What Is The Workaway Price?
The Workaway price is €49/$49 for a single traveler per year. For a couple Workaway costs, €59/$59 per year.
Workaway hosts do not pay to have a profile, which probably encourages more hosts to sign up.
This probably ensures there will be enough hosts for the number of volunteers.
Membership can be extended for free if you recommend the site to others and they also join.
If you are interested in becoming a travel volunteer through Workaway, sign up here.
You’ll get 3 extra months for free added onto your annual membership. It helps me out with no cost to you.
Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links that will cost you nothing extra but offer me a little commission for any purchases made. Thank you so much for your support.
Affordability Of Travel
Tourism used to be a sign of wealth and prestige; a privilege for only those who could afford it.
Currently, this societal norm is being torn down. No longer it is only for the upper class!
Each year as the travel industry grows, more and more resources are founded that help enables opportunities to be affordable and accessible.
How can ‘normal’ people afford to travel the world now?
Though there are some seriously amazing ways to make money online, it is understandable that not everyone wants to make a living by looking at a screen.
What if the digital nomad life is not right for an individual?
Living simply can have so much value. It is possible to experience what the world has to offer by learning important lessons and making real-life connections.
Does that mean that an individual is excluded from travel if this applies?
Not at all! There are ways to travel the world without having to jump through blogging or social media hoops.
Travel volunteering is perfect for those who want to explore but do not have the means.
Of course, it is possible to combine being a digital nomad while doing work exchange for food and accommodation.
This can be an amazing partnership that affordably allows someone to launch their online money-making machine!
This is why I love travel volunteering as a concept and more specifically the platform of Workaway.
It provides so much opportunity for experiences all over the world.
Unlike some work exchange sites, there is a cost to using Workaway.
Perks Of Workaway
For the price of Workaway, you will receive access to an online platform with 50k+ hosts.
You’ll be able to create and personalize your profile to interact with hosts in 170+ countries around the world. Read the 11 Tips For The Best Workaway Profile.
Hosts will then be able to message you and vice versa in regards to setting up a time to volunteer.
To protect both sides, messaging is all done on the Workaway platform so there are no personal details given initially.
The platform is there to make travel volunteering as secure and trustworthy as possible.
Essentially, having this online resource is what you would be paying for.
Technically you are not paying to volunteer, but a safe way to find opportunities to volunteer.
In exchange for work, Workaway hosts provide accommodation, possibly one to 3 meals per day, and sometimes extra money on the side.
Workaway Support
The Workaway price for a couple is a more affordable option.
If someone does not have a significant other planning to travel with them, they can consider asking a close friend to join!
A couple does not necessarily mean that it is a person of romantic interest, but rather someone that would make a good long term travel companion.
This option can be great for first-time travelers who could need support, especially if you’re starting to travel long term.
Now this doesn’t mean if someone signs up as a single then they will be doomed; it is the opposite.
There is a support network in Workaway that comes along with your membership.
Besides having the host’s support, there is a 24 hour Workaway support and live chat.
They also offer a personal reference letter, a map of close by Workawayers, and the ability to find a suitable travel buddy.
Other great resources are the official Workaway blog and their FAQ section.
Maybe I’m a little biased, but my favourite resource is this Maptrekking Workaway guide that you are currently on!
I also have a Facebook group Workaway Experiences & Support that you can join to ask questions and gain helpful knowledge from others.
Workaway Costs
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 from Workaway experiences.
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.
At the end of this section, there is a Workaway Costs To-Do List to help you organise everything.
Travel Insurance
First on the list could be argued to be one of the most essential expenses, proper travel insurance.
I can not stress enough the importance of buying this! Yes, travel is an amazing experience, but a lot could and can go wrong, trust me on this one.
It is a huge liability to leave yourself unprotected. No matter how careful someone is to avoid theft or losing luggage, there will always be circumstances out of your control.
Tragedies like car accidents or breaking a bone are not within someone’s control (usually).
I know it isn’t fun to think about these happening to you, but it is necessary since the cost of this can be a lot of money.
I’ve read and heard this phrase and truly agree with it.
“If you can not afford travel insurance, you can not afford to travel”
Protection is a must when traveling. I advise getting travel insurance when planning your trip.
I use Safetywing Insurance since they are amazing & reliable with wide coverage plans.
Travel Expenses
Some might forget that the Workaway host does not cover any expenses for the volunteer to get to the site.
However, there is no harm in asking to be picked up from the airport or train station, the worst they can say is no. This can also save some costs for you if they say yes!
Many Workaway hosts have done their share of traveling and even travel volunteering, so they know what it is like and how great it is to not worry about navigating in a new place.
Meeting in a large transportation hub will provide a safe, public place where the volunteer can make sure the host is who they say they are, and vice versa.
Travel costs can range widely depending on how far you are traveling, the cost of living in the country, and where you will be traveling to.
I usually use Numbeo. It is not always accurate if people living there do not update it a lot, but it is okay to get a rough estimate.
I especially love this site because it can compare cities and countries to others to see price differences.
