How I travel and live for FREE – and you can too

If you’re reading this, I’m guessing you love travelling as much as I do.

And in an ideal world, you’d probably rather be flying first class and checking into 5-star hotels (I know I do!), but since those millions haven’t quite hit your bank account yet (yep, same), you’re asking yourself how to stretch your hard-earned cash as far as possible.

Because let’s be honest, seeing the world isn’t exactly cheap. And accommodation? That’s what tends to eat the biggest chunk out of any travel budget.

Good news though – keep reading and I will share a brilliant strategy with you.

So… what’s the secret to travelling for free?

About 9 months into my digital nomad life, I stumbled upon a travel hack that completely changed the game for me.

And nope – it’s not some dodgy scheme or an exclusive opportunity only available for a select few. It’s 100% legit, totally doable, and available to anyone willing to give it a go.

What is it?

It is house sitting, my friend.

Yep – as simple as that.

You take care of someone’s home and pets while they’re away, and in exchange, you stay there for free.

It’s a win-win for everyone involved. The owners get peace of mind. You get a beautiful home, a fluffy sidekick (or two), and a chance to stay comfortably and live like a local.

Many people also use house sitting to save on rent, or when they are between renting and buying. Or you can rent out your own home while staying in someone else’s – the opportunities with this clever hack are endless.

Sidenote: If you’re allergic to animals or just not a pet person… this might not be for you – sorry!

What are you expected to do as a pet & house sitter?

• Feed, walk, cuddle, and care for the pets.
  
• Water plants, collect the post, maybe mow the lawn if it’s a longer stay.
  
• Look after the home like it’s your own (think clean, tidy, respectful)

You’ll cover your own travel and groceries – but the pet food, supplies, and snuggles? All included. I like to describe it as: “It’s like having a beautiful Airbnb with pets – for free.” And to be honest, it’s even better than that.

Are there sits without pets?

Occasionally, yes – but it’s rare. Most people need a sitter because of their beloved pets.
Every now and then, someone might just need their home cared for, but it’s not the norm.

Who is house sitting best suited to?

House sitting is a brilliant option for all kinds of travellers – but it tends to suit some lifestyles better than others. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Solo travellers & digital nomads: most homeowners prefer solo sitters, so if you’re travelling alone (or working remotely) you’ll have the most options to choose from.
  
• Couples: plenty of listings welcome couples, especially for longer sits or where there are multiple pets to care for, or a larger property to look after.
  
• Retirees: with flexible schedules and a tendency to spend more time at home (and thus with the pets), many hosts prefer retirees over younger sitters.

Families & pet owners: opportunities for families or those travelling with their own pets are a little rarer, but they do exist – you’ll just need to put more effort in finding suitable sits.

How long do house sits last?

This is one of the things I love most – there’s something for everyone.

• Quick weekend stays
  
• 1–2 week holidays
  
• Several months if someone’s going on an extended trip

Personally, I love 2–4 week sits because they fit best with my slow travel, nomadic lifestyle. I get to properly settle into a neighbourhood, find my favourite coffee shop, live like a local, and not feel like I’m constantly on the move. It’s such a nourishing way to travel.

Where to find house sits

There are Facebook groups where you can find sits, and while this is a ‘free’ option, I find it too risky – there is no vetting system, no guarantees and no support when something goes wrong. Ain’t worth it, if you ask me.

I highly recommend using an official pet sitting platform instead.

The best one, with the largest selection of sits, and the one I’ve been using myself is Trusted Housesitters:

• Established in 2010 with 200,000+ members worldwide
  
• User-friendly app for easy booking and messaging
  
• Annual membership that includes unlimited sits (EUR 149 for the Standard tier as of May 2025)

>>>>> Get 25% off with my affiliate link here

So it’s technically not completely free. But one night in a decent hotel costs the same as a whole year of unlimited house sits. Sooo… you can do the math.

Why I love travelling this way

Aside from saving thousands in accommodation (which, let’s be honest, at times I don’t even have – so a complete life-saver!), house sitting lets me:

• Live like a local – cook my own meals in a proper kitchen, stay in residential neighbourhoods, work from a proper desk (crucial for running an online biz on the road).
  
