Find a travel buddy

Workaway can help you find your ideal travel buddy. We have a whole feature dedicated to matching you with travellers heading the same way.

1. Search Travel Mates: Use the filters to find trip buddies who are heading your way.
2. Get connected: Once you see someone you believe you would click with, hit the contact button and start chatting.
3. Plan your trip: Discuss your travel goals and preferences, start arranging details for your next trip, and plan your first meet-up.

And there are other ways we can help you connect with travellers with the same interests.

• Workawayers nearby: a feature which shows Workaway users on a map, open to grab a coffee or plan a road trip with you.
• Find a language partner: connect with native speakers, practise together and build your confidence through real conversations.
• Join or host a Workaway event: check out what Workaway events there are near your destination or create your very own event.

→ Register as a Workawayer

A travel buddy is someone you hit the road with. It could be for a whole big adventure, a quick weekend getaway, or just a part of your trip. They might be someone you know well, like a good friend or your partner, someone you planned the trip with from the very beginning. Or, it could be a total stranger you just met, maybe right before you left, or even while you were already exploring. 

One big perk? Splitting costs. Accommodation, transport, meals – sharing those expenses can make travelling a lot more affordable. But it's not just about money. You get someone to hang out with, help navigate unfamiliar places, and support each other when things don't quite go to plan.

There's no easy answer when you're trying to decide between travelling solo or with a companion. Both ways have their advantages. Ultimately, it comes down to your preferences, where you are in life, your character, and what you hope to get out of the trip. Let's look into the pros and cons of solo travel vs. travelling with a companion.

• Make your profile stand out – start by adding plenty of detail to your profile. Include your travel dates and where you are headed, but also what you want to do while you’re there. Being specific makes it much easier to connect with travellers who have similar plans and interests.
• Reach out with purpose – look for people who will be in the same area at the same time, and send a personal message rather than something that feels copy-pasted. Don't be discouraged if someone replies late or doesn't respond.
• Be flexible – the feature is deliberately open-ended. You could use it to find someone for a coffee or day out or to make plans for part of a longer trip.
• Try different ways to meet people – use Workaway Travel Buddy alongside other ways to meet travellers, instead of relying on one option. Hostels and local events can also be great places to make connections.
• Meet safely – choose a public place when meeting someone for the first time, and let someone know your plans.

Yes, you can apply to hosts as a couple or a small group. We let you create an account as an individual or a couple. If you're in a group, everyone needs their own profile, either individual or as a couple. Then, you can link your accounts so hosts know you're traveling together.

There are plenty of ways to meet people while travelling solo. You can use Workaway Travel Buddy to find other like-minded travellers with similar plans, stay in sociable accommodation, join local activities or simply be open to conversations along the way. Group activities such as cooking classes, surf lessons and walking tours can also be an easy way to meet other solo travellers.

If you're looking for more ideas, you might want to read our blog post on How to Meet People While Travelling Solo.

1. Compatible travel styles: You don't have to travel in exactly the same way, but it helps to have a rough idea of how you'd each like to spend your time. Chat about your priorities, pace and budget before making plans together.
2. Good communication: Being open about what you'd like from the trip can help avoid misunderstandings. It's also useful to listen to each other and be willing to compromise when your plans or preferences differ.
3. Reliability and flexibility: Being considerate, keeping to plans where possible and staying flexible when things change can make travelling together much easier.
4. Feeling comfortable together: You may have different habits and preferences, so it's worth talking about anything that's important to you – from cleanliness and socialising to how you approach safety. Most importantly, you should feel comfortable speaking up if something doesn't feel right.
5. Mutual respect: Respect each other's boundaries and remember that travelling together doesn't mean doing everything together. A little time apart can be perfectly normal too.

• Check their profile: If you met them through a platform like Workaway, take some time to look through their profile, including any reviews from their previous hosts. You could also reach out to those hosts directly if you have more questions. If you've connected elsewhere, you may also want to check their social profiles to get a better sense of who they are.
• Get to know each other first: Chat before making plans and consider having a video call. Talk about where you're going, what you'd like to do and how you each like to travel.
• Meet somewhere public: Choose a public place for your first meeting, such as a cafe, a hostel's common area, or a busy spot.
• Let someone know your plans: Tell a friend or family member where you're going, where you're staying and who you're travelling with. Keep them updated if your plans change.
• Share useful emergency information: If you're planning to travel together for a while, consider exchanging emergency contact details and any important information you'd want someone to know in an emergency.
• Have a backup plan: Make sure you can change your plans independently if you need to, whether that means arranging your own accommodation or having another transport option.
• Trust your instincts: If something doesn't feel right, don't feel pressured to continue with your plans. Prioritise your safety and leave the situation if you feel uncomfortable.

At the top of the page, in the travel buddy search box, type in your destination – a country, a region, or even a specific city. You can then narrow your search by travel dates, languages, age, and other preferences to find Workawayers whose plans overlap with yours. So whether you're planning a trip around Europe, exploring Canada, or heading to Bangkok, you can see who's planning to be there at the same time and start connecting before you arrive. 

There’s no guaranteed formula for finding a fun friend to travel with, but getting to know each other before making plans can help.

Take time to chat before making plans and get a feel for your shared interests and travel styles. Even if you get along well, travelling together can bring out different habits and preferences, so a little flexibility and compromise can go a long way.

That doesn’t mean ignoring your own needs or boundaries. Give each other space when you need it, speak up if something is bothering you, and remember that you don’t have to do everything together.

Once you pick a destination, you can narrow down your search by setting a preferred age range for your potential travel buddy. This way, you'll only see travellers who match what you're looking for. If someone's plans and interests seem compatible with yours, just reach out to them and start getting to know each other before making plans! 

Did you know that there is no upper age limit to becoming a Workaway member? So travellers of all ages, as long as they’re over 18, can join the community. 

Yes, you have to be a registered member to use the Travel Buddy feature. Pick a plan and sign up for Workaway. Your membership lasts for a year, and with it, you can get in touch with any host on our list and use all our other features, including “Travel Buddy”.

Yes, finding someone to travel with online, even if you're a woman traveling solo, is pretty safe if you stick to common-sense rules. The advantage of Workaway's Travel Buddy feature is that you can actually check out people's profiles and see what others have said about them. This gives you a decent idea of who you might end up traveling with. And if it makes you feel more comfortable, you can always look for another woman to team up with.

Always have a video call before you commit to traveling together, and when you first meet, do it somewhere public. Keep your money separate, and tell someone you trust where you're going. Don't ever send money to someone you've only met online, and if something feels off, listen to your intuition.

Figuring out money with a travel buddy is something you both need to decide on and talk about before you leave. The usual and fairest way is to split shared costs like hotels and car rentals right down the middle, 50-50. For things like plane tickets or other transportation costs, it’s often easiest if each person just pays for their own. The same goes for activities or entrance fees.

What about food and eating out? If you shop for groceries together, splitting the cost usually works fine. Dining out is similar -  you can either split the bill or take turns paying if the prices are about the same and it feels even. If one person tends to order pricier things, it’s only fair they pay a bit more than half. It’s best to bring this up honestly. Apps like Splitwise can be really helpful in these situations. They help you keep track of who paid what, so everyone contributes their fair share.

Yes, you can download the Workaway App for Travellers (Google Play or App Store). Once you have it, as a registered Workaway member, you can use the Travel Buddy feature right there in the app.