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A Guide to Workaway for Travelers

By Volunteer Forever

Updated for 2023-2024

Are you looking for a volunteer abroad experience, but feel overwhelmed by the cost? If so, you’re not alone. Thankfully, there are programs that enable you to afford an otherwise expensive international volunteer experience . One of those programs is called Workaway.

What Is Workaway?

Workaway  is an international program that allows travelers to pay for their room and food by helping their host with household work needs, projects, or odd jobs. The program emphasizes cultural exchange between traveler and host. You can find opportunities and hosts by searching on the Workaway website.

Workaway differs from our best volunteer programs such as International Volunteer HQ , GoEco , Maximo Nivel, or African Impact in that you search for individual hosts on their platform. The projects that they list usually are not structured volunteer programs and you may not have an opportunity to interact with other volunteers or travelers. You also have a much larger set of choices – over 40,000 hosts – which may be overwhelming to choose from. On the other hand, the volunteer programs we mentioned do all of the vetting of projects and accommodations and provide full support starting from pre-departure. For example, with IVHQ, you are assigned your very own Volunteer Travel Expert , who guides you every step of the way. IVHQ also provide robust pre-departure training to help you stay safe and have the right expectations for your trip. Lastly, with a structured volunteer program, you may be able to change projects or accommodations part-way through your trip to give you even more peace of mind.

What Are The Benefits Of Workaway?

Price is the most obvious benefit of using Workaway to travel or volunteer; you can avoid paying for food and board when you travel with Workaway.  However, given some volunteer providers such as IVHQ costs only $20 per day (inclusive of room & board), the Workaway model may not be the best approach for you. And besides the cost benefit, Workaway invites you to experience the daily life of diverse countries and cultures.

While you can experience the tourist’s version of different countries by visiting the famous cities and staying in hotels, Workaway gives you the opportunity to spend quality time in the home of locals. For example, everyone knows that the food you eat at a fancy restaurant doesn’t accurately represent homemade meals. By staying with a host you’ll be eating–and even living–in a way that lets you absorb new cultural views.

How Do You Get Paid With Workaway?

Whether you get paid on Workaway is a common question – and generally, you can expect the arrangement to be a work exchange, meaning you receive a room and meals for the work you do. Most hosts expect you to work about five hours a day, and some do offer additional pay, which you can find in their bio on the Workaway website.

How Do Meals Work With Workaway?

This differs between hosts, and you can ask them for details if their bio doesn’t thoroughly explain the food plan. The usual options are:

• The host makes you meals and you eat with them
• The host makes you meals that you don’t eat with them
• The host provides ingredients for you to make your own food
• A combination of those three

The visit duration can also affect how meals work – for example, you’ll probably cook some meals yourself if you stay for a few months. And who doesn’t want to learn local recipes?

What Locations And Work Are Offered On Workaway?

Right now, there are more than 40,000 hosts, and each project is very different from the next. There are opportunities for farm work in Canada, restoring a home in the South of France, teaching in Kenya, and even beekeeping in Poland. This article  talks about an amateur artist’s experience being hired to paint murals through Workaway. You’ll be surprised at the new skills you can learn and the old ones you will use!

Europe has many popular opportunities in particular, and Antarctica is the only continent where you won’t find projects. Travelers of all ages are welcome to join – so don’t worry if you’re not a student taking a gap year.  Workaway Europe  can be a fantastic experience if you’re a mid-career professional or even if you’re retired.

When perusing Workaway’s host bios, it’s common to find people looking for someone to “be a part of the family” during their visit. These hosts are welcoming, and typically expect you to help out with their usual household chores–in addition to the standard five hours of daily work.

How Long Can You Stay Through Workaway?

The duration of your stay could be a few days or an entire year; you and the host decide this before you arrive. Since this isn’t a legal contract between you and the host, you are welcome to leave early if you encounter issues. Workaway encourages you to have a backup plan in case the arrangement goes poorly, though this should be an option only in extreme situations. On the flip side, you may find that you love the arrangement and can even stay longer than you expected!

How Do You Get Started With Workaway?

To get started,  go to Workaway’s website  and start researching the projects that interest you. Workaway offers a lot of information about each host, so you can avoid arriving to their home feeling nervous or frustrated. Spending the time finding the host that best matches your needs and expectations will give you the greatest chance at a fantastic experience. Workawayers are encouraged to leave reviews of their hosts, and vice versa – this helps you learn from others about what to expect. As well, every host has a bio outlining the following:

• Rating from previous visitors
• Availability
• Description of the hosting individual, couple, family, or organization
• The kind of work they’re looking for
• What kind of cultural experiences you can expect
• Which language(s) the host speaks–or which languages you can learn
• Which language you should know as a worker
• Info about the room they offer
• How many Workawayers they need
• How many hours they expect someone to work each day

How Safe Is Workaway?

Even with all the information you can find about a host, including user reviews, it’s reasonable to be concerned about safety – especially if you’re a first-time traveler , solo female traveler , teen / high school volunteer , or if you’re new to Workaway. Certainly, for under-18 aged volunteers , we would recommend a more structured program such as African Impact – t heir minimum age requirement for their projects is 16, making African Impact a great option for teen and high school volunteers. Alternatively, teenage travelers may consider Projects Abroad , which has in-country staff available 24/7 to provide a safe environment. First-time travelers who are volunteering internationally should definitely consider more structured volunteer programs, such as IVHQ , to ensure they are making the best decisions for themselves.

A few tips:

• If you’d like to travel with a buddy, find a host that’s looking for at least two Workawayers, and apply together
• If you’d rather be in a larger town or city instead of a remote location, narrow your search to a community where you’ll feel most comfortable
• Research the local area to learn about the culture and day-to-day life, and decide if it’s a place you are confident traveling to – consider aspects like politics, social norms, health and fitness, weather, and other factors

Many hosts are equally concerned about finding the right Workawayer to stay with them – be sure to reach out and talk with the host so you can get to know one another better and to allay any concerns you both may have.

For more advice,  read Workaway’s article on safety .

How Much Does Workaway Cost?

If you’re excited to travel, but aren’t ready to jump in just yet, you’re welcome to look at hosts and experiences without a subscription. Once you’re ready to apply for a position with a host, create an account, which costs $42 per year – if you’d like to travel as a couple, you can create a joint account for $54 per year. From there, you can introduce yourself to potential hosts by filling out your profile.

The Workaway program is an extremely cost effective way to travel, but it isn’t a way to completely volunteer abroad for free. Some of the expenses you’ll need to take on include airfare, in-country transportation, side trips, and extra spending money for souvenirs, restaurants, or personal items. Make sure you budget appropriately for the duration of your project.

A Few More Things To Know About Workaway

Don’t forget the details. Make sure you have all the information you need from your host before you leave on your adventure! Here are a few questions to ask your host:

• Their exact address
• What they recommend for transportation in-country
• How many hours and days you’ll work in a week
• What the sleeping arrangements are
• If there will be other Workawayers staying there at the same time
• Whether they can accommodate special requests – for example, if you’re vegetarian or if you have allergies

Workaway might be a good experience if you’re an experienced and independent traveler. It can open doors for a cultural exchange that you won’t find on a standard vacation. You can travel affordably whether you’re looking for a  Workaway program  for retirees , a way to spend your gap year abroad , or the opportunity to learn a second language . Check  Workaway’s FAQ page  if you’re looking for more information, or  sign up  if you’re ready to go!

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11-Step Guide to Workaway for Beginners

I’ve done three Workaway projects in my time. I wanted to put together a Workaway guide to help you plan your trips, and know a bit more about what to expect.

The three Workaway projects I’ve worked on have all been awesome experience on every one. Workaway is a great way to travel and meet new people and I’d love to encourage more people to join the site. I’ve written this guide to Workaway to help answer any worries you have, and to put your mind at rest. 

I just want to say now that I have no affiliation with Workaway and I wasn’t paid to write this (sadly). I honestly just love the whole concept of Workaway and I think you should too.

Here are the answers to the Workaway questions I get most regularly from my excellent readers.

Workaway guide for beginners

Need an example of what to ask your Workaway host?

Watch the official Workaway video on YouTube

1. What is Workaway?

I’ve gone into more depth on what exactly Workaway is in another post. But very basically, you work for someone for five hours a day and in return you’ll get your bed and board. Each contract is different depending on the stipulations set out on the site and in your emails beforehand, but that’s the general agreement.

In their own words:

“ Workaway  is a site set up to promote fair exchange between travellers (workawayers) and hosts who are families, individuals or organisations looking for help with a range of activities. Our philosophy is simple: A few hours honest help a day in exchange for food and accommodation and an opportunity to learn about local lifestyles.”

2. Why do Workawa y

• Work abroad
• Integrate into local cultures
• Learn a language
• Acquire new skills
• Make new friends

Workaway is a great opportunity to work abroad without all the hassle of visas and to really get to know a culture rather than just visit the tourist hotspots. Working on a project with them is your chance to see what it’s really like to live in a destination and often to meet the local community.

If you’re travelling somewhere as expensive as Europe for example, like I did, it’s also a great way to save money and keep you travelling for longer. Accommodation there would be around £20 a night – in total I spent around 40 nights on Workaway projects, saving £800, wow.

I also learnt how to lay paths, use a chainsaw , use a sit on mower, clean gutters, work out the Spanish bus timetables, speak a little Italian, even less Czech, plaster, make curry, bake bread and paint in a straight line, among other skills.

– me painting windows in Spain on Workaway

3. How much money do I need for Workaway?

I get emails asking me how much to save for Workaway all the time, but it really depends on where you’re going, how long for, who you’re working with, your spending habits and the bed and board agreement you have set up.

All I can say is that I barely spent anything on any of my projects.

Signing up to the site currently costs €36 for a single person for a year and €48 if you’re signing up as a couple – a brilliant investment if you plan on travelling for a while.

Reviews of Workaway

4. What was my experience doing Workaway?

I had an absolutely awesome time doing my Workaway projects and would recommend it to anyone.

This is what I did…

• Conil, Southern Spain: Painting villas, gardening and cleaning.
• Ceglie Messapica, Southern Italy: Laying paths, pruning trees, building, gardening and chopping wood.
• Bechyne, Czech Republic: Gardening, cleaning, handyman duties.

All the hosts on my projects were brilliant – some more than others – but inviting people into your home to share your space takes balls, and they all had them.

One of the best things about Workaway was the fact that the hosts totally integrated us into their lives. We met their families and friends, and every time we were pushed out of our comfort zones, we learned something new. 

We also got luxury accommodation, compared to what we were used to after staying in hostels.

– In Spain we were just out of season and so we had a luxury villa between us for two weeks.

– In Italy we stayed in a lovely room in her house with a private bathroom, and she had a hot tub.

– And then in the Czech Republic we had a room to ourselves in a hostel building they were renovating. In fact, we had the whole place to ourselves. My Workaway review is that, I’m sure you can tell now, it’s a great idea.  

Your Workaway accommodation will totally vary depending on the host, but I can assure you, you can find some really nice places! 

5. Do I need a visa for Workaway?

I worked in Europe and didn’t need a visa for Workaway. 

Obviously, check with your local embassy to double, triple make sure, but I’ve never known anyone to need a visa for Workaway. It’s providing a service for bed and board, and most of the time no money changes hands. 

If, however, you are getting paid, or manage to get some paid work on Workaway then you really do need to double check your Workaway visa requirements. You don’t want to get in trouble or have problems leaving the country you’re in. 

6. Is Workaway safe?

Workaway safety was a big concern for me.

I went with my boyfriend at the time and so felt safer with the two of us, but if this is something you’re nervous about make sure to choose a project with plenty of glowing Workaway reviews in the comments section.

Bear in mind that a few of the projects are right out in the sticks and can be difficult to get to and from. If you’re nervous it might be better to choose one in a city location. Once I’d met all my hosts I felt totally safe, but there was always that initial ‘ What the hell are we doing? ‘ in the run up.

Always check out the Workaway reviews before you even email – that’s what they’re there for. 

You’ll have 24-hour support from Workaway while you’re on a project, that’s what you pay your fees for. With this you can always phone in or email any safety questions about Workaway and they’ll do their best to reply. Now, you can also add videos to your profile, so both Workawayers and hosts can feel safer in the fact they’ve seen the other on screen.

7. What kind of Workaway jobs are there?

You can literally do any job on Workaway, ever. There are a lot of community projects, gardening and general maintenance duties to be done, but if you want something in particular search around.

I can get lost for hours in the wealth of Workaway projects on there.

8. How do I choose a project?

If I was going onto Workaway seriously debating doing a project I would take the links of all the ones I found interesting and save them to ‘My host list’. I’d then print this list out.

Then, I’d go through one by one with a fine tooth comb and eliminate some, but I’d write on the print out next to each one why I’d eliminated them – ‘not enough reviews’, ‘have to sleep in a tent’ etc. This will save time if you come back to look at them and you can’t remember why you didn’t pursue ones that look good.

Once you have a few favourites get in touch and tell them a bit about yourself and why you want to work with them. Then sit and wait. When they start coming back to you find out a bit more about them and the project and take it from there.

Check out my advice on w hat you should ask your Workaway host before you arrive. 

9. Why aren’t people replying to me?

Take a look at the email you’ve sent. Would you let you come into your home and into your life?

If not, think again and rephrase.

Alternatively, it could also be that they’re genuinely just busy. Don’t take it personally and move onto the next one.

10. How long do I have to do the Workaway project for?

Again this depends on the terms and stipulations set out on the project page on site and in your emails. Some projects like you to stay for a few months so you can give a real contribution, while others are happy for you to stay just a week or two.

Try and stay at each one for as long as you can to get as much as possible out of it.

And remember that you don’t have to stay – you’re not paid and there’s no legal contract so if you’re not happy just thank them and politely leave.

11. Is Workaway legit?

Read the comments below. There’ve been a few instances where things haven’t worked out but as long as you have enough money, and an exit strategy, you’ll be fine. I didn’t feel at risk at any of my Workaway projects and I’d totally do it again.

In fact, writing this now I really don’t know why I didn’t do more Workaway jobs while I was travelling full time. Workaway is a fantastic way to travel cheaply. 

I’ve been asked a few times if Workaway is real, and after spending six weeks on various projects, I can say that it most definitely is. 

Check out the Workaway website for more details, and make sure to download the Workaway app too . 

More sites like Workaway

I haven’t actually used any of these sites a bit like Workaway but they’re the same premise and could be worth checking out. 

HelpX 

Housecarers

PIN THIS GUIDE TO WORKAWAY FOR LATER

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Hi, I'm Vicky! I wrote this. You can find me on all the social media @VickyFlipFlop. I love a bit of adventure, will try anything once, and have a strong passion for the local food and drink, whatever it may be. I'm here to help inspire you to travel to places a little out of your comfort zone, or at least to explore the usual destinations in a different way. Stay, have a look around, and if you have any questions – let me know below.

79 Comments

Hi Vicky, Great reading this post as I only recently discovered the Workaway site. I was wondering whether you were with other people during your projects, as in other than your BF. 🙂 And what was their age? I am a good few years older than the standard gap year student, so was just wondering about the demo of the volunteers.

Many thanks.

Hi Jaklien,

There was just the two of us on two of them and then on the third there was a girl from Australia there too. She was younger than us though and we were about 25 at the time. I think if you pick the right project and do the research you’ll be fine. Some people would rather have older people I’m sure – more reliable!

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Whether money changes hands or not for WORK is totally irrelevant.

In every country that I know – and I’ve been to 60+ – under a normal Tourist Visa (or Entry Stamp) – one is NOTpermitted to WORK

With a Tourist Visa (or Entry Stamp) – you can be a Tourist – pure and simple – no Business, no Study, no Work. And WORK is any work and that definition is “paid or unpaid”

If one doesn’t have the right to work (invariably only though nationality or residence – like europeans going to other european countries) – then you need a Work Permit to work. What is called a Tourist Visa is just that for a Tourist.

If you want to do any type of work, even if you’re just doing research for your business, or gone to write a travel story from a tourists perspective, volunteer etc – then you technically MUST have a VISA and that could be Business, Study or Work depending on what you are going to do.

The fact that many countries ignore small infractions is just that they ignore it – it remains illegal.

I don’t think this is right, but it’s an interesting opinion…

Hi there! I’m planning my trip to the USA for 2016 (I will stay there for 5 months, approximately) and I was wondering if I need a special work permit or something to be a workawayer. I am from Argentina and have the tourist visa (B2) which is valid for 10 years (and up to 6 months for a single stay), but I cannot find anywhere if that visa is enough to volunteer in exchange of room and board. I tried to check with the embassy but no answer so maybe if you could help me with some info? Thanks!

Ooo that sounds exciting – where are you going? As far as I know you don’t need a working visa to join Workaway, but that could change depending on where you’re from. I’ve only ever done Workaways in Europe and I’m from England so I haven’t even had to consider it. I’m pretty sure it’s fine, as no money is changing hands, but you should check with the Workaway customer services just to make sure. I’d hate to give you the wrong advice.

@Sol, I know this is an old thread but for others who are in the same situation, you would have needed a work visa. You can’t enter the US on tourist visa and work as a volunteer. Volunteer is considered work. Hence in the US, Workawayers are considered illegal. You can be deported even if you can enter as a tourist and people constantly report illegals in the US without work authorization. Imagine you enter the US and you don’t get along with the host. They can call on you. I have heard it before. Be careful.

My first visit to your blog and I’ve enjoyed the content. Thank you for posting so much good information. I’d like to add my “two cents” on the numerous questions about visa requirement. Some countries do require a work visa even if it is for volunteer work. The reason for this (with the workaway and similar arrangements) is that you are being compensated for your labor with room and board. Some countries view that as a foreigner competing with local citizens for a job…. even if it isn’t for wages. My opinion is that if your time in country is relatively brief, simply enter on a tourist visa and discretely earn your room and board… at your own risk, of course. 🙂

Agreed! Which countries are they Larry?

Hi Vicky… I just found your website… Great information! Thanks for sharing it. I have done some traveling by myself in the past and I love It…!! I just came back from a trip around Italy. 4 AMAZING weeks! staying in B&B and hotels with my boyfriend and now I am seriously thinking on going back to Italy by myself and use workaway.com . I would love to volunteer for the grapes and olives harvesting this coming fall. (still doing some research) I saw you have worked for HavanaClub (Cuban Co) Julian Medina Havana Club Colombian winner 2014 is my cousin (if sounds familiar) I would love to have your advise… about the Workaway site in Italy.

Thank you very much!!! Best of all !!

Looking forward to hearing from you !

Ah what a coincidence! Yes, I know Julian 🙂 I hope he enjoyed his trip around the world. Yes, I worked for a lady down in the south of Italy. I’d definitely recommend the Workaway programme and actually talk about it quite a lot. If you could let me know your specific questions I’d be happy to help.

Hi. I just left a message about workaway and it was deleted so I’ll try again. I believe you need to be very careful and get full information from the hosts. I don’t believe workaway’s feedback system is honest. It’s easy to coerce workawayers into doing more because they’re concerned about their feedback. I’ve been unable to leave feedback about my host and believe the site has blocked me. Thanks. I’m glad you had such great experiences but I think there should be some balance here. I also agree with Peter that you should check about visas. Workaway doesn’t say that isn’t an issue, just that that’s all up to you, it’s not something they can help you with.

Hi Jane, I’m sorry to hear you had a problem and thanks for letting me know. I was fine in all my placements but it’s interesting to know it doesn’t always go to plan.

Hey, thanks for the information. I just found out about work away a week ago. I know you have said this before, but this is my question. is the host only covering your food and a bed? Let’s just say that I will go to Europe for 3 months. How much money do you think I have to take with me? Can you work on side to gain some money in case you run out of before your 3 months? Thanks, Nayely

Hi Nayely, if you’re from the EU then yes, you can. How much money totally depends on your spending habits, such as how much you drink and eat, and the types of accommodation you want to stay in. It’s way too hard for me to put a number on it, sorry.

hi, i want to sing up….but will my host help me with getting visa??

Hello Katerina, one of the best things about Workaway is that you don’t have to worry about getting a visa. You’re only volunteering so you wouldn’t need a working visa, just the usual visa you’d need for the country you’re going to.

@Vicky, Hello Vicky, even normal visa sometimes is difficult to be obtained. Jordanian passport like mine for example, Visa to Europe will need a lot of fund proofs to be issued and mostly will be rejected. so the question here, will host send an invitation or something can be used with the embassy?

Hi, I think it will depend on the host and how much they need you. Sorry, I can’t really help with visas.

@Vicky, you do need visa in most countries. You are a British citizen who worked in EU while UK was still under EU? Of course you didn’t need visa then. But you do now after Brexit. Volunteering in most countries are considered work. So you do need a work visa as a foreigner in most cases. And you shouldn’t say to people you don’t need visa. You as a British citizen need a visitor visa just to enter my country as a tourist even now. No visa waver. You want to volunteer? You need work visa as you are working as a volunteer.

A lot of information that has helped me to formulate a little more of a plan! I have just signed up to Workaway this morning, so thank you!

I do have one small question. How much do you think is a good amount to put in to your Profile information? I don’t want to write an essay as it might scare a few people off but I currently think mine is a bit short. Do you have any guidelines on what is a good length?

Thanks very much!

You never need a visa anywhere to volunteer. Nobody can stop you from giving your time to a cause. you may need a different visa for the time you decide to spend in a country… and thats that! happy travels kids!

Spot on Matto – thanks!

@Matto, Actually I found out volunteering in the US without work visa is illegal. So your statement is false. You will be denied an entry to Canada when you say you’re volunteering on exchange for room and board. So your statement is false for Canada. For other countries most will consider volunteering as work so you do need work visa and they won’t let you get one with Workaway arrangement. So this has illegal in many countries including mine. I mean think about it. You as a foreigner is taking away a job opportunity of a local citizen when you do this illegally. This is why work visa exists and to control incoming volume into a country especially with Covid restrictions. This is illegal in most countries and when you break immigration rules, you would be black listed, you would not be able to enter the country again when you illegally enter or reside without proper authorization.

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I loved reading this article! I am considering using workaway for a trip to Europe and Southeast Asia that I am taking from September-February. How far in advance should I start contacting hosts?

Hi Kelly, it depends on the host really. Some of them say to contact them nearer the time while others are booked up for months. I’d say to contact them as soon as you know you’re ready. You don’t want to miss out on the good ones, do you?

Wow this is amazing information! I just found out about Work Away and it seems like a great idea to keep my honeymoon going! We’re going to Southeast Asia and Africa for 4-6 months (4 if we can’t save enough money). Now it looks like it will be closer to 6!! Thank you so much!!

Wow, sounds like an amazing honeymoon! I want one like that!

I am travelling to north america you need a visa for anything over three months but its really quite confusing what visa etc I am struggling with this can anyone help me out???

Hey Luciano, the US is notoriously difficult for Europeans. I”d suggest you get onto the visa office and get the latest and up to date information from them, just so you know that it’s definitely right.

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Hi, I’m from England but I’m interested in working in Asia, North America and Africa, would I need a working visa?

No, no money changes hands so you don’t need a visa.

If you use workaway in India on a tourist visa you can be put in jail it is illegal. You cannot do any work free or paid in India on a tourist visa. workaway is misleading their users. !!

Thanks for your comment Raku. I’d suggest that anyone look at the visa restrictions of where they’re looking to do a Workaway, just to make sure.

Sadly, the UK considers workaways etc., to be WORK, even no money changes hands. Thus, it is technically illegal. It is so unfortunate, but I’ve been round and round with this and they do consider the exchange to have a work visa requirement …which is impossible to obtain. If you are from the EU you still have a little longer to take advantage, otherwise, it will be impossible to do legally.

Oh ok, interesting POV. When I did it it was absolutely fine, but yes, you should always check with your local embassies etc to check you’re not doing anything wrong outside of your visa.

I love that you did this with your boyfriend and that’s what I would like to do as well. I have a question, I know there is a sign up fee on workaway, but do we have to pay for the travel to the place as well?

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You need a Visa of course. Depending on the county, you even need a work permit, although the work is not paid in cash. Everything else is illegal immigration.

I like workaway, but they are on purpose vague on the Visa question which I find quite unfair.

The differences between workaway, illegal immigration and moonlighting/tax evasion are small.

Hello Peter, thanks for your comment. Coming from London to Europe we were fine with visas but other nationalities may have to look into this.

You’re right Peter and workaway doesn’t want you to know that, just pay your money. Hosts sign up for free so obviously there are many more potential workers than hosts. They protect the hosts and you can’t trust the feedback. If you’re a first time workawayer you’re going to do everything you can to get good feedback to help you get more placements. I’ve just come from one where there were mice running around over my head in a small rv every night and the last night a trap went off. The host left me negative feedback for leaving and it appears workaway has locked my account so I can’t leave feedback for my host outlining the things that are unsafe about the place. Rattlesnakes are a real danger there and they don’t give you one word of advice about what to do if someone gets bitten. They were gone a lot of the time and there was no vehicle so if you had an emergency you’d be in trouble. The area was so remote cell phones didn’t work well and you were 2 hours from a hospital. Those are things you can ask about before setting up an adventure, get the exact number of hours from them too. This place said 3-5 hours after morning chores and then the host told me people always do more than that but I didn’t have to. Ha! I’m sure there are good hosts out there but workaway makes it too easy for hosts to exploit you, especially when you’re so far from home. Think twice and don’t give them any money until you’ve done your research. I wish I hadn’t.

