What Is Kindred?
You have questions about the house swapping platform; we have answers.
If you’ve reached this page, the concept of Kindred has crossed your virtual or literal path in one way or another, but you have questions. Starting with, what even is Kindred?
So, what is Kindred?
Kindred is a members-only house swapping platform that makes it easy to exchange homes with vetted members around the world. Members list their home, find other Kindred hosts in destinations they want to visit, and exchange stays — either simultaneously or flexibly, using credits. You earn credits when you host, and use those credits to stay at one of 130,000 Kindred homes.
Kindred is an ideal solution for travelers who want comfort, character, and connection without the high costs of hotels.
Is Kindred just a VRBO or Airbnb alternative?
No. Unlike traditional short-term vacation rentals, all Kindred members go through a screening and identity verification process before being accepted. Everyone hosts their own home — no management companies or investment properties here — and you’ll always know who you’re swapping with. You’re never auto-matched or forced into accepting a stay. You can chat with guests (including scheduling a video call) and only confirm a stay when it feels right for both sides.
House swapping is a third way to travel, neither hotel nor short-term rental. Instead of overpaying for vacation rentals while your home sits empty, Kindred enables members to use their home as a ticket to affordable world travel, all while fostering a like-minded, generous community of people who value experiences over material goods.
Ah, so how does a house swap with Kindred actually work?
If you want to house swap on Kindred, here are the steps.
1. Apply to be a member.
2. Once accepted, you automatically get five credits to try it out, so start browsing our 130,000+ homes in 100+ cities, and book that trip!
3. Meanwhile, upload photos of your home to the app.
4. Set yourself as “Open to swaps” to start seeing requests.
5. Even better, click on "Available to book," and set the dates you’re out of town.
6. Accept your first guest!
7. Receive a Kindred host kit in the mail.
8. If you host for seven nights, you can now request a week-long stay wherever you want! (New York, perhaps, or maybe London?)
How is Kindred different from other home exchange sites?
For one thing, the Kindred team provides white-glove services like 24/7 trip support, cleaning coordination, and $100,000 Host Protection, so you have peace of mind from searching to booking to checking in and out. You can do the traditional 1:1 swap that most home exchange sites offer, but Kindred members often take advantage of the flexible credit system: You earn credits when you host, then use credits for stays. Also, all Kindred members are vetted, and hosts using their own home. (No management companies allowed.)
How much does Kindred cost?
Applying for and joining Kindred is 100% free. We don’t even take your credit card until you book a trip. If your home is accepted and you book a stay, you’ll only pay a cleaning fee (based on the home’s size and location) and a small service fee, which ranges from $5 to $35 per night, depending on the length of your stay. (The longer the stay, the better the deal.) We make travel more affordable and accessible by allowing you to share your home with other Kindred members.
So Kindred costs less than hotels or vacation rentals?
Yes! Kindred homes are 10 times cheaper, on average, than booking hotels or short-term vacation rentals.
Kindred’s house swapping community
This third way of travel is addictive because it’s so personal. Stepping in someone’s shoes—grocery shopping where they shop, frequenting the same parks and bookstores and restaurants—it’s special. And hosting has its own joys. Members exchange little notes and small tokens of thanks. Many keep in touch, and join the dinner parties and park hangs that Kindred throws in dozens of cities around the world.
Talk to Kindred members, and you’ll likely hear something along the lines of: I joined Kindred because I wanted to travel more affordably. And I have, and that’s been amazing. But I am obsessed with Kindred because of the community.
Ready to give it a shot?