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Because it is very good to find places to volunteer in a safe way, being able to see the comments of other volunteers and speak with them.

Netherlands

I like the way it gives you the chance to not only visit another country but to feel like you are immersed there, living there, and have a family there.

It is a practical and safe app. In my experience, I have met many solo female volunteers who travel with the app, and most of us think that it is an excellent tool for safe travel.

I believe that living the experience as a packer is something very rewarding and unprecedented. I certainly have a lot of good things to share with my friends and tell them about the experiences I have using this platform.

Yiyi and Marcos

I believe that Worldpackers helps you live experiences wherever you are in the world, accompanies you and guides you. I always recommend it to my traveling friends, and I talk to my family about this app. Very useful.

It is an excellent platform! Volunteering is a unique experience that every person should live at some point in their life.

This agency allows for an incredible exchange between travelers and hosts where they both get something. In my case, as a traveler, I get unique experiences, new people in my life, personal development, and more.

In my opinion, the best way to learn about ourselves and also about the world is through traveling. When combined with volunteering, it allows you to get an even deeper sense of the chosen place and experience the local way of life. It's also nice to be able to give something back in exchange for the amazing memories you make on the journey.

This was my first-ever Worldpacker experience. This is a great platform for the creative, young, budget, and aspiring travelers. I hope Worldpacker provides the great opportunities as well as provides the continuous support to maintain the quality of this excellent idea.

The support team is very responsive and provides assistance. The hosts are trustworthy, and there are so many options.

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Best Work Exchange Site for Travelers

So you want to travel the world?

Maybe funds are a little tight. Maybe you want to travel long term and are looking for ways to cut a few costs . Maybe you have some skills you can gain from. Maybe you want to learn something new and interesting. Maybe you are looking for an experience of a lifetime.  Are you familiar with the concept of working for board? If not, prepare to have your mind blown .

Work Exchange

Work for board is pretty simple. you work, and in return for your work are given a free place to sleep, and depending on the particular gig, you could be offered free food as well..

So this isn’t technically a job. And this isn’t technically a volunteer gig. It’s in a gray area in between.

In essence, finding work that pays money while traveling can range anywhere from easy to difficult . But finding work that pays in free lodging and food (ie work exchange programs) can be found all over the world, and very easily . Work exchange programs are a very popular concept, and there are hundreds of thousands of opportunities spanning the entire globe that will give you the chance to save some dough and have a really cool experience.

MatadorNetwork contributor Rebecca Bellan said that while work-exchanging in Ecuador “(she) saved an average of $300 , which (she) spent on kite surfing lessons, and got to feast on breakfast burritos and stuffed french toast every morning.” Not a bad life.

What type of work are you expected to do? It’s a long and diverse list. Farms, ranches, odd jobs, handyman jobs, hostels, B&B’s, language instructors, and so much more. These gigs provide clear expectations from their volunteers, ranging from work hours per day/week, job requirements, food options, and everything else.

Most of the time, you will be asked for around 20-30 hours of work a week . Sometimes the host will provide a private room, sometimes travelers prefer to pitch a tent, or sometimes (like my time working in Portugal) the host will provide a bed in a dormitory, sometimes with other workers.

The work will obviously vary, in description, expectations, and level of difficulty. Definitely look to challenge yourself, but don’t do anything you are uncomfortable with or physically incapable of doing . You can find a work exchange program you are comfortable with on basically every country on the planet . Diversity of work options and availability over the entire globe is what makes work for exchange programs so valuable to modern travelers.

It’s a great system because it’s a win win. The host wins because they are getting labor, at the cost of providing lodging and food. It’s much cheaper , and many small organizations have come to depend on this sort of voluntary exchange. The volunteer obviously wins because they are getting food and a bed, fo free!

Below listed are a vast amount of websites and networking opportunities, all aimed to help you cut the cost of travel. Each site provides different job possibilities and overall routes to find work for exchange. The big three are WWOOF , Helpx and WorkAway . I recommend them the most for two reasons.

But which one is the best work exchange site? That completely depends on what you are looking for…

1) WWOOF (check out our Ultimate WWOOFing Guide ) 

WWOOF has been around since 1971, and if you are looking exclusively for farm work, is absolutely your best bet . WWOOF is an acronym for Willing Workers on Organic Farms, and provides a concise median for aspiring volunteers to meet with potential hosts. The farms have to be organic, and the volunteers have to be ready to work. They are an international travelers dream, with farms registered all over the globe, in 103 countries . I personally WWOOFed for 2+ months in South Portugal, and I consistently cite it as one of the greatest, and most rewarding experiences of my life.

It’ a really nice website.

Talk about options!

Membership Fee – Depends on country, but usually $15-$40 USD for a year

Pros – Largest online directory of farms seeking volunteers, all organic, fulfilling work, outside, immersion in culture, free meals.

Cons – Farm work can possibly be challenging or difficult (but that’s also half the fun!), membership fee unfortunately is per country

This is a big one. Launched in 2001, Helpx has become one of the most popular ways that travelers obtain free accommodation. Similar to WWOOF, Helpx has an enormous amount of farming work exchange options, but they then take it a step further. Hostel work, homestays, B&B’s, even sailing work is offered on this site, spread over the entire planet. When compared to the other “big three” a lot of people do prefer Helpx, claiming it consistently has the most current postings and the quickest response rates.

Another nice site.

Above is an example of an ad on Helpx. The family is looking for someone to watch their kids and teach them a new language for a few hours a day , and in return are rewarded with free food and free accommodation . This is an awesome opportunity if you want to spend some time in France, and it was the first ad to come up ! If you go through the site, you will see there are an enormous amount of similar opportunities. It’s all there for the picking! Just notice at the top left… there are 1,514 different hosts in France alone!

I also took the liberty to investigate this mysterious town of Aubusson…

Yup. Count me in. And obviously that was just one example. Hundreds more opportunities exist.

Membership Free – $27 for two years

Pros – Larger variety of kinds of work, one database for all types of gigs, cool maps application lets you see exactly where host is

Cons – As long as you clearly communicate with hosts, none

3) WorkAway

Same as Helpx, WorkAway is an enormous online median between volunteers and hosts. It too provides potential work exchange possibilities all over the world, in hundreds of countries. WorkAway is one of the newer kids on the block but has really improved it’s popularity by having a neat format, and adding cool applications (see pros below).

Above is an example of some of the hosts in the Europe section of the site. Work varies from English teaching, to hostel work, to farms and so much more.

Membership fee – $30 USD for 2 years.

Pros – Diverse array of types of jobs, “meet up” option to meet other travelers, can “favorite” hosts, hosts can search for you based on skills and location

Cons – The usual, do your research, make sure the expectations are clear, to avoid any miscommunications. If so, no cons.

