Working in exchange for accommodation while you travel is a fantastic way to travel for longer and for less money, but are work exchanges always a good deal? In this post, I’ll discuss different ways you can travel the world for free, and whether working for accommodation is the best option for you. After reading this, you’ll be able to decide whether you want to travel and work for accommodation or not!
How does Working for Accommodation Work?
The kind of work trade I am talking about here involves working a few hours a day in exchange for free accommodation and other benefits. Usually, these work exchanges are in another country which isn’t your own, where you would need a work visa to get a paid job.
Where some full-time jobs include accommodation in addition to a regular paycheck, this type of exchange means you will work part time and only get accommodation, not payment for your efforts, so in most cases a work visa is not required.
You may also be able to find paid jobs with accommodation but for this post I’m going to focus on work in exchange for accommodation, perfect for budget travellers, long-term travellers, students and van-lifers, among others.
How to Find Jobs in Exchange for Accommodation
Work Exchange Websites
Work exchange sites are the easiest and safest way to find work exchanges, as they have lots of volunteering opportunities listed together in one place, and they offer some help or support so you’re not completely on your own trying to figure it out as you go.
Work exchange websites like Workaway and Worldpackers act as an intermediary between hosts looking for potential volunteers, and volunteers who are looking for a work exchange opportunities.
Hosts advertise available placements on these work exchange platforms, volunteers apply for suitable positions and they arrange the details between themselves.
Popular work exchange websites include Worldpackers, Workaway, Helpx, WWOOF, and Hippohelp.
Some work exchange websites are free to join, while others have fees and include extra services such as customer helplines and insurance should something go wrong during a work exchange.
Worldpackers
Worldpackers is my favourite work exchange website, and my go-to when I am looking for work in exchange for accommodation on my travels.
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 hosts in 170 countries and a network of around 2 million volunteers.
You can find volunteer abroad placements all around the world or in your own country, from the United States to Japan, Uganda to Scotland and pretty much everywhere in between.
There is a wide range of volunteer opportunities available with hostels, campsites, NGOs, social projects, farms, ecovillages, restaurants, and small businesses, families – you name it, they’ve got it.
I’ve used Worldpackers to volunteer abroad and in my own country, and I loved how easy the site is to use – and how quickly hosts responded to my messages. Check out the review of my personal Worldpackers experience here.
A few examples of placements available on Worldpackers include:
- Teaching English in a School in Japan
- Volunteering in a hostel in Mexico City (where I worked for 4 months)
- Working for a Homestay in France
- Helping in a zoo for an NGO in Peru
No matter where you decide to go, you should be able to find Worldpackers placements – even if they are in your own country! Getting free accommodation in exchange for work in the USA for example is a fabulous way to travel around the country on a budget.
You can choose to travel and volunteer alone, or travel with a partner or friend and take out a joint membership so you can apply for work exchange placements together.
Worldpackers is free to browse and find volunteer opportunities that are available, but to apply for a position you need to become a verified member and pay a fee to register. Once you are a verified member you can apply to and message all the hosts on Worldpackers and volunteer all over the world.
Worldpackers costs $49 USD for 12 months for a solo membership (or $39 USD with this discount code), and $59 USD for 12 months for a couple/joint membership (or $49 USD with this discount code).
Save up to 20% on Worldpackers Membership
Save $10 on a year's membership with Worldpackers with the discount code TALESOFABACKPACKER (that's up to 20% off a Solo Membership).
PLUS register with Worldpackers before 30 September 2024 and get access to travel mentorship to make your dream trips come true with the help of experts from the Worldpackers team!
Benefits of Worldpackers
- Easy to Use: The Worldpackers website is easy to use and navigate. You can sign with your email or via Facebook for ease of access or you can even download the Worldpackers app and use that to search and apply for placements.
- Safety and Security: Worldpackers is very focused on safety and security, verifying each host before they are accepted on the platform to make sure that they offer a safe, Worldpacker worthy experience for travellers.
