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Find over 3000 free accommodation choices in Italy.

Thankfully — this isn’t the number of park benches waiting for you to rest your head.

It’s the number of people that have raised their hand and said, “Come stay at my house…it won’t cost you a dime.”

Finding free accommodation in Italy is easier than you think.

Why loose your shirt taking the family to Rome? A “cheap” hotel can cost 150 euros a night but your own private Roman apartment could be — free.

Why stay in a hotel teeming with other tourists who found it on Trip Advisor when you could stay with a friendly local?

Again — the cost to you would be approximately a bottle of wine and a thank-you card.

But it takes a certain think-outside-of-the-box approach.ย  But if you’ve read this far than I have faith you’re that person (welcome btw).

I’m gonna show you exactly where to find these opportunities. All 3000 of them.

I’m excited to share with you techniques which I hope will open a lot more travel doors for you.

Let’s get started.

There are a few ways to stay for free in Italy (or anywhere) and today these are two ways.

Option 1: a home exchange

Option 2: a hospitality exchange

The First Option: A Home Exchange

The photos above are actual active properties you could stay in on your next holiday.

You could have a sea view apartment in the vacation haven of Praia a Mare on the Tyrrhenian Sea in Calabria (images 1,5,6), or you could opt for a Tuscan holiday in a restored stone farmhouse near Luccaย  (images 2,3,4).

But you’ll need to swap your own home to make any of this happen.

The prerequisite for taking advantage of a home exchange is having a home and a willingness to loan it out.

In return, you will have access to another home. Simply- you will be staying at someone’s home while they are not there, and those people will stay at your home when you are not there.

In some situations, your dates and their dates for exchange don’t need to be concurrent. Some people have more than one residence and will accommodate you at their second home.

You can peruse all the homes listed in the home exchange sites I link to below for free. Most websites charge to access owner contact details via membership fees. Fees range from $57 (U.S.) and up per year, but most will extend your membership ifย  a successful exchange is not negotiated within the year. HomeforExchange.com, for example, boast a 95% exchange rate.

Home Exchange.com has 1808 properties listed within Italy. Yearly Membership is $119.40

Home For Exchange.com has 385 listings in Italy. Yearly membership is $57.00

Roof Swap.com has 260 Italian properties. Yearly membership is $74.99

1st Home Exchange.com has 240 Italian properties. Free “limited” membership; otherwise $79.99

Home Swap Holidays : has 5 properties listed in Italy. Free. List your own property and become a member to access owner contact information.

Second Option: Hospitality Networks

The hospitality networks are free to access. You do not need to have a property to exchange. You will be a guest at someone’s home. They could be world travellers themselves, or have chosen to armchair travel while inviting the world through their door.

Most hospitality network forums are warm and fuzzy feel good love fests. Most hospitality network forums are warm and fuzzy feel good love fests. You get the notion travelling this way could change us all into friendly global citizens rolling in travel opportunities and happy memories. That would be cool.

A world where everyone can explore and create meaningful connections with the people and places they encounter. Couchsurfing vision statement.

It sounds contagious.

Think of hospitality networks also as a great way to meet people to share travel tips and stories. You don’t have to stay at their place- you could make initial contact with them and then take them out for coffee when you land in their area. The solo traveller would be wise to tap into these networks.

Couchsurfing: The couchsurfing community is represented through 100 Italian towns and cities. Worldwide there are over one million members and over 200,000 people have actually surfed a couch via their site and are actively a part of the community. That’s insane! Over 7000 Italian users are listed as being open to hosting you and thousands more Italian members will chat with you or could answer your questions. The sheer numbers combined with an easy to use site makes it highly likely you could secure free accommodation in Italy and have an insanely good time doing it.

The Hospitality Club: The club has over 300,000 members. Over 20,000 Italians have joined. When I lived in Italy I was a member and people wrote me regularly- I know the system is used and loved. People travel for months and years stayingย  at hospitality club members homes. It is a pretty incredible service with a mission similar to couchsurfing. It is interesting to note that it is run mostly by volunteers. The spirit of the people who are strong in the community are captured via Hospitality club ambassadors.

Your step by step guide to scoring free accommodation in Italy (or anywhere).

Step 1. Assess what you have to offer.

Do you have a home that is suitable for swapping? ย  If yes, try a home exchange.ย  Remember, just because you are renting it doesn’t mean you can’t exchange your rad Vancouver condoย  for a city centre Florence apartment- they are probably renting too!

If you can’tย  host at your home concentrate your effortsย  on couch surfing or the hospitality club because having a home to reciprocate accommodation is not a prerequisite.

Tactic for home exchanges:ย  Give yourself time. A lead time of 4-6 months can be needed for both parties to secure a match and design the getaway.