Helpx is the best. I’ve tried both workaway and helpx and helpx is much better, better quality of hosts, the website is better, workaway is tough to navigate, the people (admin) team of workaway are also difficult to talk to, as my friend was charged twice on her credit card, also helpx since is less expensive, more hosts and overall a better quality experience.

Hi Micheal, thanks for sharing your experience. I’ve only ever had a great time on Workaway so it’s good to hear a different point of view. Have to give that one a try next time :).

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Honest Workaway Review & How To Get Started

This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Are you considering taking the plunge and signing up to Workaway? Below is my Workaway review, including my personal experience and whether it’s worth the membership fee. I’ll cover everything you need to know to make the most of this work exchange program! There are many reasons to sign up for Workaway. Perhaps you’re looking for free accommodation on the road, to meet locals on your travels, or simply to do good in the world.  As a Workaway volunteer, you’ll benefit from all of these perks and, best of all, have an experience you’ll never forget.

Workaway review & overview

Who is workaway best for.

Anyone can sign up for Workaway and have a blast but – having used Workaway myself and met other volunteers – Workaway is worth it if you’re in one of the following groups:

• Budget travellers looking to save money on travel while helping a local community 
• Experienced volunteers who want NGO opportunities, without the stress of long application forms
• Those interested in a cultural exchange and practising a new language
• Travellers concerned with the ethics of voluntourism who want to give back compassionately on the road
• People who want options on where to volunteer over a long period of travelling – there are more than 50,000 worldwide opportunities on Workaway!

How does Workaway work? 

Workaway is a work exchange programme that connects volunteers (like me, and hopefully you!) to hosts worldwide.  The primary goal of the program is cultural exchange; it allows us to live closely with locals, learn new skills including languages and be part of an international household for the duration of our stay.

In this Workaway review, I think it’s worth mentioning that the programme is ideal for those who prefer authentic travel and getting a genuine view of daily life within other cultures. Similarly, hosts benefit by meeting travellers from all over the world and getting assistance with household jobs or volunteer projects. It offers the unique experience of spending time with people from different countries and working together towards a common goal.

How to secure your first Workaway experience

First of all, signing up for Workaway is super easy. I found it simple to complete my profile and start looking for jobs. As I wanted to volunteer with animals, I filtered the opportunities via location and the type of opportunity I wanted to do (animal care). You can also filter hosts by location, availability and review rating.  I always read descriptions carefully to find out what sort of room I’ll be staying in (I prefer a private room), what sort of work I’ll be doing and how I can expect to spend my downtime. Some Workaway volunteers have expressed frustration on being rejected from potential opportunities. Having spoken to hosts, this usually happens when volunteers send a generic message that doesn’t make it clear they’ve read the description clearly, or haven’t filled out their Workaway profile properly. Of course, sometimes they simply don’t have any more availability – popular positions can be competitive!)

Honestly, the main thing is to show the host you’re serious and genuinely want to help… and that you’re not just in it for the free room. You won’t be able to do future placements with a bad Workaway review on your profile, so take it seriously!

In your application, show hosts you’re responsible by sharing your relevant skills or work experience. What makes you the best volunteer for their needs? Maybe you’re an experienced petsitter who wants to work in an animal sanctuary or a DIY wizard who wants to help with construction. Or maybe you’re just hardworking and want to make the world a better place while learning new skills. Tell the host about what makes you the best volunteer and why they should trust you. They’re sure to be impressed.

Join Workaway here .

How I use Workaway reviews to check hosts are safe and legit

Although I trust the Workaway process, that doesn’t stop me from being a cautious solo traveller . If you can relate, spend time researching your Workaway hosts before applying.  Read through all the reviews to get a feeling about your potential host. Check the Workaway reviews they’ve left about other volunteers. Are they generous and grateful, or do they complain about silly little things a volunteer does? It’s also worth noting that active members can contact past volunteers who have left reviews to clarify any issues.

Some hosts are also on other platforms so you can find more reviews there. On the placement I did, they also had a website and Instagram page so there was no doubt in my mind that this Workaway was legit! None of this is to say that you shouldn’t take a chance on a new host without reviews on Workaway. After all, we all start somewhere. However, in this case, I would highly recommend having a phone call – or ideally a video call – with the hosts before arriving. This way you can get a feel for what they’re like to talk to.

Helpful questions to ask Workaway hosts include:

• Their address – you can look it up on Google Maps beforehand to get a feel for their location
• Where you’ll be sleeping and how many other Workawayers stay at one time – as I stayed on a site with multiple volunteers, I needed to check that I’d have my own room and that it would be quiet at night, as that’s important to me. 
• Transport options – this is especially important if you don’t have a car as you’ll need to know how to get there. As a solo traveller, I like to know what my ‘getaway car’ option is just in case I arrive somewhere and don’t feel comfortable.
• What the daily routine is like – personally, I really want to know what time I’d have to wake up!
• If you have dietary requirements , make sure to mention this before arriving. As a vegan, I usually offer to make my own food when staying with locals. However, my Workaway was at an animal sanctuary so we could all cook vegan food for each other. Perfect!

My personal Workaway review – is it worth it?

My Workaway experience changed my life and I’m not just saying that. Anyone can see my face light up when I talk about the five months I spent at an animal sanctuary in New Zealand! I’m not going to pretend it was easy; the work was hard and my physical abilities were pushed to the limits.  But having a purpose and knowing I was doing some good meant everything to me. 

Ethical volunteer work with children or animals usually requires a minimum of one-month commitment to create stability for those more vulnerable than us. It also takes time to train new volunteers. However, I never expected to stay at the remote countryside sanctuary for five months! Whether I was chasing after escapee pigs, being stalked by a cockatoo or playing with headbutting goats, every day was different. And I know that wherever I go and whatever I do next, the 200 animals will have a special place in my heart.  Yes, Workaway saves you money and can be seen as a ‘travel hack’ to spend longer in a new country, but really it’s the people (and animals) that make Workaway worth it, in my opinion.

What I gained from my Workaway experience

Although I went into my Workaway experience full of anxiety about the weeks to come, I ended up extending my stay for almost five months. If that’s not a positive Workaway review, I don’t know what is!

• Lifelong memories . My face still lights up whenever I talk about my time at the animal sanctuary, and I’m not sure any travel experience will ever beat it. 
• I learned valuable new skills. Volunteering is often about developing practical, handy skills you’d never get from an office job! In my case, I learned a lot about animal welfare, too. I loved that my placement was passionate about allowing women to learn practical skills usually consigned to men. 
• Getting fit. Although it wasn’t my intention, I was the most physically fit I’ve ever been at the animal sanctuary! From carrying heavy loads to being on my feet all day, I’ve never felt more self-sufficient in my body. I never used to be able to carry my heavy backpack without wincing… now it’s a breeze!
• Making friends. Sure, most of the friends I made were pigs, goats and a stalker cockatoo. But that’s still pretty neat.
• Confidence. Best of all, I’ve gone from an animal lover who was secretly a bit scared of them, to someone who’s confident around all sorts of species and knows what to do in a crisis. 
• It helped me learn what’s important to me. I’ve learned that I feel most fulfilled when I’m a) helping others and b) around animals. While I haven’t worked out how to continue doing good in the world, I’ve fit animals into my life as a solo traveller by becoming a petsitter (see my Trusted Housesitter review for more details). 

An average day at my Workaway!

My Workaway experience was very full on as they were short on volunteers while the borders were closed in New Zealand. We worked forty hours a week with two days off to rest. In comparison, it’s unlikely your Workaway hosts will require more than 4-5 hours per day (or 25 hours per week). So you can get a balanced Workaway review and idea of what your days might entail, this was my daily schedule…

7.15-7.45 am: Time to wake up! One volunteer would handle morning food prep, while the rest would start work at 8am.  8am: Morning feeds. We’d rotate which animals we’d feed each day. One morning I’d have to walk down the hill to the sheep and cow paddocks, past the ponies. On another, I’d brace myself for the chaos of feeding 14 hungry goats! The gentlest feed involved giving food to the pigs, bunnies and ducks. 9.30am: Morning meeting to discuss animal wellbeing and daily tasks. Plus coffee.

10.00am: Rotated morning tasks. Newer volunteers would help with simple tasks such as cleaning paddocks. Longer-term volunteers (like me) would help with animal caretaking tasks such as giving animals medication, cleaning simple wounds and providing animal enrichment (which involved playing with bunny rabbits or cutting brambles for the goats)

1pm: Lunch break! 12pm: Afternoon tasks could include anything from trimming hooves, picking up roosters to give them medication, herding sheep into new paddocks (it’s harder than it looks!) or going through bins donated by supermarkets to prep food for the pigs and goats. 5pm: Evening feeds. Depending on how many volunteers were working each day, sometimes you’d only have to do one feed per day and get to finish work early or start late. 6pm: Human feeds! We’d all take turns to cook dinner for the volunteers.  After dinner, Gilly, the resident black cat, would be waiting at my bedroom door. So we’d spend the evening curled up in bed, watching YouTube to the beat of his gentle headbutts. And deep in the countryside, everything would be dark and quiet – the perfect conditions for a good night’s sleep. 

Workaway review FAQ: your questions answered!

By now, I think you know that I think Workaway is worth the money you pay as a membership fee! But here are a few FAQs to set your mind at rest…

Is Workaway legit? 

Yes, Workaway is legit. Hundreds of volunteers and hosts successfully partner up thanks to Workaway every year – including me!

Is Workaway safe? 

Yes. Workaway is safe, even for solo travellers. To ensure the safety of its users, Workaway requires ID verification for all hosts and volunteers. The Workaway review system also allows previous volunteers to share their experiences.  Inexperienced travellers feeling anxious might feel comfortable choosing their first Workaway experience in a city or larger town, rather than a remote location. You can also select a host of the same gender to feel more comfortable.  If you’re worried about discrimination, look through previous reviews and read the host description carefully. Do they have positive ratings from a wide range of people, or are there any red flags?  My host clearly stated within their description that racism, homophobia, sexism, transphobia or discrimination of any kind would not be tolerated on their site, which was a key reason why I applied there.  Safety is a feeling and it’s totally OK to express your boundaries to check any given Workaway is the right fit for you!

How much does Workaway cost?

An annual Workaway membership costs US $49 for an individual account or US $59 for a couple account.  You get 3 months free with my Workaway sign-up link (meaning you get 15 months for the price of 12).

Is the cost of Workaway worth it? 

Yes, the cost of Workaway is worth it. Even if you only do one Workaway in the entire annual membership, you’d still earn the cost of accommodation in just one or a week in a cheap country, or a few days in a pricey country. If you’re really concerned about your budget, check what opportunities are available in the country you’re visiting before signing. Check if these postings are still active by seeing if they have any recent updates or Workaway reviews, and ideally have two or three options in mind before signing up.  Even (or perhaps especially) for budget travellers, Workaway is worth the cost.

How many hours a day are you expected to work on Workaway? 

Workaway volunteers are usually expected to work about 5 hours a day, 4-5 days a week, in exchange for free accommodation and sometimes food (check the listing to see what they offer).  Read host descriptions and their reviews clearly to get a good idea of what’s expected of you. You can also chat with the host before securing a position to ensure you’re on the same page. During my Workaway experience, I actually worked full-time hours (40 hours a week). However, as required by the platform, I was therefore paid minimum wage for 15 of those hours.

Do you get paid with Workaway?

Workaway is NOT a job site, and it’s not recommended to use work exchange programmes to find paid work. Workaway is worth it for many reasons but getting rich isn’t one of them! That said, if hosts are a registered business and ask volunteers to work more than 25 hours per week, Workaway suggests they offer payment of at least the minimum wage for the host country. This means that a) volunteers are not taken advantage of, and b) volunteers are not taking jobs away from locals. So it’s a win-win for both locals and volunteers. Remember: If you find paid work on Workaway, you must have the appropriate work visa for that country. 

Do Workaway hosts pay for travel? 

No, Workaway volunteers cover the cost of their travel to and from Workaway sites, alongside any additional travel costs such as travel insurance, personal expenses, day trips and visa costs. Ensure you have enough money for your flight home (or to continue to your next destination). I recommend using Skyscanner  to compare, browse and book flights.

Can I do Workaway without a visa?

You must check visa requirements and apply for the correct visa before arriving in your chosen country. Many countries do not require a specialist visa for Workaways as it’s classed as volunteering, meaning you can enter under the regular tourist visa requirements. However, not every country allows volunteering under their regular tourism visa so it’s important to double check. If you apply for a paid position on Workaway, then this no longer counts as volunteering and you need the appropriate work visa for that country.

Is Workaway worth it?

Yes, Workaway is worth it! Whether you sign up for a cultural exchange or want to do good in the world while travelling, it offers experiences you’ll remember for a lifetime. With thousands of worldwide opportunities, there’s a great chance of finding a placement that’s exactly what you’re looking for.

Thanks for reading my Workaway review!

I hope this post gives you a good idea of what it’s like to be a volunteer with Workaway, as well as helping you find your first volunteer experience. I’m sure you won’t regret it! More budget blog posts:

• Is Workaway or Worldpackers better?
• Trusted Housesitters review
• My Work Abroad interview series

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Workaway vs Worldpackers: An Honest Review After Traveling with Both Organizations

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An honest review about Workaway vs Worldpackers

I’m sure that you came here because you want to know which volunteering program is better: Workaway vs Worldpackers. Well, I’m here to give you all the information you need regarding safety (especially for women), cost, and quality.

Let’s get into it!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of the product links, we’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you. We only promote products and services we 100% believe in. Thank you so much for supporting us! Read more about it in our  disclosure policy .

Here you can skip to the parts of this post that you find important.

Table of Contents

What are Workaway and Worldpackers?

Before we compare both organizations, I think it’s important to know exactly what they stand for.

Workaway and Worldpackers are organizations for work exchange.

This means that you exchange a few hours of work for free accommodation, food and many more benefits. You help your host with whatever tasks they need you to do (this can be ANYTHING), and you get a free stay in return.

The working hours are often no more than 5 hours a day for 5 days a week. It can be different, but these hours are what you should keep in mind.

Why volunteer abroad?

Volunteering abroad can have many benefits for you.

These are some of the greatest benefits of volunteering:

• Free accommodation and food
• Meeting many like-minded people from all over the world
• Developing your skills and mindset
• Being able to explore the destination on your free days
• Often you get free activities and tours included. This can mean free yoga classes, surf lessons, hiking tours, parties, and many more things.

Volunteering abroad is especially great for solo travelers. When you’re staying at a host, there are often other volunteers, friends or family from the host, or guests (if you’re working in a hostel, for example).

It basically means you won’t get lonely. There are always people to connect with and do fun activities together.

Can you get paid for volunteering?

It’s not usual to get paid for volunteering, but yes, it’s possible.

On the Workaway website, you can find hosts that offer payment on top of the accommodation. In these cases, food is not always included, because you earn money to get food yourself.

If you find a host offering compensation, you will get paid the minimum wage of the country you travel to.

I don’t have experience with being paid for volunteering, so you have to figure out for yourself if it’s something you want.

Where can you go on a volunteering trip?

There are volunteering opportunities all around the world. From India to Greenland to Brazil. You will be able to find volunteering opportunities on every continent.

Because all countries are different, you will find different kinds of projects. For example, in Thailand, you may be able to find more animal-caring projects, while in Spain there are more hostels or social projects.

Which kinds of projects are there?

Of course, everyone has different skills and things they like. That’s why there are different projects; so you can be sure to find something you like.

These are the most popular sorts of projects:

• Building & repairing
• Teaching English
• Helping out on a farm or ecological project
• Animal care & rescue
• Touristic projects, like helping in hostels, campings, guesthouses, and such
• Helping out a family with tutoring or cleaning
• Manage social media and/or a website for your host
• House-sitting

Of course, in these kinds of projects, there’s a very wide range of choices.

Luckily on both websites of Workaway and Worldpackers, you can filter your searches on the kind of host you’re looking for or the destination you want to visit. But more on this later.

Workaway vs Worldpackers

This post is structured into parts where I tell you about both companies with my honest review. I will compare them to each other in different aspects, for the clearest information. At the end, I will tell you which one is my favorite and generally better.

I do recommend reading everything, or at least the parts that matter to you. That way you can choose one or the other completely knowing the pros and cons.

Workaway: Overview and honest full review

Let’s start by telling you about Workaway. This is an organization established in 2002, which makes it a well-rooted company with over 50.000 Workaway opportunities.

Note: The website for Workaway is Workaway.info

When I found out about Workaway I started searching for where I wanted to go, but there were so many hosts, it was hard to make a choice. But the good thing about this is that the chances are quite big that your application will be accepted.

But first things first.

How does Workaway work?

If you want to join Workaway, you need to get a membership of €49 per year . If you’re traveling as a couple you can get a membership for 2 people, for €59 per year .

Ps. All prices in this post are the same in dollars

Then you have to make your profile and fill in all sorts of questions about your skills, hobbies, travel experience, and more. This way a host can get a clearer picture of who they’re inviting into their home (this is so important!).

With your membership, you can browse the entire database of hosts. You can type in your next destination or search by host type, accommodation info, availability, and more.

This makes it super easy to find the right host for you. You can easily make a selection of hosts by making a wishlist.

When applying to a host it’s important to write them a strong personalized message. This makes for better chances of them responding.

In my experience, most hosts replied to my applications and some hosts even invited me to come volunteer for them. I also had some conversations with other Workawayers which was a lot of fun.

Workaway is an amazing platform to find many volunteering opportunities. The website and mobile app are super easy to use and you can find a host rather quickly.

Benefits of Workaway (what you’re paying for)

Of course, you want to know if Workaway is worth your money. This is a full list of what you’ll get:

• Access to 50.000+ hosts in 170 countries
• You’ll be able to access an active traveler community
• Workaway emergency help
• 24-hour support team and live chat
• Some more safety features (more about this later)
• A tree planted in the Workaway Forest

Now this all sounds pretty great, right? But don’t settle for Workaway before letting me introduce you to Worldpackers first!

Worldpackers: Overview and honest full review

Worldpackers is very much like Workaway, but quite different as well. Let me tell you more about it.

Worldpackers has only been around since 2014. With a variety of hosts from over 140 countries worldwide, you can travel to an amazingly wide range of countries with Worldpackers.

How does Worldpackers work?

One of the greatest things about Worldpackers is that you don’t have to pay for a membership right away. You can browse through hosts without paying a dime. You can, however, not apply without a membership.

A membership for Worldpackers costs €49 per year . You can also get a couples membership for €59 per year . There are other membership packs, for more layers of safety, check them out here.  

Worldpackers may be just as expensive as Workaway, but with my discount code ‘’NOVAONTHEROAD’’, you will get €10 off your membership!

After purchasing your membership, it’s time to complete your profile with your languages, skills, travel and volunteering experience, and much more.

With Worldpackers, you can even develop new skills by following short courses on their website. After completing a course there will be a certificate on your profile, which makes your acceptance rate higher. These courses don’t take longer than an hour per course, so it may be worth investing some time in learning about volunteering.

Now that you’re profile is complete, a lot of things work the same as Workaway. You can search for a host by program type, destinations, availability, and even on the purpose of your trip (what you hope to experience).

You can make wishlists all the same the only thing that’s a tad different is applying.

Before applying you need to look at the requirements section, which tells you what kind of people can apply. This is purely technical, and often only requires you to speak a certain level of a language, have a certain age, and some more stuff.

Without the requirements, Worldpackers won’t even let you apply.

Before applying you always need to read every part of the program and make sure everything is in line with your wants and needs.

When applying, you usually need to answer some pre-entered questions. This is very simple, you just need to make sure not to copy/paste your answers into different applications. You need to make it more personal, use the host’s name, and make sure you tell them why you’re the right person for the job.

After applying, the host has a few days to respond and sometimes they do, but other times they don’t.

With hosts from 170 countries, Worldpackers’ range is very wide. But since it’s newer than Workaway, it doesn’t have as many hosts. And with more than 5 million travelers on the platform, it does get competitive and harder to secure a volunteering place.

Benefits of Worldpackers (what you’re paying for)

Of course, you want to know if Worldpackers is worth your money. This is a full list of what you’ll get:

• Access to many different hosts in 170 countries with a combined average review of 4,8 stars
• You’ll be able to ask travelers what a host is like
• WP Safeguard
• Highly responsive support

Now let’s compare both organizations and see which is better!

Workaway vs Worldpackers: Website use

First, it’s time to compare the ease of the websites and mobile apps. Both Workaway and Worldpackers have a very easy website and mobile app.

Both websites are very complete in giving information about the host, and everything you need to know.

The only con with Worldpackers is that you can’t directly send the host a message, you need to apply. And if you don’t meet a small requirement, you simply can’t apply and ask the host for flexibility.

However Worldpackers has one con in this part, the con is also a pro, which I will explain in a minute.

Which is better in website use: Workaway or Worldpackers?

Indecisive. They are both just as good.

Workaway vs Worldpackers: Destinations and offer

Both organizations have hosts scattered around 170 countries. You can travel almost everywhere with both Worldpackers and Workaway.

But let me get back to what I said about Worldpackers’ site usage, that you can’t send a message to a host without applying first, and how this is a con.

This is also a big pro. And here’s why:

At Workaway, many hosts are quite easy and sometimes even negligent about which people they invite to their homes. They don’t always do their research on who a person is and it could make for a bad experience because you don’t connect or are very different.

It kinda comes down to this:

–              On Workaway there are more hosts than users

–              And on Worldpackers, there are more users than hosts

So Workaway hosts are having more trouble finding help at all and often just let anybody come.

Worldpackers hosts get so many applications that they have to do their research on which candidates will fit best. And this makes for a great connection between volunteers and hosts. There’s simply a better guarantee of a good experience.

So it may be harder to find a host on Worldpackers, because of less offer, but you may get a much better experience.

Which is better in destinations and offer: Workaway or Worldpackers?

It’s very hard to come up with the right verdict because everyone’s different. I would personally lean toward Worldpackers because of better quality experiences. But if you want to have a wider range of hosts and better acceptance rates, Workaway may be better for you.

But don’t choose just yet, there are more comparisons to come!

Workaway vs Worldpackers: Safety

Now one of the most important aspects: Safety.

Both Workaway and Worldpackers are very committed to the safety aspects of volunteering. They review new host and Workaway accounts manually to keep the community fair and safe.

But unfortunately, accidents or even fights can always happen.

Example: You’ve been working for your host for a week, only to find out, they’re not as nice as you thought they’d be and you have to work way more than agreed upon. You want to leave earlier, but is this possible?

Another example: You are working in a kitchen, but slip and you break your arm. Your host doesn’t allow you to stay because you can’t work anymore. What now?

For unfortunate cases like these, there are solutions. I should tell you more about them.

If this were to happen on Workaway, this is the help you’re getting:

Workaway emergency help: This is where you can get advice and help. However, they can only help you under certain circumstances, like when the host has been negligent. You can also only get help if your Workaway stay has been confirmed through the platform. There are some more small letters to this, make sure to read them here.

24-hour email support: May you stumble upon some issues or disagreements with your host and you don’t know the right way to handle them, you can get email support and they will help you through it.

Community feedback: If you’re scared of getting bad feedback, don’t be. Every review is manually reviewed by the Workaway team and they will step in and take action if needed.

Note: Workaway does not offer any kind of insurance, but they do have good recommendations here. Check it out!

There are some more aspects to safety on Workaway, but they are less relevant to mention. May you need help, make sure to bookmark this page , so you can always review the safety options yourself.

If this were to happen on Worldpackers, this is the help you’re getting:

First off, Worldpackers has higher requirements for hosts that want to join, so generally this is a very good and safe sign already. Plus, their hosts have combined average reviews of 4,8 stars!

WP Safeguard: With a regular membership plan, you get access to WP Safeguard. This means that if your host doesn’t stick to the agreements and you’re leaving early, you can get a refund for unplanned accommodation for up to 3 nights. They will also help you find another host as soon as possible. Again, you can only use this if your stay has been confirmed through the Worldpackers platform.

Highly responsive support : You can get support from the Worldpackers team 7 days a week, before, during, and after your stay . With a satisfaction rate of 93%, this team is very capable and will help you as best as they can.

Ability to chat with travelers who’ve already stayed at a host: You can ask people about their experience at a certain host, to make sure it’s the right place for you to go.

Reviews: Review policy and requirements are quite strict on the platform, which makes it all the safer. You can only leave a review after your stay and every review is manually reviewed.

Note: For Worldpackers, you will also need separate travel insurance, make sure to get it here!