First off, if you are interested in work exchange programs, good for you! It’s an incredible opportunity to really experience something interesting and new, which is what travel is all about, isn’t it? I would probably recommend considering exactly what it is you want . If you are certain you want to work with your hands outside and work exclusively on farms, I’d say WWOOF is definitely the way to go, and then research each country based on your individual traveling preference.

If you are open to different types of work, the choice between which Helpx or WorkAway will depend on where you are interested in traveling and the work you are interested in doing. What kind of work? Scrolling through the hosts you will see a variety of options, but some are much more recurring than others…

Typical types of work

Hostel Work

Language Teaching

House Sitting

Baby Sitting

Handy Man Work

Artistic Work (Painting, drawing, etc)

Eco Tourism Hotels

The two sites offer the same kind of work and basically provide the same service, one may just provide more opportunities in different areas of the world than the other. Let’s evaluate.

If you are interested in Europe , it’s a pretty close tie. At the time of writing, this is the largest number of hosts in each country per site….

• HelpX Europe – France 1,500, Spain, 850, Ireland 650, England 590, Italy 500, Portugal 350, Germany 230, Scotland 220
• Workaway Europe – France 1300, Spain 1,100, Italy 750, United Kingdom 570, Ireland 450, Germany 350, Portugal 300

It’s a pretty close race. Like neck and neck. Winner? Flip a coin.

• HelpX Oceania – Australia 4,300, New Zealand 2,300
• Workaway Oceania – Australia 578, New Zealand 300

This is one category of the world where HelpX shows it’s utter dominance. When it comes to Work Exchange opportunities in Oceania, HelpX is Lebron James, and Workaway is just a normal human being. Winner? Lebron James.

• HelpX South America – 324
• Workaway South America – 621

Although an incredible amount of opportunities exist, Work Exchange programs are nowhere near as popular outside of Europe and Oceania. But, it’s obvious, Workaway wins in South America. Winner? El Workaway.

• HelpX Asia – 680
• Workaway Asia – 610

Yet again, basically the same thing. I would recommend checking out particular countries of interest. Check em both our for free, scan the sites, consider the options, then pay for whichever one best benefits your wants and needs. Winner? Both.

• HelpX North America – Canada 990, USA 490
• Workaway North America – USA 660, Canada 590

Pretty close with the USA, and a significant lead for HelpX in Canada. Winner? HelpX

Ok, so overall it’s pretty evenly matched. Both sites have their potential, outdoing each other in different parts of the planet. Personally if I had to choose one, I give the slightest edge to Helpx . I like it’s website, program, and reputation just the teensiest, tiniest more than Workaway… But I vow to you, they are both incredible resources, neither of which you can go wrong with. The best thing to do is browse the sites for free, look at the options, and then when you feel confident in a particular country or host, put up the dough and get traveling!

Other Programs

There are a lot of websites marketing similar types of work exchange options. I don’t really know much about them, but some seem pretty legit so I figured I’d share them.

www.backdoorjobs.com

www.idealist.org

housecareers.com

workandwine.com

There are a lot of ways to find work-for-accommodation, but I specifically recommend the “Big Three”. WWOOF is unique to itself, and HELPx and WorkAway provide similarly great services.

These three are the best work exchange site, and which you choose will depend on what exactly you want.

A lot of travelers, will pay for memberships for both Helpx and WanderAway, to properly equip and prepare themselves for low cost international travel. Then, if I am considering WWOOFing in a particular area,  get a membership for the necessary country.

Consider the membership fee a small investment, one that maintains the site and keeps you from being kidnapped. The investment will pay for itself on the first day of the first job. My two months doing a work-exchange on a farm in Portugal were some of the best of my life . Take the dive.

Any experience with these programs? Gotta favorite? Bad experience? Let’s hear it!

Written by aaron radcliffe, you may also like....

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“Kickstart your career or travel?” DO BOTH

How it works, book up work with hosts needing your skills, work till experience leads to paid placements, get a job with wt references back home, work and travel the world using your skills to gain valuable work experience & references for a good job when you go back home.

Travellers – learn to earn your way around the world

Working Traveller specialises in helping you gain work references in your chosen skills as you work and travel around the world. If you are a seasoned pro or just starting out, add  Skills to your profile that you have or want to learn.  Become a full member – it’s €10.00 a year and contact 100s of hosts directly that need your skills at the time you will be travelling to their country. Have work booked up before you leave and save on hostels by  becoming a Working Traveller .

Build references through work placements

You have heard it many times. Employers want to hire people with work experience. All those years of getting your degree seem to suddenly count for nothing. How do you get the work experience if no one will give you a job?  References from your Working Traveller work placements will show future employers you have the work ethic, or even better, the skills they need. Your references show how you use your skills: how punctual you are: if you have a good work ethic and if you can make decisions. If you take a picture with your host doing the WT hand sign, it 100% proves you were there.  To find work placements from hosts that need your skills, check the work search section.

Be smarter than the herd – plan ahead

I hear you say ” I have no idea where I will be travelling to next – so how can I book work 3 months in advance?” That’s fine, you can apply for last-minute cleaning and harvest work and some times hosts will need even skilled people at short notice. If getting references on your profile for your chosen skills is more important than getting that selfy at Machu Picchu – then it pays to have your availability literally mapped out on your profile. Hosts who are organised plan ahead searching the WT database months in advance to see when the skills they need are coming to their country. Be organised, be a Working Traveller and make your trip a meaningful experience.

Hosts – looking for motivated volunteers and professionals?

Need experienced hospitality professionals for the up and coming high season? Help with your social media, solar power or surfing school?  Thought of having a mural painted on that ugly wall?  Working Traveller is not about finding you just people to help with the harvest or cleaning. Look at the 100s of skills travellers have added to their profiles that you can invite to come and work for you once you have set up your profile.

The skills you need – when you need them

Working Traveller matches the skills you need with the travellers who have them and are on their way to your country when you need them. It’s 100% free to post your work needs and always will be if you are a host. All we ask in return is you leave a reference for every traveller that comes to stay with you. To find out more, see the hosts section. Start posting your work needs today and within 24 hours they will be seen by potentiality 100,000+ travellers. It’s free to advertise and to build up your references. Sign up now   and start to fill your skilled volunteer and paid needs today.

Agree what they will do/what you provide – before they arrive

Working Traveller is not like other volunteer sites that offer one package fits all – 5 hours a day for 3 meals and a bed. A skilled carpenter working 10 hours a day will not work for the same as someone who does a few hours of apple collecting a day. With every work placement you arrange on the Working Traveller site, you agree whatever you want with each traveller on the site so you have a record, before they arrive.  You then have them all sitting around your table for dinner in the evening, all happy with their individual agreement made with you.

