House Sitting While Travelling: A Smart Way to Stay for Free

Travelling abroad can get expensive, especially when it comes to hotel stays. But what if we said you could stay in another country for free? Yes, that’s possible—and it’s called house sitting.

House sitting is a simple concept. Someone is going on a holiday or work trip and doesn’t want their home or pets left alone. You stay in their house, take care of things, and in return, you get a place to live—for free. No rent, no hotel bills.

In this guide from Travelblog, we explain how house sitting works, where you can find such opportunities, and how Indian travellers can benefit from it.

How House Sitting Works?

Here’s a quick look at how the whole thing goes:

  1. A house owner is planning to leave their home for some days or weeks.
  2. They list their home on a house sitting website.
  3. You apply to stay and take care of the house (and pets, if any).
  4. If the owner accepts, you stay for free and look after the place.
  5. Once they return, your house sitting is complete.

Think of it like a trade—you offer your time and attention, and in return, you get a free place to stay.

You can read more such easy-to-follow travel hacks on Travelblog.

What You May Have to Do as a House Sitter?

House sitting isn’t hard work. Most house owners only ask you to:

  • Take care of pets (feed them, walk them)
  • Water the plants
  • Keep the house clean
  • Collect letters or packages
  • Send small updates via text or email

It’s like living in your own house but with small tasks. And instead of paying for a hotel, you live for free.

Where Can You Find House Sitting Jobs?

Several websites connect travellers with house owners. Here are some names:

  • TrustedHousesitters
  • Nomador
  • MindMyHouse
  • HouseCarers

These websites have listings from many countries. You make a profile, upload some ID proofs, and apply for stays.

Tip: Write a short and honest bio. Mention if you’ve taken care of pets or stayed in someone’s house before. That helps you get picked.

We’ll keep updating you on such tips on Travelblog.

Popular Countries Where Indians Are House Sitting

Some countries have more house sitting listings than others. Based on current trends, here are a few good choices for Indian travellers:

Country Why It’s a Good Choice
UK Pet care houses are easy to find
Australia Many long-term house sitting roles
France Countryside homes with pets and gardens
Canada Good for solo or couple travellers
Spain Ideal for relaxed stays with low effort

House sitting works well if you want to stay in one place for longer—like 2 to 4 weeks.

What You Save by House Sitting?

Let’s say you plan to travel for a month. Here’s a rough cost comparison:

Expense Normal Stay (per day) House Sitting (per day)
Stay ₹3,000 – ₹5,000 ₹0
Food (if you cook) ₹500 – ₹800 ₹300
Local travel ₹200 – ₹400 ₹200 – ₹400

By house sitting, you save ₹90,000–₹1,20,000 a month just on stay. You also get a kitchen, which means you spend less on eating out.

For more ideas to cut down travel costs, check Travelblog.

Things You Should Know Before Starting

  • Start with small stays: Apply for short-term stays (1–2 weeks) when starting.
  • Be honest in your profile: If you’re scared of dogs or allergic to cats, don’t hide it.
  • Check visa rules: Some countries allow house sitting on tourist visas. Some may not.
  • Talk clearly with the owner: Ask them what they expect from you before you say yes.

Also, always keep travel insurance. It’s useful in case of emergencies or flight delays.

How to Get Selected for House Sitting?

A good profile matters. Here’s what helps:

  • A clear photo (no group photos)
  • A short bio explaining why you want to house sit
  • Mention if you have pet care or house care experience
  • Add personal references (friends, neighbours, past stays)

You can ask for reviews after each house sit. These reviews help you get more offers later.

Final Thoughts

House sitting is not just a way to stay for free. It’s a way to travel slowly, live peacefully, and save a lot of money. You’re not running from one hotel to another. You stay in one place, live like a local, and make a small difference by helping someone.

Whether you’re a student, remote worker, couple, or solo traveller—this option is worth considering. All you need is some planning, honesty, and a love for calm living.

At Travelblog, we believe that travelling smart is better than travelling fast. House sitting is just one way to do it.

So, next time you’re planning a trip, don’t just look for cheap flights. Think about where you can live for free. And don’t forget to visit Travelblog for more budget-friendly ideas, real stories, and travel tips made for Indian travellers.

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