Make sure to check out all safety features here!

Which is better in safety: Workaway or Worldpackers?

After reviewing both organizations thoroughly on safety matters, I must say, that Worldpackers is better in this aspect. They are a lot more invested in your experience and selecting the best hosts for the platform.

So if safety is very important to you (it should be), Worldpackers is better.

Workaway vs Worldpackers: Membership cost

I’ve already told you about the membership cost of Workaway and Worldpackers, but may you have missed it, here are the exact membership plans and prices for both organizations.

As you can see, the cheapest plan for Workaway is €49 , and the cheapest plan for Worldpackers is also €49 .

It’s almost just as expensive, but with my discount code ‘’NOVAONTHEROAD’’, you can get €10 off your Worldpackers membership, which makes it only €39.

Which is better in cost: Workaway or Worldpackers?

They’re just as expensive, but assuming you’re gonna use my discount code for Worldpackers, that is the cheapest option, with €10 difference.

The final verdict: Workaway vs Worldpackers

Now it’s time for the final answer on which organization’s better.

And let me tell you first, they are both incredible options and it was very close.

But the best option is Worldpackers.

This is purely based on the quality of your experience and support. Because this is simply the most important part of volunteering.

Worldpackers is also a bit cheaper if you purchase it through this link , and use my discount code ”NOVAONTHEROAD”.

Yes, Workaway scored a bit higher in destinations and offer and was only a tad better in website use, but that’s not what volunteering is about.

It’s worth making some extra effort to find the right host, to get an incredible experience.

So now that you’ve researched which platform is better for you, it’s time to purchase your subscription!

Make sure to get your discount on Worldpackers here!

If you’re convinced that Workaway is the platform for you, be my guest. Workaway is also great and has given me a very unique experience.

After all, the choice is yours to make 😉

Happy travels!

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Home » Work and Travel » Volunteering » Workaway Review

Is Workaway a traveler’s best kept secret?

Workaway is one of the most well-known work exchange platforms active today. It can even be argued that the idea of voluntourism is synonymous with Workaway or, at the very least, the former is partly successful because of the latter. So what is Workaway? Why is it so imperative to voluntourism? For that matter, what the hell is voluntourism exactly anyways? All of these are fair questions; we’re going to answer them here.

This is my gift to you: a FULL Workaway review. Throughout this article, we’ll talk about the many different aspects of Workaway from signing up to perks to using it responsibly. By the end, you should not only be able to create your profile with Workaway but should hopefully be inspired to dig deeper into the program.

As someone who has used Workaway extensively, I can say that there are many good things about this platform. To me, Workaway is more than a way to travel cheaply; it is a means to becoming a better traveler. I think that everyone should do a work exchange at least once in their lives and I’m going to tell why and how right now…

Already Know What Workaway Is? Looking for an extra 3-months FREE?

Click the button below when you sign up to get an extra 3 monthes FREE on top of your 1-year membership! If you’re new to Workaway read on but be sure to claim this free extension before you sign up 🙂

What is Workaway?

How does workaway work, why you should use workaway, the final word on workaway.

Workaway is one of the OG online work exchange programs. Since 2003, the people at Workaway have been connecting travelers with international hosts looking for a little help around the house.

The reason? Workaway believes that nurturing this relationship between travelers and hosts – one that promotes collaboration, respect, and expansion – can benefit the world as a whole. As Workaway states in their mission statement:

“We are (b)building a sharing community of global travellers who genuinely want to see the world whilst contributing and giving back to the places they visit.

Nowadays, Workaway is the largest voluntourism platform on the web. With over 40,000 hosts registered (that’s 40,000 opportunities) and over 350,000 reviews on the site, it’s obvious by now the Workaway is a huge success . Those looking to see the world in a different light and to break away from the usual should consider doing a work exchange program using Workaway.

There’s a lot to Workaway and the work exchange community. We’re going to talk about the individual parts that constitute Workaway as well as how people can use it. In the process, I hope that readers will be inspired to use Workaway and to travel responsibly.

What is voluntourism?

Voluntourism is when people volunteer on vacation, holiday, backpacking trip, etc. There are several reasons why one would do this:

• It’s more sustainable than other forms of travel.
• The experiences are much more authentic than traditional tourism i.e. resorts, all-inclusives, packages, etc.
• Education and cultural immersion are regular aspects.
• It can be a very cheap form of traveling since room and board are usually provided.

For those who don’t mind helping a bit or are interested in the idea of being closer to local culture, voluntourism seems pretty damn appealing. In the grand scheme, having the chance to meet locals, see the ‘real side of a country, and save some cash in exchange for a few hours of labor each day is also very reasonable!

The Broke Backpacker is supported by you . Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more .

There are some dark sides to voluntourism though. Some organizations and groups have caught on to the growing trend and have monetized it, in ways that are not ethical or fun. Elephant tourism, one of the greatest tragedies of the modern era, is one example of how voluntourism can be abused. Programs like this want nothing more to profit from travelers and often neglect morals, for both humans and animals, in the process.

Voluntourism, when done right, can be a force for good. With the proper set-up and knowledgeable participants, voluntourism is a more responsible way to travel not to mention more enriching. Both natives and tourists can benefit in healthy ways from this sort of setup.

A Sample Workaway Experience

I’ve been a part of several work exchange programs throughout my travels. Hostel work, teaching English; been there, done that. One of my most memorable experiences was working at a lodge deep in the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa . To give you an idea of how a Workaway placement looks, I’m going to briefly share with you this work exchange looked.

Picture this: you’re deep in the mountains, far away from any sort of city (like God-awful Joburg); you’re surrounded by wild, imposing mountains, the likes of which have become legendary following the Zulu Wars; every night, you’re reminded of their power as epic thunderstorms roll through; you’re to spend the next six weeks in these mountains at a tourist lodge, helping your host with guests and other farmwork.

I chose this Workaway specifically because I wanted to spend as much time as possible in the Drakensberg. I had heard great things about them and was anxious to explore them as thoroughly as possible. When I did have the chance, I was never disappointed.

I knew that I would also get an unfiltered view of rural life in South Africa. (This was the Kwazulu-Natal, mind you, which isn’t an easy place to immerse oneself!) I was ready for this but, I must admit, I wasn’t ready for the sheer amount that I was about to receive.

Over the course of my work exchange, I received more than a free bed and food. I received unfathomable hospitality, particularly from my roommate Donny, and several opportunities to get to know the natives. I learned about what it’s like to be a Zulu and what it means to live in South Africa.

The degree of my immersion was unforeseeable and it would’ve been impossible to receive a similar dosage if I had simply been a regular traveler. Workaway had given me something that few others could.

Using Workaway is fairly straightforward and can be broken down into a few simple steps:

• Visit the website.
• Create a new account.
• Personalize your account.
• Look for new hosts and work exchanges.
• Apply to a posting.
• Get approved.
• Start helping!

Seems easy, right? Well, it is! One could conceivably sign up for Workaway and confirm a work exchange in a single day if all went right.

Let’s take a quick look at how to sign up for Workaway and find yourself the perfect opportunity.

First thing’s first: you gotta get that account set up and activated before you can start the exchange. To do so, simply visit the homepage and click the “JOIN NOW” button in the top right-hand corner. People looking for work will want to select the “Workawayer” option in the dropdown. On the next page, you’ll see several options.

Right off the bat, Workaway gives you choices. You can either sign-up as an individual or as a couple; the latter option is cheaper than the former so we recommend budget backpackers find a friend to sign up with. Note that you do not actually have to be a romantic couple to apply for this. Platonic relationships and bromances are welcome here 🙂

Another cool feature is the fact that you can buy a membership for someone as a gift! For travelers, this is one of the coolest gifts you can get them , and it certainly beats the usual run-of-the-mill Target or Best Buy gift cards.

When it comes to signing up, Workaway will ask for the usual info i.e. name, birthdate, address, etc. It’s all standard information and it shouldn’t take you longer than 5-10 minutes to complete. After finishing this section, your Workaway account should be ready!

Don’t forget you get an extra 3-monthes free with Workaway when you use our special link! Click the button below to claim these free months!

Workaway Costs and Prices

Once you’ve gained access to your personal Workaway dashboard, you’ll be prompted to finish signing up by paying your yearly fee. NOTE that you don’t have to pay initially to see postings and hosts – you can still search for these but you will need to pay the fee before contacting them.

If you want to learn about searching for Workaway hosts right now, you can come back to this section later. For the sake of continuity, we’re going to talk about the Workaway fees before though.

So how much does Workaway cost? Well, if you signed up as an individual, you’ll pay $42 for a yearly membership , which comes out to $2.50 per month. If you signed up as a couple, it’s $54 for both of you together or $1.25 each per month.

Naturally, at this point, some people might ask: why do I need to pay a fee for Workaway? This is a fair question.

Workaway is a pretty big endeavor; after all, there are over 40,000 hosts currently active on the site! Such coverage and size cannot be easily managed or coordinated and an automated system is probably not going to be super effective.

The Workaway fee goes towards paying the administration. By paying a yearly fee, Workaway can hire experts to help maintain the site so participants can have the best experience possible. There are unforeseen complications when it comes to work exchanges and without a team behind, things could end up messy. Support is also available 24 hours a day!

Ultimately, $42/year is nothing; most people pay more per month for their cell phone bill. In the end, it’s a small price to pay for what could be in store for you.

Your Workaway Profile

It’s important to remember that one does not sign-up for a work exchange and automatically get it – people must apply for Workaway opportunities. Only after the host approves someone will they be able to participate in the exchange.

There are some ways to increase your chances of a host approving you. For example, you’ll need to know how to pitch someone .

One of the best ways to catch a host’s attention is with a stellar profile. A Workaway profile should tell the host who you are and what it is you can offer them. When editing your profile, you’ll be prompted by the site to provide useful information like experience, skills, as well as your travel dates. All of these help the host to understand what kind of helper you will be and if you are the right fit.

To be frank, there is only so much information that you can include on your profile, but what is there is vital. To help create the best Workaway profile possible, here are some tips:

• Include photos – Hosts would like to see who you are. Also, visual elements are always more alluring than walls of text.
• Be clear and concise – Tell hosts what you are good at and how your skills can benefit them.
• Have a solid travel schedule – Don’t yank anyone’s chain by saying you may or may not be somewhere. Hosts want committals.
• Learn more – Check out Workaways profiles suggestions as well!

Finding a host

Now comes the fun part: choosing a Workaway experience ! With such a huge library of hosts, you should have no problem finding the best work exchange for yourself.

To start searching, just click on the HOST LIST button in the search bar on top. You will be taken to a general search area where you can filter between countries as well as keywords. At this point, it’s just a matter of narrowing down the results based upon where you want to go and what it is you what to do.

Here’s an example:

I’m traveling to New Zealand and want to find a work exchange. After finding the appropriate country choice in the drop-down menu, I’m presented with over 500 listings! That’s way too many to sort through individually, so I decide to narrow the search a bit and to look for a placement that is closer to my skill set:  marketing  . I now have 15 options that should include marketing as some sort of required skill.

NOTE:  Workaway sometimes provides additional information about visa regulations in countries but it is not their responsibility to organize the visa for you. Travelers should always look into visa regulations themselves before applying.

Once you’ve found a potential Workaway experience, it’s just a matter of reading the posting and seeing if it’s right for you. If it looks good – the availability, hours required, and description of work are all appropriate – you just need to send the host a message about yourself. They should get back to you within a reasonable amount of time with their answer (their profile should also include reply rates and their frequency of activity on Workaway).

Types of Experiences Available on Workaway

I’ve only really scratched the surface of how one can use Workaway . In reality, there is a myriad of possibilities! Some people may end up helping out on a farm, others may assist in hostel admin duties, a few may literally help around the house, doing chores and whatnot. It all depends on the host and what they need from you.

Here are a couple of different roles that you might fill while using Workaway:

• Hostels – This could mean working at the front desk, cleaning rooms, or hosting pub crawls, but, most likely, it’ll be a combination of all these things. Most hostel volunteers will have a separate dorm room. A good example of a hostel that does this Abraham in Israel.
• Farming and permaculture – Gettin’ down and dirty on the farm is one of the classic backpacker experiences. Make sure you’re transparent with the host about expectations; some backpackers end up working on the farm, which is a different situation altogether.
• Language teacher – Like farming, this is one of the go-to ways that people travel longer. English teachers are particularly desirable because the language is very useful internationally.
• Building schools – Some villages don’t even have a space for people to learn or study. Building/renovating a school in an under-privileged area could be immensely beneficial to the local community.
• Humanitarian work – You don’t see these very often but there are opportunities to work with NGOs on more demanding projects such as refugee assistance. Here’s one in Lebanon .
• General labor – Sometimes a host needs a shed built; others may need some plumbing done. Whatever the case, if you know your way around a tool box, you can be useful.
• Animal voluntourism – This one is tricky because working with animals can become a slippery slope of ethics. One host may genuinely work with animals in a respectful way; others, like many elephant sanctuaries, may be abusive. Do research beforehand and make sure the host is a good sort.

Volunteering can be an enriching experience, one that could potentially change your life and leave you with extremely fond memories. Speaking for myself, my time spent during these has so far been well-spent, especially the one I was a part of in the Drakensberg.

But let’s call a spade a spade: Workaway can be very useful for travelers from a practical point of view . Not only are you potentially developing life skills, as a traveler and a human being, but you’re also saving money as well! If you are thinking about quitting your job to travel , this can be a secure place to start.

Let’s take a closer look at some perks of voluntourism in general:

• Traveling cheaply – Your cost of living and traveling will be lower when you’re actively involved in a work exchange because, most of the time, your room and board will be covered. In some instances a host may ask for an additional fee, which is within their rights; this fee is (and should be) fairly low.
• Meeting fellow travelers – Workaway attracts all sorts of travelers. Some work exchange programs could have dozens of volunteers! This is a good chance to socialize and make new friends.
• Developing skills – Whilst volunteering, you may find out more about yourself than you previously thought; you might even discover a new talent or two. Build those skills and expand your skill-set!
• Resume building – Why not take those new skills and invest in them for your future? The skills you learn on work exchange are still relevant in the real world and volunteering experience can be appealing to some employers as well. Workaway will even help – good volunteers can receive a CV that can be used for their resumes.

Note  : It’s easy to think of Workaway as a job provider but this is not true. There are paid placements on the site but Workaway is not involved in any arrangement between you and your hosts. It’s important to remember that Workaway strives to provide users with cultural immersion and volunteering experiences. People looking for  working holidays , which require visas, need to research these differently.

A Quick Note About Volunteering Responsibly

Some travelers think that work exchanges are a means to milk the system, i.e. a way for them to score free shit while traveling. While it is true that volunteering is a good means of saving money on travel, this should not be the central reason to volunteer in the first place. Doing so leads to an unhealthy attitude towards voluntourism.

Some people end up abusing work exchanges. They leech off their hosts and want nothing except a free bed and food. They work less, ask for more, and generally leave the host without actually having helped at all. This kind of behavior is to be avoided.

When volunteering and traveling, it’s usually a good thing to exhibit a bit of altruism. Being emotionally and mentally engaged with the work placement helps you to connect with what it is you’re doing and the people around you. The fact that you get room and board in addition to helping the local community should be a perk, as opposed to an advantageous situation.

It is also important to know that some hosts themselves can be overly opportunistic. In truth, there are plenty of hosts who use backpackers as a means of cheap labor. Aside from being detrimental to the volunteer’s well-being, this abuse also leads to a host of other problems, like disrupting the local economy.

To avoid being the victim of a shitty host, do your research beforehand. Check to see if what they’re doing could potentially have a positive impact and if that their intentions are worthy. If you’re volunteering already and are subject to abuse, don’t be afraid to tell the host to “piss off” and to alert Workaway.

To learn more about volunteering ethically, check this article at The Guardian .

The Workaway Community

Workaway is more than just a platform for people to find work; it is also a place for people to grow and work together . Workaway promotes collaboration amongst its members and encourages people to create based upon their volunteering experiences. Consequently, an entire community has sprung up around Workaway.

Workaway provides many interactive spaces for volunteers. There’s a blog that regularly accepts posts from Workawayers (the subject of the content is pretty diverse). There’s also a monthly photo competition , which, as a photographer, I find to be a very cool addition.

Another perk: Workaway provides additional means to meet fellow travelers in the first place without requiring them to physically be on the same exchange. Much like searching for hosts, you can also search for travel buddies !

Workaway understands that it often takes a village to get anything done. Thanks to the inclusion of communal features, like the blog and buddy search, Workaway provides people with the means to assemble that (metaphorical) village.

As a collective, people are generally able to achieve more. Workaway connects people so that together they can do just that: succeed and be creative . It doesn’t matter what that achievement may look like either (could be a new building project on a farm or a whole new organization); the ability to accomplish something together is empowering nonetheless.

The Workaway Foundation

Sometimes, a really powerful opportunity comes about, something that is bigger and requires more attention than the typical work exchange. In the case of a demanding project – say building a school or a help center in an underprivileged country – Workaway will do their part to help make that idea a reality.

The Workaway Foundation , an arm of Workaway.info, helps to support local organizations. Sometimes, it’s just creating a more livable environment for a village in Nepal; or it could be building a library in Morocco for school children. So like the volunteers it enables itself, Workaway is also doing its part as an individual entity to make the world a better place.

Workaway vs the Competition

Workaway is not the only online volunteering platform available. Workaway has quite a few contemporaries. Each has its own quirks but most offer similar services although, remember: Workaway has 40000+ hosts, which makes it by far the best value of any other similar volunteering site. Here are some work exchange sites like Workaway:

• Worldpackers – $49 per year.
• HelpX – $23.50 for 2 years.
• WOOFing – $20-$30 per country.
• Other notable work exchange platforms – Helpstay, Hovos, Hippo Help, and Volunteers Base, among others.

For those who want to start traveling in a more consciously and are looking to save a buck or two in the process, volunteering is a great option. Not only will it allow you to develop more as a traveler and person, but it will also enable you to give back to local communities.

Here at The Broke Backpacker, we are all for responsible travel. We believe that, as travelers, we all have a duty to leave somewhere better than when we found it and that travel should not be done simply for the sake of vanity. Volunteering, when done right, can be a way to see the world and help maintain it at the same time.

Workaway is one of the most successful work exchange programs currently active. It’s true, tested, and pretty damn big these days. There is a multitude of reasons why Workaway has succeeded: it’s easy to use, comes with lots of additional services, and has a huge host library, to name a few.

I’d like to think that Workaway succeeds because it does such a good job of encouraging collaboration and collective ingenuity. With Workaway, people can get together, work together, and create together. For working travelers, it’s a model that works well and I think it will continue to work well for the indefinite future.

Before wrapping up this article for good, I would like to remind everyone one last time to use our special link to get 3-months free and extra with Workaway. There are no strings attached; we just want to share the love 🙂

What is our final score for the Workaway? We give it a rating of 4.4 out 5 stars !

Share or save this post

I’d be interested in how people approach planning a WorkAway trip. Do you plan to travel to a country first, then try to set up volunteer opportunities or do you find an opportunity you like first and then make the travel arrangements to get there?

You can do it either way, but many people I know have secured the place first.

I have tried workaway for two years, and my experience in the website hasn´t been so great. I do think that there are many profiles, host profile that are not really truth or they seem fake. That was my conclusion after two years since I have joined the website. I got to this conclusion after various reasons:

1. When I try to conctat hosts most of them they never answer. IF they answer it takes one or two months. This was in Europe, it can be different in other parts of Europe anyway.

2. Most of them they always answer they are fully booked that makes it very difficult and tought to really find a host.

3. Most of them dont have any availibility when you want to go.

4. Sometime they change their mind and you can go at first but not later.

I foudn it extremely difficult to find a normal host in workaway. I recommend to people to be very careful and I actually dont recommend this website at the moment. Probably it is easier to find hosts outside Europe or on long trips as it is said above.

It sounds like you have had a bad experience with Workaway. Personally, I feel the same way about Couchsurfing, it almost never works out for me and yet others swear by it.

I used Workaway in Colombia and got positive responses almost every time – in fact, I had to turn work offers down as I got too many!

Thank you so much for this good information

I was browsing hosts and saw a few opportunities for one and two weeks. I am a TEFL certified teacher and looking for longer term, so these week or two long opportunities are too short to have a meaningful impact on the local population, but if you are looking to vacation and give back a little, working off your room and board may still be possible for you on workaway.

Working away with my host family doing something meaningful in a community with healthy relationships pulled me back from the abyss of a very dark and life-threatening depression. This helps everyone.

It should be said though, that unfortunately Workaway as most of others agencies requires commitment of a minimum of one month. That can work for nomads like you, but not for people who would like to experience productive vacation whole still maintain their job at home.

True, Workaway is more geared towards people on long term trips. Most volunteer gigs are not short term and the “in-and-out” voluntourism style also has a reputation for being more of a business than actually providing quality, meaningful work in return to local communities – not always but in many cases. Volunteer long term if you can is my advice – speaking from experience. If you don’t have enough holiday time – I’d say wait until you do to really get involved with a local project.

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How to Use Workaway to Travel for Free

By: Author Adam Cheshier

Posted on Last updated: June 22, 2020

If you have been involved in the backpacking community for a while, you may have heard of Workaway .

Do you want to travel the world, but just not sure how you can afford it? 

So did I before I started learning (almost studying) ways to travel hack . If so, then this article is for you.

Below, I have outlined what you need to know for your first Workaway experience.

Table of Contents

Backpacking on a budget

What is workaway, how do you sign up for workaway, my “contract”, my experience, would i do it again.

There are a lot of ways to save money while you travel. 

Some of the most popular ways to save on accommodation are staying in hostels instead of hotels and, even better, Couchsurfing instead of staying in hostels. 

Those are both great accommodation options, but neither are consistent long-term options. 

And, if you are like me, your intentions of learning a city and culture before moving on are your highest priority. 

To do so, I began staying weeks or months in places I traveled. 

So, I needed a way to engage in sustainable, long-term travel consistently. In came Workaway.

Workaway is a concept that allows individuals, families, and businesses to host travelers in exchange for a few hours of help per day. 

I wanted to stay in Belgium for up to a month, so I figured I would start my search on Workaway’s platform.

It sounded like my solution, but I didn’t know a lot about it.

Once I signed up for a traveler account, I started searching for potential hosts in Belgium.

On Workaway, after an agreement is reached between the volunteer host and the traveler, a sort-of unwritten contract is made between the two. 

You can discuss how many hours you will be expected to work, how many meals they will provide to you per day, and what kind of work you can handle.

There is an annual fee for Workaway. It’s $44 per year ($56 to make a “couple” account with a significant other). 

This may seem steep to the budget-conscious traveler, but the investment can easily save you hundreds of dollars in the long-run.

Consider that, in most parts of the world, just three nights in a hostel dorm will cost more than that. 

I’ve only had one experience as a Workawayer, and it was phenomenal. I saved tons!

Related: How to Find Free Accommodation in Exchange for Work

After scheduling and meeting each other on Skype to discuss our expectations, I finally flew to Belgium.

I was met by my host at the airport (already expenses I saved on airport transfer!). 

She took me to her home, and we had a lovely home-cooked, traditional Belgian meal that night. 

Over the month, I was only expected to help her three days a week. 

This gave me plenty of time to do whatever I please and only required me to work around 5-6 hours a day on the days I was supposed to. 

During my non-working time, I was free to sightsee around the city, lounge around her house, or even take day trips to neighboring towns.

Also, our agreement included a room to myself, laundry and bathroom amenities, and three meals per day, which she consistently out-did herself.

The work was fun — strenuous at times, but enjoyable. 

I learned new skills as I tore down a bedroom wall and converted it into a master bedroom. I also renovated a garage. 

These were tasks I wasn’t sure I could handle upon initially speaking with her. 

But, with a little training and the will to learn, I was happy to walk away with some new trade skills. 

While in Ghent , she showed me around the city, took me out to eat, and even let me participate (for free) in one of the meditation courses she taught. 

Almost everything I experienced with her was entirely new for me and gave me a whole array of new skills, hobbies, and interests — exactly what traveling should be. New experiences!

I couldn’t imagine a better host for the month. And the best part? 

I stayed in the beautiful medieval city of Ghent, Belgium for 28 days and spent less than $25 on food and accommodation (I couldn’t pass up the famous Belgian French fries on occasion). You can’t beat that. 

There will always be a sacrifice of freedom when coming to an agreement or exchange for accommodation. 

However, there are thousands of opportunities on Workaway, and you don’t have to accept any “contract” less than precisely what you want. 

I highly recommend Workaway , and it surely won’t be the last time that I use it. 

Feel free to reach me on social media if you have any questions about your upcoming Workaway experience. I would be happy to help.

Adam is the Community Manager at Go Backpacking . You can find more of his writing on his own blog, Wanderway . Read his debut travel fiction novel, Summer of '92 , on Amazon now!

Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:

• G Adventures for small group tours.
• Hostelworld for booking hostels.