- Support: Worldpackers offer 24/7 support to volunteers and hosts, by email as well as through their app. I haven’t needed to get in touch with the support team myself, so I’m not sure in practice how easy it is to get help, but if they do what they say they will, that is definitely reassuring!
- Safe for Female Travellers: With this and the screening process, Worldpackers are proud of the fact that a lot of their volunteers are solo female travellers – about 60% apparently – so that is good peace of mind for us ladies!
- Worldpackers Insurance: One thing I really like about Worldpackers is that they offer “Worldpackers Insurance”. This means that if the host does not abide by what has been previously agreed, Worldpackers will pay up to 3 nights of accommodation in another hostel while they help you to find another placement nearby.
- Community: Worldpackers also have a strong community where experienced Worldpackers members are available to chat with newer travelers for peer-to-peer advice. They also frequently contribute as writers to the site, including with videos and advice on how to have the best Worldpacker experience possible.
- Earn Money with Worldpackers: Another huge benefit of Worldpackers is the opportunity to earn money as you travel through their Worldpackers Programs. Once you have done a couple of work exchanges through Worldpackers and got good reviews from hosts, you can then apply to create video or blog content for Worldpackers and get paid for your contributions.
If you’d like to sign up for Worldpackers, use the code below to get $10 discount on the membership fee:
Save up to 20% on Worldpackers Membership
Save $10 on a year's membership with Worldpackers with the discount code TALESOFABACKPACKER (that's up to 20% off a Solo Membership).
PLUS register with Worldpackers before 30 September 2024 and get access to travel mentorship to make your dream trips come true with the help of experts from the Worldpackers team!
Workaway
While Workaway is the biggest and best-known work exchange site, I prefer using Worldpackers. I wrote a full Workaway review explaining why I now use Worldpackers as my go-to for finding work exchanges, but it is mainly because of the lack of transparency with Workaway reviews as Workaway hide the details of all 1 star reviews, issues getting responses from hosts, and the level of support that Workaway provides compared with Worldpackers.
Since Workaway now also recommends that hosts who are businesses pay volunteers the minimum wage of that country I am also concerned about Workway potentially taking paid jobs away from local people, which is an ethical question that all travellers need to think about very carefully.
That said, Workaway can be a good option for finding work in exchange for housing, if you are a confident traveller and don’t need as much support.
If you would like to sign up with Workaway, use this link to get 3 months extra free on your membership.
Other Work Exchange Websites
There are several other work exchange sites like Workaway and Worldpackers, such as WWOOF, Helpx and Hippohelp. WWOOF stands for Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms and is the site to go for if you want to only volunteer on farms or projects related to farming or permaculture. Check out my other article about Workaway alternatives for a full breakdown and review of those.
Contact Organisations Directly
If you want to volunteer for a specific organisation then you can reach out to them directly either through social media or their website as some will have a web page dedicated to volunteering placements.
If you are travelling to different places or want some inspiration for ideas on where to volunteer, you can always browse the placements for volunteering abroad on work exchange websites like Worldpackers and Workaway before paying to sign up as a member.
Search as You Travel
If you’re not sure enough of your travel plans to pre-arrange a work exchange program it is also possible to find work exchanges while you are travelling.
Hostels are often willing to exchange a bed for a few hours work, as long as you can commit to staying for at least a couple of weeks. However, there is a risk of not finding a suitable placement, or not having any assistance if things go wrong so it depends how confident you are about travelling and finding work as you go.
If this is your first time looking at work and cultural exchanges, I’d recommend using a website such as Worldpackers or Workaway. They are the best work exchange websites and although there is a fee to join it is more than worth it!
Who Are Work Exchanges Perfect For?
Work exchanges aren’t for everyone, and that’s ok, but if you’re not sure if work exchange programs are for you, then see if you fit into one of these descriptions:
Students
Work exchanges are perfect for students who want to get work experience over the summer or during holidays away from school or during a gap year. Employers often look for relevant experience, and the fact that you spent your vacation volunteering instead of just sitting on a beach can really make your resume stand out!
