10 Bucket List Trips You Could Take With Your Vacation Rental Earnings

May 3, 2016 | Expert Advice

Need some bucket list inspiration? TripAdvisor Rentals is here to help.

If you’ve never considered renting out your property for extra income, then consider this: the amount of money you could make with one week’s worth of rental earnings could pay for your own bucket list vacation. TripAdvisor Rentals lets you list a full space or even a spare room. In fact, America’s spare bedrooms are estimated to be worth $174.9 billion (!), according to a report from personal finance website Finder.com. What are you waiting for? 

Bucket List Experiences

There is an iconic monologue in the movie Good Will Hunting where Robin Williams lectures a young Matt Damon about life. “I’ll bet you can’t tell me what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel,” he says. “You’ve never actually stood there and looked up at that beautiful ceiling.”

There’s a reason the writers chose that experience to emphasize their point. Smelling the Sistine Chapel. Because some things in this world—be it certain destinations, historical sites, specific attractions or activities—are so amazing that words cannot do them justice. Browse any avid traveler’s bucket list and you’re sure to find a plethora of these experiences. I’m sure you have one or two on your own bucket list at this exact moment.

What if we said you could check off some of those travel bucket list experiences without spending a dime? It’s not rocket science. Renting out your space is a great way to earn extra income. Depending on where you live (or where your rental home, apartment, condo, etc is located), you can make a substantial amount.

Earning Potential, US Beach Destination:

$2,587 per week for a two-bed property*

Earning Potential, US City Destination:

$2,343 per week for a two-bed property*

Earning Potential, US Mountain Destination:

$2,256 per week for a two-bed property*

To get your wanderlust juices flowing, here are 10 bucket list trips you could take with your rental earnings.

1. Sightseeing In Cinque Terre, Italy

Vernazza-Cinque-Terre-Romance

Italy is known for many things, one being the majestic coastal scenery and seaside towns that line the hillsides. None may be more picture-worthy than Cinque Terre. Ideal for sightseeing strolls (cars aren’t even allowed here), this gem in the Italian Riviera is sure to be on a bucket list or two. At just $1,489 for a weeklong stay in a two-bedroom rental in Cinque Terre, you’ll have nearly $1,000 extra bucks to spend on flights, attractions, dining and more.

Average weekly rate in Cinque Terre is based off 2016 data, June through August.

2. Trek The Inca Trail To Machu Picchu

cusco-travel-private

Many bucket list trips involve doing something as opposed to just going somewhere. Well Cusco, Peru has a solution for both. Rent a two-bedroom home or apartment for the ridiculously low price of $393 per week on average; you’ll be minutes to the base of the Inca Trail, which leads you to Machu Picchu.

Average weekly rate in Cusco is based off 2016 data, June through August.

3. Après Ski In A Swiss Alps Chalet

Chalet-Maurice-Swiss-Alps

Winter fanatics know there’s no better trip than an après-ski getaway somewhere fun and filled with snow. Enter the Swiss Alps. Imagine hitting the slopes right out the front door of your ski-in, ski-out chalet rental. After an exhausting day of shredding, you retreat to the comforts of home: a full kitchen, living room or even outdoor area. A little music, a bottle of bubbly…now we’re talking. All this can be yours for just $1,688 per week for a two-bedroom rental in the Swiss Alps (February is the best time to go). Your rental earnings could cover that, and some.

Average weekly rate in the Swiss Alps reflects what the average weeklong stay cost travelers in February 2016.

4. Celeb Spotting On Copacabana Beach, Rio

Copacabana-Penthouse-Outdoor-Patio

Copacabana Beach is one of Rio’s hottest (literally and figuratively speaking) hangout spots for celebrities and locals alike. Al fresco bars and restaurants line the sands while volleyballers, footballers, sunbathers, surfers and yachters bask in the glory of the Atlantic. But wait, with such star power isn’t it crazy expensive? Nope. A weeklong stay in a Rio two-bedroom will run you just $2,223 on average. Oh, and rumor has it there’s a certain big sporting event taking place there in August.