How to Leverage Workaway to See the World

Is your travel savings on the low side? Learn about Workaway, and discover how you can use this handy service to finance your travels!

Traveling is an amazing experience. From the people you meet to the sights that you see, it changes you in ways that you never thought possible. Unfortunately,  travel can also be a very expensive addiction, and, before you know it, your travel fund may be empty. You’ll find yourself scrambling around trying to find the money to keep going.  Luckily, there are lots of things you can do to cut costs while you’re on the road.

While volunteer projects and working holidays have long been popular ways to sustain long-term travel, there have been websites cropping up that make finding a volunteer placement easier (and cheaper) than ever. One service that’s becoming more and more popular amongst working travelers is Workaway.

A Great Way to See Cities Worldwide

When the travel bug bites and you want a way to get a rundown of the best sights a city has to offer, check out the app-guided adventures from Let’s Roam ! Our exciting scavenger hunt tours will lead you to interesting spots and fill you in on a town’s history and attractions. Score points as you complete challenges, and try to top the leaderboard. Even if you don’t beat the high score, you’ll have a terrific time trying!

What is Workaway?

Workaway (workaway.info) is a program where people or businesses in need of an extra set of hands provide accommodation and (usually) meals in exchange for a few hours of work a day. While it is generally hostels looking for volunteers, you can also find placements where you are volunteering as a nanny, workingt on a sustainable farm, helping NGOs, etc.

Not only is it a great opportunity to save some cash but you can also make new friends, pick up some new skills, practice a language, and learn a lot about a new culture and destination by living and working in the local communities. For many people, the room and board make it well worth it, and the cultural exchange that you get to AAZis just the icing on the cake!

Is it safe?

Yes. Workaway is safe as long as you follow the same safety precautions that you would in everyday life. Listen to your gut when it’s trying to tell you something and never take unnecessary risks. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

How much does it cost to do a Workaway?

After paying an initial annual membership fee, Workaway is completely free. Yep, you read that right. By using Workaway, you can score free accommodation all over the world in exchange for a few hours of work a day!

Who can sign up?

Anyone who is above the age of 18 can sign up for Workaway. If you’re traveling as a couple, you can create a joint account and if you are traveling as a family with kids, it’s possible to create a special family account. 

How do you get started on Workaway?

Step #1: search for a project..

One of the first things that you should do is research what projects there are available. This is one of the most important parts of getting started on Workaway so always do your research to find things that are a good match for you.

This same sentence repeats like a broken record whenever anyone talks about traveling and for good reason. Doing research helps you figure out where you want to go and what you want to do. Finding a Workaway is no different. If you take the time to search through the listings, there is a high chance that you’ll find one suitable for you. Once you find something interesting, make sure to read the reviews of a host to see what other travelers have said. Only after you have done this should you move on to the next step.

To make it easy to find projects, you can search by destination or by keyword. You can also filter by accommodation type, host type, availability, reviews, last-minute availability, etc. This makes it easy for you to check if there is anything that interests you or fits within your travel schedule. 

Step #2: Set up an account.

Hopefully, it shouldn’t take too long to find a project that suits you and when you do, it’s time to get in touch with the host. To contact hosts, you’ll need to purchase an annual membership. It costs $44 and you have access to more than 50,000 opportunities in more than 180 countries. The membership fee is just a few dollars more for two people which makes it an even better deal if you have a travel buddy you want to do the projects with.

Step #3: Create an awesome profile.

While you’re completing your membership, you’ll be asked to set up a profile. Here, you can describe yourself, talk about your work and travel experience, post photos, etc. Make sure to take your time doing this as it will be one of the first things that a host sees when they are deciding whether or not they would like to have you as a volunteer. Think of it almost like a Workaway resume. 

Remember that this is the time for you to tell your story. This can include things like your motivation for traveling to different countries, what skills you can bring to the table, why you’re interested in doing Workaway, and so on. You should also mention if you’re in the middle of a career change, a gap year, your existing travel experience, or anything else that could be interesting to a potential host. 

Try to show as much of your personality as possible while you’re writing. Make jokes, add quotes, and talk about any hobbies that you may have. You never know what’s going to spark someone’s interest! To give a host an even deeper look into who you are, you can add links to your social media profiles, blogs, etc in your Workaway profile. 

Step #4: Message Workaway hosts.

Once you have set up your profile and found an interesting project, you can send a message to the host showing that you’re interested. Just like with a cover letter on a job application, make sure to personalize it as much as possible to show why you’re interested and how you would be a good fit for the volunteer position. If the project is really unique or in a great location, you may find yourself competing with a lot of other applicants so use this as an opportunity to make yourself stand out from the crowd.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the position when you’re emailing back and forth with the host. This shows that you are very interested and want to make sure that you have a clear idea of what the Workaway experience will entail. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, NOW is the time to ask them. If you wait until the Workaway begins, you may find that the experience is not what you expected.

Step #5: Confirm your Workaway adventure.

Yah! Congrats on getting a positive response from a Workaway host. Now, it’s time to confirm your Workaway. Make sure that you can actually do the Workaway before you commit. People will be relying on you to come and stay the entire time that you committed and it’s important that you keep your end of the deal. 

Step #6: Have a great time!

Now that you have your Workaway all lined up, it’s time for the fun to begin. Keep in mind that the Workaway hosts are opening their homes, their businesses, and their lives to you, and that cultural exchange is one of the most important parts of the Workaway experience. When you go, you may want to consider bringing your host a small gift from your state or country or you can even try cooking them a meal that represents your heritage. 

As there are many Workaway programs that involve placements in hostels, you can always cook for the other volunteers or have a fun potluck dinner where everyone brings a different dish and you all eat together. 

Step #7: Leave a Workaway review.

Once your Workaway is finished, remember to leave a review. This should be done whether you have had a wonderful experience or a bad experience as it helps future Workaway volunteers know the good, the bad, and the ugly about a particular host or volunteer program. Make sure to be fair and honest in your review as this will be the most useful in the future. 

Tips and Tricks for Workaway Success

Below are a few tricks for creating the best Workaway experience as well as some travel tips that will help make any journey more memorable.

1. Go into each project with an open mind. 

Whenever you go to another country or culture, you may find things that are difficult to adjust to at first. However, it’s important that you go into every project (and every travel adventure for that matter) with an open mind. It’s very, very likely that things will be very different than what you’re used to at home and this is all part of the beauty of traveling. Trust me, you’ll probably be surprised at how quickly you can get used to things and you may find yourself missing certain aspects of it when you go back home!

2. Try to connect with your host and other volunteers.

Again, one of the best parts about doing a Workaway project is meeting new people from all over the world and what you get out of the experience generally matches what you put into it! To make the most of the experience, try to form a connection with your Workaway host or your fellow travelers/volunteers. This may be challenging if you’re naturally an introvert but travel is all about getting out of your comfort zone.

3. Learn as much as you can.

While you’re doing your Workaway, try to learn as much as you can about the community that you are volunteering in and the people that you are with. This may mean anything from learning some words and phrases in the local language to buying fruits and vegetables at the market and attempting to cook a traditional dish. While these may seem to be small things at the time, you never know when they will come in handy later on. 

4. Don’t be afraid to say no.

Every once in a while, you may encounter a host that asks you to do things that you aren’t comfortable with. If this is the case, don’t be afraid to say no to something whether it be the working hours that you’re committed to, the accommodation that you are provided, or the people you’re volunteering with. If there are persistent issues, Workaway may be able to assist and provide a resolution.

If the issue still doesn’t get resolved and you’re unhappy with the project, you can leave early. However, make sure that you keep Workaway informed about the situation and anything that you did to resolve it.

5. Connect with a travel buddy.

While you’re doing a Workaway, it’s highly likely that you will meet other Workaway volunteers and you may find yourself with a brand new travel buddy. If this is the case and you want to travel together, you can connect your profiles on Workaway which makes it easy to apply for Workaway projects together. 

6. Buy travel insurance.

As always, before you begin any overseas adventure, it’s important to make sure that you’re covered by travel insurance . This is particularly important for American travelers as your normal health insurance is unlikely to cover you when you are overseas. Workaway is a great opportunity to save money when traveling but having an accident or getting sick when you’re volunteering could end up costing you a pretty penny if you aren’t adequately covered.

Some of the most popular travel insurance providers are World Nomads and Safety Wing . However, before you buy any policy, make sure to read through all the fine print so that you understand what is covered by that particular travel insurance. 

7. Schedule plenty of fun activities.

While it’s great to be able to help hosts, it’s just as important to schedule plenty of fun activities in a new destination. At the end of the day, this is why you’re traveling, right? When you aren’t working, you can do an activity that the area is known for (ie hiking in New Zealand or visiting museums in Spain). 

You can even purchase tickets for one of our fun app-based scavenger hunts . These adventures will have you competing against your new friends (and maybe even your new host!) as you make your way through the city streets. Not only will you learn a lot about your new “home,” but challenges will also keep you on your toes as you try to earn enough points to top the leaderboard!

8. Try to maintain a “logical” travel plan.

When you first start searching for projects on Workaway, you may get super excited and start applying for anything that looks interesting. This is completely understandable (I did the same thing!) but you really need to make sure that your Workaway projects actually make sense, especially if you’re planning on doing many of them back to back. 

While volunteering your way around Europe is an awesome idea, if you end up jumping between countries, you may find yourself spending a lot of money on transportation which could end up basically offsetting any money that you saved by volunteering. Instead, try to schedule projects that are in similar geographical locations

9. Use your Workaway experience as “work experience”

If you’re just out of college, trying to get work experience in your chosen career field can be a little difficult. If this is the case, try to see how you can use Workaway to your advantage! For example, if you would like to go into digital marketing, try to use this as a keyword search and see if there are any projects that come up

NGOs and other non-profits are always looking for people who can help them manage their social media accounts or websites and if you have the basic skills, this can actually help you gain valuable work experience that you can put on your resume or examples of your work that you can include in a professional portfolio. 

10. Pack lightly.

I can’t stress this enough. Whenever you travel, try to pack as lightly as possible. While it’s very tempting to bring lots of cute outfits, different pairs of shoes, and anything else that you think you may need during your trip, having too much luggage can end up being a bit of a disaster for many different reasons. (If you need a few packing hacks, check out this list of “ Space-Saving Travel Tips for your Next Adventure .”)

First, some Workaway objects may be located pretty far off the beaten track and can be difficult to get to. Jumping on and off different modes of transport with tons of bags gets really tiresome really quickly. 

Second, you don’t know how much space you will have to store your belongings when you get there. This is particularly true for hostels. I have shared hostel rooms with volunteers who have suitcases full of things that ended up taking up most of the dorm rooms, leaving everyone else who is backpacking with very little space. Most accommodation will also come with some type of laundry facility so try to take advantage of that rather than dragging a lot of stuff around with you.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, having a lot of baggage can get actually be dangerous for you. Not only is it hard on your body to carry big backpacks for hours on end but it can also make it harder to get away from a dangerous situation. If you can’t pick up a bag and run with it, then you probably need to carry less stuff with you. 

Other Resources

If you love the idea of Workaway, you can also check out WWOOF , and HelpX , which specialize in farm work, and Worldpackers . All of these are work exchange sites that have similar programs where they match travelers with volunteer opportunities around the world. 

If you are a budget traveler who would prefer to focus on accommodation and cultural exchange, you can also try Couchsurfing . This site connects travelers with hosts and allows you to search for accommodation all over the world. Disclaimer: while Couchsurfing was hugely popular before COVID, the company started charging a yearly membership fee in 2020 which caused a drop in users. I used it many times before that and had wonderful experiences but have not used it since. 

Ready to roam?

We hope that this guide has left you inspired to create a Workaway account and get out on the road! As always, we would love to hear your feedback. If you need some more tips on saving money while on the road, don’t forget to check out this list of Budget Travel Hacks from a Full-Time Traveler .

Frequently Asked Questions

New to Workaway ? When you first begin searching for opportunities, make sure to filter the projects based on your interests. This can help you find projects that you are well suited for.

Getting started with Workaway couldn’t be easier! The first thing you need to do is create an account and begin contacting hosts about projects you are interested in.

If you’re about to embark on a long trip, you’ve probably already downloaded some of the best travel apps . Consider adding Workaway to earn money on the road, and using the Let’s Roam app to see the sights.

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Workaway Reviews: My Experience Volunteering Abroad

Table of Contents

Have you ever wished you could travel for free, meet new people, and connect with locals? Then Workaway is the program for you!

Workaway is a wonderful website where you can connect with thousands of hosts around the world. They offer an alternative to typical work and travel programs, such as unpaid stints at hostels and volunteer work that you pay to do.

Instead, you’ll find positions doing everything from teaching English to painting murals – even raising animals or helping out at resorts. In exchange for your work, you’ll get free accommodations and food!

I used Workaway to make money travelling Europe for a year. I’m sharing my Workaway review and pro tips to help you make the most of your Workaway experience.

Read on to learn how to volunteer abroad for free travel!

My favourite way to travel for free is with Trusted Housesitters !

What is the Workaway Program?

Workaway is a platform with over 50,000 opportunities for  travellers to exchange work for meals and a place to stay .

Workaway is an online network of hosts and travellers, kind of like Airbnb for volunteering.

Hosts post listings on the site and travellers reach out to them (occasionally hosts will reach out to travellers, but it’s usually the travellers writing).

Both hosts and guests have profiles that Workaway verifies.

For example, you have to submit photographic evidence of your passport and have it approved in order to be a verified member on the site.

The best profiles include photos (of real people and the accommodations, not just landscapes), details of experience for travellers, host expectations or work required, and a sense of personality.

Hosts have more expansive profiles.

They have to specify the number of hours they are expecting you to work, what they offer in exchange (i.e. accommodation type and meals), and what kind of guests they accept.

For example, some places allow pets, some have internet, and some only accept one Workawayer at a time.

Like Airbnb, hosts and travellers leave reviews that are shown to others. It’s a good incentive for both parties to do a good job.  It’s critical to read these when deciding on a place to stay!

If you aren’t sure if you’d like to join yet, go on the site and browse the hosts. You don’t need a membership to see their profiles – only to actually contact them for a volunteer position.

You can  apply to be a Workaway volunteer here .

How do Workaways work?

You write to a host and get approval to stay with them. They will have certain expectations that they lay out, like what type of work you do.

Workaway limits free work (in exchange for room and board) to 5 hours a day for 5 days a week ( max 25 hours a week ). Hosts do try to get around this, but I only let them if I’m getting more bang for my metaphorical buck. For example, am I getting amazing food? Am I getting other perks? Am I getting paid?

Workaway sees itself as a cultural exchange centre. You’re supposed to be getting a cultural experience on top of the work that you’re doing. This may be eating local cuisine, learning the language from the hosts (although often they prefer you teach them English), or from cool excursions.

Need help learning a new language? I recommend iTalki ! I’ve tried ALL the apps, but iTalki is the only way I’ve managed to learn as much as living in the local country.

When you’re searching for hosts, you can filter based on location, types of work, your travel dates, and other specifications.

Be sure to set up your travel dates and destinations on your profile as some hosts may reach out to you for opportunities as well.

My favourite feature of Workaway, one that I tell everyone about, is the ability to print a reference letter from your profile. Essentially, you’re able to turn your positive reviews of your hard work into something you can use for your CV later.

It was the selling point to my dad who was super concerned about the trip.

I’ve had Workaway on my CV for years now and it’s benefitted me greatly. Nowadays employers want people who have global experience, work well with others, can multi-task and be flexible, and who are interesting. Working through Workaway will give you all that and more!

Not bad for a free way to travel, eh?

Basic Rules of Workaway

• A host can only request 25 hurs of unpaid work per week
• You must be provided with 3 proper meals per day, or the groceries to cook your own
• There must be a place to sleep, shower, and use the bathroom
• Hosts cannot ask you to do work that you did not agree to already
• You get 2 days off per week (this can be negotiated depending on pay, etc.)

Types of Workaway Experiences

If there’s a type of work you can think of, it’s on Workaway!

Workaway has opportunities for literally everyone.

The most common types of jobs are:

• Language lessons
• Caretaking of homes or elderly individuals
• Online work (such as photography for websites, building sites, copywriting, etc.)

I’ve also seen jobs for yoga, meditation places, servers, and more!

Search for your skill and I’m 90% sure you’ll find a job that requires it!

Workaway Program Locations

Workaway operates around the world.

I found the most Workaways in Europe and the UK. There are also a number in the US.

You’ll find fewer in New Zealand and Canada, but still some opportunities outside of the cities.

When you log in, you can select countries from a drop-down list. With 170+ countries, you’re almost guaranteed to find the location you’re looking for.

How to Use Workaway to Travel on a Budget

Workaway is the best tool for anyone who is travelling on a budget .

You get free accommodation and food in exchange for 25 hours of work per week. Sometimes even less!

You can even make money by working additional hours at certain Workaways.

On top of this, my hosts (as is common through the program) took me on cultural excursions throughout my stay. I got to go to Vienna twice for free thanks to my hosts in Austria!

You can also make friends to travel with, which will cut your budget.

I managed to travel Europe for 8 months and actually made money thanks to Workaway!

It meant that those weeks when I was just travelling, I could splurge a bit more thanks to the extra cash I’d made.

How to Use Workaway to Make Friends for Solo Travellers

You can actually use Workaway to make friends!

Not only can you befriend locals that are hosts or neighbours, but you can meet fellow travellers to explore the world with.

To do this, stay at Workaways that accept more than 1 volunteer.

These often have less luxurious sleeping arrangements (i.e. shared dorms), but it’s worth it for the friends you’ll make!

I met people who I’m still close with almost 5 years later! And got lots of fun group getaways out of the friends I met while I was still travelling, which helped me overcome the solo supplement.

They developed an app for connections after I finished using Workaway. Now, you can meet up with other volunteers and find people in your area. This helps solo volunteers find others nearby!

👉 Want to make friends around the world? Join Meetups today for free!

Workaway Costs

In order to sign up for the Workaway program, you have to pay a  yearly membership  fee.

A one-person membership costs  $44 USD . If you’re travelling with a partner, friend or children, you can create a joint account for $56 USD.

You can cancel your membership after the year and Workaway will hold onto your profile. It will become inactive so you can’t apply to hosts, but you won’t lose your references or have to start writing from scratch.

This is a great feature as I’ve taken a couple of years off the site but fully intend to join again for some more free solo travel opportunities.

Otherwise, there are no costs to being on Workaway. If a host tries to charge you for your experience with them, it’s not allowed!

Paid Workaway Experiences

I told you the Workaway program will let you travel for free, right?

How is that possible when you have to pay $44 for a membership?

Well, I’d argue $44 is basically free – but there’s a chance you can even lower that!

Some Workaway  hosts offer paid placements  for travellers.

These are rarer, as most simply exchange the 5 hours a day for your room and board. You can actually search specifically for paid placements in the Workaway program and find opportunities to make some extra cash.

Paid placements typically require more than 5 hours of work or specialty work – like digital marketing, building, or giving lessons to others.

I never took this opportunity as I was more concerned with finding places with internet access so I could make money freelancing (that’s how I kept my Workaways free!).

If you decide to search for paid opportunities, you’ll need to be more open to different locations.

You have to follow the paid work rather than fitting paid work into your carefully crafted  travel itinerary !

Is Workaway Safe?

Yes, Workaway is safe.

There are security measures in place to help keep volunteers and hosts safe. These include:

• Passport verification for those using the program
• Honest reviews from past hosts and Workawayers
• The ability to report unsafe people
• Pictures of the individuals

Additionally, the ability to speak with the host/volunteer before you meet can help you determine if you are comfortable staying with them.

As a solo female traveller, I didn’t feel comfortable staying with single men. I preferred to stay with women or families.

Hosts display who is hosting you, so I was able to rule out those opportunities that were single men.

I also felt safer when staying with other Workawayers, since they were often female like me. You can’t select this, but the majority of people I met via Workaway were women, so it seems to be more used by females.

To stay safe:

• Read reviews
• Trust your gut
• Tell someone where you’re going
• Ensure there’s wifi or internet and check in with people back home
• Ensure you have an exit strategy from the place (don’t rely on them to pick you up and drop you off if things go wrong)
• Speak to the host ahead of time
• Ensure there are pictures

Workaway Review Based on My Experience

I signed up for Workaway the first moment I could. Before I was even approved, I had at least six dozen hosts set aside in a wish list (a convenient feature for over browsers like me!).

Eventually, I had to pare them down. I decided to base my choices on the countries I wanted to be in.

Admittedly, that wasn’t the best way to do it, but it helped me create a timeline of when I’d be in certain places. That made it easier to let hosts know when I planned to be available to work for them.

From that plan, I managed to get an array of opportunities across Europe.

I initially planned to work for 3 weeks then spend a week travelling,  moving to a new country  every month.

That didn’t fully work out as you’ll see.

Workaway in Baden, Switzerland

I started out working in Switzerland for a young woman.

Initially, I was meant to help cook, clean, and watch her chihuahua, Marley.

At the last minute, she needed to visit her family in Greece. So my first Workaway was more like an Airbnb. I had a lovely flat in Baden to myself, with a fully stocked fridge (of free food!), and a chihuahua friend to take on walks.

It was barely even work!

When I needed to restock some food, I paid for half of it myself because I felt bad for how little I was contributing.

Workaway in Pisek, Czech Republic

My first assignment had gone so well that I was sort of nervous to move on to a group Workaway where I’d be teaching English outside of Prague .

I was working with a company that paired English speakers with a group of employees hoping to better their English.

Wow was I spoiled!

We got taken to this beautiful little chalet on the edge of Pisek. We had beautiful meals prepared by the hotel’s chef and far more tea than any human being should drink.

I shared a room with a girl who has become a long-term friend. We’ve met up around Europe that year, and if it weren’t for the pandemic, we’d have met up in 2020 as well.

The volunteers got a crash course in teaching English before we were paired with a student.

Every day we worked with the student for a few hours (totally 40 by the end of the week) individually and in groups. This is more than the typical 25 hours, but we were getting a lot in return for our work and it was only for 1 week so I decided I was alright with the work.

They worked on their English, we got some cool Czech pen pals, and we got a certificate showing how many hours of English we taught – something I’ve been able to use for jobs later.

They even took us on a historic walking tour of Pisek, completely free!

We got a round trip to Pisek from Prague , which saved me from having to figure that out on my own.

Workaway in Zwettl, Austria

My third Workaway was with a private family in Austria.

They needed someone to help out around the house and on their farm in the Austrian hills (note: hills, not alps. I was not prepared to work in the alps).

The family was so sweet and constantly treated me like one of their own.

The teenage girls watched the Kardashians with me and translated the German dub into English (so technically I was helping them with their English), the mother was a pharmacist who started mothering me like she did her own daughters, the grandfather constantly teased me in his broken English, and the dogs were a dream.

I was sort of a housekeeper, doing light cleaning, cooking lunches (and the occasional Canadian meal), and walking the dogs.

Again, it barely felt like work.

I had hours throughout the day to work on freelance projects, go for runs (until winter hit), and to play with the horses in the paddock.

The family took me to Vienna twice and even offered me free accommodation at the paternal grandparent’s house in the city. I decided to stay in an Airbnb instead because I needed some alone time before my next Workaway.

In retrospect, what I actually needed was some traveller time – time to be with other travellers – and I guess time to travel.

Workaway in Berlin, Germany

My one and only truly horrible Workaway experience was in Germany .

It was almost enough to make me swear off the whole thing altogether.

I decided I wanted to be in Berlin for Christmas. Not just Germany – Berlin specifically.

Why? I honestly have no idea.

It was nearly impossible to find a Workaway in the city, so I settled for something worse than I should have. I didn’t see the red flags.

I must have been blind!

It was the first time I barely lasted a week – in part because I had to wait a few days for my Airbnb.

The six weeks I’d planned to spend working with this family, in much the same way I had in Austria, ended up being an Airbnb Christmas present from my dad so I could have somewhere safer than a storage closet to live in.

Honestly, I don’t like talking about this Workaway – not because I’m trying to sugar coat anything – because it sent me to a dark place.

The horrible way these people treated me really impacted me.

I felt like a failure for not sticking it out and making it work, even though it wasn’t at all what I signed up for.

They made me feel like a servant, not a person. There was no cultural exchange. There wasn’t even food in the family was home.

It darkened the rest of my time in Berlin.

I had a good time later (which is how I found the best  10 things to do in Berlin ), but there were a lot of sad, lonely days where I felt like packing in my whole trip. I barely made it through my first  Christmas alone  – thank the gods for Christmas markets! – and was so happy when I finally moved on to Spain.

Workaway in Bennisiva, Spain

Benissivà was the perfect antidote to my Berlin troubles.

It was in the middle of nowhere in the Spanish mountains, about an hour from Alicante. The job was working at a yoga retreat, which included 2 free yoga classes a day – a desperate mindfulness escape for me.

I fell in love with the little town, with the friends I made sleeping in the oldest building I’ve ever been in, and with one perfect hammock in the meditation garden.

