Everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to finding affordable accommodations while traveling, and the length of your trip can have a big impact on which options make sense. Someone traveling for a week may have very different priorities than someone traveling for three or six months.
Traveling doesn’t have to be expensive. With some flexibility, planning, and creativity, you can significantly reduce the cost of accommodations and stretch your travel budget further. The following options offer different ways to find affordable or even free places to stay, depending on your travel style, budget, and length of stay.
CoLiving
An international coliving opportunity offers a unique way to live, work, and connect with people from around the world. Rather than simply renting a room, coliving typically combines shared living spaces with a built-in community, and many locations also offer dedicated coworking spaces for remote work or entrepreneurship.
By staying in a coliving space abroad, someone can experience a more social and immersive way to travel. They may share meals, attend community events, work alongside other residents, explore the local area together, and build friendships or professional connections.
Visit the directory of international coliving spaces.
Work Exchange
- Workaway is a global cultural exchange platform that connects travelers with hosts who need help with a variety of projects. In exchange for a few hours of help each day, travelers typically receive free accommodation and sometimes meals. Opportunities range from helping families and farms to working with hostels, animals, community projects, and eco-focused initiatives. It can be a great way to reduce travel expenses while gaining a more immersive experience of local life.
- Worldpackers is a global work-exchange platform that connects travelers with hosts who offer accommodation in exchange for help with various projects. Opportunities include working at hostels, guesthouses, farms, eco-projects, NGOs, and family homes. Travelers typically contribute a set number of hours in exchange for a place to stay, making it a way to reduce accommodation costs while meeting locals and experiencing a destination more deeply.
- HelpX is an international work-exchange network that connects travelers with hosts who need help with a variety of tasks. In exchange for a few hours of work, travelers typically receive free accommodation and sometimes meals. Opportunities can include farm work, gardening, home projects, hostel work, childcare, and other hands-on activities. It’s a way to reduce travel expenses while meeting locals and experiencing everyday life in different parts of the world.
- HelpStay is a global work-exchange platform that connects travelers with hosts who offer accommodation in exchange for help with a variety of projects. Opportunities include farms, homesteads, hostels, eco-projects, retreats, and community initiatives. Travelers generally exchange a few hours of help each day for a place to stay and, depending on the host, meals. It can be a great way to reduce accommodation costs while gaining hands-on experience and connecting with local communities.
- Volunteers Base is a global platform that connects travelers with hosts and volunteer projects where they can exchange their time and skills for accommodation and, in some cases, food. Opportunities can include farming, gardening, construction, animal care, hospitality, and community projects. It offers travelers a way to keep accommodation costs low while contributing to local projects and experiencing life in a new place.
Summary of Work Exchanges:
| Work Exchange | Cost | Membership Period | General Exchange |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workaway | $69 | 1 year | A few hours of help in exchange for accommodation and often food |
| Worldpackers | $59 | 1 year | Volunteer work in exchange for accommodation and other benefits |
| HelpX | €20 | 2 years | Help with various projects in exchange for accommodation and often food |
| HelpStay | €53 | 1 year | Help with projects in exchange for accommodation; some hosts provide meals |
| Volunteers Base | Free | No membership fee | Volunteer your time and skills in exchange for accommodation |
Prices are headline rates for individual travelers and were checked in September 2026. Workaway and Worldpackers offer additional membership plans and pricing for couples/friends. HelpX has a free membership, but the €20 Premier membership provides access to all host details and allows helpers to contact hosts directly. HelpStay’s price is its annual membership rate; some individual hosts charge additional fees. Volunteers Base does not charge volunteers an annual subscription. Exchange arrangements—including hours, meals, accommodation, and duties—vary by host. Prices and terms may change.
Farm & Sustainable Living
- WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) connects travelers with organic farmers and sustainable-living projects around the world. Volunteers exchange their time and help on farms in return for accommodation, and often meals and the opportunity to learn about organic farming and sustainable practices. It’s a great option for travelers looking to experience rural life and connect with local communities while keeping accommodation costs low.
Accommodation-for-Care
- Trusted HouseSitters is a membership-based platform that connects travelers with homeowners who need someone to care for their pets and home while they are away. In exchange for providing pet and home care, sitters receive a place to stay, with no money exchanged between the sitter and homeowner. It can be a great way to reduce accommodation costs while experiencing destinations more like a local.
I’ve been on both sides of the TrustedHousesitters equation—I’ve had people watch my dog while I traveled, and I’ve also traveled to care for other people’s pets. I’ve consistently had great experiences with the platform and highly recommend it as a wonderful way to see the world while saving money on accommodations. Receive 25% OFF TRUSTED HOUSESITTERS MEMBERSHIP as a gift from me!
- Au pair programs connect young people from around the world with host families who need help with childcare and light household duties. In exchange for their time and responsibilities, au pairs typically receive a private room, meals, and a weekly allowance or stipend. Placements can range from a few months to a year or longer, depending on the program and country. For travelers, au pairing can provide an affordable way to live abroad while experiencing everyday life with a local family.
Work-for-Pay + Accommodation
- Anywork Anywhere is a job placement platform that helps travelers find seasonal and overseas employment around the world. Jobs are available in areas such as hospitality, tourism, resorts, camps, and seasonal work, with some positions offering accommodation as part of the package. Unlike traditional work-exchange programs, these opportunities are generally paid jobs, making them an option for travelers who want to earn money while living and working abroad.
- VegaJobs is a job platform focused on seasonal and temporary employment opportunities, particularly in hospitality, tourism, resorts, and other travel-related industries. It can connect travelers and seasonal workers with employers offering short-term positions, sometimes with accommodation included or available. This makes it useful for people looking to work and earn money while spending a season in a new destination.
- Occupation Wild is a resource for finding seasonal and adventure-focused jobs, particularly for people who want to work in outdoor and travel-oriented environments. Opportunities can include jobs at camps, lodges, ranches, resorts, and outdoor recreation businesses. It’s geared toward people who want to combine temporary employment with exploring new destinations and experiencing an outdoor lifestyle.
Seasonal Employment (accommodation not typically included)
- CoolWorks is a job-search website specializing in seasonal employment at national parks, resorts, summer camps, ranches, lodges, and other outdoor and hospitality destinations. It connects job seekers with employers looking for temporary workers, often in scenic or tourism-focused locations. Some positions include or offer access to employee housing, making CoolWorks a useful resource for travelers who want to work, earn money, and live in a new destination for a season.
- Season Workers is a job platform that connects people with seasonal employment opportunities, particularly in the hospitality, tourism, ski, and resort industries. It features temporary positions in destinations around the world and can be useful for travelers looking to work for a season while experiencing a new location. Some employers may also provide or assist with accommodation.
Budget Hostels & Shared Accommodation
| Platform | What it offers | Best suited for |
|---|
| Hostelworld | Hostels, dorm beds, and private rooms | Backpackers and solo travelers |
| Booking.com | Hotels, hostels, guesthouses, apartments, and more | All types of travelers |
| Hostelz.com | Compares hostel prices across multiple booking sites | Budget-conscious travelers |
| Hostelbookers | Budget hostels and accommodations | Budget travelers |
| Agoda | Hotels, hostels, guesthouses, and apartments | Budget and international travelers |
| Couchsurfing | Stay with local hosts, traditionally free | Travelers seeking cultural exchange |
| BeWelcome | Hospitality exchange connecting travelers with local hosts | Travelers interested in local connections |
| Servas International | Hospitality exchange with hosts around the world | Cultural exchange and longer-term travel |
My Stories
Stay tuned to hear more about my experiences with coliving, hostels, HelpX, TrustedHousesitters, and more.
