I went on a world tour twice in 2009 and 2014. In this article, I will give you storage tips or housing solutions that I used during my world tour.
📋 Key takeaway: 4 options for your housing during a long trip: subletting/long-term Airbnb (profitable, 60-80% of rent reimbursed), keeping your apartment empty (security but full cost), terminating the lease (economical but starting from scratch upon return), house-sitting/home exchange (free). My choice: Airbnb subletting for 60% of my long trips.
Housing tip when going on a trip
During my first world tour, I had student housing that I vacated. This housing was unfurnished but had a bed and the necessary kitchen items. I didn’t really have many belongings at that time; I brought back my gamer equipment and clothes to my parents’ place.
During my second world tour in 2014, I had rented a studio that I had furnished. I will tell you how I did it.
Several solutions are available to you when you go on a long trip or a world tour:
- Rent or sublet your housing: This is one of the most adopted solutions and the simplest one. Personally, I gave up the lease of my unfurnished housing when I left, but I know people who left for 6 months who sublet with the landlord’s agreement or rented out their property during their stay abroad.
- Store furniture in a storage space or rent a storage unit: Having left my apartment, I adapted this solution when I went to Europe for a few months before my world tour. I freed myself from my work contract very quickly and hadn’t planned to leave; I only left 3 months later, and at that time, I hadn’t arranged storage for my gamer equipment.
- You can also do co-storage: That is, you rent a storage space from a private individual. This can be a more economical solution than the previous one. Personally, I didn’t take the time to look into this solution.
- Put everything in your attic or in the parking if it is closed, if you have one: If you own your property, this can be a feasible solution.
- Sell your furniture gradually before your departure: When my world tour plan became more and more concrete, I started selling furniture I no longer needed on Le Bon Coin that took up space, like the bed or the TV stand, or the gaming equipment I had like my gamer chair and desk.
Packing tip and Traveling light on a trip:
🗣️ My experience: For my 6-month trip in Asia, I had a 2-room apartment at €950/month in Paris. I sublet it on Airbnb seasonally at €90/night. Result: 5 months rented, €6,200 net income after commissions, or €1,100/month → €150 profit after my rent. The world tour was largely self-financed. Anticipate cleaning between tenants (€75 per check-out) and written authorization from the landlord.
I am going to add some tips that I use when I travel or to save space.
Have you ever heard of vacuum storage bags? These are bags where you can store comforters, clothes, bedding, pillows, curtains. It is the same principle as vacuum storage used with food.
🍀 Airbnb Subletting
- Rent partially or fully covered
- Personal belongings secured
- Direct return without moving
- Sometimes profitable income
🔻 Limits
- Landlord’s approval required
- Remote management (cleaning, check-in)
- Limit of 120 days/year in some cities
- Risk of damage despite insurance
These vacuum storage bags allow you to save a huge amount of space. When you put the item you want to store in these bags, you can remove the air. The size of the items is thus reduced by more than half. This way, you will save a lot of space. When traveling, putting things in vacuum storage bags can be incredible.
🌍 Did you know?
In France, subletting with the landlord’s consent is legal and can cover up to 80% of the rent during absence. Without the landlord’s written consent, it is a valid reason for lease termination. Also check the maximum allowed duration by your commercial lease or town hall for short-term rentals (often 120 days/year).
This is how I stored my clothes and all necessary bedding in a storage unit to reduce space.
⚠️ Classic trap
Subletting without written authorization from the landlord. Even if Airbnb lets you create the listing, it is legally a reason for lease termination. Always ask for written consent (email or letter) and check the condominium rules which may prohibit tourist rentals even with the landlord’s consent.
And you? How do you manage storage and your housing when you go on a long trip?
Should you keep your apartment during a long trip?
Can you sublet on Airbnb without the landlord’s consent?
How much does Airbnb subletting earn in Paris?
If the housing topic is part of a broader reflection, preparing a long trip covers all pre-departure steps. For shorter trips, finding a cheap hotel offers tips on accommodations at the destination. And quitting everything to travel gathers existential questions.
| Option | Monthly Cost | Effort | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbnb subletting (landlord agreement) | -60 to -80% of rent | Medium (preparation) | 1-6 months absence |
| Long-term subletting (student) | -70 to -90% | Low | 6-12 months |
| Keep empty | Full rent | None | 1-3 months max |
| Terminate lease | 0 (but moving costs) | High | Round-the-world trip 1 year+ |
| House-sitting / exchange | Variable | Low | Flexible travel |
| Storage + no fixed address | €50-150/month for unit | High | Trip 1 year+ |