At the retreat, I worked as an all-around volunteer. I helped clean and set up the yoga room, cleaned the pool area, lit fires (never successfully – even with those little Styrofoam starter things. I was so hopeless), served food and tea, led written meditations, led hikes to ancient cave paintings and up La Forada (a beautiful mountain), and worked on their website and social media marketing.

Somehow I fit all of that into 25 hours a week!

I did therapy sessions from a hammock in the dark, broke from the retreat’s vegetarian diet by gorging on fish on weekends, streamed Wreck-it Ralph with the other volunteers, learned to make Swedish crackers, and vegan scones, and went on a number of girls trips with the other volunteers.

It felt more like a retreat than a work experience. I got to see parts of Spain I’d never even heard of, visit small beach towns, and piece myself back together after Berlin.

If I wasn’t booked to meet my mom in Marrakech , I don’t think I would have left!

Workaway in Unnamed Town, Croatia

My final Workaway experience ended up being months later than I expected. I tried to find work in Morocco and Turkey but since it was the off-season nothing was available – well, nothing I was qualified for and nothing that didn’t involve children (I’m genuinely terrified of children).

So I did some proper travelling instead and tore through my bank account with surprising ferocity. Then I met up with some family in Serbia and ended up staying nearly 6 weeks meeting cousins I’d been hearing stories about for years.

Croatia was my return to Workaway and I was thrilled.

I had wanted to work at a ranch since my first few Workaway searches. A ranch or a dog sledding place – until I found out you had to cut up dead reindeer, then just a ranch.

Stari Dud is a tourist ranch south of Zagreb, literally not in a town. It’s closest to Bović but not actually in the town.

For the first few weeks I lived in the tourist accommodation in a lush suite, but I was later moved to bunk beds in the summer barn (which I ended up preferring once we managed to get the mouse out).

I worked with two British girls who were paid riders staying the entire summer.

I got unlimited free trail rides – often so unlimited I was begging to give my butt a break.

We made our own food, but got snacks like fresh bourek from the ranch owner.

I painted fences, mucked out barns, fed horses, helped train a filly, built fences, tore down other fences, cleared trails, helped serve guests, gardened and learned how to work a truly ancient mower, and attempted to tack up horses (my terrible wrists mean I can never get a girth on tight enough).

On days off, we went to Zagreb (once when I needed a back x-ray after falling off a horse at a canter uphill – just some deep bruising!), partook in historical celebrations at the nearby bath town, went to the natural baths, tanned by the pool, read in the yard, sang along with Benji the border collie, partied with Safi the stable hand, went to a shed party, and even drove a horse-drawn carriage.

It was my favourite all-around Workaway.

From being in the middle of nowhere with terrible internet that made freelancing impossible to being surrounded by nature to Lauren trying to teach me to drive stick in the world’s oldest truck (which died a few days after I left through no fault of mine!); it was perfect.

The ranch was the epitome of a Workaway experience: a true cultural exchange.

Is Workaway Worth it?

For me, yes.

I never would have been able to travel for a year as a solo traveller across Europe while making money without Workaway. I’d have given up much sooner and gone home due to lack of funds or loneliness.

I met dozens of great people, learned new skills, had amazing experiences, and explored parts of the world I wouldn’t have otherwise discovered.

It isn’t for everyone.

You have to be willing to work, rough it a bit, and go with the flow.

But if you’re willing to be adventurous, Workaway can help you see the world!

If it hadn’t been for my plan to go to law school (which never happened because I moved to New Zealand instead), I wouldn’t have stopped travelling with Workaway!

Workaway Horror Stories and How to Avoid Them

1. The Shortened Hostel

The Solution: Avoid this kind of Workaway by getting your details ahead of time so you know what to expect. Trust your gut with red flags and have an exit plan.

If the host was already trying to get rid of you early on, then they probably aren’t a good host to begin with.

2. The Redneck Experience Gone Wrong

The Solution: Ask ahead of time about the living situations, the schedule, and be honest about your abilities or lack thereof.

I would have ensured a schedule earlier on.

3. The Creepy Host

The Solution: This is why I avoid single men who own property and use it for Workaways. Stick with couples, families, or women if you’re a solo female traveller.

4. My Nightmare Experience in Germany

I chose a Workaway in the heart of Berlin, or so I was told.

She didn’t give me the address until 1 hour AFTER I was supposed to have met her at her house.

It was actually a short train ride to Berlin. It didn’t include food. I wasn’t allowed to use their shower. I had to sleep in a storage closet with minimal heat in the middle of winter. I had to clean up after the entire family but couldn’t spend any time with them.

To top it off, I had no internet connection in my little room, so finding a way to leave was even more challenging!

Eventually, I left after a week (which was 6.5 days too long to have stayed).

The Solution: Trust your gut. If they don’t give you information up front, bail!

Practical Information for Using Workaway as a Solo Traveller

How to Sign Up for Workaway

Go to workaway.info and click the yellow “Join Now” button on the upper right menu. Select “Join as a Workawayer”.

You can select a couple account, a single account, or gift a membership. I’ll take you through the process for a single traveller.

Click “join now”.

You will then need to enter a username, password, email, and fill in information about yourself.

Then you will need to pay for your account either via Debit/Credit, Paypal, or redeem a gift voucher.

You’ll need to submit a photo of your passport for verification afterward while setting up your profile.

Click here to get started!

How to Write Your Workaway Profile

1. Introduce yourself

Keep your bio simple. Remember, hosts are reading a lot of these bios every day. You don’t want to overwhelm them!

• Who you are
• Where you’re from
• What skills you have
• What you’re looking to get out of Workaway
• If you have volunteered previously, worked or studied abroad, or have any relevant experiences
• If there’s anything you’re really passionate about

2. Add pictures

People need to know you’re a real person. I wouldn’t want someone coming into my home that I haven’t seen!

So ensure you add a profile picture that:

• Shows your whole face
• Has you smiling, even just a small smile
• Where you can see your eyes (no sunglasses!)
• Is casual and maybe even shows your skills (i.e. mine has me with a dog at my old doggy daycare job)

Ensure that all photos upload correctly, as they sometimes show upside down. You’ll also want to make sure they’re not blurry.

You can also create a photo album of other images.

It’s important to include some shots of you working on those skills you mentioned. If you don’t have any, stage them!

Head into your mom’s garden with a shovel, start baking a cake, or head on a trip to go horseback riding.

Don’t just post photos of your travels where you aren’t included.

Also remember that even though these are casual, you shouldn’t be skulling wine or partying in the photos. You can definitely show off your fun-loving personality, but keep it semi-professional.

3. Include travel dates and locations

Hosts can search for Workawayers. So have your travel dates and ideal locations listed to help them find you for jobs.

Update them as you go along. They will change, and that’s fine!

But having them up to date will help both you and hosts not waste your time.

4. Verify with Facebook

Workaway has the option to verify yourself with Facebook. This can help as an added security measure and boosts host confidence that you’re a real person.

Workaway Profile Example

Tips for Finding and Getting the Best Workaway Experiences

1. Don’t be picky about location

When I signed up, I had an idea of travelling across Europe’s most brilliant cities via Workaway. Those are super difficult to find. And the few city Workaways I tried were the worst of all my experiences.

Be open to working in more remote areas and not having as strict of an itinerary.

Often hosts will take you on adventures anyway.

My host family in Austria drove me across the country to Vienna – twice! Those were two totally free trips that I hadn’t planned for, but they let me see the brilliance of the city. In Croatia, the ranch owner took us to a shed party where the men serenaded us on accordions and the women made us amazing spaetzle.

2. Have three non-negotiables

You want to be flexible when you travel, especially when you volunteer, but it’s important to keep yourself in mind too. I picked three requirements I had and ruled out any hosts that didn’t offer them.

My non-negotiables were: 1) a real bed (no sofas), 2) internet (so I could work), and 3) full meals, not just bread and cheese.

3. Stay at places with more than one Workaway volunteer

Typically places with multiple Workawayers have more social structure built in and you’ll have a lot more fun. Other travellers are looking for similar experiences, will travel with you after your placement is over, and are as into the experience as you are.

I met so many kindred spirits who felt the 9-to-5 life was awful and that travelling full-time wasn’t a crazy dream.

I’ve kept in touch with them to this day and have even met up with them around the world!

4. Read host Workaway profile reviews!!

Reading host reviews is the most important thing when it comes to choosing a good host!

Since they write their own profiles, hosts can say whatever they want. Reviews verify whether it’s true or not.

Listen to your gut when you’re reading reviews, too.

I signed up for an opportunity in Berlin – solely because I wanted to be in the city (remember when I said you shouldn’t choose experiences based on location?). I had a bad feeling in my gut when I read the reviews. People seemed like they were choosing their words carefully – even if they weren’t saying negative things.

If I had thought more about the reviews and compared them to the glowing ones from my other successful Workaways, I would have realized something was wrong ahead of time and not had to endure my one bad Workaway.

5. If it’s not what you signed up for, leave

Like I said above, my stay in Berlin was not what I signed up for. I felt really guilty leaving them in the lurch, but essentially they’d left me in the lurch too.

I wasn’t getting a real room, real food, or even real internet (literally my only 3 requirements).

If they weren’t fulfilling their end of the deal then I had no reason to fulfill mine.

There’s some risk involved because you worry about getting a bad review from the host and having that affect your future Workaways. But you are more important than a review.

Hosts will typically ask you about a bad review surrounded by good ones. Often bad hosts won’t even leave a review for fear that you’ll leave a bad one for them as well.

If someone puts you in an unsafe situation like that: report them.

Workaway has 24/7 customer service and a way to report bad hosts. You can actually help future travellers by informing them that one of their hosts isn’t behaving accordingly.

6. Talk to the Workaway hosts ahead of time

I learned from my bad experience and started chatting with hosts before I arrived.

It’s something I’d naturally done with my first host, a lovely woman from Switzerland. When I arrived, I already felt comfortable with her.

It’s ok if hosts are slow to get back to you, but if they don’t even have the time to send one quick message a week, likely they don’t have the time to fulfill the cultural exchange that Workaway was founded on.

Some hosts will even require talking ahead of time or having a video interview.

The yoga retreat I worked at in Spain required a short interview with the owner and the volunteer manager (a Workawayer who ended up getting promoted to a paying gig). It actually made the process seem more legitimate and calmed me a lot since they were my first hosts after that bad experience.

7. Know your skills

Host profiles list what type of work they want volunteers to do. Travellers can filter their host searches based on these.

Before you start looking for hosts, write down at least 10 things you’re good at.

These can be anything – they don’t even have to be on the searchable list.

For example, I’m a writer.

That’s not something Workaway specifically offers, but it’s a unique selling point I could offer my hosts. It got me out of dish duties at the yoga retreat to do some copywriting work for them.

In fact, my tour guide experience got me a job on a tourist ranch in Croatia when I had no building experience (one of their desired skills).

8. A picture is worth a thousand words – for you and them

Pictures are key on a Workaway profile.

You need a clear profile image that shows your full face. It’s not so you can show off your model good looks, it’s so they know what to expect.

Hosts and travellers come from all over the world. They may not recognize your name as male or female. They may just want to look in your eyes and get a feel for you.

Having a relaxed, smiley photo is a great first impression.

Similarly, hosts need photos. I don’t trust a host profile that only has a shot of a grassy landscape.

For me to trust a host with my safety, I need to see images of them, the area I’ll be living in, and the area I’ll be working in.

Many hosts only have an image of themselves or their family (and maybe some horses if it’s that kind of place).

That’s ok! Ask them for additional photos of the area and the accommodation so you know what you’re getting into.

If they won’t, move on. That’s not a good host.

9. Pack disposable clothing

Most of the work on Workaway isn’t sitting behind a desk. Usually, you’re getting down and dirty (in one case, very dirty when I slid down a muddy hill chasing a stubborn pony).

So pack accordingly!

At least 50% of your suitcase should be working clothes: old shirts, jeans you can throw away or get paint on, sneakers or boots. Plan to throw them out at the end of the trip (or keep for those dirty chores at home).

If you don’t have any, head to a thrift shop and grab some cheap options. They usually offer bundles of tees for low prices and have plenty of jeans you can wear short term.

A good rule of thumb is to have enough work clothes to get through 10 days without washing. Since you’ll be dirty anyway, you don’t always need a clean tee or jeans, but you definitely don’t want to wear all your dirty gear 10 days in a row.

After a day mucking out the barn I didn’t want to wear that shirt for even another morning without a wash!

10. Apply! Apply! Apply!

One of the biggest complaints I’ve seen is that hosts often don’t reply to applications.

I’m not going to lie: that’s true.

Workaway hosts aren’t amazing at checking their profiles. You can counteract this in two ways:

1) check their response %. If it’s below 50, don’t even bother. If it’s anything below 80% apply but don’t get your hopes up.

2) Apply a lot!

I over-applied a number of times and still didn’t hear back. Or I got offers for months in advance because they hadn’t updated their calendars – months when I intended to be four countries over.

11. Follow Up

If you don’t hear back from hosts within 7-14 days, send a follow-up. If you don’t hear back 7 days after that, move on.

It’s likely they aren’t accepting travellers at the moment but didn’t note that in their profile.

How to Write the Perfect Workaway Message (with an example!)

It’s scary to start applying for Workaways. You’re reaching out to total strangers and asking them to take a chance on you.

Since I was already applying for hundreds of jobs, I figured I’d think of my messages as cover letters. That helped me develop a structure that I could edit and repurpose for each host.

• Introduce yourself and the position you want. Tell them your name, where you’re from, your age, how many travellers are in your party, and what volunteer role you want. Do they have specific types of volunteers they need? Then state the role you’re applying for.
• Explain why you want to work for them specifically . What drew you to them? What about the tasks required excites you? Is there a picture or review on their profile that really spoke to you?
• Explain your relevant qualifications and experience. Go into detail on at least 1 experience to really show them your skills.
• Summary of how you can benefit them. Tie together your skills with what they’re asking for. Maybe you don’t know how to build a well, but you’ve had experience learning to build fences in 1 day. That shows you can learn to build the well with a bit of guidance.
• Sign off. Always end your message with a friendly sign off. I usually do ‘All the best’ or ‘Cheers’, followed by my name. This is especially helpful if you go by a nickname so the host knows what to call you. It also shows that you’ve crafted a full message rather than just typing a bunch of sentences and pressing send.

Here is an example I wrote based on a profile I found on Workaway in 2021:

Questions to Ask Hosts

• What is the accommodation for volunteers?
• How do meals work? (i.e. will you be responsible for cooking them yourself, will you eat with the hosts)
• How many hours of work will I be required to do per day? When are my days off?
• What type of work will I be doing?
• Will there be other volunteers there?

Other Programs Like Workaway

Workaway isn’t the only option for travelling the world for free.

Another option is Worldpackers . In fact, it’s quite similar to Workaway in that you can work in exchange for free rent.

When I did my Workaway experience, I found more negative reviews of Worldpackers and it was more expensive, so I ultimately decided to stick with Workaway. But I know some people who really enjoyed their time with them.

There’s WWOOF as well, but it’s primarily for agriculture work. This is more taxing, and typically offers poorer quality accommodations.

I prefer Workaway for the flexibility they offer in terms of types of assignments.

I love Trusted Housesitters for a free homestay when I’m abroad. Now that I have a dog with me and work for myself, it makes more sense to spend my time working for me versus volunteering for accommodations.

Wrap Up: My Workaway Review

Pros of the Workaway Program:

• Free/cheap travel
• Place to stay and food to eat for only 25 hours of work, or payment
• Easy to search for opportunities
• Make new friends
• Local cultural immersion
• Helps you see the world
• Gain new skills
• Safety features included

Cons of the Workaway Program:

• Hosts can be slow to reply
• You have to carefully read reviews to determine if they’re legit
• Some will try to bend the rules
• Not in major cities
• Not as free (schedule-wise) as backpacking or travelling. You will have to work
• Sometimes the accommodations will require some roughing it

Overall, I think Workaway is one of the best programs on the market.

Unlike WWOOF that requires serious farm skills, Workaway is accessible for anyone looking to travel on their own terms without blowing their budget.

It allows you to meet new people, explore off-the-beaten-path destinations, and save money. All while you learn more about yourself!

Before Workaway, I never pulled a 6ft fence post out of the ground with my bare hands. I never herded horses along a Croatian highway. I never ran an agility course with a dog.

I learned so much about myself during my stays with Workaway. Probably more than I learned about the world, to be honest!

That’s why I tell everyone to go on a Workaway program trip at least once! You’ll come out the other side a better you.

Have any questions about Workaway? Ask them in the comments!

FAQs about the Workaway Program

Is workaway free.

No, Workaway isn’t free. You can browse for free, but to send messages, you need to pay the annual fee.

Is Workaway Legit?

Yes, Workaway is 100% legit. I used it for 8 months. I know many others who have used it as hosts and volunteers.

Do You Get Paid for Workway?

Not for all Workaways, but you can get paid for some. Search for “paid Workaways” when you filter your search. Then you’ll find those that offer payment. Any job that is tourist-facing or requires service will likely come with tips as well.

Is Workaway a Good Idea?

Yes, Workaway is a good idea. It’s an easy way to meet locals and there are many different activities you could participate in. I was able to work on my Spanish, learn about Croatian wine-making, practice riding horses, do community work, and make friends with the family I lived with for over 8 months. Plus I was able to travel Europe without breaking the bank!

What is a Workaway Job?

Any type of job can be a Workaway job. Essentially, a Workaway job is any role that someone needs assistance with in their house. You volunteer to help with this in exchange for room and board.

How long do I have to do the Workaway program for?

There is no strict time limit for Workaway jobs. Typically, you won’t find jobs for less than 2 weeks. I have seen some rarer instances of jobs for 3 days or 1 week, but they are hard to find. On average, most jobs request 2-6 week commitments.

Do I need a visa for Workaway?

No, you don’t need a visa to volunteer through Workaway. But you may need a visa to enter certain countries. You are responsible for managing this for yourself. Similarly, you need to make sure you don’t violate the terms of the visa (i.e. overstaying).

How Do Meals Work With Workaway?

Typically, meals will be provided for you. Some hosts like to eat with Workawayers while others prefer that Workawayers eat on their own. In some instances, groceries or grocery money is provided and you are expected to handle your own meals. You should ask hosts about this to ensure you understand the rules.

Is Workaway safe solo, or is it better to join as a couple?

It is definitely safe! In fact, you’ll have an easier time finding Workaways, as many don’t have room for couples (i.e. dorms with single beds). As long as you trust your gut and take precautions, it’s completely safe to do it solo!

Can I bring my dog?

Some Workaways allow dogs. You can search for opportunities that are dog friendly when you are looking for hosts.

Can I Workaway with friends?

Yes you can. You can link accounts via Workaway. You’ll each need your own account first, then you can search for work together.

Can a Workaway host contact me first?

Yes, they can. Workaway hosts can search for volunteers. They’ll use your destinations and time frames that you put on your profile to find people to work at their homes.

Workaway vs WWOOF – What is the difference?

WWOOF is more about agriculture, from my understanding. That’s different from what Workaway is about, where it’s more about a cultural exchange through volunteer work. Many places don’t have any manual labour to do. Some hosts have both Workaway and WWOOF opportunities, so I guess it’s just preference!

Is there an age limit for Workaway?

You must be at least 18 years old. But there is no upper age limit. As long as you can do the tasks required, you’re eligible!

Related Posts:

• How to Use a Travel Budget Planner Template to Help You Save Money
• 29 Greatest Ways to Make Money Travelling the World
• Benefits of Travelling Alone: 20 Pros and Cons of Solo Travel
• 6 Guaranteed Ways to Make Travel Friends When You’re Travelling Alone

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Living Abroad Travel Planning Guide

🚑  Should I buy expat travel insurance?

100% YES!  — With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from Safety Wing!

🌎 What is the best country to live in as an expat?

It depends – the best country to live in as an expat will depend on your unique needs. I developed this free quiz to help you figure out where is right for you!

📍 How do I pick a country to live abroad?

It depends – picking a country to live in is hard. That’s why I developed this $7 course to share all of the steps I’ve taken when deciding to move to 20+ different countries, and how I handle homesickness when I get there.

Ultimately, making the choice of where to move is going to be hard. But the hardest thing is deciding to move abroad at all!

💼 How do I get a job as an expat?

You can find work abroad via local job boards or temp agencies. My favourite way to work is remotely, so I always look for jobs on FlexJobs.com when I live abroad. They hire for 100% remote roles only.

If you’re looking to teach English abroad, Premier TEFL has the best online course to get you great work!

💰 How do I open a bank account abroad?

Wise.com offers free global accounts, and the cheapest money transfers. Since it can be a headache to open bank accounts in different countries (it took me 2 months in the UK!), Wise.com is a great solution.

I actually use it as my primary bank now worldwide due to the multi-currency debit card. ( Read more )

👯‍♀️ How do you make friends abroad?

Meetup.com – Meet likeminded people who share a similar hobby with Meetup! It’s free to join, but some activities may cost money, like if you go to a cafe and get a coffee.

🙀 I don’t speak the language. Can I still live abroad?

Learn languages in no time with iTalki ! Moving abroad is an opportunity to learn the language. You don’t need to know it before you leave home.

💻 Do I need a VPN?

Yes! – VPNs allow you to access more of the internet. From US Netflix in the UK to social media sites banned in Asia. It’s a really helpful and cheap thing to ensure your online activities aren’t restricted.

🧳 What’s the best luggage for living abroad?

This is my favourite luggage set f or long term travel. You can read more about my review of types of suitcases for travel here .

🏡 How do I tell my friends and family I want to live abroad?

Take this $7 course and learn the exact script I used to tell my family I was moving abroad … and then when I did it again. I even include tips for prepping your family, and for how to handle family who aren’t supportive.

✈️  What’s the best site to buy cheap flights?

To find cheap flights, I recommend  Skyscanner . ( Read more )

🏨  What’s the best site to find cheap hotels?

To find cheap hotels, I recommend  Booking.com . ( Read more )

Or stay for free with Trusted Housesitters!

🚗  What’s the best site to rent cars abroad?

To find cheap rental cars, I recommend  Discover Cars .

🚗  What’s the best site to find tours?

To find epic tours, I recommend  Viator .

Nina Clapperton is the founder of Nina Out and About. She has lived in 18 countries in the past 10 years, explored more than 30 countries, and has done most of it solo. A Canadian native, she also shares her favourite things to do in the True North. She helps over 100,000 people per month plan their expat adventures and Canadian trips.

Want to move abroad, but don’t know how to start?

Get an expert’s tips & tricks, pick which country to move to – and do it.

• Join as a Workawayer
• Join as a host
• Buy a gift membership

Workaway is committed to positive change and enabling travellers to connect and grow. Work with us and become part of the Workaway philosophy. We are looking for dedicated committed people who understand the sustainable travelling culture. Our team is based worldwide, though we often need staff in specific locations. Check below to see our current and future up and coming positions.

Travel content writer

We are looking for a freelance content writer with SEO expertise to contribute to the Workaway blog as well as some of our web content in English. This is a fully remote position and is open worldwide.

• Have travel-related blogging and digital copywriting experience
• Are native English speaker with excellent communication skills
• Have interesting insights on sustainable travel, cultural exchange, and alternative lifestyles
• Are proficient in SEO, and have hands-on experience with market and keyword research to optimise content
• Enjoy pitching relevant, on-trend article ideas and working independently
• Are passionate about the Workaway idea and promoting the philosophy behind our platform

Please send us a link of your writing portfolio and/or your own website and let us know a bit about your Workaway experiences, as well as some relevant topic ideas you are most confident in writing about. This position is perfect for digital nomads and creative travellers who enjoy writing, and we can’t wait to hear from you!

Development

Web developer, php developer based in the eu.

We are extending our development team, and are looking for an experienced PHP web developer for a full time position.

We are looking for someone who:

• Have at least three years of programming experience in object oriented PHP in a professional project
• Are a EU resident
• Are preferably experienced in Javascript
• Know how to use version control (GIT)
• Are keen to learn new technologies
• Are a fan of modern web development and the Workaway idea
• Are fluent in English

Since stability and reliability communication and pair programming are very important parts of software development to us, it is essential that you are based in the EU long term.

Unfortunately if you are travelling this is not the right job for you. Maybe you know a friend who would be a good match for our team? Feel free to spread the word :)

Find your perfect host

  Spain

  Ireland

  France

  Argentina

Forgotten your password?

Workaway has committed over $20,000 USD from the Workaway foundation to help refugees from Ukraine.

Upon request all workawayers based in Ukraine will have their accounts extended for free until further notice.

Hosts in Ukraine have been temporarily disabled for safety reasons.

If you are a host and are able to take in refugees please add the information in your account and you will be added to our last minute host list .

Should you wish to donate and help please click here .

Worldpackers VS Workaway: Which Is Better?

by Melissa Giroux | Last updated Jan 2, 2024 | Budget Travel , Travel Tips

If you’re considering participating in a volunteering program abroad, you may have heard of Worldpackers and Workaway .

