So, you’ve been scouring the Internet for tips on how to see the world in a more authentic, rewarding and budget-friendly way… and you’ve stumbled on Workaway! You start to imagine yourself picking olives on an off-grid farm in Italy, learning to build an eco house out of upcycled bottles in Argentina, or diving and guiding tours in Thailand. It all seems too good to be true – but does this kind of travelling really work for you? Huge thanks to workawayer Laura for letting us share her insights on how to find out if Workaway is right for you!
Should you use Workaway to travel?
Workaway connects travellers who want to give back and immerse themselves into unique local experiences, with host projects and families families across the world for a meaningful travel, volunteering and cultural exchange. It is a great way to travel cheaply, as the Workaway hosts provide accommodation and food in exchange for a few hours of your help. It also allows you to see parts of the world you might not otherwise encounter, and discover various experiences beyond those you would find at home.
However, before embarking on a Workaway exchange, it is important to consider whether this type of travel is right for you.
The help
The range of opportunities on Workaway available is enormous; eco project and farm helpers, animal carers and lovers, language teachers, au pairs, social media savvy content creators… are all in demand. Before making any decisions, be honest with yourself about the sort of work you realistically can – and want – to do.
If you’ve never been around animals or experienced rural living, then
workawaying on a farm can certainly be exciting and eye-opening, but it could potentially be overwhelming too. Likewise, if you’re used to a 9-5 office job, being
out at sea for weeks on end and maintaining a ship as a crew could be a shock to the system. If you are unsure, don’t be afraid to ask for more details about a host project and the help they’re expecting.
You don’t necessarily need experience, but with enough preparation and an open mindset, using Workaway to travel can be a great way to push yourself out of your comfort zone and learn new skills. 
Duration
How long am I expected to stay at a Workaway project? On our trip, we found that two to three weeks with each host was perfect. Less time could mean that you don’t learn as much or won’t have time to settle into a good routine. Allow yourself some flexibility if possible, as some hosts may invite you to stay longer than initially arranged if you turn out to be a great match for each other (or conversely, if you decide you are not a good fit you also have the freedom to cut the exchange short, although this is a lot more rare).
You should also consider how long you want to Workaway overall. We found that after three months of travelling as workawayers, we were craving some comfort . Meaningful travel is about learning new things, meeting new people and seeing new places. While Workaway allows you to tick these boxes, you should bear in mind that simply enjoying yourself and relaxing are also important aspects of travelling.
If you are planning to Workaway for a number of months and flit between several hosts, it may be worth booking in long weekends in a hostel or hotel between stints. This will give you some down-time and can also break up long journeys between hosts.
Location
This brings us to the location of your travel and Workaway experience. Hosts will often be based away from city centres or even in rural areas, particularly if you are looking at workawaying on a farm or small-holding. Even host families looking for animal care or house sitting help may be in lesser-known towns or villages. This is one of the many benefits of Workaway, as it takes you to places that might not feature in the guidebooks and can give you a taste of authentic local life.
While rural areas are great for nature lovers, if you tend to gravitate towards the hustle and bustle of large cities, you ought to be realistic about how much time you want to spend in a quiet village off the beaten track. Luckily, there are still plenty of Workaway hosts based in large cities, particularly those looking for help around the house, babysitting or or with language learning.
If you are planning to stay with a number of different Workaway hosts, you ought to look into public transport options. Hosts will usually offer to pick you up if they are very remote, but you should speak to them well in advance to get their advice on local travel so you have a better idea of how to get around.
Another factor to consider is the weather, especially if you are going to be working outside. Beach-lovers may be lured to the gorgeous coast lines of South-east Asian or Caribbean countries, but bear in mind that outside work in the sun can take its toll. Conversely, working outside in cold and wet conditions can be difficult too – even if that husky farm in Norway is your dream project. Try to look at climate charts and speak to your hosts about your volunteering hours; in hot countries hosts may ask you to startwork early in the morning to avoid the midday heat.
Related blog post: Advice for Solo Travellers: Chicken Bus Ride in Guatemala
Packing
Having a good idea about the weather will also help you to pack appropriately. As a general rule of thumb, if you’ll be spending a lot of time gardening or farming, you should bring a sturdy pair of boots, a sun-hat and some trousers which you don’t mind getting dirty. It’s also a great idea to ask your host if there’s anything you need to pack for the trip; that raincoat or mosquito repellent could make all the difference.
