Have you ever wished you could travel the world and see all its amazing sights without breaking the bank? Well, now there’s a way to do just that – and it’s called Worldpackers.
Worldpackers is a website that connects travelers with hosts all over the globe who need help with things like housekeeping, bartending, farming, and a whole lot more.
In exchange for your help, the hosts will provide you with free accommodation and often meals as well.
This is an incredible way to see the world on a tight budget, as you’ll only have to pay for your flights, expenses, and membership.
Plus, it’s a great way to meet new people and have unique experiences that you’ll never forget.
If you’re interested in learning more about Worldpackers or are ready to start your own adventure, read on for our full Worldpackers review.
What Is Worldpackers?
Worldpackers is a work-exchange platform that allows you to find unique volunteering opportunities with hosts worldwide.
In exchange for your help, the hosts will provide you with free accommodation and often meals as well.
By getting a Worldpackers membership, you can contact hosts and apply for a volunteer position – allowing you to travel further and longer without paying for accommodation.
How Does Worldpackers Work
First, you can search for volunteer opportunities all over the world on the Worldpackers website.
Once you find a place you’re interested in, make sure to get the membership to be able to contact the host.
The second step is to create a profile. Give details about yourself and your skills. You can even get “certificates” in the Academy. This could make your profile better.
When creating your profile, make sure to include photos. If you already volunteered in the past, add photos from those times too.
Finally, you can apply for your dream volunteer position.
Once you’re approved, you’ll get to your destination and start volunteering. In exchange for your help, the host will provide free accommodation.
Depending on the position, you might also get free meals.
Worldpackers connects travelers and hosts – making it easy for everyone to get help or free accommodation.
Worldpackers Advantages And Disadvantages
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Worldpackers?
There are many reasons why people choose to use Worldpackers. In this section, we’ll discuss some advantages and disadvantages of using this work-exchange platform.
Advantages Of Using Worldpackers
There are many benefits to using Worldpackers. For starters, it’s a great way to see the world on a budget.
Plus, you’ll get to meet new people and have unique experiences that you wouldn’t have otherwise.
You might even learn new skills during your volunteering position.
Some of the other benefits include:
- By volunteering with Worldpackers, you can save money on your accommodation as most hosts will provide you with a place to stay for free.
- With Worldpackers, you can also make a difference in the places you visit. You’ll be able to help out with different projects and give back to the community.
- You can get a membership plan alone or with a friend/partner.
- You can contact any host and confirm as many trips as you like.
- You’ll get the Worldpackers insurance. This means they’ll cover the cost of emergency stays for you to help you out if you need them at any point.
- You can count on Worldpacker’s support before, during, and after your trips.
- Contribute to their community and earn money with Worldpackers programs.
Disadvantages Of Using Worldpackers
When thinking about the cons of using Worldpackers, it was trickier. The thing is that there are more pros to using Worldpackers than cons. However, we did manage to come up with a few:
- Availability: One of the main disadvantages of using Worldpackers is that not all countries are available on the platform. This limits your options if you’re looking to travel to a specific country. That said, if you’re traveling to Central or South America, you’ll have many options. And, if you’re flexible with your destinations, this shouldn’t be a problem.
- Fees: Another disadvantage of using Worldpackers is that there is a small fee to sign up for their platform. The good news is that you can get a $10 discount with my promo code. That said, all work-exchange platforms have a membership fee.
- Worldpackers Is Not For Long-Term Stays: Worldpackers is designed more for shorter-term stays (a few weeks or months). If you’re looking for a long-term stay (several months to a year), you might want to look into other options or combine volunteer placements.
Who Is Worldpackers For
Worldpackers is for anyone who wants to travel the world and have unique experiences without spending much money.
It’s perfect for students, digital nomads, backpackers, or anyone else who wants to see as much of the world as possible.
If you’re interested in finding volunteer opportunities and are willing to help out in exchange for free accommodation, Worldpackers is definitely for you.
Worldpackers might not be a good option for you if you want to enjoy your holidays without work.
For example, if you have two weeks of holidays and you’d rather spend them on the beach, Worldpackers won’t suit your needs. You’ll still need to work to get free accommodation and meals.
What Is The Worldpackers Insurance
The Worldpackers insurance is for travelers who have had to interrupt their experience to find a new host to volunteer with.
For example, if there was a problem with the host, you could stop your volunteering placement and get help from Worldpackers to find a new position.
They can also refund up to three nights in a shared room at a hostel if necessary.
For members who purchase the Worldpackers Pack plan, Worldpackers insurance reimburses up to 7 nights of accommodation. Keep reading to learn more about the plans available.