It also shows the price difference in the currency of your choice; it is not necessarily the currency of the country you are looking at.
When looking at different hosts on Workaway, it is good to keep these costs in mind. I’ll give an example to help explain.
Doing A Workaway In Rural Norway
If I was living in London, flying to Oslo would be cheap considering how well connected it is to all of Europe (unless it was high season).
Once arriving in the capital, I would need to take a domestic flight, train, or bus to get closer to the host.
If the travel within Norway takes a few days, I would be paying for food, accommodation, and transport to get there.
The travel within Norway to get to the host could be hella expensive considering the cost of living in Nordic countries.
You would also need to have enough money to leave once the volunteering is done.
Doing An Urban Workaway In Egypt
If I was still living in Kansas, I would fly from Wichita, Kansas to Cairo, Egypt.
Kansas is not developed that much so flying from there is quite expensive. Flying from Chicago or New York City would be much cheaper.
That flight from Wichita would be at least $1,000 to get to Cairo.
Once there, costs for food, transport, and accommodation would be lower (if you spend in a western currency) because of the cost of living there.
Workaway Costs
I hope this helps you understand how high and low costs could be to get to a Workaway. Here are some suggestions:
- Always have enough to return to your home country or a safe place. If you do want to go somewhere far away and flights are expensive, consider going to one area and staying for an extended period. This will save on these extra costs!
- The cost of living greatly affects how much food and accommodation will be in countries. If you need cheaper accommodation as you travel to the Workaway, utilise something Use like Booking.com or HostelWorld.
Plus, there are so many alternatives to hostels and hotels now that you have to check out! Homestay is great for finding local families to stay with at an affordable price. You get to feel right at home when you arrive and it’s perfect for short or long term stays.
TrustedHousesitters helps you stay in wonderful places for free by house sitting and caring for cute pets. You can find unique & amazing accommodation that would normally be hundreds per night!
- Someone could spend the same amount getting from the airport to their Workaway as another person used to fly to their Workaway. An expensive flight to a cheap destination or cheap flight to an expensive destination is probably okay, but an expensive flight going to an expensive place might not be the best!
- Try to find alternative modes of transportation. Flying is not the only option. In many parts of the world, taking a bus, train, ferry, etc. will be much more affordable and sustainable for our planet. Alternative travel might take longer but can be a better experience because it is more scenic. You will be more likely to experience more adventure along the way. Life is all about the journey right?
Food Expenses During Workways
Once you have arrived at the workaway, you should not need to be spending much money.
Since a lot of Workaways offer at least one meal, food costs will not be too high.
If you are trying to not spend much, make sure to look for ones that offer all three meals, there should be plenty!
If you are wanting extras, maybe wine or desserts, then you could have to spend some of your own money on these.
If you have special dietary needs, this could create extra costs as well.
I love being immersed in the local culture. I usually always find at least one (usually more than one) culinary dish I am obsessed with by the end of my time in each country or region.
My advice would be to talk with your host about the local food. What are their favorite dishes?
Do some research online about what is commonly used and grown in your area.
These items will be significantly cheaper at the local store, so try to use these ingredients to make meals.
Of course, it is not necessary to make the exact traditional or local meals, instead, you can put your spin on them.
Mix up the ingredients to continue to make unique foods.
I follow this practice myself and stand by it. It is a more sustainable practice, saves me money, and connects me to the place I am in even more.
Read about how I did this in Montenegro here, Eating Like A Local In Virpazar Montenegro.
Medical Expenses
Most travel insurance covers things like lost luggage or major medical emergencies.
They usually do not cover doctor appointments and over the counter and prescribed medicine.
If these are frequently needed, it is good to factor this into the overall cost.
Examples
I currently live in the beautiful country of Albania. Dentist work here is the best I’ve ever had (I’ve had dental work in 5 countries). Plus, as a foreigner, it is very affordable. A regular teeth cleaning is about $20.
This Balkan country is amazing, read about why Albanian hospitality is unmatched.
Similarly, when I was living in Cork, Ireland, I needed some dental work done, but it is so expensive there.
I decided to go to the dentist on my upcoming trip to Poznan, Poland, to check the price there since I know the cost of living is much lower.
Even with travel costs, I paid ⅓ of the price that I would have paid in Cork.
Plus, I got to visit a new place and experience the culture! Now that is what I call happy travels.
Technology Expenses
Nowadays there are so many cool gadgets to capture and record travel experiences.
Think about when you return from your workaway experience(s), do you want to show others what you experienced?
I don’t know about you, but my mom ALWAYS wants to see what I have been up to while galavanting around the world.
Though it is an added cost, having some technology to capture your adventures might be worth it!
Deciding to spend precious travel funds on a camera can be a tough decision, but it is good to note that Workaway has a monthly photo competition!
It is possible to upload a maximum of 6 photos a month and the prize for winning is €100.
The winning photo is probably used on the official workaway site and social media which would be pretty cool.
