If you’ve ever strayed onto Travel TikTok and the world of travel vlogs, you’ve probably heard of Worldpackers. But what exactly is it, and how does it work? Let’s dive into the details of this work exchange platform, where travellers trade their skills for accommodation and other perks. I’ll also speak from my personal experience as someone who has used Worldpackers throughout their travels in different regions worldwide. If you’re looking to work a little and travel a lot in 2024, then this guide is for you!
What is Worldpackers?
Worldpackers is a platform that connects travellers with hosts across the globe, facilitating work exchange opportunities. In exchange for a few hours of work per week, travellers receive free accommodation and, often, additional benefits such as meals, language classes, or local tours. The idea is to foster cultural exchange, personal growth, and a deeper understanding of local communities while making travel more affordable.
How Does Worldpackers Work?
- Creating a Profile and Membership: To get started, you need to create a profile on Worldpackers. This involves providing some personal information and detailing the skills you can offer. Membership is required to apply for positions; however, you can browse on the platform for free without a membership to get an idea of the types of experiences out there. Various plans are available, each offering different levels of access and benefits. The basic plan allows you to contact hosts and confirm trips, while more comprehensive plans include features like WP Academy courses and WP Safeguard.
- Finding Opportunities: The platform offers a vast array of opportunities across more than 140 countries. You can choose from roles in hostels, eco-villages, NGOs, and other community projects. The jobs vary widely, including tasks such as reception work, social media management, gardening, teaching languages, cooking, and more.
- Applying and Getting Pre-Approved: Once you find a position that interests you, you can apply by sending a message to the host explaining why you’re a good fit. If the host thinks you’re suitable, they’ll pre-approve you, allowing you to confirm your stay. It’s crucial to confirm your trip through the platform to ensure you have access to all safety features and support services. This protects both you and the host from last-minute cancellations or any changes. I think of confirming the trip through Worldpackers like an official contract between me and the host, with the Worldpacker platform acting as mediator, on the slim chance that anything goes pear-shaped.
- Preparing for Your Trip: Before you set off, make sure all your documents are in order. This includes passports, visas, and any necessary travel insurance. Worldpackers also provides resources and support to help you plan your trip effectively, from budgeting tips to packing guides.
- The Work Exchange Experience: Upon arrival, you’ll start your work exchange. Typically, hosts request around 25 hours of work per week, but this can vary. In return, you get free accommodation and other benefits that vary by host, such as meals, local transportation, and even free tours or activities. The exact terms are agreed upon before you arrive, ensuring clarity and mutual understanding. If anything is not upheld from the contract, either party can contact Worldpackers to report and get assistance with this.
- Community and Support: One of Worldpackers’ standout features is its strong community support. You can connect with fellow travelers through the platform, share experiences, and gain insights from others. Moreover, Worldpackers offers 24/7 support through WP Safeguard, ensuring you have assistance if anything goes wrong during your trip.
Types of Accommodations
Worldpackers offers a variety of accommodations depending on the type of work exchange you choose. Here’s a closer look at what you might expect:
- Hostels and Homestays: Many backpackers work in hostels or homestays, often located in vibrant city centres or popular tourist areas. Accommodations here typically include shared or private rooms. In addition to free lodging, you might also get meals and access to hostel events or tours. When I worked for a hostel in Vietnam, I received a free bed in a dorm, three meals a day, free laundry, free drinking water, free pub crawl entry, and free drinks at the hostel bar.
- Eco-villages and Farms: Working in eco-villages or on farms can be very rewarding for those looking for a more rustic and immersive experience. These accommodations can range from simple shared cabins to private rooms, and you often get the chance to learn about sustainable living and agriculture. Meals are usually included and often sourced from the farm itself.
- NGOs and Community Projects: Volunteering with NGOs or community projects often offers more varied accommodations. You might stay in volunteer houses, community centres, or local family homes. These roles often include meals and a deep dive into the local culture and community life.
- Holistic Centers and Retreats: If wellness and personal development are your focus, working at holistic centres or retreats can be a unique opportunity. Accommodations here are typically serene and may include private rooms or shared spaces. Additional perks can include free classes such as yoga, meditation, or holistic therapies.
What to Expect
Most Worldpackers opportunities require about 25 hours per week, though this can range from 20 to 32 hours depending on the host and the type of work. The tasks are usually flexible, allowing you to explore the local area during your free time. Some hosts might ask for more intensive work during peak times but offer more time off.
