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.
Read More:
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.
Read More:
Complete Guide To Workaway France
Complete Guide To Workaway New Zealand
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
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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.