Average weekly rate in Rio de Janeiro is based off 2016 data, June through August.

5. Snorkel Or Dive The Great Barrier Reef

Great-Barrier-Reef-Featured-Photo

The coastal towns of Cairns and Port Douglas are prime gateways to Australia’s most beloved aquatic attraction. Words simply can’t describe what it’s like to gaze upon the colorful coral, surrounded by exotic fish species. We know, we know: it’s a long flight. However, find solace in the fact that you could have almost $1,000 leftover from your rental earnings to put towards airfare. A weeklong stay in a Cairns two-bedroom is just $1,361 on average, while Port Douglas two-bedrooms are $1,724 per week on average.

Average weekly rates in Cairns & Port Douglas are based off 2016 data, June through August.

6. A Palace For Aurora Borealis

Reykjavik-Northern-Lights

They say Iceland is one of, if not the best place to catch the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis. The incredible sky show is visible almost eight months of the year, and your options of where to see it are vast. Stay in the capital city of Reykjavik for just $1,443 on average for a two-bedroom rental in September 2016 (one of the best months to see it). You may even be able to look out the window of your affordable palace and catch a glimpse. Just have your camera ready.

Average weekly rate in Reykjavik is based off September 2016 data.

7. Taste Your Way Through California’s Wine Country

Wine

Pick your poison: Pinot Noir? Merlot? How about a full-bodied Cab or refreshing Chardonnay? Smile at the incredible scenery of California’s wine country as flavorful tannins dance across your every taste bud. Why else are you smiling? Because you booked a two-bedroom vacation rental just minutes from the vineyards of Sonoma County. At the low cost of $1,685 per week on average, you’ll have extra dow from your rental earnings to buy yourself a few bottles to-go.

Average weekly rate in Sonoma County is based off 2016 data, June through August.

8. Experience Oktoberfest In Munich, Germany

Oktoberfest

Who doesn’t like a good pint? In Germany – especially during the famous Oktoberfest celebrations – they use that term loosely. Pint, gallon, massive boot…either way you’re getting a bucket list experience you won’t soon forget (though that may depend on how many boots you consume). Two-bedroom vacation rentals in Munich (the festival’s main hub) are just $1,827 per week on average during October 2016.

Average weekly rate in Munich is based off October 2016 data.

9. Explore The Magic Of Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech

Marrakech was TripAdvisor’s 2015 winner for “Best Destination” as voted on by our traveler community. In 2016’s awards it took third place, so clearly there’s something to this magical city. Home to some of the most authentic markets and shops, Marrakech is mind-blowingly affordable. Stay in a two-bedroom rental for just $657 per week on average. Use the rest of your rental earnings for spending at those street markets.

Average weekly rate in Marrakech is based off 2016 data, June through August.

10. Visit London

london-uk-rent-your-home

Need we say more? The Crown Jewels, Buckingham Palace, Camden Market, Royal Opera House, Abbey Road, Oxford Street…in London, history collides with art, fashion, food and good British ale. The best part? You can stay in a swanky London loft for just $2,371 per week on average (two-bedroom rental).

Average weekly rate in London is based off 2016 data, June through August.

 

*Beach Destination reflects the median vacation rental rates for a weeklong stay in a 2BR property between March-December 2016, based off of five popular beach destinations: Ka’anapali ($3276), Laguna Beach ($2740), Miami Beach ($2587), Key West ($2335), Rehobeth Beach ($1553)

*City Destination reflects the median vacation rental rates for a weeklong stay in a 2BR property in 2016, based off of five major US cities: Louisville ($3,030), Philadelphia ($2427), Miami ($2343), Boston ($2189), Los Angeles ($1,651)

*Mountain Destination reflects the median vacation rental rates for a weeklong stay in a 2BR property between March-December 2016, based off of five popular mountain destinations: Vail ($3493), Park City ($2796), Jackson ($2256), Big Sky ($2018), Killington ($1838)

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