Former neighbors John and Linda, avid scuba divers for many years, have long dreamt of exploring Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, but the air fare, coupled with rooms, food, scuba and boat fees were always enough to scare them away. After contacting a family in Townsville, Queensland, however, their dream suddenly looked plausible. The Aussies had always wanted to visit the U.S., and not only were they willing to exchange their house and car, they also had a fishing boat. By using the craft as a dive boat “we saved a fortune,” said John. “Those commercial boats charge over $100 a day per diver.” Their total expenditure was $2,400 for three months of diving, with plane tickets and all expenses included.
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Home exchanging is not a spur of the moment travel idea for the unprepared. Experienced swappers can arrange a deal quickly, but only because they’ve learned how to provide for their exchange partners. And even then it takes time.