• Have plenty of space to unwind. No cramped hotel rooms or shared accommodation.
  
• Cuddle adorable pets all over the world. Nothing says ‘home’ more than a dog happily greeting you at the door or a cat who chooses your lap as their afternoon nap spot.

So far I’ve done:

✔️40+ sits, house sitting pretty much full-time for the past 2–3 years
✔️ 20+ in London (my favorite city, do I need to say more?)
✔️ Sits in Amsterdam, Athens, Milan, New York, Vienna, Stockholm, and more.

And counting.

How to actually land house sits (especially the good ones)

Let’s be real – when you’re new to the platform, it can be a little tricky to get those dream sits in places like London, Rome, Barcelona, or NYC. And since the house sitting concept is becoming more and more popular, the competition for the best sits increases too. The most gorgeous homes in the best locations get snapped up in an instant. Like… in literal MINUTES. So it seriously pays to know exactly what to do and how to do it if you want to set yourself up for success.

But don’t worry – I’ve got you.

>>>>> Grab my House Sitting Success Guide

It’s packed with my best tips from 40+ sits, including:

• How to find the best sits
  
• How to build a standout profile that gets the hosts’ attention
  
• What to say in your application to stand apart
  
• How to get those all-important first 5-star reviews
  
• Mistakes to avoid and before and during the sit

People ask me all the time how I land such dreamy sits – and now, I’ve finally put everything I know into one handy, no-fluff guide. Because if you know me, I like to say it how it is 😉

This is your chance to skip the trial and error. I’ve honed a simple, proven approach that works – and now it’s yours too.

Adventures await!

So there you have it, beautiful – my favourite, life-changing travel hack.

If you’ve been craving (more) travel but your budget’s holding you back, or you just fancy swapping hotel rooms for cosy homes with adorable pets… this is your sign.

Sign up to Trusted Housesitters here (this link will give you 25% off!)
Or grab my House Sitting Success Guide and start booking those sits like a pro.

Happy travels and happy tails!

House sitting FAQ

Do you get paid for house sitting?

Usually no – most house sitting platforms operate on an exchange basis. You care for someone’s home and pets while they’re away, and in return, you get to stay in their home for free. Paid opportunities certainly exist but they are much harder to find and not as widely available – especially in the most desirable locations.

Do you need prior experience?

Not necessarily. Everyone starts somewhere! It helps to have some pet care or house sitting experience under your belt, even if it’s just for friends or family. But what the hosts are looking for first and foremost is love for pets and a desire to take good care of their furry family members.

How far in advance should you book a house sit?

This depends on where you’re going and when. Popular destinations – like European summers or holidays – fill up quickly, so applying a few months ahead is a good idea. That said, I’ve also found fabulous last-minute sits that popped up just a week before, so the more flexible you are, the more opportunities you’ll have to choose from.

What happens if something goes wrong?

Honestly, most sits go smoothly – I’ve personally had wonderful experiences. That said, life happens. I once looked after a French Bulldog who was attacked by another dog in a park (don’t worry, he was mostly okay!), and another time, I had a bit of a misunderstanding with the homeowners that didn’t feel good, so I made the call to end the sit early. I’ve also occasionally arrived to find the house wasn’t quite as clean as you’d hope.

The good news is, if you book through a reputable platform like Trusted Housesitters, they offer 24/7 live support and have safety measures in place. If you choose one of the higher-tier memberships, you’ll get extra protection too – like liability insurance (covering up to $1,000,000 per incident if a pet in your care causes injury or damage due to negligence) and a sit cancellation plan that covers alternative accommodation if a host cancels last-minute. It certainly gives extra peace of mind when house sitting.

What’s the best part about house sitting?

For me, it’s the perfect blend of freedom, cozy home comforts, and the pure joy of having furry friends around without the long-term commitment. Waking up in a beautiful home, making your coffee, and having a cute little companion (or 2) for cuddles and company is truly wonderful. And saving on accommodation while travelling? Totally winning.

P.S. Don’t forget – if you want to fast-track your way to landing dreamy sits, grab the House Sitting Success Guide here.

P.P.S. All photos are from house sits that I have done 🙂