Both websites allow you to find volunteer positions in exchange for accommodation and food everywhere around the world.

In this post, I’m comparing Worldpackers vs Workaway to help you decide which volunteering program is better for you.

Read our reviews from both platforms and decide on the best volunteering exchange platform.

So, what is better, Worldpackers or Workaway?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Worldpackers is cheaper than Workaway if you use our discount code.
• Worldpackers is safer because they provide insurance if something goes wrong during your volunteer placement.
• Workaway has more projects in Europe than Worldpackers.

We believe Worldpackers is better than Workaway because it comes with insurance, it’s cheaper, and you get more honest host reviews from volunteers.

Want more details? Keep reading to discover the main differences between Worldpackers and Workaway.

🔎 Worldpackers Overview

What is Worldpackers?

Worldpackers is an online site and community that lets travelers worldwide search for suitable volunteer opportunities where they can offer their skills and help out in a local community in exchange for a place to stay, free of charge.

Worldpackers matches volunteers and hosts worldwide, acting as intermediaries between the two.

The volunteering opportunities on Worldpackers are vast and include teaching, working in hostels , helping out local NGOs, eco projects, and even health and wellness centers.

Worldpackers is one of the only sites that offer genuine placements with internationally recognized NGOs and nonprofits.

Wondering how Worldpackers works? Watch this video!

📝 Worldpackers Review And Opinion

Worldpackers is unique to other work exchange sites as it offers something called “Experience Insurance”.

This means if your work exchange turns terrible for some reason or your project gets canceled, they will help you find a new host as soon as possible and pay for you to stay in a nearby hostel for a few days.

They also provide honest reviews on the site written by past volunteers. You can tell that the reviews are genuine and honest, as they’re not all positive!

One host in Brazil I clicked on had many one-star reviews and very long feedback comments, so it’s an easy way to figure out which projects are good and worth applying for.

Worldpackers also has a very active online community of past and present volunteers and world travelers.

You can communicate with past volunteers on the site to get more information on what it’s like to live in certain countries, how easy or difficult certain types of work are, or make new online friends.

Wondering how much Worldpackers cost?

The website is free to join /make an account on initially (you can sign in with Facebook), but once you find a host you’re interested in messaging, the fee is $49 for the year.

Although, when signing up through this link , you get a $10 discount . That said, after the discount, your membership will cost you $39.

Want to dive deeper into Worldpackers? Read our complete Worldpackers review .

There’s also a plan for couples/friends. It costs $59, but with the $10 discount, it’s only $49.

Finally, there’s another plan available called the Solo Pack.

You’ll get extended insurance. In short, if something goes wrong with volunteering placement, you’ll get 7 nights covered by Worldpackers. This plan costs $99, or $89, with my discount code.

Worldpackers also boasts a very high percentage of female volunteers, with 62% of volunteers on the site being solo female travelers. This is pretty reassuring.

Worldpackers started in South America, so it has a lot of listings in that part of the world. It has many opportunities in Central America, Asia, and Europe too.

Worldpackers is also known for its dedicated support team for volunteers.

The Worldpackers site focuses on social and eco projects, plus volunteer teaching.

In contrast, some other volunteer and work exchange sites focus more on farm work or volunteering in hostels.

GRAB DISCOUNT

🔎 Workaway Overview

What is Workaway?

Workaway is a similar site to Worldpackers that lets travelers volunteer on farms, hostels, or social projects worldwide in return for free accommodation.

It’s the most extensive work exchange website globally, with over 1 million hosts available.

📝 Workaway Review And Opinion

Workaway provides online support to volunteers when they’re overseas in a contact form on their site.

However, they don’t offer the same “experience insurance” that Worldpackers do should anything go wrong.

Once travelers have finished their volunteer placement, they can leave a review on the Workaway website for future volunteers to read.

However, one main issue is worth noting: Workaway only shows the text of the positive reviews rather than the positive and negative ones. 

Many of the negative reviews simply show a 1 out of 5-star rating, and instead of the volunteer review, it simply says, “ Please see our feedback policy for more info about why this review is not displayed”.

Workaway has the largest selection of hosts and volunteer projects out of all work exchange websites. 

However, there have been issues with hosts not replying to volunteer messages, either because of the sheer number of daily requests or because some listings are old and have never been updated or removed.

Wondering how much Workaway costs?

Like Worldpackers, you can initially browse the website for free and check out some volunteer options.

To see a full list of host reviews and contact a project host, you must sign up for a one-year membership that currently costs EUR 49 per year.

Projects listed on Workaway are primarily based in Europe, where almost half of the volunteer listings are located.

If you aim to land a volunteering opportunity in Europe, this might be the best website to start with. 

They also have listings worldwide, with projects to be found in almost every country on Earth.

Once you have finished your volunteer placement and returned home, Workaway has an exciting feature where you can generate a letter of reference for future employment opportunities or explain any large gaps in your resume!

Specific volunteer placements that require more than the standard 20 to 25 hours of work per week will offer meals and sometimes even a small sum of pocket money in addition to free accommodation. 

For example, you might be working in a hostel in exchange for a free place to stay, but the hostel may offer commissions if you sell any of their tours.

🔎 Worldpackers Or Workaway: Main Differences

Worldpackers and Workaway are both organizations that offer opportunities to travel and work abroad.

Both have their pros and cons, so it’s important to decide which one is right for you.

Here are the main differences between Worldpackers and Workaway:

• Worldpackers has a more extensive screening process for both hosts and guests. Workaway relies on reviews from its community to vouch for members.
• Worldpackers provides insurance for its members. Workaway does not.
• You’ll find more options for Latin America on Worldpackers and more options for Europe on Workaway.

It really depends on your destination and needs. If you’re on a budget, consider Worldpackers because it’s slightly cheaper.

Whatever you decide, both platforms offer a great way to travel and work abroad!

You can browse volunteer positions on both websites for free, so have a look before getting a membership.

In simple words, Worldpackers is best for solo female travelers and first-time travelers who want to count on insurance. It’s great, especially if you wish to volunteer in South America.

Workaway is best for people searching for volunteer positions in Europe.

🔎 Worldpackers vs Workaway: Full Comparison

Now that you have a better overview of both platforms, let’s compare them in detail. In this section, we’ll compare destinations, types of projects, reviews, safety, costs, and more.

Worldpackers vs Workaway: Destinations

Worldpackers and Workaway offer a wide range of volunteering opportunities worldwide.

Worldpackers started in South America, which is why you’ll find more listings in Central America and South America. That said, you’ll find listings in Asia and Europe too.

Workaway offers more opportunities in Europe, but you’ll also find other opportunities worldwide.

VERDICT If you travel to South America, you’ll find more options on Worldpackers. If you travel to Europe, you’ll find more options on Workaway. That said, we recommend you browse both websites first to see what type of projects are available in your chosen destination.

Worldpackers vs Workaway: Types Of Projects

Both platforms offer a wide range of projects, but let’s consider their offering.

Worldpackers offers the following projects:

• Holistic center
• Eco Village
• Permaculture project

Workaway offers the following projects:

• Housesitting
• Animal welfare
• Sustainable project

VERDICT Both websites offer lots of options. It really depends on your interests and skills.

Worldpackers vs Workaway: Reviews

Both platforms use a review system so hosts and volunteers can review each other.

Then, when a volunteer wants to apply for a position, they can read the reviews to learn more about the host and the work.

On Worldpackers, it’s very easy to see the reviews. The hosts that have reviews have a number of stars next to their listings.

Then, you can click on the Reviews to read them. The link “View all reviews” brings you to the entire list. You can also read the host’s replies there.

The whole thing is very transparent and gives you a good overview of the host.

On Workaway, you can see the ratings next to the listing. Then, as you scroll down the page, you’ll find the reviews.

To give you an example, I found a host that had 4/5 stars. Looking at the reviews, I can read the ones left by the volunteers, but I cannot read the reply from the host.

When I clicked on the link about the feedback policy, this is what I found.

While I understand the reason why the feedback is kept confidential, from a volunteer perspective, it’s a bit annoying that you’d have to contact other volunteers.

It also doesn’t provide a clear picture of what happened.

VERDICT Both platforms have a review section, but Worldpackers have a more transparent system where volunteers can read all the reviews (positive and negative) from both the volunteers and the hosts.

Worldpackers vs Workaway: Safety

Safety is very important when you volunteer abroad. Let’s see what Worldpackers and Workaway are offering in terms of safety.

Worldpackers offers Insurance as part of all their plans.

This means that if something goes wrong with a host, Worldpackers can help you find another project.

They will pay up to three nights in a hostel to help you out. If you have the Solo Pack Plan, they can cover up to 7 nights.

Workaway doesn’t provide any insurance for the volunteers.

When you take a look at their Safety page, you’ll find that the concept is based on “trust”. You can also report a bad host, or anything suspicious to the Workaway team.

VERDICT Now… when dealing with people online, you must use common sense. Although, when volunteering abroad and dealing with hosts online, I recommend picking hosts with reviews. This is why reviews are so important. I think Worldpackers does a better job with transparent reviews as it also ensures safety for volunteers.

Worldpackers vs Workaway: Features

When browsing both work-exchange websites, you’ll notice that they offer fun features. Let’s talk about what makes them unique and different.

Worldpackers has a network of 3.3 million travelers and hosts around the world.

They have an Academy section with video lessons so that you can learn more about travels and the nomadic lifestyle.

Finally, you can travel solo, with a friend or partner. You could also earn money with the WP programs:

• Creator: Create content for Worldpackers during your trips and earn between $40 and 75.
• Guru: Invite travelers and get paid when someone becomes a member.
• Blogger: Write blog posts for Worldpackers and earn between $65 and 180 for each approved article.
• Scouts: Refer hosts and earn between $10 and 20 for each new approved host.

Workaway has more than 50,000 listings around the world. You can sign up solo or with a friend.

You can get a personal reference letter that includes feedback left by hosts during Workaway experiences.

They also have a feature to help you find a travel buddy and to meet volunteers nearby.

They also have an ambassador program that could give you free membership, goodies, and a special badge for your profile.

VERDICT Both websites offer fun features, but Worldpackers has better programs if you wish to make a bit of money during your travels.

Worldpackers vs Workaway: Free Memberships

You must be a paid member on both websites to contact a host. On a free membership, you’ll get to browse the listings and get an idea of how things work.

So, yes, you can join Worldpackers and Workaway for free if you’re just browsing for volunteer opportunities.

This way, it helps you figure out which platforms have the most exciting destinations and projects.

VERDICT Both websites offer a free version allowing you to browse the listings.

Worldpackers vs Workaway: Paid Memberships & Costs

Both work exchange platforms are affordable.

Worlpackers offers 4 different types of memberships:

• Solo Trips: $39 with my discount code
• Solo Pack: $89 with my discount code
• Couples / Friends: $49 with my discount code
• Couples / Friends Pack: $109 with my discount code

You can get my discount code here .

Workaway has 2 different types of memberships:

• Single: EUR 49
• Couple / Friends: EUR 59

VERDICT If you’re looking for the cheapest option, Worldpackers is cheaper.

Now, you may wonder if Workaway or Worldpackers pay for your flight. They don’t.

Both platforms connect hosts and volunteers, but you’ll have to pay for your flight.

Worldpackers vs Workaway: Mobile

Both websites have an application, making your travels easier.

If you’re not traveling with a laptop, you’ll be pleased to know that you can reach hosts from a mobile application wherever you go.

VERDICT Both platforms have a mobile application.

💡 Final Thoughts On Workaway Vs Worldpackers

If I had to pick between the two, I’d go for Worldpackers because their insurance ensures your experience. Their platform is easy to use, and the website is beautifully designed, making the process easier.

Safety is an essential metric for travelers, so I believe Worldpackers is safer than Workaway. You get Worldpackers insurance and transparent reviews from hosts and travelers.

Now, if you’re wondering, “Which is cheaper, Worldpackers or Workaway?” The answer is Worldpackers.

After the discount, your membership costs $39 instead of EUR 49 with Workaway.

Both websites are legit – so yes, Worldpackers is legit, and Workaway is legit, too!

Both websites are initially free, so you can browse volunteering opportunities before deciding on a platform.

If you’re still hesitating and unsure if Workaway or Worldpackers is worth it, browse both websites to make up your mind. 

Volunteering abroad is a unique way to travel further and longer – and is ideal for any budget travelers or students.

Is Worldpackers worth it? Yes. Is Workaway worth it? Yes. Start browsing projects to find one that suits your interests and needs.

Are you searching for different ways to volunteer locally? Read our guide on finding volunteer opportunities .

Want to learn more about cheap ways to travel the world? Read one of the following blog posts:

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• Backpacker recipes
• Guide to slow traveling

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Volunteer With Workaway: The Ultimate Guide To Working Away

I aim to assist you to understand how to start working away on one of the best ways to travel for almost nothing, if not for FREE, with Workaway.info .

I love using Workaway to travel affordably, and hopefully, you will too.

What Exactly Is Workaway?

Workaway is an online platform for volunteering that connects businesses, families, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), etc. with travelers.

It is similar to both a social media account and the popular accommodation and experience finding site, Airbnb.

Both travelers and hosts make a Workaway profile similar to a CouchSurfing profile. 

Hosts are typically looking for volunteers to help around their house, business, or organization.

In exchange for volunteering, travelers are provided with food and accommodation.

Workaway also has a Workaway blog that you can read to know more about travel volunteering.

If you are interested in becoming a travel volunteer and working away through Workaway, join now and get 3 extra months of Workaway for free!

How Much Does It Cost To Join Workaway?

The Workaway price is €39/$44 for a single traveler per year. For a couple Workaway costs, €49/$56 per year.

The hosts do not pay to have a profile, which probably encourages more hosts to sign up; an essential feature to ensure there will be enough hosts for the number of volunteers.

Want to know how to get a free Workaway membership? Check out this guide on how to get a free Workaway account . (Warning – it’s not that easy!)

Who Usually Volunteers Through Workaway?

Most volunteers who want to do a Workaway are interested in slowly traveling because most hosts require at least a two-week commitment.

Usually, Workawayers will be working away for a few months, taking a gap year from university, or traveling full time.

There is no age restriction on volunteers, though they will mostly be 18-50. 

Workaway hosts have probably been involved in the travel industry currently or previously and many times even travelers themselves at one point.

Hosts are more likely to be 30+ since they own businesses and have families.

The Truth About Finding The Best Workaway Hosts

Is Workaway For Retirees? 13 Of The Most Important Reasons

Why Do People Use Workaway?

Workawayers usually want to travel for free or almost free.

They probably scoff at the idea of tourist traps and want to go off the beaten path.

They want to be experiencing local life around them; trying unknown foods, meeting locals, seeing hidden places, etc.

Workaway can help them do this because their host is a connection to the local culture and community.

This bond can potentially bring endless opportunities to experience beyond what you could have as a regular tourist.

Learn how to be the best Workawayer  with these tips!

Volunteers and hosts alike are usually looking for cultural exchange.

While Workaway hosts are likely to help you integrate into your new surroundings, they will probably want to learn from you as well.

Maybe you can teach them about your cuisine or help them learn your native language or customs.

Maybe they are interested in one of your unique skills, such as drawing or child care.

These skills are what you would want to highlight in your Workaway profile.

Want to know more about other alternatives to Workaway? Here is the best Workaway alternative !

Do You Get Paid On Workaway?

Are you looking to make money from Workaway? The essence of being a volunteer implies that you do not get paid a wage.

Most countries would require you to be on a work visa if you were getting paid monetarily.

This system is what allows a person to do the Workaway experience. 

Some hosts will give cash for you to buy and cook your food.

It is important to state that some hosts do give a monetary wage despite government laws, though these are usually long-term Workaways.

Find more information on being paid through Workaway here.

How Can I Create A Workaway Profile?

To create your own Workaway profile, join here!

It will first give you the option to make a single or couple/friend account.

From there, you think of a username and password and fill in your name, address, email, and birthday.

Filling out a Workaway profile will be a way to describe who you are to your prospective hosts and other Workawayers that may be interested in meeting up.

When it comes to creating a Workaway profile, make sure to read our 11 tips to make the best Workaway profile!

To step outside of yourself to analyze who you are and what you want to be can be tough.

It gets worse when you then have to communicate that in words on an online profile, especially if it is your first time making one.

All this to say, if you are having trouble making your Workaway profile, do not feel bad if you are stuck.

I have created Workaway profile examples that can help you create your own personal one.

Where Is The Best Place To Do A Workaway Experience?

Since there are Workaway experiences with 40,000+ hosts in 170+ countries, it would be difficult to list off only a few places.

The best place for me could be completely opposite of what you would want.

In order to figure out the best place for you, it could be helpful to take time to think about what you want to learn, accomplish, or experience.

If you can determine this, it will help you narrow down locations and types of Workaways.

Complete Guide To Workaway France

Complete Guide To Workaway New Zealand

Complete Guide To Workaway UK

Complete Guide To Workaway Ireland

Complete Guide To Workaway Italy

Do I Need A Visa For Workaway?

It all depends on what country you are from and where you are planning to go. 

Research your specific situation and where you would want to visit.

This will determine if you need a visa to enter the country as a tourist.

A majority of Workawayers will be entering a country as a ‘tourist’ in order to volunteer, though some could be doing ‘Working Holiday’ visas/authorizations. 

Generally, Workawayers do not need to apply for a work permit or work visa because Workaway is classed as ‘volunteering’.

Most countries see it as volunteering because the Workawayer is not paid a wage.

It is important to note that some countries could view the act of receiving food and accommodation as a form of payment for which you would need a permit.

Find out more about Workaway visas here.

How Much Does It Cost To Do A Workaway?

Besides paying the price of Workaway for a year of membership, there will be other expenses that should be considered.

There will be the costs of visas, food, transport, and accommodation that could be needed to get to and leave a Workaway experience.

During your stay with the host, there could be some food expenses (or none depending on the situation), health costs like medicine or necessary doctor appointments, technology, special Workaway clothes or items, and other miscellaneous items.

Find out more about the costs of Workaway here.

What Is The Best Time To Do A Workaway?

This is such an easy answer, ALWAYS! The beauty of a Workaway is that the opportunities are endless.

Here are 99 amazing Workaway projects to inspire you!

There are hosts all over the world that need help now.

Since a lot of volunteer opportunities are based on tourism, as that industry expands there will be more and more options of where to spend your time.

If you have a particular place in mind to look for a Workaway exchange, then it would be good to do some preparation beforehand.

It is helpful to hosts if Workawayers mark the times they are planning to visit a country on their Workaway profile.

Similarly, hosts should mark what times they are accepting Workawayers. 

It is important to think about the location. Is it a popular tourist destination?

What is the climate like? Do they have any festivals or celebrations that could make transport expensive? 

Do the research and find out what time of the year would be best for your preferred climate and how touristy it will be. 

In the travel/tourism industry, the ‘high season is usually the warmest time of the year and will be packed with tourists.

It would be best to do your Workaway on the ‘shoulder season’ which means a few months before or after the high season.

Read these 9 crazy and fun stories from others who have done work exchange/travel volunteering!

Is Workaway Safe?

Every time I explain to someone that I use Workaway to travel the world on a budget, the same question arises.

Is Workaway safe? My answer is straightforward; it will be safe depending on your preparation.

Workaway uses a simple mantra – safety, trust, and respect.

Like most things, if you put in enough effort and research, Workaway will be as safe as you want it to be.

How Long Should I Do A Workaway?

Deciding on a length of time will mostly revolve around the individual when working away.

Most hosts will require at least two weeks minimum commitment.

Of course, it depends on the place and host, but I like to stay for about a month before moving on. 

Usually, Workaway is more suited towards long-term travel.

Having at least 3+ months is ideal since it is a paid service and you will want to get your money’s worth.

Is Workaway A Good Idea?

This is a great question. Maybe you have just stumbled onto the idea of travel volunteering and it all seems too good to be true. 

Well let me tell you friends, I think it is a great idea!

I am so convinced that I even started a complete Workaway guide to help others successfully volunteer abroad and travel slowly.  

I believe the concept of Workaway is amazing! Having a global community that people can affordably have a cultural exchange is beautiful.

It really goes along with my idea that anyone can and should be able to travel if they wish.

If you are looking for a Workaway alternative, make sure to check out Worldpackers VS Workaway – How To Find Which Is Best For You .

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This Post Has 8 Comments

Wow, such a great idea! I have heard of work exchange programs before, but I had know idea how many members and various countries Workaway connects. Thanks for all the info!

Hey Michelle!

Thank you so much for your comment. Workaway was so much bigger than I thought even when signing up 🙂

I’ve never considered workaway but had heard of friends doing it and they loved it! I think of traveling as not working but it’s a great idea for budget travel!

Hi Lorenza!

I had the same kind of thoughts when we decided to look into it. After looking for only a few moments though I found that a lot of it isn’t even work. If diving is your thing, you can apply to volunteer at diving schools where you teach lessons to the less experienced divers. In the return they give you room and 3 meals a day.

It all depends on what you are interested in. This can determine if you consider it work or an experience. I do agree that the memory of getting up at 7 am to power wash a huge wall wasn’t the most fun I’ve had while traveling haha.

While I’ve volunteered at a few hotels/hostels around the world in exchange for free accomodation/food etc, I’ve never actually used Workaway! But know plenty of people who have and love it. Maybe for my next adventure when the world reopens!

Oh that is great to hear that you have volunteered before! It seems like Workaway is getting more and more popular now 🙂 I think you should definitely try it after the pandemic, there are some amazing experiences that they have.

Hello thank you for information. It is so useful. I’m also a member of the platform Workaway. I have an invitation letter from the host from the USA California. So on 25.01.2025 I have an interview for the B1B2 visa. Should I mention about the Workaway program or not? Can I face with the rejection of visa if I say about it? Thank you.

Hi Maya, Thanks for reading and congrats on your Workaway project! Did you type correctly that you have a visa interview in 2025? That seems like a ways off.. About the Workaway visa, that is a tricky situation. I think it depends on what the Workaway is. I did a quick google search about how Workaway in the US would work visa-wise. Here is what came up:

“You can apply for a B-1 visa if you are a member of and committed to a recognized religious or nonprofit charitable organization and will participate in a “voluntary service program” of the organization.”

I doubt that you’re Workaway fits that because it’s pretty specific. I think any other volunteering would be considered ‘work’ which isn’t allowed on the B1/B2. US immigration is no joke, they take it very seriously so I would advise caution. None of this is professional legal advice, just my opinion. It would be good to contact a professional in law in this case so you can make the right decision.

Comments are closed.

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My Workaway Experience In 2024 (Workaway Review)  

This post and the photos within it may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, I may receive a commission at no extra charge to you.

Last year, I had my first volunteering experience through Workaway, which was truly amazing.

In this article, you will find a comprehensive Workaway review, where I share the following:

• What is Workaway & how does it work
• My Workaway experience
• The pros and cons of the platform
• FAQ covering volunteering abroad with Workaway

Let’s jump right into it!

What is Workaway? 

Workaway.info  is a volunteering platform for fair exchange between hosts and budget travelers, language learners, and culture seekers. 

It allows you to find a host and help a pre-agreed amount of time per day in exchange for lodging, often food, and sometimes other perks.

It is one of the most extensive work trade platforms, with over 50,000 opportunities in more than 170 countries!

Some of the opportunities you will find include: 

• Families  – Babysitting, helping around the house, cooking, house sitting, etc.
• Schools, Communities & NGOs  – Teaching languages, beach cleanups, etc.
• Sustainable projects  – Building compost toilets, greenhouses, solar panels, weeding, planting, harvesting, etc
• Farm stays  – Animal care, sustainable projects, gardening, general maintenance, etc.
• Hostels & lodges  – Doing check-in and check-outs, housekeeping, art projects, etc.
• Animal sanctuaries  – cleaning, feeding, etc.
• Others  – Teach yoga, help with computers, language, photography, social media, art projects, etc.

It is a unique way to travel the world, even on a budget, meet new people, try new things, and explore new cultures.

How does Workaway work?

It is simple – once you join the platform and pay for the membership, you can create your profile. Then, you can share details about yourself, your experience, and your interests. Once your profile is verified (which happens within 24 hours), you can search for hosts and connect with them.

Is Workaway free?

You need to pay a yearly membership – for a single person is $49, and $59 for a couples account. If you  register through this link , you will get one extra month (and I will earn three extra).

Once you pay the membership, you can contact hosts and other volunteers, plus search for travel buddies.

Is Workaway safe?

Yes – Workaway is safe. They review every profile manually to ensure all Workawayers and hosts are verified. They also provide extra verification of the identity of all members via ID to ensure that the platform is safe to use.

I have known and used the platform for more than a year and have never had a negative experience. I only heard of one uncomfortable situation of a fellow traveler, which ended up with the girl leaving the host’s place. 

This is a rare situation, but it can happen. Suppose you encounter hosts or Workawayers that are not very transparent.