Worldpackers Destinations
Wondering where you can go with Worldpackers? You’ll find work-exchange opportunities pretty much everywhere: Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas.
You’ll be pleased to know that most projects are available in Central and South America, so if you’re planning on going there, you’ll have many options.
We suggest you browse the work-exchange positions on Worldpackers to see if your dream destination has some exciting projects you could apply for.
How To Find A Host On Worldpackers
To find a host on Worldpackers, click on Volunteer Opportunities.
You can either select a destination, or you can select a type of experience.
On Worldpackers, you’ll find work-exchange positions everywhere in the world.
You’ll also find different types of experiences:
- Hostel
- Homestay
- Camping
- Guesthouse
- Holistic center
- Surf camp
- NGO
- School
- Eco village
- Farm
- Etc.
Find volunteer positions that interest you and verify their requirements. If you think it’s a good fit, send the host a message and tell them why you’d love to get the opportunity. You can also ask your questions.
When confirming your volunteering position, be sure you have the documents needed (for example, do you need a visa? If so, head to iVisa and apply for it.) Purchase your flights and travel insurance.
To find a host faster, you can select filters like:
- Higher chance of approval: hosts who recently approved volunteers and are still seeking volunteers.
- Top hosts: hosts that have good ratings.
What To Look For When Choosing A Host On Worldpackers
Here are some factors to consider when choosing a host on Worldpackers:
- The type of work you want to do: what’s the volunteering position about? Does it fit your skillset?
- The country/destination: is it a place you want to visit? Do you feel safe there?
- The dates: does it fit your schedule?
- Requirements: do you meet the requirements? For example, some hosts might require you to have a driver’s license or be a native English speaker.
- Read reviews: what other travelers are saying about the host?
Once you’ve considered all of these factors, you can narrow down your options and decide on the best host for you.
Worldpackers Membership Price
Wondering how much is Worldpackers?
There are various types of memberships available on Worldpackers.
Let’s take a look at them one by one and explore the main differences.
Worldpackers Plans To Travel Solo
- Solo Trips
- Solo Pack
The Solo Trips Plan allows you to apply to volunteer positions all over the world. You’ll get support and Worldpackers Insurance for 3 nights. The only thing not included is access to the Academy content.
Cost: $49/year or $39 if you use my link and apply my discount code ABROKENBACKPACK.
The Solo Pack Plan allows you to apply to volunteer positions all over the world. You’ll get support and Worldpackers Insurance for 7 nights. You’ll get access to exclusive Academy content.
Cost: $99/year or $89 if you use my link and apply my discount code ABROKENBACKPACK.
Worldpackers Plans For Couples/Friends
- Couples / Friends
- Couples / Friends Pack
The Couples / Friends Plan allows you to apply to volunteer positions that accept couples or friends worldwide. You’ll get support and Worldpackers Insurance for 3 nights. Note that with this plan, it’s not possible to travel solo.
Cost: $59/year or $49 if you use my link and apply my discount code ABROKENBACKPACK.
The Couples / Friends Pack Plan allows you to apply to volunteer positions that accept couples or friends worldwide. You’ll get support and Worldpackers Insurance for 7 nights. You’ll get access to exclusive Academy content. Note that with this plan, it’s not possible to travel solo.
Cost: $119/year or $109 if you use my link and apply my discount code ABROKENBACKPACK.
Worldpackers Epic Trips
Worldpackers recently launched a new option called Epic Trips. In short, you could join a group volunteer experience from outstanding hosts.
Here are a few examples of epic trips:
- Turtle conservation and education in Bali
- Teach English in off-the-beaten-path Thailand
- Sustainable living in an Italian permaculture ecovillage
Worldpackers Discount Code And How To Use It
If you’re interested in signing up for Worldpackers, I have a special discount code that will give you 10$ off your membership. Just use my link and enter the code ABROKENBACKPACK at checkout.
Here’s how to use the Worldpackers discount code:
- First, sign up for Worldpackers using my link.
- Next, choose your membership plan.
- At checkout, apply the code ABROKENBACKPACK.
And that’s it! You should see the 10$ discount applied to your membership.
How To Get The Most Out Of Worldpackers
Here are some tips to get the most out of Worldpackers and make the most of your experience when volunteering abroad:
- Create a great profile: add a photo, write a compelling bio, and list your skills.
- Apply to positions that interest you: don’t just apply to anything; take your time to find a good match.
- Complete your profile with Academy certificates: the more you know, the better prepared you’ll be for your trip.