Step 2. Ask yourself this: What am I looking for in my trip?

This will help you narrow down your prospective homes. What part of the country are you interested in staying? North or south? Would you prefer a city spot and rely on the trains or would you like a country home where you need a car?

Deciding on yourย  reasons for visiting will clarify the house hunting process.

The reverse could also happen- you are flexible on the destination as long as the lodging sparks your interest. This process will take considerably more time as the possibilities seem endless.ย  But if you have time to burn it could also lead to a spectacular home that sings to you and you would, therefore, design your holiday around it.

Remember: Listings belonging to Florence for example- could also mean the outskirts.ย  Make sure you understand clearly if the listing is suburbs or city centre as transportation could be an issue.

Step 3. Narrow your search down to 5 -7 homes.

Owners schedules, situations and destinations they are interested in can fluctuate. Having more than one option will most likely get you in a position where you have a positive invite from a home host.

Decide which prospects you would like to pursue. To save money on home exchange membership fees- pick the one site that contains the majority of your narrowed down list.

Tactic for home exchanges: Trade on par. Don’t focus exclusively on luxury villas if you have a dilapidated rancher that need a serious kitchen reno. I’m not saying that you can’t bag an upgrade- but remember that the amount of requests that the fancy places receive makes this a competitive category.

Tactic for hospitality networks: Search people that are relatively new and excited about becoming a potential host. Avoid people who have not updated their status or hosted in the last six months.

Step 4. Join your preferred site and post your profile.

You want put considerable effort into this step. You are introducing yourself and potentially your home, and you want your profile to be captivating and well thought out.

Think like a host! What information would you like to know from a potential guest to your home? Use that as your baseline for crafting your profile. Of course, you would want to know what this person looks like so a photo is essential. You would also like to know what this person spends their time doing, who they are travelling with and their previous experiences, if any, as a host.

Tactic for home exchangers:ย  You are not offering your home- you are offering the benefits of a holiday in your area. People likely are not familiar with your area. Don’t make it hard for them: list all points of interest in proximity of your home. People want great day trips and want to know what they will be able to access easily.

Tactic for Hospitality Networks: Your preferences and interests are pertinent if you are being directly hosted by someone. If they are non-smoking vegetarians with a baby, they would like to know that you are a chain smoking party man that will be stumbling down the hall at 3am. Your goal is a mutually beneficial exchange, not a war.

Be honest and detailed. Not everyone will get your sense of humor, or like your opinion- but some people will love them. Show your personality so you can meet the members who will appreciate it. And, while you decide what to share, remember that more information helps other members get to know you better.ย  Couchsurfing.org “How to”

Step 5. Contact the owners.

These are not hotels, they are private people’s homes.ย  Even if you are making contacts with several people, make each request personal by addressing the host by name.

Give them details on your travel dates — even if they are approximate, you work out the details at a later time for a mutually beneficial situation. Tell them why you are interested in staying at their homes (example: it is family friendly and within an area of Tuscany that your grandparents are from).

Step 6. Rate your experience through your account.

When you get home post a rating. This will assist your host in securing another exchange (if it’s favourable) and it will let you rise in the ranks of that site by showing you are a participating member.

***

One last thing: Don’t be a jerk.

If you want just plain, cheap accommodation, and your gonna treat these places like a dirty dorm room — maybe this style of travel isn’t for you.

Shoestring or budget travel isn’t always about trying to find the cheapest option in any given place. In that case ,you would only be focused on eating your way through Europe on Big Macs.

I’m talking about freedom. Freedom to be creative enough to plan your own adventure — not your neighbours. Freedom to spend less time with your ass in an office chair making the funds that you think you may need for your trip. Yeah, your gonna need money- but if you’re smart you can really get much more out of your trip than what you originally thought.

So if budget travel isn’t just cheap travel — what is it?ย  It’s about making the most of what you have. It’s a philosophy. It may be how you already live —ย  or it could be new to you. Just because you have the extra coin to splurge on an expensive hotelย  does it mean that is your best option?

Aย  home or hospitality exchange goes deeper, but it takes more time to organize.

I suppose the question to ask yourself is this: Can I invest the required hours to organize an exchange?

If the answer is “yes”,ย  start planning your next holiday now! If the answer is, “No, it just seems too complicated”, just keep working that day job.

(Image credits: 1,5,6: Cristiana Orlando/ 2,3,4: Alyssia Lazin Kapic via Exchange Away.)

What do you think of a home of hospitality exchange?ย I’d love to hear it.

27 Responses

  1. Thank you for this advice! I was wondering if you maybe know a few sustainable companies/hotels/hostels/shops in Florence.
    I am planning to do my internship there (september) but unfortunately I can not find something suitable for my studies. I study Tourism & Recreation Management.