In that case, if you don’t feel safe, or the conditions are different than what you agreed upon, the team at Workaway promise to assist in finding a new host and to compensate you for up to 3 nights of accommodation in a nearby hostel. 

Workaway review & my experience

My first Workaway experience was more than I could’ve asked for. Below, you can see my process of finding my first host and tips on how you can find one.

Step 1: Finding the place & connecting to the host

Within a few weeks of searching for a volunteer place, I found a few I liked and sent a message to each host.

Finding a place can take a while, so make sure you have enough time to search for a host – at least a month. For example, I started sending messages to the hosts in mid-December, and I was planning to arrive at the destination at the beginning of February.

It is essential to send a personalized message and not copy-paste the same one over and over because the hosts will be able to notice it immediately.

Usually, I always read well the whole profile of the host I’m primarily interested in. Then, I work with the information they provide. For example, if the host’s name is written somewhere, I’ll use it. I will also write down all of the skills they need that I can provide.

Sometimes, the host includes a few questions on their profile, so I will always answer them.

Check the calendar on each host’s profile to see when they have free spots for volunteers. Also, if they wrote the minimum and maximum period you can stay, make sure you are available for that amount. 

Once, I tried finding a place for just a week, and I couldn’t because the hosts I contacted were looking for a long-term commitment of at least a month.

Step 2: Waiting for their reply & conformation

After contacting 6-7 hosts, I got a reply from half of them. Unfortunately, the hosts with many reviews that offer great work exchanges often get lots of requests, and sometimes, they don’t reply to all the messages they get.

This can be a bummer if you’ve spent lots of time crafting a nice message and you like the place. It nearly happened that I didn’t get a reply from my host. 

However, I liked the place, and I made sure they knew that. So, I send a follow-up message a few days after my first message. Then, I waited around two weeks for a reply after my second message.   

Two weeks? Yes, that’s quite a long time. However, there were a few crucial factors to consider – it was in December, close to the Christmas holidays, when people are less online. I also found out that the host was preparing for a one-month event (yoga teacher training), and she was swamped with work. 

Step 3: Talking with the host

After I got the reply that she was interested in having me as a volunteer, we exchanged Whatsapp numbers, and in the next few days, we had a call.

In that call, I got a lot of additional information about the place, the work, and the schedule. I asked various questions, like if there was a supermarket nearby or a clinic in case of an emergency. 

I got a sense of the person I was speaking to and immediately felt more relaxed and excited about my trip.

Step 4: Preparing for the trip

After we talked and agreed about the volunteering, I had around a month to prepare for my trip. 

I started reading about what I needed to enter the country (Costa Rica), and I made a list of the things I needed to bring. 

If I had any additional questions, such as how to reach the place from San Jose, I always got great tips and information.

The host also created a WhatsApp group with two other volunteers so we could talk and arrange things. 

Step 5: Arriving at the destination

When I arrived, another volunteer was waiting for me. Later that day, I also met the host, and we had a small chat; we agreed to meet the next day with the other volunteers to distribute tasks and make a schedule.

The other volunteer showed me the cabin we were staying in. I had no idea how it would look since most hosts don’t show that on their profile. 

I was super impressed by the place we got – a beautiful rustic cabin on two floors with an outdoor kitchen and two bathrooms. There were two rooms on the second floor, with two beds in one of the rooms and five beds in the other.

Since we were just three girls at the time, two of us were in the big room, and one girl stayed in the other room.

I had great luck, and the girls were super friendly. I ended up hanging out with one of them most of the time (and we even went on a trip together to another town).

Step 6: The work & perks

The work and the extra things you might get depend on each host. For example, since I was at a yoga center, I was getting free yoga classes, and since they had a restaurant on site, I was getting 40% off the menu.

The job mainly was social media, writing blog posts, and helping with their website. There wasn’t a strict schedule; we all had weekly tasks and had to do them at our own pace. All that mattered was that each of us finished the tasks by the end of the week.

Step 7: Last tips & things to consider

Respect the other volunteers.  You will be closely living with people you’ve just met, so make sure you respect others, but at the same time, if something bothers you – say it. Just don’t be mean; if the person is reasonable, you will come up with a solution. I was super lucky; all of us were getting along (we also had two other more that came later).

Respect the rules of the host.  For example, we were at a holistic place where it was not allowed to smoke on-site, so one of the volunteers was a smoker and was doing it outside the property. Another rule was not to have friends or other people sleeping over. 

Do your job & offer help.  This is, after all, a work exchange and not a vacation. So make sure to do your job well, and if someone needs assistance with something you can do, offer your help.

Worldpackers vs. Workaway

Worldpackers is a very similar platform to Workaway. It offers work exchange programs and hosts in more than 140 countries. The Worldpackers membership price is currently the same as Workaway ($49 for a single account and $59 for a couples account).

I purchased both memberships last year, and I noticed a few similarities, but also, a few things are different between those platforms.

Worldpackers offer, in general, volunteering opportunities in fewer countries. They have a helpful filter that allows you to find places with a “higher chance of approval.”

When you write to hosts, you have a pre-determined set of questions that the hosts add, so you have to give more personalized answers, which is helpful.

However, similarly to Workaway, the response rate isn’t super high. In addition, Worldpackers doesn’t have the option to find a travel buddy or Workawayers nearby.

A cool feature that Worldpackers has and Workaway doesn’t is their  programs , which allow you to earn money as a content creator, and blogger, but only after you have gotten positive reviews and references on the platform.

Worldpackers also offers insurance which means that if things go wrong, they will pay for your stay at e nearby hostel and help you to find a new host.

All in all, both have great options for free work exchanges, but if I have to choose one – it will be Workaway. It has many reviews when selecting a place, more options, and better filters. It is user-friendly and great for finding travel buddies. 

Pros and cons of Workaway

Since using the platform for over a year now, I noticed the benefits (compared to other volunteering websites) and the downsides of Workaway – 

Pros of Workaway:

• Offers a lot of different types of volunteer work
• It has over 50,000 opportunities to choose from
• You can find paid work trades
• It is very affordable
• You can create a profile together with your partner or friend
• There is a limit of 25 working hours a week – You often work 3-5h a day, and you have the weekends off!
• It allows you to find a travel buddy and also find Workawayers nearby
• Their filter menu is handy and allows you to narrow your search in the types of work & programs you are most interested in participating 
• Workaway has a user-friendly app where you can browse opportunities, contact hosts, and learn more about work exchanges

Cons of Workaway:

• Sometimes the hosts answer very slowly (or sometimes they don’t even answer – You must be persistent and write the hosts a few times if you see no response)
• It can be challenging to find a volunteer opportunity for two people if you are traveling with someone
• Lots of competition from other volunteers 
• If the review is 1*, they hide it, which doesn’t allow you to see what went wrong and make up a conclusion

Workaway alternatives

There are a bunch of Workaway alternatives:

• Worldpackers
• WWOOF  
• Trusted Housesitters
• & more!

I have an article with the  top 12 free volunteering websites , which you can check in more detail.

Workaway paid jobs

Workaway is primarily for cultural exchange, meeting new people, learning new skills, etc. However, hosts are also looking for help with a business and are offering payment for your service, which meets the country’s minimum wage requirements. 

If a host offers payment, you can see it immediately on their profile. Some people avoid the Workaway paid jobs since it is often more serious than volunteering (hosts expect more) or don’t want to take away work from local people.

However, it can come in handy and be a practical option in case you are low on cash. Additionally, you might be there for a month or two, so the host can always hire someone long-term if needed.

Workaway support

The paid members have access to 24/7 support through their website. The only time I contacted them was to ask how long I should wait to get a reply for a host. 

The Workaway support replied in a couple of hours; they told me that they encourage all hosts to answer all inquiries, and sometimes, the hosts take a bit longer to answer. 

They advised I send a follow-up message to the host after 7 days.

Is it worth it to join Workaway? 

For me – 100% yes! You can get free accommodation for months by doing cultural and work exchanges for an affordable yearly membership of less than $50.

How do I know Workaway is legit? 

Workaway is 20+ years old and is the leading platform for free volunteering, cultural exchange, and working holidays.

It is continuously featured on huge news sites such as The Guardian, Forbes, Lonely Planet, The New York Times, etc., and you can read countless blogs and reviews by travelers and hosts.

You can follow their social media and get constant first-hand experiences from travelers. 

What is better than Workaway?

I prefer Workaway, but the answer depends on a couple of things, mainly on the destination you plan to visit. 

For example, Workaway has  500+ volunteering opportunities in Portugal , while  Worldpackers has 166 places  to choose from.

You can use the search bar of  the most popular volunteering websites  before purchasing their membership and see if they are comprehensive options for volunteering places at your destination.  

Do Workaway hosts pay for travel? 

Workaway hosts don’t pay for your travel or transportation. They may pick you up from a nearby destination if it is convenient for them, but that’s about it.

They cover your accommodation, often the meals, and there might be other possible perks, depending on the type of their business and the type of job you will do.  

Can I do Workaway without a visa?

Generally, you won’t have to for a visa to volunteer; however, this mainly depends on the country you are visiting. Moreover, some countries won’t allow “volunteers” on a tourist visa.

While very rare, it is possible to get turned away at immigration if you say you will volunteer. To be safe, always read the country’s requirements thoroughly. Of course, you can always say you are just a visitor, and your goal is to explore the country.

Is Workaway or WWOOFING better?

WWOOF is one of the world’s first work exchange platforms. Currently, it has over 12K hosts in 130+ countries. 

It may be a better option if you are most interested in learning about permaculture and sustainable farming practices since they focus primarily on those types of work exchanges. 

The membership is also a tiny bit cheaper than Workaway. You can  find more about WWOOF here .

There you have it – my in-depth Workaway review, including my personal experience with the platform.

If you are interested in volunteering abroad, I hope this was helpful, and I encourage you to do it!

For me, it was a beautiful experience, and while it wasn’t always easy to be in a completely new country, far and alone from everybody and the thing you know, it is a positive challenge, and in general, it will help you to grow.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns; I would love to help. 🙂

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Reviews , Travel Tips , Volunteering , Work Exchange

The best work exchange websites compared plus $10 worldpackers discount.

Work exchange programs are a fantastic way to travel for free by volunteering abroad.  There are several different work exchange websites that help to connect potential volunteers with work exchange and volunteer placements all over the world.  The one you may have already heard of is Workaway, but there are other sites like Workaway which work in a similar way, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.  I’ve brought together the six best work exchange sites to compare so you can choose the best one for you. 

This website contains sponsored and affiliate links. If you click through the links on this page and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support. [Learn more]

We’ll cover Workaway , Worldpackers , HelpX, WWOOF, Hippohelp & Volunteers Base, and you’ll also find a $10 discount code to use on Worldpackers saving you 20% on a year’s membership if you decide to try them out.

The Two Best Work Exchange Websites

Here’s a quick reference of the two top work exchange websites if you don’t have time to read the whole article.  If you want more information about these and the alternatives then keep on reading for more details or use the contents to skip to the section you want and compare all of the best work exchange programs.

Worldpackers

My favourite work exchange site. 

+ Easy to get responses from hosts

+ Excellent customer service

+ Worldpackers insurance if something goes wrong

+ Opportunities to earn money while travelling with Worldpackers Programs

– Not as many placements but the site is growing quickly

$39 USD for a year’s membership with this discount code

Save 20% on Worldpackers Membership

Save $10 on a year's membership with Worldpackers with the discount code TALESOFABACKPACKER   (that's 20% off a Solo Membership).

PLUS register with Worldpackers before 31 May 2024 and get 3 months EXTRA FREE!

CLAIM YOUR DISCOUNT

The biggest exchange site. 

+ Easy to use site

+ Most amount of placements around the world

– Can be hard to get responses from hosts

– Negative reviews are hidden so you don’t get the full picture

$49 USD for a year’s membership 

What is a Work Exchange?

Before we get into all the details, let’s start with the basics.  What is a work exchange and how does it work?

A work exchange means that people offer their time and skills to do volunteer work in exchange for free accommodation and food or other benefits. 

It is also known as a kind of work and travel programme, a work stay, work trade or voluntourism, although the volunteer placements are often ‘normal’ businesses looking for an extra pair of hands, not necessarily doing charity work as you may imagine in the traditional sense of ‘volunteering’.

As well as trading your work for accommodation, these kinds of placements are also fantastic opportunities for cultural exchange .  As you and your host get to know each other you will learn about each other’s culture, helping you both to understand more about the world we all live in. 

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: How to Travel for Free by Volunteering Abroad

Work exchange sites like Workaway, Worldpackers and others offer a platform for individuals, families, businesses and organisations to advertise for help they need.  Potential volunteers sign up to the websites to search for suitable hosts for volunteer placements in countries all over the world. 

Usually, this kind of work in exchange for room and board is great for travellers and backpackers who look for international placements, but there is no reason why you can’t do it in your own country (although you won’t be paid for it).  So even if you can’t travel abroad right now, you could start exploring your own country then go abroad when travel restrictions are lifted.

Wherever you decide to go, getting free accommodation in exchange for work is a great way to spend less money so you can travel for longer.

What Kind of Work is Available on Work Exchange Sites?

The kind of work exchange opportunities advertised on these sites varies according to the needs of the host.  Some hostels advertise for help on reception or organising events.  Families may advertise for volunteers to help with childcare or language teaching, or a farm may be looking for helpers to plant and harvest crops.

In exchange for working part-time for their hosts, volunteers get free accommodation (sometimes in dorms, private rooms or tents), and usually some meals too.  Volunteers may also get other benefits like free tours or language lessons, as well as a cultural exchange by spending time helping local people with their projects.

The length of time placements last varies from a couple of weeks to several months, depending on the placement, and how long the volunteer wants to stay.  Some have minimum stay requirements, so they don’t have to continually train up new volunteers, others are more flexible, but don’t expect to find many placements for a week or less.

Volunteering for work exchange programmes is actually my preferred way to travel and stay for ‘free’, especially when travelling for a long period of time.  I volunteered with several work exchange programmes when I was backpacking in South America and Mexico, and enjoyed spending time really getting to know the place where I was.

I worked on a hostel reception, helped a travel company with English translations and set up a website for another host.  It really is a win-win situation where you give something tangible back to your hosts, help them in their business, and get some great experience for your CV when you return home, while still saving money – perfect!

If you have more questions about work exchanges and how they work, check out our FAQ section below.

The Top Work Exchange Websites in Depth

Workaway review.

Workaway is the largest and best-known work exchange site.  They have more than 50,000 placements all over the world with hosts who advertise volunteer exchange positions in hostels, on farms, in private homes – pretty much everywhere you can imagine – that travellers can search and apply for.

There is a registration fee, but then every work exchange is free of charge. You can also set up a joint account if you are travelling as a couple, or link two individual accounts if you are travelling together for a limited time.  If you’re travelling with kids you can now also add children under 18 to your single or joint account so you can volunteer as a family.

Membership costs $49 USD per year for an individual account or $59 per year for a joint account for two people travelling together.  If you use this link to sign up, you will also get 3 months extra free .  

The site is easy to use, and you can search for potential work exchange opportunities by location, keyword and by type of placement, such as farmstay, NGO placements or with families.  The hosts will provide accommodation and usually some meals, but check each individual listing for details.  As with all work exchange websites, each listing will provide something different in return for your work.

Reviews are provided for hosts and travellers so you can see what other people thought about their experience.  A lot of Workaway reviews are positive, however, when you come across a negative (1 star) review on Workaway you will find that the details of the review have been removed so you can’t read what the Workawayer (or host) said.

Apparently, Workaway does this to stop “revenge” reviews, where a host who gets a bad review might then leave a bad review for the volunteer in revenge, but I really don’t like how you can’t see the details so you can’t make an informed decision about whether you want to volunteer with that host or not. 

One way that other work exchange sites like Worldpackers get around this is to have a time limit on reviews, and not publish the review until the time limit has passed or until both parties have left a review without seeing what the other said (like Airbnb does).  I think this is a much better option than just hiding the information.

In my personal experience, I have had some good Workaway placements and really enjoyed the experiences but I also had a not-so-good one, where the host was rude to the volunteers and the atmosphere wasn’t great so it really does depend on the placement and whether it is a good match for you.  Of course, I wouldn’t expect everything to be perfect all the time but try to read between the lines of the reviews you can see as people tend to be nicer than they perhaps should be!

One issue I have had myself is not getting a response from potential Workaway hosts who never reply to messages.  I always send personal messages, with details of past experience (which is quite substantial for hostel placements), but when hosts don’t even bother to say “thanks but no thanks” it is very frustrating!  I think perhaps because Workaway is so big and has so many members, some of the more popular hosts may get bombarded with requests from volunteers.

Although the site is very professional and there are a lot of placements, I’ve also heard that people had trouble getting to speak to their support team if something goes wrong despite the website saying that paid members get access to 24/7 support.  I haven’t needed to contact support myself so I’m not sure how the experience is lately.

Cost: $49 USD per year – PLUS 3 months extra free when you use this link to sign up

Pros: Well established, with the most hosts to choose from all over the world.  Good for families.

Cons:  Negative reviews are hidden.  Can be hard to get a response from hosts, not great support.  While it is a popular site, there are other Workaway alternatives that could be better for you.

READ MORE: Worldpackers vs Workaway – Which is the best Work Exchange Site?

Sites Like Workaway:

As I said, there are various other websites like Workaway which work in a very similar way.  They all have their own pros and cons, so take a look and see which is the best work exchange website for you.

• Worldpackers Review

Worldpackers is my personal favourite work exchange website.  I used to use Workaway but have now switched and always go to Worldpackers when I’m looking for work in exchange for room and board while I’m travelling.  

Similar to Workaway, Worldpackers is free to join so you can browse for potential placements before you sign up to become a paid member.  Worldpackers started in South America, so they have a lot of opportunities there and have rapidly expanded the number of placements available in the rest of the world, with a network of over 1.5 million hosts and volunteers worldwide. 

There is a wide range of volunteer opportunities available with hostels, campsites, NGOs, social projects, farms, ecovillages, restaurants, and small businesses, families, again – you name it, they’ve got it.  To contact hosts and apply for placements you need to pay the membership fee and become a verified member.

Worldpackers membership fees are the same as Workaway at $49 USD for a year’s solo membership, ( GET A $10 DISCOUNT HERE ), they have an easy to use website and app and provide high-level customer support.  Worldpackers is very focused on safety and security, verifying each host before they are accepted on the platform. 

Worldpackers offer 24/7 support to volunteers and hosts, and there is a phone number and email address on the website to get in touch, as well as through their app.  They also offer their “ Worldpackers Insurance ” which covers the cost of a hostel for 3 nights if you need to leave your placement due to problems with the host. 

With this and the screening process, Worldpackers are proud of the fact that a lot of their volunteers are solo female travellers – 59% apparently – so that is good peace of mind for us ladies!

All Tales of a Backpacker readers can get a $10 discount saving you 20% , which means you only need to pay $39 USD for a full year’s verified membership.  Once you are a verified member you can apply to and message all the hosts on Worldpackers and volunteer all over the world without paying for accommodation.

As well as saving you money, Worldpackers also offer the chance to earn money as you travel through their Worldpackers Programs .  Once you’ve taken part in some exchanges, you can refer other travellers or new hosts to join and earn a commission, or get paid to produce blog or video content for Worldpackers.  I haven’t seen any other work exchange program be this generous!

If you’d like more information about how Worldpackers works, read my personal Worldpackers review here :

Cost: $49 USD for 1 year or $39 USD with this discount code 

          $59 USD for 1 year for a couple/joint membership or $49 USD with this discount code 

Pros: Good range of opportunities.  Excellent support for volunteers.  Chance to earn money while you travel with Worldpackers Programs

Cons: Not as many placements as Workaway but the site is growing quickly

ACTIVATE YOUR DISCOUNT CODE

Workaway vs Worldpackers  

Workaway and Worldpackers are in my opinion the two best work exchange sites, but for me, Worldpackers just tips the scales for the excellent value of membership (with the discount), their level of support and added extras in their community like the Worldpacker Programs and Worldpacker Academy.

I also prefer how Worldpackers deals with reviews, without hiding any negative reviews and making sure all reviews are genuine, whereas on Workaway you could potentially leave a review for anyone, even if you haven’t met or volunteered with them.

I go into more detail about which I think is the best work exchange website in this article comparing Worldpackers and Workaway  if you would like more information.

However, If you are still struggling to decide between Workaway or Worldpackers, the deal-breaker really depends on what work exchange placements are available where you want to go.  I have had several successful work exchanges through Workaway, but because of the sheer size of the network, hosts in popular destinations are often bombarded with requests for exchanges and you might be less likely to get a reply from them. 

I’ve spoken to several people who have had trouble getting responses from prospective hosts on Workaway, and there is nothing more frustrating than paying for a service where hosts don’t respond.  However, if there aren’t any listings on Worldpackers for the destination you want, then you will have better luck with Workaway . 

WWOOF Review

WWOOF or World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms has been around for a whopping 50 years.  It is the original work exchange site, and works in a similar way to the above sites but solely for placements on organic farms where you do farm work in exchange for room and board.

Most countries have their own WWOOF network, and you have to pay for registration for each country network which tends to be $20 – $30.  If there isn’t a WWOOF organisation in the country you’re looking for, there are also WWOOF Independents which are clubbed together on their own website.

The farms offer excellent opportunities to experience rural areas of your chosen countries, but by their nature tend to be more isolated from city centres and offer more basic accommodations than you expect to find in hostels where tourists are.

Cost: $20-$30 per country.

Pros: Solely on organic farns, so great for people wanting to learn more about permaculture and farming

Cons: Payment is per country, so if you are travelling around several countries it can be expensive.

Worldpackers & Workaway vs WWOOF

The two sites are quite hard to compare directly as they are really two different things.  If you want to learn about organic farming and permaculture in one specific country, then WWOOF is definitely the right option for you.  I don’t know of any other volunteering websites like WWOOF which just focus on farm work in exchange for room and board, and WWOOF has a great reputation.  

However, if you want to visit several countries that each have their own WWOOF network you will have to pay for registration on each network, so in that case, looking for volunteering opportunities on farms or smallholdings on other work exchange websites like Workaway or Worldpackers (my preferred choice).

Also, if you want to volunteer with different kinds of projects that aren’t related to farming then other work exchange platforms have more variety to choose from.  

HelpX Review

Help Exchange, or HelpX for short was originally set up in 2001 by a traveller who wanted a better system of finding work exchange placements while backpacking in Australia and New Zealand.  The website used to look quite dated compared to the others, but after a revamp is looking better but still not as slick. 

The basic principle of work exchange is the same – you have to register to use the site, 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.

Membership is cheap though, at €20 (about $24 USD) for 2 years.  This site seems to focus primarily on Australia, New Zealand, Canada & Europe, although there are listings in other parts of the world too.

Once you have searched for a location you see when the profile was last updated – some seem quite out of date (as the website has been going for a long time) but it is always worth contacting them.  In search results, the profiles which have been updated most recently show up first.

Cost: $24 for 2 years

Pros: Cheap.  A wide range of opportunities in Europe, Australia, Canada.

Cons: Not many international placements outside their focus areas.

Helpx vs Workaway & Worldpackers

For me, the best work exchange programs are Worldpackers and Workaway as I’ve explained above.  Helpx is a good budget option, but the level of support offered seems way below the other top websites. 

If you’re used to travelling and volunteering abroad and you’re a confident solo traveller then it can be a good choice, I personally prefer to choose a work exchange platform with a better verification process for hosts and more support should something go wrong like the Worldpackers insurance policy .  

Trusted Housesitters Review

Housesitting and petsitting are a bit different from a typical work exchange in that you don’t spend time “working” for someone else, rather you will be living in someone’s home and looking after the house and their pets while they travel. 

Trusted Housesitters can be a great option for flexible travellers who have experience looking after animals or for more mature travellers and digital nomads who want free accommodation while they explore the world.  

Housesitting doesn’t have some of the same benefits of traditional work exchanges as you will be on your own in the host’s home, not interacting with them, so you do lose the social and cultural exchange part to a certain extent – but you will be able to feel at home in the destination and for long stays in particular, you can really feel part of the local community if you get out and meet people while you’re there.

The main benefit of house sitting is that it isn’t really working at all – you just need to keep the house clean and tidy and care for any animals.  This doesn’t mean you get free reign to do whatever you want though – it is a big responsibility to look after someone’s pets. 

Some animals will need feeding or exercising at specific times of day and you need to make sure they are safe and well in your care, and know what to do if they get sick or injured.  

Housesitting can be competitive, with hosts usually preferring to take experienced sitters over beginners with no reviews.  It is more expensive than the other work exchange sites, so might not work for budget backpackers.  I have done some housesitting and cat-sitting for friends and am getting my profile ready for searching for placements soon.  I will let you know how I get on!  >>>Learn more about Trusted Housesitters here

Cost: from $129 for a basic membership 

Pros: not real “work” so more free time, stay in someone’s home so it can be very nice accommodation

Cons: more expensive than traditional work exchanges, can be competitive.  Need to know about animal care and be responsible for someone’s pets.

