at your leisure prior to finalising a swap, and contains handy information including important telephone numbers and instructions on how to use appliances in your home. The house book will ensure your fellow city swappers are aware of those little quirks in your home; a temperamental boiler, a stubborn lock on the back door, a cat that likes to nap on top of the TV etc. Be clear about what is out of bounds for your guests, such as the telephone, a particular room or inviting in house guests.

Take time to recommend those little known places in your area in Swap My City Pad’s My City section. My City enables members to contribute information about their city’s hidden gems, so when visiting a particular city you get to see what members have recommended in their local area and even better, you get to experience parts of your own city you never knew existed before.

Step 4 - Finalising your city swap

Swap My City Pad provides a fully automated step by step process and checklists to ensure all boxes are ticked and that you don’t forget to ask anything.

Once both parties are happy about their swap arrangements you can get those automated contracts signed, swap house books and arrange for copies of each other’s respective travel documents to be sent to one another as proof of travel.

Step 5 – Now you can book your travel arrangements and insurance

You’ve completed all the steps and arranged your next city break home exchange. Now all you have to do is make your travel arrangements.

Whilst there isn’t specific home exchange insurance, usually a call to your home insurance provider can ensure that you have adequate coverage in the unlikely event of breakage/damage whilst your guests are staying in your home. Explain to your insurance provider that you have non-paying guests staying in your home whilst you are away. Insurance companies always prefer that your home is occupied and not left vacant whilst you are on holiday anyway.

If vehicles have also been agreed as part of a swap, contact the relevant vehicle insurance providers and ensure that your exchange party are covered for use of the vehicle.

Step 6 – Prepare for your fellow city swappers

Remove any valuable/irreplaceable or particularly sentimental items out of your home. Either leave with a trusted family member, neighbour, or friend, or lock away in a cupboard or spare room.  Clear and lock away any bank statements or sensitive information.

Give your home a thorough tidy; not only will it make your fellow swappers stay more pleasurable it will be a cathartic experience for you. Clear out space in your wardrobe, drawers and food cupboards for your guests. Stock up on toilet rolls and clean an extra set of bedding and towels.

On the money you save on hotel bills why not get a cleaner to come in the day before your guests arrive and give your home a spruce before you leave and again before you return. Otherwise, get those marigolds on and give your home an all important polish. You want your city pad to be in the same condition as you would like to find your home exchangers home.

Some city home exchangers like to leave a little welcome gift for their guests such as a bottle of wine, some flowers from the garden, or some delectable chocolates.

Now all you need to do is pack your bags and head off on a city break of a lifetime.