Long-term Travelers
If you’re travelling for a long time, travel burnout is a real thing, so work exchanges offer the opportunity to stay in one place for a while, without spending all of your money on accommodation. You can take a break from being on the move, make the most of the destination, and enjoy all of the benefits I mentioned earlier!
Backpackers & Budget Travelers
For backpackers who want to save money, work exchanges are your secret weapon! How else could you travel the world for free? Or almost free at least.
Solo Travelers
If it is your first time travelling abroad alone, arranging a work exchange can help to give you more confidence and extra peace of mind, knowing that you have somewhere specific to go, and have someone you “know” already in the destination waiting to welcome you.
Beginner Digital Nomads
If you’re dreaming of a digital nomad lifestyle but aren’t earning quite enough to be able to afford it, work exchanges can give you the time to work on your own projects without draining your bank account as you travel.
Retirees
If you’ve retired from your regular job, work exchanges give you the chance to explore the world without spending all of your pension. If travel is something you’ve been putting off for retirement, now is the time to get out there and enjoy!
People who want to do Something Different
Perhaps you’re looking for a different travel experience than the usual, you want to make a difference in the world as you go and are tired of the typical tourist spots. Work and cultural exchanges give you the chance to travel deeper and have an immersive and unique experience you can’t get any other way.
Van-Lifers
While travelling in a van or RV brings a huge amount of freedom, sometimes being on the move all the time is tiring. Take a break from searching for safe places to park up and spend a few weeks working somewhere where you can park the van and enjoying staying put for a while.
Benefits of Working in Exchange for Accommodation
As well as getting free accommodation in exchange for your work, you will also be spending time in a different culture, learning about other people and being able to travel for a long time without spending a lot of money. If you’re looking for a way to travel for free, work exchange programs are a great way to do that!
These are some of the main benefits of work exchange programs, but the more effort you put in, the more you will get out!
Benefits Related to the Specific Work Placement
Every work exchange is different, and each host who advertises a volunteer placement offers different benefits in addition to accommodation. Often (but not always) some meals are included in the exchange.
Other benefits vary depending on what you will be doing. This could be free surf lessons if you volunteer at a surf school. Free language lessons if you work at a school. Free bike hire or city tours if you do a work exchange at a hostel, the list goes on.
Learning a New Language
Travelling and working in a country with a different language is a great way to get a head start and practise! English is often a common language with volunteers from different countries, so if you do want to learn or practise the language where you are, you may need to make a special effort to avoid speaking English!
Cultural Exchange
Both parties also benefit from a cultural exchange, spending time with people from another country and culture and learning from each other. Simply sharing information about your customs, clothing, religions, food, music, dance, or any aspect of your lives is a wonderful way to learn about another culture.
An Immersive Experience
If you really want to get to know the destination you’re visiting, spending more time there is a great start. Work and cultural exchanges are usually for a minimum of two weeks, but can be up to several months, so you can really explore in that time.
And you won’t just be skimming the surface of the place as most visitors do. Living and working in a destination gives you a unique perspective that tourists never get to see. You’ll meet more local people and have the opportunity to become part of the community if you stay long enough.
Security for First-Time or Solo Travellers
For solo travellers or if it is your first time travelling abroad, sometimes having the extra security of knowing where to go and having a contact in your destination gives some reassurance that you will be safe and sound.
Some work exchange websites like Worldpackers, for example, have robust safety measures like only accepting verified hosts who go through a verification process before they can advertise their work exchange placements.
Exploring Your Own Country
While I typically recommend work exchanges for when travelling abroad, they can also be a great way to explore your own country. You won’t earn money like you would in a regular job, but you can travel around to different places, work and stay for a while, then move on to somewhere new. Rarely will you get the chance to get to know your own country so well!
Work Experience
The work that you do while abroad can be really valuable for your CV and for finding paid work when you return home. Work exchange programs help students to get work experience during breaks in their studies, and for long-term travellers on a gap-year, this kind of work experience can make a huge difference in a competitive job market back home.
Saving Money
Work exchange programs have benefits for both parties, so it is a win-win for hosts and volunteers. Hosts get help with running their business, caring for their families or creating a new eco-project without having to pay money to do it.