2 min “How it works” video

Feedback from around the world

Where in the world is it best to Work & Travel?

Visit the ‘Work and Travel Country Guides’ to find out about work and volunteer visas and what kind of work you will find in the places you want to travel to. We have a long way to go with the wiki, but there are 100s of updates from travellers and hosts from all corners of the world. So do your bit and add in what you know once you have signed up and logged in.

Whats the visa situation for volunteer work in America? Is it easy? Can you you get paid for short term work?

What time of the year is best for work and travel in Greenland? What industries need extra help? Fishing and tourism? Can you volunteer on a tourist visa in Greenland?

What the deal with the Australian volunteer visa going from two years down to one ? What other kinds of work other than sheep farming can I find in Australia?

Bolivia wages - are the really low? It's one of the most traveled South American countries for backpackers so - is Hostel the thing here?

What the season for backpacker jobs in Vietnam? Is their volunteering opportunities? Visas? Whats the deal? And are they OK with Westerners working there?

Is there yoga opportunities in Goa? Can I get work with the camel herders in Rajastain? Does the Indian six month business visa let you work and travel there?

You wont get work as a vampire stand in - but what about helping out with the harvest or working in a hostel? Do they need foreigners? Or do they have it all covered?

Can you get work if you don't speak Russian? Do they need English speaking reps for tourist work? Whats the season in Russia for backpacker work?

Is the tourist industry back up and running in Egypt? Do they need foreigner helpers there? What about archaeological digs and NGO work?

Volunteer work in Thailand - is it easy to find? The one month visa laws have changed. How will that affect me getting work in Thailand?

Volunteering in the Congo - great idea or... need my head testing? Is it possible? Is it safe? Does any one do it? Visas - is it in the too hard to do basket?

How easy is it to find work in the vineyards in Georgia? Do they have a tourism season there? Are they used to using foreigner volunteers?

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Work and travel the world using your skills to gain work experience and references for a good job back home

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Work & Travel USA

CIEE Work & Travel USA is the longest-running program of its kind, and there’s a reason why we sponsor more participants than any other organization. Whether you’re a visiting student or an employer, CIEE delivers unmatched support and the best international exchange experiences.

Simple From Start to Finish

Finding a seasonal job, hiring, obtaining a visa, getting ready for the trip, dealing with taxes and paychecks, complying with regulations – a work and travel experience can be complicated. It doesn’t have to be. And with CIEE Work & Travel USA, it isn’t.

Simple Hiring Process

CIEE works with more than 70 of the most reputable international representatives in the world. We make hiring easy through our own overseas job fairs, dedicated recruiters, and virtual hiring services. Each candidate is pre-screened for English skills, a positive attitude, and team spirit. Students are confident they will fit in, and employers are assured of getting productive seasonal team members.

Thorough Preparation

We take the time to make sure every student is ready for his or her cultural exchange experience, months ahead of departure. We walk them through the process with clear instruction and assistance for everything from obtaining a visa to travel advice. There’s also an in-depth online orientation about living and working in the United States.

Constant Communication

CIEE remains in touch with all of the CIEE Work & Travel USA students throughout the program. We offer tips on living in America, reminders about regulations, and great information on how to make the most of their American experience. There is also a CIEE Work & Travel USA community on Facebook where students can connect and share their journey of discovery with the world.

What People are Saying

CIEE WORK & TRAVEL USA IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY to work with American people and learn something new. The journey was incredible! 

Todor K., student from Bulgaria

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Led by the U.S. Department of State in partnership with organizations like CIEE, BridgeUSA brings together the next generation of current and emerging young leaders through unmatched cultural and professional exchange programs.    Learn more about BridgeUSA

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Reviews , Travel Tips , Volunteering , Work Exchange

The best work exchange websites compared plus $10 worldpackers discount.

Work exchange programs are a fantastic way to travel for free by volunteering abroad.  There are several different work exchange websites that help to connect potential volunteers with work exchange and volunteer placements all over the world.  The one you may have already heard of is Workaway, but there are other sites like Workaway which work in a similar way, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.  I’ve brought together the six best work exchange sites to compare so you can choose the best one for you. 

This website contains sponsored and affiliate links. If you click through the links on this page and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support. [Learn more]

We’ll cover Workaway , Worldpackers , HelpX, WWOOF, Hippohelp & Volunteers Base, and you’ll also find a $10 discount code to use on Worldpackers saving you 20% on a year’s membership if you decide to try them out.

The Two Best Work Exchange Websites

Here’s a quick reference of the two top work exchange websites if you don’t have time to read the whole article.  If you want more information about these and the alternatives then keep on reading for more details or use the contents to skip to the section you want and compare all of the best work exchange programs.

Worldpackers

My favourite work exchange site. 

+ Easy to get responses from hosts

+ Excellent customer service

+ Worldpackers insurance if something goes wrong

+ Opportunities to earn money while travelling with Worldpackers Programs

– Not as many placements but the site is growing quickly

$39 USD for a year’s membership with this discount code

Save 20% on Worldpackers Membership

Save $10 on a year's membership with Worldpackers with the discount code TALESOFABACKPACKER   (that's 20% off a Solo Membership).

PLUS If you register with Worldpackers before 31st March 2024 and get an extra month FREE with all Pack and Pack Plus membership plans.

CLAIM YOUR DISCOUNT

The biggest exchange site. 

+ Easy to use site

+ Most amount of placements around the world

– Can be hard to get responses from hosts

– Negative reviews are hidden so you don’t get the full picture

$49 USD for a year’s membership 

What is a Work Exchange?

Before we get into all the details, let’s start with the basics.  What is a work exchange and how does it work?

A work exchange means that people offer their time and skills to do volunteer work in exchange for free accommodation and food or other benefits. 

It is also known as a kind of work and travel programme, a work stay, work trade or voluntourism, although the volunteer placements are often ‘normal’ businesses looking for an extra pair of hands, not necessarily doing charity work as you may imagine in the traditional sense of ‘volunteering’.

As well as trading your work for accommodation, these kinds of placements are also fantastic opportunities for cultural exchange .  As you and your host get to know each other you will learn about each other’s culture, helping you both to understand more about the world we all live in. 

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: How to Travel for Free by Volunteering Abroad

Work exchange sites like Workaway, Worldpackers and others offer a platform for individuals, families, businesses and organisations to advertise for help they need.  Potential volunteers sign up to the websites to search for suitable hosts for volunteer placements in countries all over the world. 

