Travel the World by Housesitting - Top Tips

Many housesitters start their journey by doing a local housesit. However, pretty soon we find most want to travel thew world by housesitting spreading their wings and going to visit new countries. Read on to learn our top tips and the three key considerations you need to plan for.

Travel the World by Housesitting – Top Tips

a backpack is useful when you travel the world by housesitting — It is useful to travel light when you travel the world by housesitting

Photo by Franz P. Sourdough

Travel plans are a must for many these days, with 92% of travelers expect to travel at least as much in 2024 as they did in the prior year, while 40% of respondents plan to travel more, according to one Forbes Advisor survey.

3 Key Considerations for International House Sitters

For those who wish to travel the world by housesitting it is indeed a great way to do just that — just imagine where you could go? If you are looking for affordable travel especially if you happen to be on a budget the housesitting is an option to consider.

view of the sea from a bougainvillea covered stairwell — Just imagine what a new location and a new perspective could offer you

Photo by ‘Gotta Be Worth It’

The world is your oyster and you can discover so many new locations, some near home and others much further afield, by helping someone and staying for free in their home to take care of pets, their garden and their property while they are away.

However, before you book a ticket abroad, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind. From the value of an emergency plan to factoring in smart ways to extend your stay, there are more than a few ways to make the most of an international house sitting adventure.

1. The value of an emergency plan

In addition to checking tourist visa requirements for your destination, preparation plays a major role when aiming to house sit abroad and especially when you travel the world by housesitting.

This is especially true when your are planning to house sit abroad, as you’ll have to prepare while keeping all your destinations. Understanding the basics requirements to enter the country you’re going to be spending time in is imperative. You also need to consider local and seasonal weather plus remember to learn helpful phrases in the local language.

Familiarizing yourself with the area upon arrival (and even beforehand via internet searches) can help greatly when understanding where the nearest veterinarian is located, in addition to the grocery store and hospital.

What do emergency plans entail?

Kaeli Conforti writes about an experience in a 2019 Forbes article, stressing the fact that anything can happen while you’re house sitting. “Some hosts will leave you with contact info for neighbors or other family members living in the area — one of my New Zealand hosts even left special instructions in case a bad earthquake happened while they were away,” Conforti wrote.

Discussing emergency plans with the homeowner is essential before parting ways, especially when pets are involved — after all, the last thing you want is to be stuck in another country in a situation where you’re unsure as to what the best course of action is. Vet information, important phone numbers, and the location of safety equipment (such as a first aid kit and fire extinguisher) are all essential topics of discussion.

If you’re headed to a country that experiences severe weather, knowing what to do during a power outage or in the event of an evacuation are additional topics to discuss. If possible, touching base with a neighbor or two can be helpful, especially if you’re in need of immediate assistance.

2. Getting acquainted with local norms

In addition to an emergency plan, getting acquainted with the local norms and customs is another must. When preparing for an upcoming international housesitting you can easily overlook specific requirements in a country or region, amidst the excitement of travel. Aside from learning a few key phrases in the local language, it can be well worth your time to learn about key differences that you may encounter within the house itself.

dog walker with three dogs on leads — When you travel the world by housesitting you need to familiarise yourself with local rules relating to pets

Photo by Surprising_SnapShots

In Germany, for instance, ‘tilt and turn’ windows are simple to operate and efficient at ventilating a home — though are a major shift from what you may find in the United States. In Mexico, you’ll likely encounter kitchens that feature clay and stone tiles, which are commonly used on countertops and floors.

While beautiful, these tiles may require special cleaning. By understanding the differences that you may encounter in different homes around the world, you can be well equipped to keep the home in proper working order while the homeowner is away.

3. Taking the adventure to the open road

Going abroad to house sit for a week or two can be a fulfilling endeavor for many, though those who crave more adventure can easily extend a trip abroad to include many house sits back-to-back (should your tourist visa allow). We can see why there is growing appeal for many to travel the world by housesitting.

housesitters enjoy low-cost vacations like Alecia in Paris — House Sitter Alecia travelled to France to housesit near Paris

Photo by Alecia

One unique option is to turn your house sitting adventures into a road trip, which will enable you to visit a variety of attractions on your way to the next house. With a comfortable vehicle and a list of sights and attractions worth stopping for, a road trip can be a great way to see more of the country you’ll be staying in without having to leave the house you’ll be looking after.

One way to make the trip even more exciting is to make a goal based on the country — if you’ll be traveling in the United States, making it a goal to visit as many National Parks as possible is a great way to see as much of the country’s natural beauty as possible.

Travel by Vehicle To Your Own Timetable

Choosing the right vehicle is essential when planning for a road trip, and can make or break the journey. Comfort is just one key aspect to keep in mind, with spacious vehicles proving to be ideal.

Minivans are a great choice for a road trip — in addition to plenty of interior space, today’s top models include helpful safety features like lane departure warning and lane keeping assist that help to provide a safer driving experience.

Many minivans also come with a built-in feature that enables seats to fold down into the floor in the back, which can create optimal space for an inflatable mattress for those who wish to camp out between house stays.

Final Thoughts on How to Travel the World by Housesitting

Housesitting is a great way to help out another person, though it doesn’t have to be a dull endeavor. By making the most out of your trip by extending your stay while keeping important aspects of preparation in mind, you can effectively prepare for a smooth journey ahead. By choosing to travel the world by housesitting you can exchange services with people all over the world and enjoy all kinds of new cultures along the way.

More Reasons Why You Might Try House Sitting

There are so many reasons why you might want to travel the world by housesitting that it is difficult to summarise. And finding a way to experience Europe like a local is one of the main ones.

While many people will have specific questions before they start ask the house sitting platform you are considering joining for some advice. They will likely be able to answer your questions with examples and scenarios to help you.

You might consider a local housesit to get started, then try a holiday housesit to help you experience Europe like a local. Then others go further and adopt the full house sitting life style. Go on, try house sitting.