If you’re planning to travel in 2024, the thought of having to work 25 hours a week may sound counterintuitive to the whole point of taking a gap year or extended travel period. While 25 hours a week sounds like a lot of work, personally, I’ve found most of my work exchanges to be pretty relaxed. While I may have been technically “at work” 25 hours a week, a lot of that time was spent hanging out with other backpackers, playing card games or even on social media posting for the hostel. Most of the time, I almost forgot I was on shift and just felt like I was a guest hanging out with other backpackers. 25 hours of work with a work exchange does not feel the same as 25 hours of work with a paid employer where they’re trying to squeeze maximum productivity out of you.
Included Benefits
Besides free accommodation, many hosts offer other benefits. These can include:
- Meals: Some hosts provide all meals, while others may offer breakfast or one main meal per day.
- Local Transportation: This can include airport pickups, bikes for getting around, or even local transport passes.
- Activities and Classes: Depending on the host, you might get free or discounted access to local tours, language classes, or cultural activities. These can sometimes include yoga classes, surf lessons, free walking tours, or pub crawls.
- Laundry Services: Many hosts provide free laundry facilities or services as part of the package.
- Drinks: Often, if you’re working at a hostel bar as a social rep or events coordinator, you will get a number of free drinks. It differs depending on whether it’s a party hostel or not, but some hostels will let volunteers have free drinks both on and off shift, which is a major money win!
Additional Perks:
Beyond the tangible benefits, volunteering through Worldpackers provides numerous intangible rewards:
- Cultural Exchange: You’ll live and work with locals, understanding their way of life and forming meaningful connections. Some of the fondest memories on work exchanges, have just been candid chats with my coworkers, where we discovered (and laughed over) cross-cultural similarities or differences.
- Skill Development: Learn new skills or improve existing ones, from gardening and construction to social media management and language teaching. Through work exchanges, I learnt the basics of bartending, which helped me secure paid work as a bartender in later travel in 2024.
- Personal Growth: Many travellers find that volunteering helps them grow personally, building confidence, empathy, and a broader worldview.
- A chance to slow down: When you’re travelling, often you’re bouncing between destinations, living each moment to the fullest and trying to see as much as possible. While it can be amazing, it’s also super easy to get burnt out and exhausted from travelling. Doing a work exchange allows you to slow down and live in one place for a while. This change of pace can be a game-changer, particularly if you allow yourself to get into more of a routine. In my mind, the chance to slow down is one of the biggest drawcard for doing a travel work exchange in 2024.
How to choose a Worldpackers experience?
If you’re keen on doing a work exchange and pop into the Worldpackers website, chances are you’d be blown away by how many different options there are. With some reflection on what you want out of the experience and using the filters on the website, you can find the perfect work exchange. Here are some things to consider:
- Big city or small town? Do you want to base yourself on something with lots of tourist activities to do so you can make the most of your time not at work? Or would you like to experience local, rural life and spend your time off work relaxing and reconnecting with yourself?
- Do you thrive in a social environment (like being a social rep at a hostel), or do you prefer something more hands-on, where you can work and get lost in your own thoughts? Social repping and working in hostels are popular backpacker jobs, but they’re not for everyone and can be full-on, particularly if you’re more introverted.
- Do you want to use existing skills or build new skills? If you’ve worked in customer service, stepping into a reception role at a hostel could be super easy using your existing skill set. But, this could be a great opportunity to learn a new skill like being a barista, gardener or bartender. Consider what you want to get out of the experience!
- When do you want to travel? Some experiences are extremely in demand (particularly in certain peak months). Consider whether you’re locked into certain dates or whether you’re flexible for the perfect work exchange experience.
- Do you want to offset the cost of travel with a Worldpackers experience? If so, I would advise looking at average hostel prices in different cities and strategically applying for experiences in the cities where hostels are most expensive. You could also look at which experiences offer the most benefits (e.g. free drinks, free food, free laundry, free tours) and choose accordingly to save cash/ offset travel costs.
After considering the above factors, you can use the filters on the Worldpacker site to ensure you’re getting the most appropriate experiences. This really helps to weed out hosts that don’t align with what you’re looking for or are already booked out for your travel dates. Of course, always read previous volunteer reviews and carefully read through all information provided by the host so you know what you’re in for!
Ready to start your adventure and dive into the world of work and travel in 2024? Head over to Worldpackers, create your profile, and explore the world! Use my code “BIGSISTRAVEL” to receive a $10 discount on your membership.
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