Usually, this kind of work in exchange for room and board is great for travellers and backpackers who look for international placements, but there is no reason why you can’t do it in your own country (although you won’t be paid for it).  So even if you can’t travel abroad right now, you could start exploring your own country then go abroad when travel restrictions are lifted.

Wherever you decide to go, getting free accommodation in exchange for work is a great way to spend less money so you can travel for longer.

What Kind of Work is Available on Work Exchange Sites?

The kind of work exchange opportunities advertised on these sites varies according to the needs of the host.  Some hostels advertise for help on reception or organising events.  Families may advertise for volunteers to help with childcare or language teaching, or a farm may be looking for helpers to plant and harvest crops.

In exchange for working part-time for their hosts, volunteers get free accommodation (sometimes in dorms, private rooms or tents), and usually some meals too.  Volunteers may also get other benefits like free tours or language lessons, as well as a cultural exchange by spending time helping local people with their projects.

The length of time placements last varies from a couple of weeks to several months, depending on the placement, and how long the volunteer wants to stay.  Some have minimum stay requirements, so they don’t have to continually train up new volunteers, others are more flexible, but don’t expect to find many placements for a week or less.

Volunteering for work exchange programmes is actually my preferred way to travel and stay for ‘free’, especially when travelling for a long period of time.  I volunteered with several work exchange programmes when I was backpacking in South America and Mexico, and enjoyed spending time really getting to know the place where I was.

I worked on a hostel reception, helped a travel company with English translations and set up a website for another host.  It really is a win-win situation where you give something tangible back to your hosts, help them in their business, and get some great experience for your CV when you return home, while still saving money – perfect!

If you have more questions about work exchanges and how they work, check out our FAQ section below.

The Top Work Exchange Websites in Depth

Workaway review.

Workaway is the largest and best-known work exchange site.  They have more than 50,000 placements all over the world with hosts who advertise volunteer exchange positions in hostels, on farms, in private homes – pretty much everywhere you can imagine – that travellers can search and apply for.

There is a registration fee, but then every work exchange is free of charge. You can also set up a joint account if you are travelling as a couple, or link two individual accounts if you are travelling together for a limited time.  If you’re travelling with kids you can now also add children under 18 to your single or joint account so you can volunteer as a family.

Membership costs $49 USD per year for an individual account or $59 per year for a joint account for two people travelling together.  If you use this link to sign up, you will also get 3 months extra free .  

The site is easy to use, and you can search for potential work exchange opportunities by location, keyword and by type of placement, such as farmstay, NGO placements or with families.  The hosts will provide accommodation and usually some meals, but check each individual listing for details.  As with all work exchange websites, each listing will provide something different in return for your work.

Reviews are provided for hosts and travellers so you can see what other people thought about their experience.  A lot of Workaway reviews are positive, however, when you come across a negative (1 star) review on Workaway you will find that the details of the review have been removed so you can’t read what the Workawayer (or host) said.

Apparently, Workaway does this to stop “revenge” reviews, where a host who gets a bad review might then leave a bad review for the volunteer in revenge, but I really don’t like how you can’t see the details so you can’t make an informed decision about whether you want to volunteer with that host or not. 

One way that other work exchange sites like Worldpackers get around this is to have a time limit on reviews, and not publish the review until the time limit has passed or until both parties have left a review without seeing what the other said (like Airbnb does).  I think this is a much better option than just hiding the information.

In my personal experience, I have had some good Workaway placements and really enjoyed the experiences but I also had a not-so-good one, where the host was rude to the volunteers and the atmosphere wasn’t great so it really does depend on the placement and whether it is a good match for you.  Of course, I wouldn’t expect everything to be perfect all the time but try to read between the lines of the reviews you can see as people tend to be nicer than they perhaps should be!

One issue I have had myself is not getting a response from potential Workaway hosts who never reply to messages.  I always send personal messages, with details of past experience (which is quite substantial for hostel placements), but when hosts don’t even bother to say “thanks but no thanks” it is very frustrating!  I think perhaps because Workaway is so big and has so many members, some of the more popular hosts may get bombarded with requests from volunteers.

Although the site is very professional and there are a lot of placements, I’ve also heard that people had trouble getting to speak to their support team if something goes wrong despite the website saying that paid members get access to 24/7 support.  I haven’t needed to contact support myself so I’m not sure how the experience is lately.

Cost: $49 USD per year – PLUS 3 months extra free when you use this link to sign up

Pros: Well established, with the most hosts to choose from all over the world.  Good for families.

Cons:  Negative reviews are hidden.  Can be hard to get a response from hosts, not great support.  While it is a popular site, there are other Workaway alternatives that could be better for you.

READ MORE: Worldpackers vs Workaway – Which is the best Work Exchange Site?

Sites Like Workaway:

As I said, there are various other websites like Workaway which work in a very similar way.  They all have their own pros and cons, so take a look and see which is the best work exchange website for you.

• Worldpackers Review

Worldpackers is my personal favourite work exchange website.  I used to use Workaway but have now switched and always go to Worldpackers when I’m looking for work in exchange for room and board while I’m travelling.  

Similar to Workaway, Worldpackers is free to join so you can browse for potential placements before you sign up to become a paid member.  Worldpackers started in South America, so they have a lot of opportunities there and have rapidly expanded the number of placements available in the rest of the world, with a network of over 1.5 million hosts and volunteers worldwide. 

There is a wide range of volunteer opportunities available with hostels, campsites, NGOs, social projects, farms, ecovillages, restaurants, and small businesses, families, again – you name it, they’ve got it.  To contact hosts and apply for placements you need to pay the membership fee and become a verified member.

Worldpackers membership fees are the same as Workaway at $49 USD for a year’s solo membership, ( GET A $10 DISCOUNT HERE ), they have an easy to use website and app and provide high-level customer support.  Worldpackers is very focused on safety and security, verifying each host before they are accepted on the platform. 

Worldpackers offer 24/7 support to volunteers and hosts, and there is a phone number and email address on the website to get in touch, as well as through their app.  They also offer their “ Worldpackers Insurance ” which covers the cost of a hostel for 3 nights if you need to leave your placement due to problems with the host. 

With this and the screening process, Worldpackers are proud of the fact that a lot of their volunteers are solo female travellers – 59% apparently – so that is good peace of mind for us ladies!

All Tales of a Backpacker readers can get a $10 discount saving you 20% , which means you only need to pay $39 USD for a full year’s verified membership.  Once you are a verified member you can apply to and message all the hosts on Worldpackers and volunteer all over the world without paying for accommodation.

