The single conversation that separates amateur house sitters from the pros isn't about pet routines; it's about travel costs. Most sitters assume the rule is "I pay 100% of my travel, no exceptions," and by doing so, they leave incredible opportunities on the table.
The truth is, the baseline expectation that you get yourself to the sit is just that, a baseline. It’s the starting point, not the final word.
As we established in our guide on the value exchange of house sitting, your professionalism is your primary currency. This means arriving self-sufficiently, not creating logistical headaches. Informing a homeowner you need a ride from a distant train station the day before you arrive is unacceptable.
We travel in our VW T4 van for this very reason, it’s our self-contained solution. You don’t need a camper, but you do need that mindset. Have a plan for your transportation before you ever bring it up with the owner. This frames any request not as a demand, but as a well-planned point of discussion.
The Car Conversation: Your Non-Negotiable Checklist
One of the most common exceptions to the sitter-pays-all rule is the use of the owner’s car, especially in rural areas. But this is a privilege to be negotiated, not a right to be assumed.
Discuss It Early: Use the initial video call. After building rapport, ask: "I see the home is a little outside of town. Will a vehicle be necessary for groceries or a pet emergency, and if so, what do you typically recommend?" This opens the door for them to offer.
Confirm Insurance: If they offer, the homeowner must contact their insurance provider to confirm their policy covers a named guest driver. Never drive their car without this explicit confirmation. For more on this, review our guide on Insurance Coverage with House Sitters.
Get It In Writing: Summarize the agreement in the platform’s messaging system. A simple, "Just confirming I'll be able to use the car and you've confirmed I'm covered by your insurance," creates a clear record.
The International Equation: When the Rules Bend
For international sits, the dynamic of who pays hinges on one crucial detail: who initiated contact.
You Applied for the Sit: If you find and apply for an opportunity abroad on international housesitting platforms, you are pursuing the experience. The flights, visas, and insurance are your investment.
You Were Invited to the Sit: The game changes if a homeowner seeks you out. Perhaps they loved you from a past sit or found your standout House Sitting Profile. You are now being recruited. In this scenario, it is perfectly reasonable to negotiate for them to cover your travel costs in full or suggest a 50/50 split.
Success hinges on the agreements made before you book the flight, not the assumptions you make when you land.
If a homeowner offers their car, should I offer to pay for fuel?
Absolutely. It's courteous and professional to replace any fuel you use. Most sitters either fill the tank back to the level it was when they arrived or simply fill it up completely before the homeowners return as a gesture of thanks. This should also be clarified in your initial discussion.
What happens if I get into an accident with the homeowner's car?
This is why confirming insurance coverage is non-negotiable. If you are a named and approved driver on their policy, their insurance should cover it. You would be responsible for any deductible, and you should discuss this possibility with the homeowner beforehand so there are no surprises.
If a homeowner invites me to an international sit and agrees to pay for my flight, who pays for the visa?
Typically, even if a homeowner covers the major travel expense like a flight, ancillary costs like visa applications and travel insurance remain the sitter's responsibility. However, like everything else, this is negotiable. The key is to create a clear, written agreement outlining exactly who is responsible for each specific cost before anything is booked.