Of course, you won’t be spending all of your time working – in fact, volunteers generally only help up to five hours per day. This allows you plenty of time to explore the local area. Make sure to pack nicer clothes and keep these for your off time to ensure they don’t get messy!
One of the reassuring things about Workaway is that your hosts will often have first aid supplies and medication in case you forget anything or need something additional. However, as always when travelling, it’s a good idea to bring some basic medication with you.
Related blog post: 10 essential things to pack on your Workaway trip
Sleeping Arrangement
One of the most interesting parts of Workaway is you get to experiment with different ways of living. As part of the arrangement, you get secure accommodation in exchange for your help as a workawayer, which means you can stay with your host for free.
Keep in mind when deciding where you’d like to visit, that sleeping arrangements can differ widely depending on the country, type of host project, and even the host’s personal preferences. If you are staying at a hostel, it is likely you’ll be sharing a dorm with other travellers; off-grid projects will probably offer a spacious sleeping space surrounded by nature, but it might come with the company of a few creepy crawlies. Accommodation options on Workaway can range from having a guest bedroom in a chateau, an entire apartment that you’re house sitting in, to living in a furnished camper van or camping in the desert.
Read the accommodation information on your host’s profile for more details on what your sleeping space will be like, and check for photos of the accommodation on offer. While you probably shouldn’t expect a 5-star luxury hotel, this is a unique opportunity to live like a true local, and experience what it’s like to stay in different types of places for free.
Communication
It is definitely worth talking with your hosts as much as possible before your trip. This helps you to build up a relationship and get to know each other, and also allows you to ask more questions about the area and get a clear idea of what your day-to-day life as a workawayer would look like... the hosts whom we’d spoken to the most before arriving were the ones we hit it off with the quickest once we arrived.
Before contacting any hosts you should read through their Workaway profile very carefully. You’ll often get indicators of the type of people they are simply from the way they’ve worded their profile. Many hosts will have feedback at the bottom of their profile and this again will give you a good insight into their personality and style. You also have the option to get in touch with the other workawayers who stayed there if you need further advice about a host or workaway project.
The people you meet and the friendships you make during your Workaway experience are the best parts of the exchange. Working on a project, staying and sharing meals every day means we spend the majority of our trip together and have the opportunity to really get to know each other. For us, we met some wonderful friends that we continued to stay in touch with, long after we’ve left. On the flipside, it is also important to set boundaries and respectfully communicate any concerns with your host to avoid misunderstandings. While you shouldn’t feel compelled to stay with a host if it’s not the right fit, communication is key and goes a long way in ensuring a positive Workaway experience.
Safety
While Workaway has a series of
safety measures in place for its members, general travel precautions are also essential when you are visiting and staying in an unfamiliar environment. Make sure to purchase suitable
travel insurance that covers the type of activity you will be involved in, stay aware of your surroundings wherever you go, and be prepared in case things do not go as planned. Your host is also a reliable source of information on how to stay safe in your destination, and someone who can offer support when you are away from home.
It is a fine balance and constant learning process to stay safe and cautious while embracing the unknown, but once done right, your trip will be a liberating experience where you gain newfound confidence in yourself, connect with new friends, and develop a range of transferrable soft skills you can bring home.
Final thoughts
Workaway may take you out of your comfort zone: a different country, a different lifestyle, new people and maybe even a different language. It is a great opportunity to widen your horizons, travel on a budget and experience new and exciting places. However, try to think honestly about what you want to do, what you are able to do, and what you want to achieve from the Workaway experience.
When you’re there, be sure to immerse yourself in the area, work and lifestyle; stay open and learn from each other. From our travels, we found that the places where we really let go of expectations and embraced the experience, were the ones that turned out to be the most fulfilling.
Thanks again to Laura Pollard for allowing us to repost her article!
“Hi, I’m Laura. I have a passion for travelling, particularly in Spanish-speaking countries, and have spent time in Chile, Mexico, Colombia and Spain. I love food and have taken it upon myself – for research purposes, of course – to embark on a mission to find the best foods in the countries I visit.
I have a first-class law degree from the University of Kent, and have contributed to TheStudentLawyer.com and worked as a researcher/writer for London-based legal directory The Legal 500.
You can follow my adventures as I travel, eat and fumble my way through the mysteries of the Spanish language here!
