Worldpackers

Worldpackers is skills exchange platform that connects a community of thousands of travelers and hosts worldwide. Users can choose between three different types of programme: ‘Work Exchange’, which entails working a few hours a day in return for accommodation, ‘Social Impact’, where travellers volunteer in NGOs, schools and social projects, or ‘Eco Program’, that entails learning in eco-villages, farms and permaculture projects.

Searching for hosts is phenomenally easy, with a search bar and a range of filters available to help you quickly narrow down results to match your preferences. You can choose from a wide selection of skills, from web development to teaching languages to looking after children, while you can also select the specific style of travel you’re after, be it contact with nature, metropolis or party atmosphere. I particularly like the star rating attached to each hosts’ profile based on verified user reviews. This helps to give a good indication of what it’s like living and working with the host from people who have already experienced it.

Another facet of the website that I continually resort to is the ‘Content from the Community’ section, which features a variety of different articles containing tips, guides and inspiration offered by other worldpackers. Posts include ‘How to work with social media while abroad’, ‘Dos and Don’ts of solo travelling as a girl’, and ‘The best travel apps that will help you save time and money in Europe’.

An obvious drawback to Worldpackers is the cost. Whereas similar websites, such as Workaway.info charge a yearly membership, Worldpackers charges $50 USD per trip confirmation, meaning if you plan on making multiple trips in a year it can get quite expensive. Although there is an opportunity to travel for free by getting endorsements from friends, without this it can be quite pricey.

David Jones

I am a professional travel writer and travel enthusiast who traveled the world twice, so I am sharing my firsthand knowledge about everything related to travel and spending time abroad.