The Best Sites to Work, Volunteer & Live Abroad
Work exchanges trade a few hours of help a day for free food and lodging, house-sitting swaps pet care for a free place to stay, and remote job boards let you earn while you travel. They are the classic ways to travel longer on less.
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8TrustedHousesitters trustedhousesitters.comVisitFree stays in exchange for looking after pets and homes.
How can I travel for free by volunteering?
Work exchanges trade a few hours of help a day for free accommodation and often meals. Workaway and Worldpackers list thousands of opportunities in hostels, eco-projects, farms, schools and family homes in almost every country, and HelpX offers similar exchanges. WWOOF focuses specifically on volunteering on organic farms. These exchanges cut costs dramatically and give you a much deeper experience of local life.
What is house sitting?
House sitting lets you stay in someone's home for free while they're away, usually in exchange for caring for their pets. TrustedHousesitters is the largest platform, with sits in cities and countryside homes worldwide. Members pay an annual fee, build reviews from successful sits, and can travel for weeks or months with no accommodation costs.
How can I work remotely while travelling?
Remote job boards such as We Work Remotely and Remote OK list full-time and freelance jobs you can do from anywhere, and Upwork is the biggest marketplace for freelance projects. Check the tax and visa rules for working from another country: many now offer digital nomad visas for remote workers.
How do I teach or study abroad?
Teaching English is one of the most popular ways to live abroad, especially in Asia and the Middle East, and Teach Away lists teaching jobs and TEFL courses. Go Overseas reviews programs for teaching, volunteering, internships and study abroad, so you can compare options and read past participants' experiences.
Tips for working and volunteering abroad
- Read reviews of hosts and programs carefully.
- Agree hours and duties in writing before you arrive.
- Check whether your visa allows volunteering or work.
- Avoid paid "voluntourism" programs that don't benefit local communities.