- Be proactive: reach out to hosts, ask questions, and express your interest in the position.
- Don’t forget your documents: make sure you have everything you need before confirming your trip.
- Purchase your travel insurance: this is a must when volunteering abroad.
- Check the reviews: before confirming a trip, make sure to read the reviews from other travelers.
My Experience Volunteering For Free Accommodation
During my twenties, I went on long backpacking trips without much money. Worldpackers didn’t exist back then, but I did several work-exchange experiences on farms, hostels, and more.
While most of my volunteering experiences were positive, some were not that great.
Overall, I still keep happy memories from my time volunteering abroad. You can read some of the stories inside my guide to volunteering abroad in exchange for free accommodation.
HINT! My favorite experiences were the ones where I volunteered in hostels. I had the chance to meet lots of travelers and made a lot of friends.
If a hostel job is more appealing to you, you’ll find plenty of hostel volunteer opportunities on Worldpackers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Worldpackers
This section will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the Worldpackers work-exchange website.
Which Is Better – Worldpackers Or Workaway?
In our opinion, Worldpackers is better because it provides insurance in case you need it.
Obviously, we hope you won’t need to use it, but it’s better to feel safe by opting for a platform that helps travelers in case of an emergency.
You can read our complete comparison guide: Worldpackers vs Workaway to learn more and explore the main differences between the two.
Is Worldpackers Legit?
Yes, Worldpackers is a legitimate company that has been featured in many major publications.
Not only is Worldpackers a legit company, but it’s also one of the best work-exchange websites out there.
As of 2023, there are over 140,000 experiences completed.
The average review of hosts is at 4/5, which is great.
Is Worldpackers Free?
No, Worldpackers is not free. There is a membership fee that allows you to access all the features of the platform.
For example, you’ll need to pay for a membership to apply for volunteer positions.
However, if you wish to browse the work-exchange positions first, you can take a look for free.
Is Worldpackers Worth It?
Yes, we believe that Worldpackers is worth it!
The membership fee is very affordable, and you can access many great features, such as the Worldpackers insurance, the Academy, and support.
If you’re looking for a work-exchange platform, we definitely recommend Worldpackers!
Is Worldpackers Safe?
Yes, Worldpackers is a safe work exchange platform.
The company has been around for many years and has helped thousands of travelers find volunteer opportunities abroad.
In addition, Worldpackers offers insurance in case you need it while volunteering. This is something unique that is not offered by other work-exchange platforms.
Do I Need A Visa To Volunteer Abroad?
This answer will vary depending on your nationality and the country in which you wish to volunteer.
We recommend doing research on this topic before applying for any positions.
On Worldpackers’ website, you’ll see that the traveler is responsible for documents or travel logistics. That being said, you can take a look at iVisa to find out if you need a visa.
Usually, if the volunteer position is short, a tourist visa should be good enough – but it could also depend on what you’re going to tell the customs agent when entering the country…
Can I Volunteer Abroad Without Speaking The Local Language?
Yes, you can volunteer abroad without speaking the local language. However, it will be easier to find a position if you have at least some basic knowledge of the language.
That said, you’ll find that most hosts speak either English, Portuguese, or Spanish. At the moment, Worldpackers offers its websites in these three languages.
Can I Volunteer Abroad If I’m Not A Student?
Yes, you can volunteer abroad even if you’re not a student. There are many work-exchange opportunities available for all types of travelers.
To sum up, whether you’re a student or not, Worldpackers is a great platform to help you find volunteer opportunities abroad.
What Is The Minimum Age?
Worldpackers allow trip confirmations to people who are 18 or older. You won’t be able to find volunteer positions if you’re not 18 years old.
What If Something Goes Wrong During My Work-Exchange Placement?
If a host doesn’t respect what you agreed to previously or if there’s another problem that is the fault of the host alone, you can use the Worldpackers insurance.
This insurance means they will help you find a new host to continue your trip and, if necessary, reimburse you for up to 3 nights or 7 nights (if you have the Solo Pack Plan).
Final Thoughts On Worldpackers
Overall, Worldpackers is a great platform that connects travelers with hosts all over the world. The website is safe to use, and the company has been around for many years.
In addition, Worldpackers offers insurance in case you need it while volunteering.
If you’re traveling on a budget, Worldpackers is a great option to consider!
You can find volunteer positions in many countries, and the membership fee is very affordable.
This means you could travel longer and further – without breaking the bank or having to head back home early.
If you’re looking for a work exchange platform, we recommend Worldpackers!
Traveling on a budget? Read one of the following guides:
