Last Updated on July 14, 2026
Have you ever dreamed of traveling for months without spending a fortune? Or living like a local instead of staying in hotels? Then Workaway might be exactly what you’re looking for.
My first Workaway experience took place in the Swedish countryside, and what was supposed to be a two-week stay turned into a two-month adventure. From caring for chickens and building a vegetable garden to enjoying saunas, barbecues, and endless forests, it was an amazing experience!
In this guide, I’ll explain what Workaway is, how it compares to WWOOFing and other volunteer abroad programs, the biggest pros and cons, my personal experience, and practical tips to help you find the right host.
What you’ll find in this article
Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
What is Workaway?
Workaway is one of the world’s largest work exchange platforms, connecting travelers with hosts in more than 170 countries. In exchange for helping a few hours a day (usually around five hours) you receive free accommodation and often meals. I think it’s a fantastic option for anyone interested in budget travel, slow travel, cultural exchange, or voluntary work abroad.
The tasks vary depending on the host. You might:
- help on a farm
- care for animals
- teach English or another language
- babysit children
- work in a hostel or guesthouse
- paint or renovate buildings
- garden or grow vegetables
- assist with social media or photography
Unlike WWOOFing, which focuses on volunteering on organic farms, Workaway offers many different types of opportunities. If you’re specifically interested in sustainable farming, WWOOF is the best choice. If you prefer more variety, Workaway is usually the better fit.
To join Workaway, you’ll need a membership (paid and currently valid for two years). After creating your profile with your skills, interests, travel plans, and photos, you can search for hosts around the world or be contacted by hosts directly.
My Workaway experience
Originally, I planned to stay for just two weeks on a beautiful farm in Sweden. Instead, I stayed for two months. The farm was located in a tiny village surrounded by forests. My hosts were incredibly welcoming, I had my own bedroom and there was always plenty of delicious food.
No two days were the same. Every day started with caring for the chickens, but after that the work varied constantly. During my stay I built a vegetable garden, painted buildings, helped in the forest clearing ditches and maintaining young trees, gardened, cleaned and repaired items, cooked meals and assisted in an antique shop.
The best memories, however, happened after work. We enjoyed riverside barbecues, relaxed in the sauna and hot tub, baked Swedish cinnamon buns, watched movies, played billiards, and explored the surrounding forests together. I also had plenty of free time to discover the region. I completed a four-day hike to the summit of Åreskutan near Åre, went kayaking on the Hårkan River, celebrated Midsummer, cycled through the countryside, and spent countless hours walking through Sweden’s forests with the farm dog. Looking back, I couldn’t have wished for a better first Workaway experience.
Why choose Workaway? The biggest benefits
- Travel on a smaller budget: accommodation is often one of the biggest travel expenses. Because many hosts provide a free room and often meals, you can travel much longer without draining your savings.
- Experience authentic local life: instead of being another tourist, you become part of everyday life. Your hosts porbably introduce you to local traditions, homemade food, local attractions, and places you would never discover on your own.
- Incredible variety: one week you could be caring for horses in Spain, the next helping at a surf hostel in Portugal or building eco-projects in Costa Rica. Every Workaway experience is unique.
- Meet amazing people: one of the best parts of volunteering abroad is meeting people from all over the world. During my stay I met fellow travelers who quickly became friends, and I still keep in touch with some of them today.
- Learn new skills: even if you’ve never gardened, painted a house, or cared for farm animals before, Workaway gives you the opportunity to learn practical skills while traveling.
- Worldwide opportunities: it is worldwide! You can go wherever you would like to go.
The downsides of Workaway
While my experience was mostly positive, Workaway has some downsides too:
- Not every host matches the description: sometimes the work turns out to be different than expected. “Helping with animals” can also mean cleaning stables and shoveling manure, not just cuddling goats 😉
- Some hosts never reply: you’ll probably send several applications before receiving a positive response. It happened to me too. Don’t take it personally. Many hosts are fully booked or simply don’t respond.
- It isn’t a holiday: remember that you’re joining a work exchange, not booking a resort vacation. You’ll be expected to work several hours each day before enjoying your free time.
- Household responsibilities: many hosts expect volunteers to help with cooking, cleaning, washing dishes, or other daily chores. Living together means contributing to the household.
Travel Insurance
Don’t forget travel insurance if you’re planning to do voluntary work. Heymondo or Safetywing are among the cheapest travel insurances for travelers and cover medical emergencies, theft, delays, cancellations, lost luggage, and more. As a reader of Girlswanderlust, you’ll receive a 5% discount on your next Heymondo travel insurance.