As well as saving you money, Worldpackers also offer the chance to earn money as you travel through their Worldpackers Programs .  Once you’ve taken part in some exchanges, you can refer other travellers or new hosts to join and earn a commission, or get paid to produce blog or video content for Worldpackers.  I haven’t seen any other work exchange program be this generous!

If you’d like more information about how Worldpackers works, read my personal Worldpackers review here :

Cost: $49 USD for 1 year or $39 USD with this discount code 

          $59 USD for 1 year for a couple/joint membership or $49 USD with this discount code 

Pros: Good range of opportunities.  Excellent support for volunteers.  Chance to earn money while you travel with Worldpackers Programs

Cons: Not as many placements as Workaway but the site is growing quickly

ACTIVATE YOUR DISCOUNT CODE

Workaway vs Worldpackers  

Workaway and Worldpackers are in my opinion the two best work exchange sites, but for me, Worldpackers just tips the scales for the excellent value of membership (with the discount), their level of support and added extras in their community like the Worldpacker Programs and Worldpacker Academy.

I also prefer how Worldpackers deals with reviews, without hiding any negative reviews and making sure all reviews are genuine, whereas on Workaway you could potentially leave a review for anyone, even if you haven’t met or volunteered with them.

I go into more detail about which I think is the best work exchange website in this article comparing Worldpackers and Workaway  if you would like more information.

However, If you are still struggling to decide between Workaway or Worldpackers, the deal-breaker really depends on what work exchange placements are available where you want to go.  I have had several successful work exchanges through Workaway, but because of the sheer size of the network, hosts in popular destinations are often bombarded with requests for exchanges and you might be less likely to get a reply from them. 

I’ve spoken to several people who have had trouble getting responses from prospective hosts on Workaway, and there is nothing more frustrating than paying for a service where hosts don’t respond.  However, if there aren’t any listings on Worldpackers for the destination you want, then you will have better luck with Workaway . 

WWOOF Review

WWOOF or World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms has been around for a whopping 50 years.  It is the original work exchange site, and works in a similar way to the above sites but solely for placements on organic farms where you do farm work in exchange for room and board.

Most countries have their own WWOOF network, and you have to pay for registration for each country network which tends to be $20 – $30.  If there isn’t a WWOOF organisation in the country you’re looking for, there are also WWOOF Independents which are clubbed together on their own website.

The farms offer excellent opportunities to experience rural areas of your chosen countries, but by their nature tend to be more isolated from city centres and offer more basic accommodations than you expect to find in hostels where tourists are.

Cost: $20-$30 per country.

Pros: Solely on organic farns, so great for people wanting to learn more about permaculture and farming

Cons: Payment is per country, so if you are travelling around several countries it can be expensive.

Worldpackers & Workaway vs WWOOF

The two sites are quite hard to compare directly as they are really two different things.  If you want to learn about organic farming and permaculture in one specific country, then WWOOF is definitely the right option for you.  I don’t know of any other volunteering websites like WWOOF which just focus on farm work in exchange for room and board, and WWOOF has a great reputation.  

However, if you want to visit several countries that each have their own WWOOF network you will have to pay for registration on each network, so in that case, looking for volunteering opportunities on farms or smallholdings on other work exchange websites like Workaway or Worldpackers (my preferred choice).

Also, if you want to volunteer with different kinds of projects that aren’t related to farming then other work exchange platforms have more variety to choose from.  

HelpX Review

Help Exchange, or HelpX for short was originally set up in 2001 by a traveller who wanted a better system of finding work exchange placements while backpacking in Australia and New Zealand.  The website used to look quite dated compared to the others, but after a revamp is looking better but still not as slick. 

The basic principle of work exchange is the same – you have to register to use the site, you can register for free to browse and search for listings, but to contact hosts and to read the full reviews of placements you have to upgrade to the premier membership.

Membership is cheap though, at €20 (about $24 USD) for 2 years.  This site seems to focus primarily on Australia, New Zealand, Canada & Europe, although there are listings in other parts of the world too.

Once you have searched for a location you see when the profile was last updated – some seem quite out of date (as the website has been going for a long time) but it is always worth contacting them.  In search results, the profiles which have been updated most recently show up first.

Cost: $24 for 2 years

Pros: Cheap.  A wide range of opportunities in Europe, Australia, Canada.

Cons: Not many international placements outside their focus areas.

Helpx vs Workaway & Worldpackers

For me, the best work exchange programs are Worldpackers and Workaway as I’ve explained above.  Helpx is a good budget option, but the level of support offered seems way below the other top websites. 

If you’re used to travelling and volunteering abroad and you’re a confident solo traveller then it can be a good choice, I personally prefer to choose a work exchange platform with a better verification process for hosts and more support should something go wrong like the Worldpackers insurance policy .  

Trusted Housesitters Review

Housesitting and petsitting are a bit different from a typical work exchange in that you don’t spend time “working” for someone else, rather you will be living in someone’s home and looking after the house and their pets while they travel. 

Trusted Housesitters can be a great option for flexible travellers who have experience looking after animals or for more mature travellers and digital nomads who want free accommodation while they explore the world.  

Housesitting doesn’t have some of the same benefits of traditional work exchanges as you will be on your own in the host’s home, not interacting with them, so you do lose the social and cultural exchange part to a certain extent – but you will be able to feel at home in the destination and for long stays in particular, you can really feel part of the local community if you get out and meet people while you’re there.

The main benefit of house sitting is that it isn’t really working at all – you just need to keep the house clean and tidy and care for any animals.  This doesn’t mean you get free reign to do whatever you want though – it is a big responsibility to look after someone’s pets. 

Some animals will need feeding or exercising at specific times of day and you need to make sure they are safe and well in your care, and know what to do if they get sick or injured.  

Housesitting can be competitive, with hosts usually preferring to take experienced sitters over beginners with no reviews.  It is more expensive than the other work exchange sites, so might not work for budget backpackers.  I have done some housesitting and cat-sitting for friends and am getting my profile ready for searching for placements soon.  I will let you know how I get on!  >>>Learn more about Trusted Housesitters here

Cost: from $129 for a basic membership 

Pros: not real “work” so more free time, stay in someone’s home so it can be very nice accommodation

Cons: more expensive than traditional work exchanges, can be competitive.  Need to know about animal care and be responsible for someone’s pets.

Other Work Exchange Websites

Those five work exchange websites are by far the most popular and well-known.  There are other work exchange websites out there, but I haven’t had any experience with these, or spoken personally to anyone who has so I can’t vouch for them. 

For me, it’s worth choosing a better-known website so I have more peace of mind as a solo female traveller, but I wanted to include these just so you have all the details.  