Specific Clothes & Supply Expenses
Real workaway jobs that you can find are:
- winemaking at a vineyard
- child care
- painting & varnishing
- managing tourist accommodations
- eco farm maintenance
- olive oil making at an olive grove
- social media & marketing
- pet sitting
The list goes on and on! Depending on your interests, the Workaways that you sign up for could require special clothing or shoes.
Example
I did a lot of painting and varnishing for my host in Montenegro.
I didn’t think about that when I packed so we didn’t take painting clothes. Since I forgot, I tried to be careful but still ended up getting paint on them.
It was inevitable when you do as much painting as I did.
If you are looking for specific activities or countries, it will be easier to pinpoint any special items that might be needed. When in doubt, ask your host!
Miscellaneous Expenses
There will always be random items that need to be purchased like hygiene products or a SIM card.
Think about the bare essential of what you need and how much it will cost.
If you are unsure, check with your host about product availability and price.
Check out the article 10 Tips To Save Money While Traveling As A Couple from theblondeabroad for some amazing money saving hacks.
Example
Having data on my mobile phone is the utmost priority for me.
Knowing I have the option to contact others helps me feel safe as a female traveler.
For this reason, my mobile phone is not connected to any particular provider, allowing me to use pre-paid SIM cards in any country I visit.
SIM cards are usually affordable if the cost of living is low. In Poland, I paid 1 euro for 5 GB of data that could be used for two weeks.
Sometimes it can still be somewhat cheap if a country has a large competing market like in the United Kingdom.
There you can pay 10 British pounds for a month, which is quite cheap for a ‘western’ country.
This practice might not be ‘off the grid’ enough for some and that is okay.
It is a personal choice to be made that can depend on many factors.
Workaway Costs To-Do List
- Pay Workaway price for either single or couple
- Find your first host
- Book transport to the workaway
- Buy travel insurance from Safety Wing
- Estimate of any other applicable travel costs including:
-Visa
-Transport to and from airport, bus or train station
-Food allowance
-Accommodation costs - Estimate based on the cost of living for during the Workaway:
-Food allowance
-Medical costs
-Necessary technology
-Workaway specific clothing/items
-Miscellaneous items/costs
Is Workaway Worth It? (For You)
Some people might ask if this is too good to be true or is it worth paying for Workaway?
So let us assess the workaway costs to see if it is worth it for YOU to sign up.
To answer this question, it is essential to think about who you are, what time you have, how easily you can travel.
Who You Are
What someone wants out of travel volunteering can tell if it would be a good fit.
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.
If the main motivator is to get free food and accommodation, it might not be the right choice.
Yes, the volunteer does get those things, but it is not supposed to be like a business exchange.
Workaway is more suited to those who want to build relationships and have a cultural exchange.
If you are easy-going, open to learning new things, and want to have unique, local experiences, then you are in the right place!
Read More: How To Be The Best Workawayer Guaranteed
Just like anything, there are most likely going to be hosts that do not see workaway as a cultural exchange.
This is human nature; there always seems to be a few bad apples.
There are many stories of terrible workaway hosts, many of them not respecting boundaries or asking too much of a volunteer.
For this reason, it is important to be bold. You might need to stand up for yourself if you ever find yourself in this situation.
It is essential to know your worth and enforce boundaries. If you are wondering Is Workaway Safe?, you need to read this!
What Time You Have
What is the amount of time you can spend traveling?
Maybe you are planning your summer vacation or holiday or taking a half-year leave from full-time work.
The time difference has a huge impact on whether this is the right program for you.
To pay the Workaway price for only 1 or 2 months of travel seems like a waste unless you do not mind spending the money of course.
To get the most of your Workaway membership, it would be best if you were going to travel at least three or more months to get your money’s worth.
Simply put, it is a program better suited for larger amounts of time or long term travel.
Other online platforms could be better suited for short term travel like Couchsurfing.
For more information on different work exchange sites read Jemma’s advice on halftheclothes.com
Ease Of Travel
Unfortunately, the world that we live in is full of red tape and bureaucracy.
Where you were born and grew up often dictates how easily you can travel to other countries.
The strength of a passport dictates a lot about how easily someone can travel.
Citizens from developed countries are more likely to have fewer travel restrictions to other places.
There will be fewer visas to pay for and longer times they can stay as a tourist.
Being from a less developed country means that the passport holder will usually have many hoops to jump through to travel.
This means applying and paying for more visas and shorter visit times as a tourist.
Visas can often require the person to prove they have enough money to support themselves during their stay, show receipts for booked flights in and out of the country, and proof of accommodation.
There can be other visa requirements that are not listed here. 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. If these tight restrictions apply to you, do not lose heart.
Usually there are at least a few countries that can be visited without a visa and there are no rules against doing workaway in your own country.
I mean come on, if you live in a physically large country then you will have a lot of domestic Workaways you could do.
Regardless of whether a country is developed or not, it is inevitable that some countries will not have good relations with others.
Some countries are looked down upon. Stereotypes are alive and well in domestic and international travel.
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