Tips for finding a great (Workaway) host
Choosing the right host makes all the difference. Here are my biggest tips:
- Read reviews carefully. Don’t just look at the star rating. Read what previous volunteers actually say. Just like booking a hotel 😉
- Message former volunteers. If you’re unsure, ask someone who has stayed there about their experience.
- Ask questions before confirming. Find out exactly what work you’ll do, how many hours you’ll work, whether meals are included, and if Wi-Fi, towels, and bed linen are provided.
- Keep communication on Workaway. I always prefer using the Workaway messaging system because it keeps a record of all conversations if problems arise.
- Have a backup plan. Occasionally things don’t work out. Know where the nearest hostel or hotel is just in case.
- Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right or you don’t feel safe, you can leave. You are not locked into a contract.
Do I need a visa for Workaway or volunteering abroad?
One of the biggest mistakes is assuming that volunteering is always allowed on a tourist visa. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Every country has its own immigration rules, and some consider Workaway, WWOOFing, HelpX, and other volunteer work as a form of work, even if you’re not receiving a salary. That means you may need a special volunteer visa, working holiday visa, or another type of permit before you arrive. Before confirming a Workaway placement, make sure you check the official immigration website of your destination and ask your host whether previous volunteers needed a specific visa. Visa rules change regularly, so always rely on official government sources.
Other work exchange platforms
If Workaway doesn’t feel like the right fit, there are several other platforms worth exploring:
- Worldpackers: great for volunteering in hostels, eco-lodges, NGOs, schools, and community projects. It also offers travel insurance and educational resources.
- HelpX (Help Exchange): one of the oldest work exchange platforms with hosts ranging from farms and vineyards to family homes and guesthouses.
- WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms): perfect if you want to learn about organic farming, sustainable agriculture, and permaculture.
- TrustedHousesitters: not a volunteer platform, but a great option if you want free accommodation in exchange for looking after someone’s pets and home.
Budget tip
Traveling to a country with a different currency? Avoid ATM transaction fees and pay in local currency with a Wise Visa Card or Revolut Maestro Card. I have been using these cards for several years and have saved a lot of money as a result. I recommend bringing both bank cards with you when you travel.
Conclusion
I think Workaway is worth it if you want to slow down, meet locals, learn new skills, and experience destinations from a completely different perspective. For me, Workaway wasn’t just a way to save money, it was a unique travel experience itself. I left Sweden with new skills, memories, friendships, and a bigger love for nature.
If you’re considering volunteering abroad, I’d definitely recommend giving Workaway a try. If you have any questions about the above mentioned information, feel free to leave a comment below.
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Responses
This sounds very interesting. Never tried it before but definitely would like to try it someday. An alternative way to get you accomodation and at the same time learning things by doing stuffs in different places. Must be worth a try.
This is an interesting and innovative concept. It affords travelers an opportunity to visit countries they would like to and also work and earn their boarding and lodging expenses. It is also a great way to soak in the local ambience and culture.
Definitely!!!
I am so envious of all the opportunities young people have to work abroad these days. When I was 22 there was no internet and finding work overseas required a huge gamble of just turning up (I did once in Italy only to find that no one knew I was coming but it’s ok a local family took me in) or working very hard to uncover opportunities. This is a great concept.
You are totally right! The technology and development of internet have such a big influence on how we travel nowadays. It is a great way to find new adventures. Remember you are never to old to travel (so in this case, by using Workaway). I met some Workaways between 18 and 45 yeas old during my travels =D
When I was 22 there was no internet and so finding work overseas was incredibly difficult. I love the idea of being able to seek out different adventures online and am slightly envious that I am not 22 again. That said, I’m not envious of shovelling poop.
That looks interesting but I guess the question of legality arises. Do you then need to apply for a working visa to do this? For someone like me who holds a third-world passport, it’s gonna be very very complicated. Lol.
That’s a great question! It really depends on the country. Some destinations allow certain types of volunteer work on a tourist visa, while others require a volunteer or working holiday visa—even if you’re not getting paid. It’s always important to check the official immigration rules before you travel. It can definitely be more complicated with some passports, but there are still plenty of opportunities out there with a bit of planning. ❤️
I hadn’t heard of Workaway before I read this, and think it sounds great. I’m a fan of the concept of WWOOFing but recognise that other people might prefer a more diverse offering and might not be interested in organic farming. Good tips for anyone considering this too.
Yeah, Workaway is a bit more diverse =) Cool to hear that you have experience with WWOOFing, what have you done?
I’ve never done a workaway before but absolutely would! Especially somewhere as beautiful as Sweden.
Yes, I can definitely recommend it Diana Chen! I am planning to make a world trip after my study and will then definitely do more WorkAway jobs.