HelpStay  

I found another work-exchange site called HelpStay which works in a similar way to Workaway.  However, I couldn’t find any HelpStay reviews from people who had used the site outside of HelpStay itself. 

Even they say themselves that the majority of hosts on HelpStay don’t have reviews (yet?), which could mean that there aren’t many volunteers on the site or if someone has volunteered with that host then they haven’t bothered to leave a review.

It seems like the site is still fairly small, after launching in 2014, currently with just over 1000 hosts registered.  Membership costs €29.99 ($36 USD) for one year for a single membership, and €39.99 ($48 USD) for a joint membership. 

If you have done a work exchange with HelpStay, let me know how you got on, I’d love more information about it!

Helpstay vs Workaway & Worldpackers

Without experiencing it myself or knowing anyone who has used Helpstay it’s hard to give a balanced view between which site is best – and as much as I love to support small businesses I would choose to register with Worldpackers or Workaway to have a wider choice of placements around the world.

Working Traveller

Working Traveller is another work exchange website I came across online but haven’t used myself, or spoken to any people who have used it. Working Traveller is free for Travellers to use on standard membership if you only want to contact 3 hosts a week, or you can upgrade to full membership which costs just $10 per year to contact unlimited hosts.

Free Work Exchange Websites

Hippohelp review: a genuinely free work exchange site.

If you are on an even tighter budget, then Hippohelp  is completely free to join, for both hosts and volunteers and is the only free work exchange site I have found.  I had previously suggested Volunteers Base as another free Workaway alternative , however, due to the lack of transparency on their website I now don’t recommend them at all (see below). 

Hippohelp as a genuinely free work exchange site emphasises social and cultural exchanges as the key to their work exchange programmes and could be a good way to ‘test’ out volunteering before you sign up and pay for sites like Workaway and Worldpackers. 

There is no fee to sign up, and no hidden fee to get verified.  However, as with any free site, there is more of an element of risk involved as there is no screening process, and if something goes wrong there isn’t a support team to help you. 

Having browsed a few of the placements on Hippohelp in the UK for example, I found that they were often individuals looking for help around the house, and most didn’t have any previous reviews.  As a solo female traveller that would be a big no-no for me, but there may be more suitable options I haven’t found.

It’s certainly worth checking out if you really do have zero cash to spend on travel.

Pros: Good to get a taster if you are a confident traveller and don’t expect to have problems

Cons: Not as much screening of hosts or support if you do need help 

Volunteers Base Review

Due to the lack of transparency on their website, this is my least favourite work exchange platform but I still wanted to include it so you have the most up-to-date and correct information. 

The homepage looks professional and claims that the website is free for volunteers and for hosts, stating that “Volunteers Base is a not-for-profit free alternative” to traditional volunteering networks. 

However, when you try to send a message to a host it forces you to make a donation to the site in order to verify your identity. 

I don’t have a problem making a donation or paying for a membership if I know the company is legitimate and open about its business, but I really don’t like how Volunteers Base doesn’t make it clear that you have to pay to get verified – why not just be upfront about it instead of wait until you’ve completed your profile, found a host to contact and then spring a compulsory donation on you? 

I suppose you could just pay 1 penny or something just to get verified, but it isn’t the money, it is the principle of it and personally, I’d rather just sign up to one of the other websites with better customer service and more support.

However, if you want to give it a try then you can browse placements for free, just be prepared to pay a fee to get verified and be able to contact hosts.

* ADDITION * It turns out that my account got verified without making a donation so apparently I can now message hosts if I want to, and I didn’t pay any money.  After all that I don’t think I will be using the site anyway.

Cost: Compulsory “donation” of your choice

Cons: Cost is not clear or upfront so it feels underhand.  Not as much screening of hosts or support if you do need help 

Which Work Exchange Site is Better – Workaway, HelpX, WWOOF or Worldpackers?  Or Free Sites like Hippohelp?

The best work exchange site overall: worldpackers.

For me, Worldpackers is the best work exchange site, thanks to their level of support and Worldpackers insurance, and how you can earn money with them through Worldpackers Programs as well as saving all that money on accommodation.

EXPLORE WORLDPACKERS

The Best for Most Choice: Workaway

Workaway is the biggest work exchange website, with the largest network of hosts and volunteers so wherever you go in the world you are likely to find work exchange placements.  However, the biggest is not always the best as I said in my full Workaway review above. 

Due to hiding the details of negative reviews and some difficulties in getting responses from hosts, in my opinion, Worldpackers is the best work exchange program and my top choice when looking for volunteer placements.

The Best for Farm Work & Permaculture in One Country: WWOOF

The name includes Organic Farms, so if that’s what you’re into then WWOOF is probably the best option for you unless you plan to travel to several different countries, in which case you might be better searching for eco-friendly and farming volunteer opportunities on Worldpackers .

The Best for Zero Budget: Hippohelp

As it is the only completely free work exchange website, then if you have literally no money to spend then Hippohelp could be a great way to travel for free.  However, be mindful of the lack of screening and support should something go wrong.  As a solo female traveller, I would rather pay the $39 membership fee for Worldpackers and have that extra peace of mind.

Considering Travel Insurance For Your Trip?

• Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel.  I always buy travel insurance for my trips and was very glad I had insurance when I had my laptop and passport stolen in Ecuador! 
• I chose World Nomads Travel Insurance for my recent backpacking trip to Australia and New Zealand.   World Nomads offers travel insurance for independent travellers and intrepid families and offers cover for more than 150 adventure sports and activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.  Get a quote , make a claim, or buy or extend your policy while on the road.

GET A NO-OBLIGATION QUOTE

As an affiliate, I receive a fee when you get a quote from  World Nomads  using this link. I do not represent  World Nomads . This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. 

• I have also used SafetyWing which is available for purchase online in 180 countries and you can also buy it while you are already travelling. SafetyWing travel medical insurance i s charged on a month-by-month basis so a great flexible choice for digital nomads or if you're not sure of your future plans.  

LEARN MORE ABOUT SAFETYWING

• Alternatively, check out True Traveller if you're based in the UK, or use a comparison site like Travel Insurance Master to find the best cover for you.

What do you think?  Have you had any experience volunteering with work exchange sites like Workaway, Worldpackers or HelpX?  Would you do volunteer work in exchange for free accommodation?  I’d love to hear what you think, please leave your comments below.

Work Exchange FAQ

How do you do a work exchange.

The easiest way to find work exchanges is through a work exchange website like Workaway , Worldpackers , or WWOOF.  They list available opportunities from hosts around the world, and members can apply for as many exchanges as they like during the year of membership.

What is Workaway?

Workaway is the biggest work exchange website, with thousands of listings from hosts around the world looking for volunteers to help them with their business or project.

