If you’re thinking of trying a work exchange and wondering “Is Workaway worth it?” I’m here to spill all my personal thoughts and experiences about this platform!
Work exchanges have 100% changed my life. For the better!
I started dabbling in work exchanges in 2016, and completed 10 volunteer experiences over the following years.
They provided the perfect way to travel, try new things, meet new people, save money, and gain work experience.
For a young, adventurous person in their 20s, I really can’t think of a better way to explore the world.
This article will fully dissect the online work exchange platform, Workaway.
I’ve done 7 work exchange experiences with Workaway, and every single one was amazing. I wanted to take all the things I have learned and turn it into a helpful guide for my fellow travelers!
So here are my thoughts on the question “Is Workaway worth it?”
Spoiler alert: YES, Workaway is worth it!
But it’s important to be prepared and informed before trying a work exchange, as it’s not the same as a traditional holiday abroad.
Is Workaway worth it?
Workaway is 100% worth it if you want to travel the world on a budget and immerse yourself in new, interesting cultures.
This guide will answer some basic questions about Workaway and how it works.
I’ll also include my recommendations for those trying a work exchange, and provide some summaries about my own Workaway experiences.
Check out my ultimate list of 50 Budget Travel Tips for more ways to save money abroad.
What is Workaway?
Workaway is the leading web platform and online community for working and volunteering abroad.
It’s been around since 2002, making it one of the most well-known and established online travel platforms.
They offer a massive range of hosts and experiences abroad, with a focus on work exchanges. The basic model of a work exchange is working in exchange for free accommodation, but every experience is unique.
With over 50,000 experiences listed in over 170 countries, Workaway has the largest array of work exchanges to choose from!
What is a work exchange?
- Work in exchange for free accommodation
- Unpaid, but expenses are little to nothing
- Usually 25 hours of work per week (but varies)
- Prior experience often not required
- Every host/work exchange is different!
A work exchange is an amazing way to work abroad without paying tons of money. You literally exchange your hours of labor for things like free accommodation, meals, and activities.
So you don’t get paid, but you don’t have to spend much on your living expenses abroad.
As I said, every work exchange is unique. The work exchange host can set up their program however they like, within the basic work exchange guidelines.
Most hosts require around 20-25 hours of work per week. In exchange, most hosts offer free accommodation at the very least. Some also offer additional perks like free meals, activities, transport, laundry, etc.
Some hosts require minimum lengths of stay, while some will let you just come for a few days. Hosts may require certain skills or experiences, while others will take travelers with zero experience.
To get the details of a work exchange, just browse the Workaway website and read each host’s listing in-depth!
Get $10 USD off your membership with Workaway Promo Code GABBY10
Common types of work exchanges
Because Workaway has over 50,000 hosts listed online, there are SO many different types of experiences you can have.
Here are some of the most common:
Hostels
- Offer work experiences like reception, bartending, party-promoting, housekeeping
- Great for socialising, making friends, partying, learning hospitality and customer service
Homestays
- Offer work experiences like gardening, handywork, cooking, cleaning, childcare, animal care
- Great for learning languages, living with a local family, cultural experiences, more chill, quiet atmosphere
Local Businesses
- Offer work experiences like hospitality, reception, customer service, social media, photography
- Great for gaining valuable work experience, cultural exchange, can be social or quiet depending on location
NGOs
- Offer work experiences like childcare, animal care, teaching languages, permaculture
- Great for cultural exchanges, language learning, helping and socializing with local communities
Farms
- Offer work experiences like gardening, animal care, childcare, permaculture, handiwork
- Great for manual labor, spending time outside, learning new skills, often social but can also be more laid-back in small groups
About Workaway hosts
All the hosts on Workaway are manually assessed and monitored by the Workaway team.
The team uses real people (not AI) to check that hosts are legitimate and safe. Feedback from the community is also carefully considered.
This same process is used to monitor travelers as well!
So every host and traveler on the Workaway platform is verified by the team, creating a safe environment.
How to apply for your work exchange
1. Browse hosts on Workaway
You can browse through all the amazing work exchanges on Workaway for free! Use the handy search bars to search by destination or type of work exchange.
Tips:
- Read the host’s page in depth to see what is included or required of you
- See if the host’s availability lines up with your own
- Read reviews from other travelers! You can even message them to ask further questions
2. Sign up for a Workaway membership
You have to sign up as a Workaway member to actually apply for a work exchange and communicate with hosts. The standard membership for a solo traveler is $59 USD per year.
But you can save $10 USD on your membership by using my Workaway link or Workaway Promo Code GABBY10.
Tips:
- Sign up for a couple or friend plan for a better deal
- Consider the Plus+ membership options, which include additional perks
- Click the “compare” button on Workaway for a handy comparison of all plans
Find all the details about Workaway plans and their costs online!
3. Message hosts
Once you have a Workaway membership, you are free to message any hosts you want. Just send them a summary of your travel plans, and why you might be a great fit for their program. Workaway has a 99.7% host response rate, which is amazing!