Work exchange volunteers don’t have to pay for their accommodation or all their food, so they can afford to travel for a long time without spending a lot of money to do so.
Earning Money
The vast majority of work exchanges are unpaid, although you may find a few placements which do offer payment. However, there is another way to earn money as you travel with work exchanges.
Worldpackers will pay you to produce content to help other volunteers, for video and blog content on their channels and if you refer hosts to Worldpackers. These Worldpackers Programs can be a great way to earn money while you travel.
Disadvantages to Getting Free Accommodation in Exchange for Work
Nothing in life is perfect, and work exchanges are no exception! Some of these vary depending on the host and the volunteer placement, so read the details and requirements of each work exchange carefully so you know what is provided for you, and what you are expected to do in exchange.
Less Freedom
One of the main disadvantages to working for accommodation is that you have less freedom than you would have when travelling without working. While you do get time off, you are expected to do your fair share and work the agreed hours, which could mean you don’t have time to visit all of the attractions of a place or can’t sleep in late with a hangover.
Unpaid Work
These kind of work exchanges are not usually paid, so unlike other full-time jobs that include accommodation, you usually won’t come home richer than when you left. Not in monetary terms at least!
No Control over the Accommodation
Accommodation is always covered when you do a work exchange, but the style and comfort of bedrooms and sleeping arrangements varies considerably. Some placements offer a private room for you to enjoy, whereas most are usually in a shared dorm room. Other placements could provide a caravan or even a tent for you to sleep in.
Whereas some paid jobs including accommodation might offer housing such as a room in a shared apartment or a complete home, work exchanges can include pretty basic accommodation.
It Needs to be a Fair Exchange
Before agreeing to a work exchange placement, you need to make sure it is a worthwhile exchange. If you are expected to work for 35 hours a week with 1 day off in exchange for a hostel dorm bed that would usually cost you $10 a night – is that really worth your time and effort?
There may be other ways you can earn money, for example finding work online or saving up before you travel so you can afford to pay for your trip outright.
Not Really Suitable for Short Trips
As most work exchange placements have minimum time requirements, from around 2 weeks, if you’re just looking for a short trip to relax or just to enjoy a destination, work exchanges won’t really work for you. It takes time to train volunteers and show them the work that is required, so hosts won’t want to waste time training people who only stay for a few days.
Some Reviews can be Misleading
Like many online reviews, sometimes you need to read between the lines to really understand what is being said. Workaway doesn’t even show 1 star reviews, so it is hard to know what really went on. Read reviews of potential placements you can see carefully, and if you’re not sure about something then move on to the next placement.
Alternatively, on some websites like Worldpackers you can message previous volunteers to ask about their experience to clarify something.
Ethical Questions
One criticism of voluntourism in general is that the work volunteers do could be taking paid jobs away from local people. Personally, I agree with that to a certain extent when the host is a business looking for skilled labour, however, in my experience, the hosts who look for volunteers are usually small businesses or families who need some help but can’t afford to pay anyone.
For me, helping a small business or a family for “free” isn’t damaging the community or taking work away from someone else if they don’t have the money to pay someone in the first place.
Be especially careful if you accept a paid work exchange, as you could then be taking a job away from someone else who needs the money to feed their family, not just to travel the world.
When it comes to working in hostels, that is another grey area, but I’ve found the best combination to be a team of full-time staff from the area mixed with some volunteers helps to create a friendly, welcoming atmosphere for travellers, while providing the local knowledge and tips to ensure visitors have the best experience.
Volunteering with Children and Animals
Unless you have experience working with children or animals, it is usually best to avoid volunteering with them as you could be doing more harm than good. Although this is a criticism often levelled at voluntourism companies, well-meaning volunteers at a children’s orphanage can actually do more harm than good.
I hope this article has given you more insight into how work for accommodation programs can be a great option for travellers, but sometimes they might not be the best choice for you. It really depends on what you want to get out of the experience, but I’d say it is definitely worth a try!