What is Worldpackers?

Worldpackers is the best work exchange website, with thousands of listings from hosts around the world looking for volunteers to help them with their business or project, and a very high level of support for members.  As well as unpaid volunteer opportunities, they also offer the chance to earn money while you travel through Worldpackers Programs .

Is Workaway free?  

No.  Although you can browse volunteer opportunities for free, there is a membership fee of $44 per year ( get 3 months extra free with this link ) which then allows you to contact hosts and apply for as many work exchanges as you like within the year of your membership.  

Is Workaway a Good Idea?

While the principle behind Workaway is a great idea, I prefer to use Worldpackers thanks to the extra support they offer, and their Worldpackers Programs which means you can actually earn money as you travel.  In my experience, it is becoming harder to get a response from Workaway hosts as they get swamped with applications, and Worldpackers hosts are more responsive.

Which is better Workaway or Worldpackers?

For me, Worldpackers is better thanks to the extra support they offer, and their Worldpackers Programs which means you can actually earn money as you travel.  Workaway has more hosts and more volunteer positions available, but in my experience, it is becoming harder to get a response from Workaway hosts as they get swamped with applications, and Worldpackers hosts are more responsive.

Do you need a Visa for Work Exchange?

If you don’t need a visa to actually travel to the country where you want to do a work exchange, you shouldn’t need a work visa to do a work exchange, as really it is a cultural exchange and you won’t be doing paid for your work. 

However, some countries do require a specific visa for volunteering, so check the host listing to see if they mention needing specific paperwork, and check iVisa to see if you do need a travel visa .  Remember, it is your responsibility to make sure you have all of the required paperwork to travel.

How Long do Work Exchanges Last For?

Usually, work exchanges are for a minimum of two weeks and can last anywhere up to several months.  Hosts will specify how long they like volunteers to stay, as they don’t want to have to spend time training up new volunteers every few days!

Want More Work Exchange Travel Tips?

• How to Volunteer Abroad for Free
• The Best Work Exchange Sites Compared
• Workaway Alternatives
• Should you Work for Accommodation?
• Work Exchange Programs - Are They For You?
• Workaway vs Worldpackers
• What is a Cultural Exchange?

Like this post?  Pin it to read later:

Hi! I'm Claire Sturzaker, a 30-something foodie traveller who loves to enjoy the best of a destination without breaking the bank. I'm here to help you and all women backpackers to plan their best budget travel adventure. I am an avid supporter of female solo travel, and took my first solo trip 20 years ago! I love to write about travel, hostels, backpacking and van life.

13 thoughts on “ The Best Work Exchange Websites Compared PLUS $10 Worldpackers Discount ”

Thanks for the informative post. I traveled through France and Germany for a few months, and used CouchSurfing and WWOOF’ing. It was an amazing experience!

Thank You. Great Help.

We have been a host in workaway and find that does not protect hosts from exploiting workawayers who looks for free stay but laze about work. Because the workawayers pay, the admin censors negative comments left by hosts (it should be an effective measure to alarm other hosts). The admin even peeps into personal messages. As host we feel unprotected and have to leave.

You’re welcome, I’m happy to help. I hope you enjoy your travels & experience with them, please let me know how it goes! 🙂

Thank you so much for the worldpackers discount code! I was about to sign up for it when I decided to search if there were better options and you just solidified the choice for me!

Great! So glad to hear you’re enjoying your experience with work exchanges so far – enjoy Alaska and Ireland! Thanks for reading & commenting 🙂 Happy travels!

I am in my late 50s and heard about this idea while traveling in Portugal. I came home and check out all these sites, reviews and prices. Then I decided to signed up on Hippohelp just to try it before I join a paid site. Frankly I thought this might be more geared towards the younger generation and being in my 50s might be an issue but I was wrong. I got invited to many locations around the world and chose couple of them for this year which matched my schedule. I am already signed up to go to Alaska and Ireland this year.

One of my colleagues tried this work-exchange arrangement. She ended up in Nigeria and had a really fun time. She loved the land so much that she actually married a Nigerian guy. 🙂

I would love to try this, but considering the financial situation here in the Philippines (you really need a job and a stable source of income), this will have to be shelved for a time.

If I could go back to the days when I was in school or before I entered the working world I would definitely have been interested in this. Heck – I’m still interested in it now, I just don’t have the time off to be able to do it. Very informative post and tips to help with travel costs.

What a fantastic idea and some fantastic sites. I love that it is a win-win for everyone, as you said. You get to have room and board for free and add to your resume, and the host gets a skill set for “free” that they might not have access to where they are or can’t afford. Great idea!

This is a very informative post. It seems that you covered a good range of organizations that hire volunteers in exchange for accommodation and one day off per week.

Thank you for sharing these! I hadn’t heard of this as a way to help with travel costs, it sound like a great way to meet people too!

Neat Claire. I knew a blogger who WOOFED their way around the world for many months. Pretty cool.

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Home » Work and Travel » Volunteering » Workaway Alternatives: 6 Best Work Exchange Websites Like Workaway (2024)

Workaway Alternatives: 6 Best Work Exchange Websites Like Workaway (2024)

Broke backpackers go nuts for a great work exchange opportunity – and you should too!

Volunteer exchanges and Workaway programs have become super popular as more and more empty-handed backpackers are looking for ways to stay on the road for a little while longer. Getting the chance to work and live for free? MIND-BLOWING.

The absolute ace thing about work exchanges is that they usually don’t require you to have any specific skills, so they’re open to anyone with a Bob the Builder attitude. (“Yes, we can!”) They’re also catered to travellers so that you have time to explore, not just grind.

How to find a work exchange job, though, that’s the pickle. Many sites have popped up to help connect you, the traveller, to a work host (and maybe your future BFF). While this platform might be the most popular site, there are tons of other Workaway alternatives that are just as great – but don’t get quite as much air time.

So, here it is: a round-up of the best work exchange sites that are like Workaway but are NOT Workaway (because we believe in equal opportunity).

A Crash Course to Work Exchanges

Best workaway alternatives, now go and spread your volunteering wings.

New to the wonderful world of work exchanges abroad? I’ve gotchu, boo.

What is a Work Exchange, Anyway?

Work exchange (also see: voluntourism) means that you get free accommodation in exchange for work. Placements usually cover accommodation and at least one meal, meaning your daily costs will drop (like it’s hot). A simple yet epic way into budget backpacking .

The amount of work varies depending on the place and type of work. On average, hosts ask for about 5 hours of work 5 days a week, and the rest of the time you’re as free as a birdie. 