Tips:
- Apply to lots of hosts in case one or more of them aren’t a good fit
- Mention any special skills you have that might help
- Chat back and forth and make sure the communication is good between you and your host
- Ask as many questions as possible to ensure you know what the work exchange entails
4. Decide on a work exchange with your host
Once you and your host decide on a time frame for your work exchange, it’s done. There is no official document or anything, it’s just open communication between you and the host. It’s so easy!
Tips:
- Once you agree on one host, don’t leave any others hanging. Let them know you won’t be making it, but keep them in the back of your mind in case things fall through
- Stay in constant communication with your host as you plan the rest of your travels
5. Plan your trip
Your work exchange is ready to go, now you just have to plan your trip. First research visas, because sometimes visa applications can take time. Then look into flights, transport, and anything else.
Tips:
- Ask your host for the best transport to their place once you arrive. They will give you exact directions, and they might even pick you up.
- Workaway plans come with an emergency help fund, but I also recommend getting regular travel insurance to cover the rest of your trip
Check iVisa for visa requirements around the world!
6. Travel and have the experience of a lifetime
It’s trip time, and now you can get out and explore the world! Again, constant communication with your host throughout your travels is a great way to feel confident and ease nerves as you travel to a new country or region.
Tips:
- Be open minded. A work exchange is a window into a new country or culture, so expect things to be a little different than home.
- Be flexible. It may take some time to adjust to your work exchange.
- Be responsible. Remember you have signed up to work for your host, so respect that and do your best to be helpful. The fun stuff will come, don’t worry!
After your work exchange…
Once you have completed a work exchange, I can almost guarantee you will want to try another one. There are so many places to see and things to try in this world, and once you get a taste for it, it will be hard to just go home and live life as normal.
Luckily, work exchanges are sustainable for young people in their 20s because they are so affordable.
And Workaway offers a 30% renewal discount for returning members. So the membership becomes even cheaper when you continue using Workaway.
I also highly recommend leaving an honest review for your hosts. This will help future travelers know what to expect. And it helps your hosts perfect their experience so more travelers are likely to visit them.
Is a work exchange right for me?
It’s so important to ask yourself “Is a work exchange right for me?” before you travel.
Because a work exchange is much more in-depth than a normal holiday.
If you go into it expecting a fun holiday with no work, you’re going to be disappointed. This will lead to a negative impression of your hosts, and of you, so it’s not great for anyone.
The whole point of this is exchange. So yes, you get the amazing experience of living abroad, making new friends, and immersing yourself in beautiful cultures. But, you also have to give back to the locals and the community.
That means working hard and doing your part. You will have to sacrifice some freedom in terms of your daily schedule. But most hosts make it super easy for you to enjoy the area in your time off.
Hosts want you to have a great experience in their country. So work hard during the agreed-upon hours, and ask your hosts for the best local tips to enjoy the area on your days off.
Here is a quick summary of whether a work exchange is right for you or not:
Choose a work exchange if…
- You want to really experience a new culture in-depth
- You want to gain work experience abroad
- You have a longer time frame for travel (generally 2 weeks or more)
- You’re content to base yourself in one place rather than hopping around constantly
- You’re willing to be flexible and open-minded
Don’t choose a work exchange if…
- You just want to relax and have fun
- You only have a short time to travel and you want to make the most of it
- You want to pack in lots of destinations and activities into your travels
- You have more money to spend on your trip
If the second list sounds more like you, a work exchange probably isn’t the best idea. And that is absolutely fine!
Traveling for fun is still one of life’s greatest joys. Sometimes you just need to switch off and have fun.
But if you’re looking for a more enriching experience abroad, a work exchange is a great way to do that.
How I discovered work exchanges and Workaway – my personal journey
I discovered work exchanges in 2015 when I was studying abroad in London. At the time, I was 19 years old, and really starting to fall in love with travel.
But I was also very money-conscious. I travelled all over Europe on a tight backpacker budget, and I was trying to figure out how I could combine work with travel after I graduated university.
On Christmas break, while staying in a Barcelona hostel, I met some staff members from Brazil who were living and working there. I was so curious about their experience, and they told me they were doing a work exchange!
Over the next few months I gathered more and more information about work exchanges.
I learned about Workaway and Worldpackers, the two leading web platforms for finding work exchanges. And I was so pumped to try it once I finished school!
In 2016, I tried 2 Worldpackers work exchanges in Ecuador and 1 in Peru.
Throughout my travels in Europe and South America, I started hearing more and more about Workaway, so I wanted to try this platform as well.
Over the next few years I dabbled in Workaway and absolutely loved it. Here is a quick overview of my experiences (with blog posts on each if you want more details).
Read next: 20 Amazing Places To Travel In Your 20s
Hostel in Porto, Portugal
In 2017, I did my first Workaway experience in Portugal. I worked at Nice Way Hostel in Porto for one month, doing a variety of jobs like housekeeping, kitchen prep, and reception.