    1. Ciao Pilou!
      Florence is absolutely full of interesting people doing cool things. Just get yourself there and I will assure you, you will make connections. The Florentines have a natural ability to make you feel welcome. Have fun! I studied in Florence too and it was an incredible experience. Just go!
      For a hotel chain to work with, why don’t you try the Ferragamo hotels as they have international connections and English speaking staff: http://www.lungarnocollection.com/en/

  2. Bianca:

    This is fabulous advice and a great resource for travelers! Thank you for putting it together.

    I might also add the SERVAS organization, which has been around since right after WWII and has a similar philosophy to the Hospitality Club. Another great (low-cost, not free) option is AirBnB, with people opening their homes and spare rooms all over the world.

    Buon viaggio!

    1. Linda,

      I’ve never heard of SERVAS, thanks for that advice.
      I’m totally in love with AirBnB. You nailed that suggestion! Thanks

      xx B

  3. Thank you so very much for all of this info. I love what you had to say and the way you said it. Was wondering if you had a Facebook page so I can follow you much easier?

  4. hello Bianca!
    I want to know that how can i live and do job in same area. I am first time going to Italy. Plz suggest me a compny.
    Thanks!

  5. Hi Bianca,
    thanks for the advice. Great website.
    I’m currently trying to find an internship or some sort of job in Italy because I’d love to go over there to learn Italian ๐Ÿ™‚
    Can’t really find anything though. A lot of jobs require fluent Italian. Can you suggest anything (preferably in larger cities)

    Thanks a lot!

    Matt

  6. Dear Bianca,

    I have been living in Italy for almost 20 years. The economic crisis has really hit this country hard; jobs are few and far between, thousands are unemployed. Nevertheless, I’m continuing my search for long-term work in Italy (not just for a brief vacation period). I’ve heard that the Workaway system can be a solution for people who want to collaborate with families/individuals on farms, in small country hotels etc. They usually work for just room and board; but at least the rent is taken care of! What do you think of this homestay/collaboration system? Can you recommend a bona fide organization that wouldn’t charge me a participation fee?

    1. Hi Mary,

      I think there’s so many amazing opportunities for travelers looking to live and work abroad. I think the WWOOF (willing workers on organic farms) program is amazing. I give more resources in my How to Travel When You’re So Broke Your Mom Won’t Lend You Money.

      You’re right — getting your rent paid is huge! I would check out Wwoof for that reason.

      Thanks so much for dropping by and I hope that help,
      Bianca

  7. I want to know,how i can stay in Italy and study and work, In Milan?
    what i must do..?
    O.o

  8. hey bianca…..iam 26yrs male from india,planning to do my three year interior design course at florence academy.even though tuition fee is affordable when i checked into the cost of living in florence it has come upto beyond my expectation.since the course offered is really good don’t want to miss out on it. but will have to drop it because of high cost of living. is there anything you can do to help me in terms of accommodation. i would be greatful.

  9. Helllo Bianca…

    I love what you posted here.
    I am from Nigeria and am planning to come over to Italy for studies,Please I need you to help me with a cheap tuition University,a region where I can also work part time and a family that can help me for accommodation.Thanks.

  10. Dear Bianca,

    Please, I’d like to know more about couchsurfing. First of all, must I pay a fee for using this service? Any nasty, hidden strings attached? I’m looking for a long-term stay with a compatible person or persons, willing to offer a kind of service (of intellectual type, such as courses, conferences, research, website and advertising design) which could become permanent collaboration. All I would ask in return would be a quiet private room for an indefinite period of time. Do you think that couchsurfing would be right for me? Really I cannot do heavy physical labour, such as agricultural work (I’m 60 years of age), but light duties such as helping to make jam, potting flowers, watering the lawn, looking after cats etc., would be fine. Help me with suggestions, please. I’ve been offered brief stays by individuals and families who are members of groups such as La Bacheca del Viaggiatore; but I’m really looking for something more lasting.

  11. Hi,
    well iam karthik here planning to do my first back packing to Italy, but i dont have a single idea how to approach hospitality team to get free accommodation, All in my mind is to meet new people and get to know their culture. i would really appropriate you, if you help me out. Thank you ๐Ÿ™‚

  12. Thanks for informative share about the way to live in Italy. Many people have pay a lot money to own a house. It’s great to know that there are some place in Italy we may stay for free. I love what you had to say and the way you said it.
    by the way, you may visit my blog at: https://homeia.com/buy-houses/

  13. This is great! But I think we should not only after pleasure and leisure. I encourage to learn from their culture. So we can fully understand and learn from them too.

  14. hello , i own a house 120 meters in Olgiate Comasco , Como Italy . But my house needs some renovation (especially electricity) and the problem is that now i cant do it. Is there any advise ? thank you

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