Peer-to-Peer Accommodation with Nightswapping

Some budget travelers turn to Couchsurfing to find free lodging abroad, and now Nightswapping offers an alternative.

The concept is simple. Host travelers at your home in exchange for nights to be spent on your next trip abroad. Nightswapping offers travelers the chance to live an authentic local experience while also expecting a contribution in return; it’s a peer-to-peer accommodation network.

Founder Serge Duriavig came up with the idea in 2011 as a way of improving the home exchange model. However, instead of two parties swapping homes at the same time, Nightswapping allows you to effectively trade in your nights in a different country.

The site currently features users from more than 150 countries around the world, and has a growing user base. Get started by making a profile, uploading a photo and verifying your contact information to gain the trust of potential hosts. Communicate with other members of the community online, and start hosting and spending your nights.

If you cannot host, get in touch with Nightswappers online and buy your night for a competitive rate, which varies by destination. Hosts do not make money from their guests, and the main idea is to create a community of like-minded individuals who are willing to contribute to improving the travel experience.

The major advantage NightSwapping has over Couchsurfing is each host must offer a room, not just the floor/couch/dog’s bed. Compared to Airbnb, the service is cheaper (or free) and offers the chance to meet your host and immerse yourself in their lives.