Other Work Exchange Websites

Those five work exchange websites are by far the most popular and well-known.  There are other work exchange websites out there, but I haven’t had any experience with these, or spoken personally to anyone who has so I can’t vouch for them. 

For me, it’s worth choosing a better-known website so I have more peace of mind as a solo female traveller, but I wanted to include these just so you have all the details.  

HelpStay  

I found another work-exchange site called HelpStay which works in a similar way to Workaway.  However, I couldn’t find any HelpStay reviews from people who had used the site outside of HelpStay itself. 

Even they say themselves that the majority of hosts on HelpStay don’t have reviews (yet?), which could mean that there aren’t many volunteers on the site or if someone has volunteered with that host then they haven’t bothered to leave a review.

It seems like the site is still fairly small, after launching in 2014, currently with just over 1000 hosts registered.  Membership costs €29.99 ($36 USD) for one year for a single membership, and €39.99 ($48 USD) for a joint membership. 

If you have done a work exchange with HelpStay, let me know how you got on, I’d love more information about it!

Helpstay vs Workaway & Worldpackers

Without experiencing it myself or knowing anyone who has used Helpstay it’s hard to give a balanced view between which site is best – and as much as I love to support small businesses I would choose to register with Worldpackers or Workaway to have a wider choice of placements around the world.

Working Traveller

Working Traveller is another work exchange website I came across online but haven’t used myself, or spoken to any people who have used it. Working Traveller is free for Travellers to use on standard membership if you only want to contact 3 hosts a week, or you can upgrade to full membership which costs just $10 per year to contact unlimited hosts.

Free Work Exchange Websites

Hippohelp review: a genuinely free work exchange site.

If you are on an even tighter budget, then Hippohelp  is completely free to join, for both hosts and volunteers and is the only free work exchange site I have found.  I had previously suggested Volunteers Base as another free Workaway alternative , however, due to the lack of transparency on their website I now don’t recommend them at all (see below). 

Hippohelp as a genuinely free work exchange site emphasises social and cultural exchanges as the key to their work exchange programmes and could be a good way to ‘test’ out volunteering before you sign up and pay for sites like Workaway and Worldpackers. 

There is no fee to sign up, and no hidden fee to get verified.  However, as with any free site, there is more of an element of risk involved as there is no screening process, and if something goes wrong there isn’t a support team to help you. 

Having browsed a few of the placements on Hippohelp in the UK for example, I found that they were often individuals looking for help around the house, and most didn’t have any previous reviews.  As a solo female traveller that would be a big no-no for me, but there may be more suitable options I haven’t found.

It’s certainly worth checking out if you really do have zero cash to spend on travel.

Pros: Good to get a taster if you are a confident traveller and don’t expect to have problems

Cons: Not as much screening of hosts or support if you do need help 

Volunteers Base Review

Due to the lack of transparency on their website, this is my least favourite work exchange platform but I still wanted to include it so you have the most up-to-date and correct information. 

The homepage looks professional and claims that the website is free for volunteers and for hosts, stating that “Volunteers Base is a not-for-profit free alternative” to traditional volunteering networks. 

However, when you try to send a message to a host it forces you to make a donation to the site in order to verify your identity. 

I don’t have a problem making a donation or paying for a membership if I know the company is legitimate and open about its business, but I really don’t like how Volunteers Base doesn’t make it clear that you have to pay to get verified – why not just be upfront about it instead of wait until you’ve completed your profile, found a host to contact and then spring a compulsory donation on you? 

I suppose you could just pay 1 penny or something just to get verified, but it isn’t the money, it is the principle of it and personally, I’d rather just sign up to one of the other websites with better customer service and more support.

However, if you want to give it a try then you can browse placements for free, just be prepared to pay a fee to get verified and be able to contact hosts.

* ADDITION * It turns out that my account got verified without making a donation so apparently I can now message hosts if I want to, and I didn’t pay any money.  After all that I don’t think I will be using the site anyway.

Cost: Compulsory “donation” of your choice

Cons: Cost is not clear or upfront so it feels underhand.  Not as much screening of hosts or support if you do need help 

Which Work Exchange Site is Better – Workaway, HelpX, WWOOF or Worldpackers?  Or Free Sites like Hippohelp?

The best work exchange site overall: worldpackers.

For me, Worldpackers is the best work exchange site, thanks to their level of support and Worldpackers insurance, and how you can earn money with them through Worldpackers Programs as well as saving all that money on accommodation.

EXPLORE WORLDPACKERS

The Best for Most Choice: Workaway

Workaway is the biggest work exchange website, with the largest network of hosts and volunteers so wherever you go in the world you are likely to find work exchange placements.  However, the biggest is not always the best as I said in my full Workaway review above. 

Due to hiding the details of negative reviews and some difficulties in getting responses from hosts, in my opinion, Worldpackers is the best work exchange program and my top choice when looking for volunteer placements.

The Best for Farm Work & Permaculture in One Country: WWOOF

The name includes Organic Farms, so if that’s what you’re into then WWOOF is probably the best option for you unless you plan to travel to several different countries, in which case you might be better searching for eco-friendly and farming volunteer opportunities on Worldpackers .

The Best for Zero Budget: Hippohelp

As it is the only completely free work exchange website, then if you have literally no money to spend then Hippohelp could be a great way to travel for free.  However, be mindful of the lack of screening and support should something go wrong.  As a solo female traveller, I would rather pay the $39 membership fee for Worldpackers and have that extra peace of mind.

Considering Travel Insurance For Your Trip?

• Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel.  I always buy travel insurance for my trips and was very glad I had insurance when I had my laptop and passport stolen in Ecuador! 
• I chose World Nomads Travel Insurance for my recent backpacking trip to Australia and New Zealand.   World Nomads offers travel insurance for independent travellers and intrepid families and offers cover for more than 150 adventure sports and activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.  Get a quote , make a claim, or buy or extend your policy while on the road.

GET A NO-OBLIGATION QUOTE

As an affiliate, I receive a fee when you get a quote from  World Nomads  using this link. I do not represent  World Nomads . This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. 

• I have also used SafetyWing which is available for purchase online in 180 countries and you can also buy it while you are already travelling. SafetyWing travel medical insurance i s charged on a month-by-month basis so a great flexible choice for digital nomads or if you're not sure of your future plans.  

LEARN MORE ABOUT SAFETYWING

• Alternatively, check out True Traveller if you're based in the UK, or use a comparison site like Travel Insurance Master to find the best cover for you.

What do you think?  Have you had any experience volunteering with work exchange sites like Workaway, Worldpackers or HelpX?  Would you do volunteer work in exchange for free accommodation?  I’d love to hear what you think, please leave your comments below.

Work Exchange FAQ

How do you do a work exchange.

The easiest way to find work exchanges is through a work exchange website like Workaway , Worldpackers , or WWOOF.  They list available opportunities from hosts around the world, and members can apply for as many exchanges as they like during the year of membership.

What is Workaway?

Workaway is the biggest work exchange website, with thousands of listings from hosts around the world looking for volunteers to help them with their business or project.

What is Worldpackers?

Worldpackers is the best work exchange website, with thousands of listings from hosts around the world looking for volunteers to help them with their business or project, and a very high level of support for members.  As well as unpaid volunteer opportunities, they also offer the chance to earn money while you travel through Worldpackers Programs .

Is Workaway free?  

No.  Although you can browse volunteer opportunities for free, there is a membership fee of $44 per year ( get 3 months extra free with this link ) which then allows you to contact hosts and apply for as many work exchanges as you like within the year of your membership.  

Is Workaway a Good Idea?

While the principle behind Workaway is a great idea, I prefer to use Worldpackers thanks to the extra support they offer, and their Worldpackers Programs which means you can actually earn money as you travel.  In my experience, it is becoming harder to get a response from Workaway hosts as they get swamped with applications, and Worldpackers hosts are more responsive.

Which is better Workaway or Worldpackers?

For me, Worldpackers is better thanks to the extra support they offer, and their Worldpackers Programs which means you can actually earn money as you travel.  Workaway has more hosts and more volunteer positions available, but in my experience, it is becoming harder to get a response from Workaway hosts as they get swamped with applications, and Worldpackers hosts are more responsive.

Do you need a Visa for Work Exchange?

If you don’t need a visa to actually travel to the country where you want to do a work exchange, you shouldn’t need a work visa to do a work exchange, as really it is a cultural exchange and you won’t be doing paid for your work. 

However, some countries do require a specific visa for volunteering, so check the host listing to see if they mention needing specific paperwork, and check iVisa to see if you do need a travel visa .  Remember, it is your responsibility to make sure you have all of the required paperwork to travel.

How Long do Work Exchanges Last For?

Usually, work exchanges are for a minimum of two weeks and can last anywhere up to several months.  Hosts will specify how long they like volunteers to stay, as they don’t want to have to spend time training up new volunteers every few days!

Want More Work Exchange Travel Tips?

• How to Volunteer Abroad for Free
• The Best Work Exchange Sites Compared
• Workaway Alternatives
• Should you Work for Accommodation?
• Work Exchange Programs - Are They For You?
• Workaway vs Worldpackers
• What is a Cultural Exchange?

Like this post?  Pin it to read later:

Hi! I'm Claire Sturzaker, a 30-something foodie traveller who loves to enjoy the best of a destination without breaking the bank. I'm here to help you and all women backpackers to plan their best budget travel adventure. I am an avid supporter of female solo travel, and took my first solo trip 20 years ago! I love to write about travel, hostels, backpacking and van life.

13 thoughts on “ The Best Work Exchange Websites Compared PLUS $10 Worldpackers Discount ”

Thanks for the informative post. I traveled through France and Germany for a few months, and used CouchSurfing and WWOOF’ing. It was an amazing experience!

Thank You. Great Help.

We have been a host in workaway and find that does not protect hosts from exploiting workawayers who looks for free stay but laze about work. Because the workawayers pay, the admin censors negative comments left by hosts (it should be an effective measure to alarm other hosts). The admin even peeps into personal messages. As host we feel unprotected and have to leave.

You’re welcome, I’m happy to help. I hope you enjoy your travels & experience with them, please let me know how it goes! 🙂

Thank you so much for the worldpackers discount code! I was about to sign up for it when I decided to search if there were better options and you just solidified the choice for me!

Great! So glad to hear you’re enjoying your experience with work exchanges so far – enjoy Alaska and Ireland! Thanks for reading & commenting 🙂 Happy travels!

I am in my late 50s and heard about this idea while traveling in Portugal. I came home and check out all these sites, reviews and prices. Then I decided to signed up on Hippohelp just to try it before I join a paid site. Frankly I thought this might be more geared towards the younger generation and being in my 50s might be an issue but I was wrong. I got invited to many locations around the world and chose couple of them for this year which matched my schedule. I am already signed up to go to Alaska and Ireland this year.

One of my colleagues tried this work-exchange arrangement. She ended up in Nigeria and had a really fun time. She loved the land so much that she actually married a Nigerian guy. 🙂

I would love to try this, but considering the financial situation here in the Philippines (you really need a job and a stable source of income), this will have to be shelved for a time.

If I could go back to the days when I was in school or before I entered the working world I would definitely have been interested in this. Heck – I’m still interested in it now, I just don’t have the time off to be able to do it. Very informative post and tips to help with travel costs.

What a fantastic idea and some fantastic sites. I love that it is a win-win for everyone, as you said. You get to have room and board for free and add to your resume, and the host gets a skill set for “free” that they might not have access to where they are or can’t afford. Great idea!

This is a very informative post. It seems that you covered a good range of organizations that hire volunteers in exchange for accommodation and one day off per week.

Thank you for sharing these! I hadn’t heard of this as a way to help with travel costs, it sound like a great way to meet people too!

Neat Claire. I knew a blogger who WOOFED their way around the world for many months. Pretty cool.

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Welcome to Workaway.tv a new Workaway site to showcase members videos and vlogs about their experiences and advice about their Workaway stay.

We love to see all the different possibilities of what people are able create for themselves whilst using Workaway. If you have a video or vlog that you would like us to show then please send us youtube or vimeo link to [email protected]

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Americans are embracing flexible work—and they want more of it

When the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered workplaces nationwide, society was plunged into an unplanned experiment in work from home. Nearly two-and-a-half years on, organizations worldwide have created new working norms  that acknowledge that flexible work is no longer a temporary pandemic response but an enduring feature of the modern working world.

About the survey

This article is based on a 25-minute, online-only Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of McKinsey between March 15 and April 18, 2022. A sample of 25,062 adults aged 18 and older from the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii was interviewed online in English and Spanish. To better reflect the population of the United States as a whole, post hoc weights were made to the population characteristics on gender, age, race/ethnicity, education, region, and metropolitan status. Given the limitations of online surveys, 1 “Internet surveys,” Pew Research Center. it is possible that biases were introduced because of undercoverage or nonresponse. People with lower incomes, less education, people living in rural areas, or people aged 65 and older are underrepresented among internet users and those with high-speed internet access.

The third edition of McKinsey’s American Opportunity Survey  provides us with data on how flexible work fits into the lives of a representative cross section of workers in the United States. McKinsey worked alongside the market-research firm Ipsos to query 25,000 Americans in spring 2022 (see sidebar, “About the survey”).

The most striking figure to emerge from this research is 58 percent. That’s the number of Americans who reported having the opportunity to work from home at least one day a week. 1 Many of the survey questions asked respondents about their ability or desire to “work from home.” “Work from home” is sometimes called “remote work,” while arrangements that allow for both remote and in-office work are often interchangeably labeled “hybrid” or “flexible” arrangements. We prefer the term flexible, which acknowledges that home is only one of the places where work can be accomplished and because it encompasses a variety of arrangements, whereas hybrid implies an even split between office and remote work. Thirty-five percent of respondents report having the option to work from home five days a week. What makes these numbers particularly notable is that respondents work in all kinds of jobs, in every part of the country and sector of the economy, including traditionally labeled “blue collar” jobs that might be expected to demand on-site labor as well as “white collar” professions.

About the authors

This article is a collaborative effort by André Dua , Kweilin Ellingrud , Phil Kirschner , Adrian Kwok, Ryan Luby, Rob Palter , and Sarah Pemberton as part of ongoing McKinsey research to understand the perceptions of and barriers to economic opportunity in America. The following represents the perspectives of McKinsey’s Real Estate and People & Organizational Performance Practices.

Another of the survey’s revelations: when people have the chance to work flexibly, 87 percent of them take it. This dynamic is widespread across demographics, occupations, and geographies. The flexible working world was born of a frenzied reaction to a sudden crisis but has remained as a desirable job feature for millions. This represents a tectonic shift in where, when, and how Americans want to work and are working.

The following six charts examine the following:

• the number of people offered flexible working arrangements either part- or full-time
• how many days a week employed people are offered and do work from home
• the gender, age, ethnicity, education level, and income of people working or desiring to work flexibly
• which occupations have the greatest number of remote workers and how many days a week they work remotely
• how highly employees rank flexible working arrangements as a reason to seek a new job
• impediments to working effectively for people who work remotely all the time, part of the time, or not at all

Flexible work’s implications for employees and employers—as well as for real estate, transit, and technology, to name a few sectors—are vast and nuanced and demand contemplation.

1. Thirty-five percent of job holders can work from home full-time, and 23 percent can do so part-time

A remarkable 58 percent of employed respondents—which, extrapolated from the representative sample, is equivalent to 92 million people from a cross section of jobs and employment types—report having the option to work from home for all or part of the week. After more than two years of observing remote work and predicting that flexible working would endure  after the acute phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, we view these data as a confirmation that there has been a major shift in the working world and in society itself.

We did not ask about flexible work in our American Opportunity Survey in past years, but an array of other studies indicate that flexible working has grown by anywhere from a third to tenfold since 2019. 1 Rachel Minkin et al., “How the coronavirus outbreak has—and hasn’t—changed the way Americans work,” Pew Research Center, December 9, 2020; “Telework during the COVID-19 pandemic: Estimates using the 2021 Business Response Survey,” US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Monthly Labor Review, March 2022.

Thirty-five percent of respondents say they can work from home full-time. Another 23 percent can work from home from one to four days a week. A mere 13 percent of employed respondents say they could work remotely at least some of the time but opt not to.

Forty-one percent of employed respondents don’t have the choice. This may be because not all work can be done remotely  or because employers simply demand on-site work. Given workers’ desire for flexibility, employers may have to explore ways to offer the flexibility employees want  to compete for talent effectively.

2. When offered, almost everyone takes the opportunity to work flexibly

The results of the survey showed that not only is flexible work popular, with 80 million Americans engaging in it (when the survey results are extrapolated to the wider population), but many want to work remotely for much of the week when given the choice.

Eighty-seven percent of workers offered at least some remote work embrace the opportunity and spend an average of three days a week working from home. People offered full-time flexible work spent a bit more time working remotely, on average, at 3.3 days a week. Interestingly, 12 percent of respondents whose employers only offer part-time or occasional remote work say that even they worked from home for five days a week. This contradiction appears indicative of a tension between how much flexibility employers offer and what employees demand .

3. Most employees want flexibility, but the averages hide the critical differences

There’s remarkable consistency among people of different genders, ethnicities, ages, and educational and income levels: the vast majority of those who can work from home do so. In fact, they just want more flexibility: although 58 percent of employed respondents say they can work from home at least part of the time, 65 percent of employed respondents say they would be willing to do so all the time.

However, the opportunity is not uniform: there was a large difference in the number of employed men who say they were offered remote-working opportunities (61 percent) and women (52 percent). At every income level, younger workers were more likely than older workers to report having work-from-home opportunities.

People who could but don’t work flexibly tend to be older (19 percent of 55- to 64-year-olds offered remote work didn’t take it, compared with 12 to 13 percent of younger workers) or have lower incomes (17 percent of those earning $25,000 to $74,999 per year who were offered remote work didn’t take it, compared with 10 percent of those earning over $75,000 a year). While some workers may choose to work on-site because they prefer the environment, others may feel compelled to because their home environments are not suitable, because they lack the skills and tools to work remotely productively, or because they believe there is an advantage to being on-site. Employers should be aware that different groups perceive and experience remote work differently and consider how flexible working fits with their diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies .

4. Most industries support some flexibility, but digital innovators demand it

The opportunity to work flexibly differs by industry and role within industries and has implications for companies competing for talent. For example, the vast majority of employed people in computer and mathematical occupations report having remote-work options, and 77 percent report being willing to work fully remotely. Because of rapid digital transformations across industries , even those with lower overall work-from-home patterns may find that the technologists they employ demand it.

A surprisingly broad array of professions offer remote-work arrangements. Half of respondents working in educational instruction and library occupations and 45 percent of healthcare practitioners and workers in technical occupations say they do some remote work, perhaps reflecting the rise of online education and telemedicine. Even food preparation and transportation professionals said they do some work from home.

5. Job seekers highly value having autonomy over where and when they work

The survey asked people if they had hunted for a job recently or were planning to hunt for one. Unsurprisingly, the most common rationale for a job hunt was a desire for greater pay or more hours, followed by a search for better career opportunities. The third-most-popular reason was looking for a flexible working arrangement.

Prior McKinsey research has shown that for those that left the workforce during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, workplace flexibility was a top reason that they accepted new jobs . Employers should be aware that when a candidate is deciding between job offers with similar compensation, the opportunity to work flexibly can become the deciding factor.

6. Employees working flexibly report obstacles to peak performance

The survey asked respondents to identify what made it hard to perform their jobs effectively. Those working in a flexible model were most likely to report multiple obstacles, followed by those working fully remotely, and then by those working in the office. Our research doesn’t illuminate the cause and effect here: it could be that people who face barriers are more likely to spend some time working from home. It could also be that workers who experience both on-site and at-home work are exposed to the challenges of each and the costs of regularly switching contexts.

Some obstacles were reported at much higher rates by specific groups: for example, about 55 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds offered the option to work fully remotely say mental-health issues  impacted their ability to perform effectively, though only 17 percent of people aged 55 to 64 said the same. Workers with children at home  who were offered full-time remote-work options were far more likely than their peers without children to report that problems with physical health or a hostile work environment had a moderate or major impact on their job.

The results of the American Opportunity Survey reflect sweeping changes in the US workforce, including the equivalent of 92 million workers offered flexible work, 80 million workers engaged in flexible work, and a large number of respondents citing a search for flexible work as a major motivator to find a new job.

Competition for top performers and digital innovators demands that employers understand how much flexibility their talent pool is accustomed to and expects. Employers are wise to invest in technology, adapt policies, and train employees to create workplaces that integrate people working remotely and on-site (without overcompensating by requiring that workers spend too much time in video meetings ). The survey results identify obstacles to optimal performance that underscore a need for employers to support workers with issues that interfere with effective work. Companies will want to be thoughtful about which roles can be done partly or fully remotely—and be open to the idea that there could be more of these than is immediately apparent. Employers can define the right metrics and track them to make sure the new flexible model is working.

At a more macro level, a world in which millions of people no longer routinely commute has meaningful implications for the commercial core in big urban centers and for commercial real estate overall. Likewise, such a world implies a different calculus for where Americans will live and what types of homes they will occupy. As technology emerges that eliminates the residual barriers to more distributed and asynchronous work, it could become possible to move more types of jobs overseas, with potentially significant consequences.

In time, the full impact of flexible working will be revealed. Meanwhile, these data give us early insight into how the working world is evolving.

For more on the imperative for flexible work and how organizations can respond, please see McKinsey.com/featured-insights/ Future-of-the-workplace .

André Dua is a senior partner in McKinsey’s Miami office;  Kweilin Ellingrud is a senior partner in the Minneapolis office;  Phil Kirschner is a senior expert in the New York office, where Adrian Kwok is an associate partner and Ryan Luby is a senior expert; Rob Palter is a senior partner in the Toronto office; and Sarah Pemberton is a manager in the Hong Kong office.

Explore a career with us

Related articles.

Hybrid work: Making it fit with your diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy

Workplace real estate in the COVID-19 era: From cost center to competitive advantage

We rode the new Tiana's Bayou Adventure ride at Disney World

W hen her raft splashed down from the 50-foot drop, the cascade of water was a relief to Tracie Griffin, granddaughter of New Orleans culinary legend Leah Chase .

• "I'm glad I got wet, because it wiped my tears away," Griffin told Axios. "It's a beautiful ride. It's a love letter, not just to the Chase family, but to the city of New Orleans."

Why it matters: Griffin and dozens of her relatives got an early look this week at Tiana's Bayou Adventure , a new Walt Disney World ride celebrating New Orleans' cultural history.

Catch up quick: Tiana's Bayou Adventure replaces Splash Mountain this year at Disney's U.S. parks.

• The ride opens June 28 at Disney World in Florida and later this fall at Disneyland in California.
• It's based on the 2009 movie " The Princess and the Frog ."
• As Imagineers brought the film to life, they were guided by the family behind Dooky Chase's Restaurant, whose matriarch inspired Disney's first Black princess .

The mural is the work of Louisiana artist Malaika Favorite. Photo: Jeff Weiner/Axios

The vibe: Set a year after the film's happy ending, riders enter the Bayou Adventure through our restaurateur's new business, Tiana's Foods.

• The walls are lined with mementos of Tiana's life with Prince Naveen and, if you look and listen closely, homages to the Chase family's New Orleans legacy.

🎶 Case in point: That voice you'll hear covering the Louis Armstrong classic "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?" is none other than Leah Chase Jr.

All aboard: The ride sends guests on a quest through the bayou, guided by Tiana and alligator trumpeter Louis , in search of musicians for a Mardi Gras party.

• Along the way, you'll meet several cuddly new critter musicians. (Yes, plushes are for sale in the gift shop.)
• The action ramps up when kindly voodoo priestess Mama Odie shrinks the riders down to bug-sized so we can scout talent among Ray the firefly 's brethren.
• When Mama Odie reverses her magic, get ready for that 50-foot splash — followed by an animatronic New Orleans celebration. Here's a video from the rider perspective.

The benevolently mischievous Mama Odie, in animatronic form. Photo: Jeff Weiner/Axios

The intrigue: The ride features an all-new song, " Special Spice ," performed by Tiana voice actress Anika Noni Rose and written by New Orleans native PJ Morton .

What they're saying: Disney executive and Imagineer Carmen Smith said working with the Chase family to continue Tiana's story was "an honor and a blessing."

• "Tiana would not be possible if were not for Leah Chase. She was a dreamer and a doer, a working mom of four who followed her dream to run a restaurant."

If you go: The ride is in Disney's Magic Kingdom and will have a virtual queue and paid option called a Lightning Lane to skip the line through Disney's Genie+ service.

• Read more about how to ride .
• Tiana's Bayou Adventure merchandise includes hot sauce and Dooky Chase's spices .
• Disney World adds New Orleans art to Tiana's Bayou Adventure ride .

Get the rundown of the biggest stories of the day with Axios Daily Essentials.