It was so incredible living in the heart of Porto for free. This is one of the cheapest trips I did, as my hostel covered dorm room accommodation, breakfast, and some activities. Porto became one of my favorite European cities after this.
Read more:
- How I lived in Portugal for One Month and Spent Only 200 Euros
- 22 Best Things To Do In Porto, Portugal
- 13 Best Day Trips from Porto, Portugal
Surf Camp in Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Later in 2017, after I had gone home for a few months to work 2 waitressing jobs and save more money for travel, I worked at a surf camp in the jungle of Costa Rica for two months. I wrote articles for their website and a little social media work.
Of all the work exchanges I’ve ever done, this was probably my favorite. Every day was like summer camp, where our huge group of volunteers from around the world had a blast surfing, doing yoga, salsa-dancing, playing drinking games, exploring remote beaches, and living in the jungle.
I even fell in love with one of the surf coaches here, an Aussie guy named Matt. He is now my HUSBAND! So you never know who you’ll meet when you travel the world.
Read more:
Hostel in Marrakech, Morocco
A few years after the surf camp, Matt and I traveled Africa together. We spent one month in Morocco, and for about 3 weeks we worked in a hostel in Marrakech. Our host was happy for us to do lots of trips around Morocco as well!
This work exchange was very loosely structured, and we really didn’t do much work at all. But we did help with a little breakfast prep and room-cleaning for guests. We also painted designs on the hostel walls and helped the owner with some admin work for his tour company.
Read more:
- Work Exchange in Morocco: How I Lived In Marrakech For Free
- 13 Best Things To Do In Marrakech
- 8 Best Day Trips From Marrakech, Morocco
- Important Morocco Travel Tips
Pachamama Forest Retreat in South Africa
After Morocco, we went to South Africa for two months. We rented a car, road-tripped all along the coast, and did three Workaway experiences! Our first was Pachamama Forest Retreat, nestled in the wilderness near Knysna on the Garden Route.
We stayed here for one week, which is the shortest work exchange I’ve done. In exchange for a free stay in a little log cabin and 3 vegan meals per day, we helped with various permaculture tasks like planting seeds, making garden beds, weeding, chopping trees, making compost, and more.
Read more:
Nduli Farm near East London, South Africa
Our next South African work exchange was 10 days on a small family-run chicken farm. The hosts were just a couple named Vaughn and Pi, and we stayed in a tent on their property and hung out in their home.
They basically just had a cozy little homestead, with a thriving garden and some chickens whose eggs they delivered to local businesses. We helped care for the chickens and do random gardening/handywork around their house and farm.
Read more:
Bulungula Lodge in the Transkei, South Africa
This was probably the coolest work exchange I’ve done. Bulungula Lodge is a community-run lodge located in an extremely remote and rural corner of South Africa’s Wild Coast. We stayed in a staff room in exchange for some social media work.
The entire lodge is run by the local community, and the locals offer fun experiences to guests such as village tours, canoeing, pancakes on the beach, fishing, herbalist tours, and more.
Read more:
- Volunteering In The Wild Coast Of South Africa
- Transkei, South Africa: Women Power in the Nquileni Village
GuateSUP in Panajachel, Guatemala
The last work exchange I did was at GuateSUP, a paddle boarding company on Lake Atitlán, Guatemala. I went there solo and spent a month living a guest room at the hotel, Casa Colonial. My roommate was a German girl named Lea, and we became besties!
Lea and I spent the month doing random tasks for JC, the owner. These included setting up and cleaning paddleboards, photo editing and social media, painting the common room, making beds, helping guests, and helping with his volunteer programs.
Read more:
- Work Exchange in Guatemala: How I Lived on Lake Atitlán For Free
- Lake Atitlán Travel Guide
- 15 Best Things To Do In Panajachel
Final takeaways on Workaway – YES it is worth it!
The 7 experiences I just listed are honestly some of my favorite memories.
As I turn 30 and look back on my 20s, I’m amazed at how much I have done. I’ve seen jaw-dropping natural beauty, met wonderful people from all walks of life, and had truly unique experiences.
From meeting the love of my life at a surf camp in the Costa Rican jungle, to crossing Lake Atitlán on a paddle board with a furry dog at my feet, to singing and dancing with local villagers at a church in rural South Africa, I’ve made so many special memories.
And it’s all thanks to Workaway!
I’m forever grateful that I discovered work exchanges when I did. They allowed me to travel the world in my 20s, even when I didn’t have tons of money.
So I think Workaway is worth it for anyone who is eager to see the world on a budget, while connecting with different cultures and learning new skills along the way.
Read more budget travel tips based on my own experiences:
Budget Traveler’s Guide To Travel Insurance
How To Find The Cheapest Flights Abroad
How To Afford Traveling The World In Your 20’s
This post may contain affiliate links. Read more about this in my About Me page!
