If you are looking to travel the world affordably, for longer, and also gain new skills then work exchange opportunities may be the answer you have been looking for. Volunteers will work for free for a fixed amount of hours per week in exchange for free accomodation and other benefits (language lessons, free meals, yoga lessons, etc) provided by the host.
Here are 12 websites to look for these types of opportunities:
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WORLDPACKERS – TOP RECOMMENDED
for those looking to volunteer for purposeful travel through work exchange opportunities
An easy platform to nativage that offers potential placements in a wide range of volunteer opportunities available with hostels, campsites, NGOs, social projects, holistic centers, farms, ecovillages, surf camps, restaurants, and small businesses, families, through a network of over 1.5 million hosts and volunteers worldwide. With opportunities offering the ability to: experience cultural immersion, learn languages, develop new skills, make a positive impact in the world through sustainability, connect with locals. Most of the experiences offer free accomodation and meals, some even offer surfing, yoga, permaculture, or even dance lessons!
Worldpackers definitely wins in safety and responsiveness; they provide support throughout your Worldpacker Experience journey and have insurance so if you arrive at your destination and conditions are not as advertised by the host, Worldpackers will find you a new host in the area to stay with. If they’re not able to find you a new host, Worldpackers will pay for your stay in a dorm at a nearby hostel for up to three nights. They also background checks hosts, allows you to message the people directly before going, making sure that they are active and able to provide collaborative, mutually beneficial volunteering experience.
A solo membership fee is $49 for a year (you can also link you & a friends profile so you can apply to work opportunities together); Worldpackers is very focused on safety and security, verifying each host before they are accepted on the platform and provide high-level customer support. They even have a “Worldpackers Academy” that teaches travels to make a living while traveling as a lifestyle.
Get $10 off your membership through this link or with code “MONICAROAMS”
WORKAWAY
for those looking for work exchanges to gain valuable life experiences and support thousands of local projects
Another well known work exchange website with more than 50,000+ opportunities all over the world with hosts who advertise volunteer exchange positions in hostels, on farms, NGO’s, sustainable projects, animal welfare, boats, in private homes that travellers can search and apply for (some are even paid positions). They even have an option to plan meet ups and other workawayers nearby so you can find more travel buddies.
There is a membership fee, it costs $44 per year for an individual account or $56 per year for a joint account. You can apply as a solo traveler. pair /couple, or even a group / family.
WWOOF
for those who want to experience sustainable living on organic farms & family homes
Another popular site is World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF), the original work exchange site, that links those interested in a cultural and educational exchanges to organic farmers and families that are conscious of ecological farming and sustainability practices. Browsing on the site for potential opportunities is free!
In order to apply to the 142 available opportunities a membership is needed, you can get a 2 year membership for $32 (single account) or $50 (for a joint account).
HELPX
for those looking for longer work exchanges while gaining practical experiences
An online listing for those who would like the opportunity during their travels abroad, to stay with local people and gain practical experience at host organic farms, farmstays, hobby farms, lifestyle blocks, homestays, ranches, lodges, backpackers hostels and even sailing boats who invite volunteer helpers to stay with them short-term in exchange for food and accommodation. This website also has offers travelers the opportunity to connect with fellow travelers from all over the world. You have to register to apply to opportunities, you can register for free to browse and search for listings, but to contact hosts and to read the full reviews of placements you have to upgrade to the premier membership ($24USD for 2 years).
HELPSTAY
for those looking for low cost/free volunteer opportunities abroad that exchange work (less popular than WorkAway)
A contact platform between hosts and helpers with over 1000+ volunteer stays in 100+ countries that have been screened and approved. There are opportunities with free stay and food and some that are $30 a day depending on which opportunities you choose. Volunteer opportunity categories: Animals & Environments, Backpacker Hostels & Hospitality, Building & Restoration Projects, Farming & Homesteads, Community Betterment, Teaching & Language, and Internships Abroad. Membership costs $36 USD for one year for a single membership and $47 for a couple.
Trusted House Sitters
for pet lovers that like having free places to stay while traveling around the world
An online platform that connects sitters and those in need of sitters by allowing users to search for locations and showcase dates that are available that sitters can apply too. This a great opportunity for pet lovers to have an animal companion and a nice accomodation somewhere new!
Browsing is free but a membership is needed to apply to opportunities. Basic Sitter plans starting at $129/year, the Standard Sitter plan at $169/year and the Premium Sitter membership plans that go for $259/year. That’s literally $13USD every month (for the standard sitter plan)!
FREE SITES
Volunteer Base
for those who want to travel and give back without having to pay a membership fee
A moneyless help exchange network, it’s free and always will be! Hosts in need of helping hands list their Projects and Volunteers interested in joining can get in touch. Projects can be almost anything: farming, building, hostels, language teaching, house sitting, community work, arts and crafts, housekeeping, etc.
Au Pair World
for those who like kids/ have experience babysitting
The #1 au pair agency on the internet that many of my friends have used! It offers au pairs and host families the possibility to search for each other using simple, specially designed web-based tools that ensure safety and a large range of opportunities. It is a free search engine that keeps up to date with profiles and uses a matching algorithm to match users through their search criteria.
OCCUPATION WILD
for those who want jobs in the outdoor industry
An easy to navigate platform\job board for the outdoor, adventure, and travel industry for some of the best companies in the outdoor industry- trip leading & guiding jobs, jobs with housing, conservation corp jobs, national park jobs, year- round jobs, seasonal jobs, etc.
ARAMARK
for those looking for paid jobs in hospitality to work in National Parks
A customer service business across food, facilities and uniforms services to millions of people, in 19 countries around the world for those looking for jobs in culinary, food service, administration, retail and customer service, transportation, custodial, etc. in stadiums/arenas or National Parks.
ANGLOVILLE
for those looking for free accomodation in Central Europe, Ireland, England and Malta + a free TFFL certificate
A website that offers a unique experience for cultural & language exchange in beautiful venues across Europe. Each experience offers 3 free meals per day, free city tours, and you can even become a qualified TEFL teacher in weeks using an AngloTEFL Scholarship!
DEL SOL INTERNSHIP
for those looking for free accomodation in the US in exchange for sales experience
A competitive sales internship program that allows you to live in any of their locations for free, they fly you out to whatever location you are working at, supply you with a car and also offer a chance for you to get commission. This is more for people wanting sales experience in retail and counts as school internship credit if needed. This is also how I was able to live in Hawaii rent free.
*only open to US residents- no children or pets allowed, must be between 18-30*
These websites are here to provide us resources so we can travel the world more- for less. If you have ever dreamed about living in a different country or anywhere around the world these websites can help you do so affordably while also teaching you new skills and languages.
Check out my blogpost “Best Travel Credit Cards for Budget Travelers” to really see how you can make the money you spend on everyday purchases allow you to travel more!
Happy traveling my friends! xxx
Whoa! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a totally different subject but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Great choice of colors!