Work exchanges are normally not paid. Sometimes you get extra lucky and find a real travel job that wants to swipe you a few extra dollars under the desk out of the goodness of their hearts. (EU travellers – check out in-EU hosts for more chances to find legally but minimally paying work.) I’d say 90% of these gigs are true and tried volunteer work, though.

Tons of help exchanges involve some sort of agriculture but there are also heaps of other options like hostel work, sailboat jobs, babysitting, or just work around the house. The length also depends a whole lot. Sometimes your host asks for a week or two of your time, sometimes a month. My longest volunteer gig so far was five months.

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How to Find an Awesome Workaway Alternative

With so many work exchange sites to choose from, the choice to hunt out cheap work abroad programmes is certainly tough, especially when you’re looking for an alternative to Workaway.

First of all – most work exchange sites have an annual fee. You can browse the listings for free but when it comes time to shooting a message to your potential host, you gotta sign up for real. I get that this is annoying -after all, you are trying to see how far a penny goes – but I promise it’s for a good reason!

Your money goes to pay the employees of the company and keep the site running. And it pays itself back in just DAYS at best.

Worldpackers, for example, costs $49 ($39 with our Worldpackers promo code! ) per year. This is about the same as you pay for a dorm bed in a hostel in Israel, Australia or Spain for two nights. Worth it, eh?

There’s a benefit to using the larger and more well-known platforms. Obviously, you have better access to a huge range of options and also reviews from previous working travellers. 

By using a well-vetted site, you can be more sure that the hosts listed are acting ethically and responsibly, especially if you’re doing anything with people or animals – exploitative animal tourism is just wrong. 

It’s also not unheard of that the work exchange host would take advantage of the free work and turn your awesome work exchange experience into a labour camp. It’s always a good idea to pick a reputable site with lotsa happy users.

But First, Though – Travel Insurance

Free labour does mean that you won’t be put on any sort of employment contract. If you have an accident, your host can usually not offer anything more than pity and prayers to fix you up.

Never travel without comprehensive travel insurance. Most of The Broke Backpacker team swears on World Nomads, one of the best travel insurances out there for peeps who are always on the move.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

There are many sites like Workaway when it comes to finding cool-ass work exchanges abroad. Even in the End of Times, these organisations persist and keep the flame of voluntourism lit .

Here are some of the top contenders.

1. Worldpackers – The Broke Backpacker Favourite!

Worldpackers is probably the dopest Workaway alternative out there. It has a ton of cool minimum-skill jobs available for wanderers, including hostel work, agriculture, teaching English , au pairing, construction… You get the gist. Opportunities are available all over the planet.

The site is all about connections, and not only between hosts and penniless backpackers. Through their blog, volunteers can share their stories (and hone their writer’s quills), and you can find an answer to almost every little question you might have about volunteering in a certain country or position. And they have “training” videos for future volunteers made by community members!

The website is really easy and intuitive to use. You can filter by job, country, or region, or even pick if you’d rather do a normal help exchange worldwide or participate in an educational programme to maximise the learning experience. We even sent a resident broke backpacker on a volunteering mission to Vietnam and look how happy he was…

And they’re serious about the safety of their members. Hosts advertising on the platform go through an approval process, and if anything should go awry, their “WP Insurance” promises to pay for three nights in a hostel dorm if you need to get outta dodge quickly.

Readers of The Broke Backpacker can get a Worldpackers discount (because we just love you like that!). Click the link below to get $10 off a one-year subscription with our Worldpackers promo code BROKEBACKPACKER.

• Pros: Good offerings, great support, and awesome community
• Cons: More pricey than many other options
• Price: Normally $49 per year – $39 if you sign up through us right below!

Worldpackers: connecting travellers with  meaningful travel experiences.

2. Global Work and Travel

Although not as well known as Workaway, Global Work and Travel offers amazing travel programs in 60+ countries. What sets GWT apart, though, is you hardly have to plan anything. Global Work and Travel offers fully guided volunteering trips as well as a 24/7 support line. You’ll get help with sorting visas, airport pick up transfers and finding accommodation. They even offer flexible payment plans making it easier to get on that plane ASAP!

• Pros: Absolutely stellar customer support making everything as easy for you as possible and great website.
• Cons: They don’t have as many volunteer opportunities as other networks (but they are still growing and expanding their reach)
• Cost: No membership fee. Trip costs vary (somewhere between £800 – £4,000) AND you can get a discount by clicking below and using the code!

3. WWOOF – Best Way to Find Farmwork

WWOOFing is not about volunteer opportunities for dogs (that would be CUTE), but it’s one of the OG work exchange sites out there. Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms is a pretty self-explanatory title – they offer a narrower lens of volunteer opportunities, but it’s a fantastic way to get in touch with the countryside and see more of the rural side of the country you’re travelling in.

Every country has its own WWOOFing network, so you have to pay a membership fee for each country’s own network. There’s also WWOOF Independents for countries without their own national networks in case you prefer trail-building in Armenia to bison-farming in Canada.

The membership fees stack up quickly, so WWOOF is not the most ideal option for serial country-hoppers. It’s bloody fantastic while backpacking Australia , New Zealand or the US, though. Pretty much any country that is expensive as hell but has huge rural areas teeming with farm work opportunities.

• Pros: Wide network, well-established, brings you close to local life
• Cons: Only farm work offered, membership fees can stack up
• Price: Country-specific: 20-30$ per year, WWOOF Independents $20 per year

4. HelpX – The Cheapest Work Exchange Site

HelpX is one of the oldest work exchange sites, making it another great Workaway alternative. Since it’s one of the OGs in the game, its network of hosts is pretty big, and that gives you a whole platter of options to choose from. (Even though the layout of the website makes me mildly disoriented.)

A neat thing about HelpX is the community page where solo working travellers can find buddies for their next volunteering/travel adventure.

HelpX has two levels of membership, Free and Premium. You will need to sign up for the Premium to be able to contact hosts, but at least it’s cheap: just 20 bucks for two years.

• Pros: Lots of opportunities offered, cheap
• Cons: Clunky website
• Price: $ 20 for two years

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Want more deetz on why these packs are so  damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

5. Helpstay – A Lesser-Known Alternative to Workaway

Helpstay works much the same as all the other Workaway-like sites. It lists your potential hosts, you can filter by region or by the job you want, all the good the stuff. Helpstay is a bit more obscure than many of the other options, but they do offer a ton of options in over 100 different countries.

However, I found the website a little unintuitive, especially when looking for info about the company itself. 

On top of that, I’d recommend you check out the job listings carefully before applying. Helpstay seems to have more listings that are subject to a fee when compared to similar work exchange sites.

Now this in itself is not necessarily alarming – sometimes volunteering programmes ask volunteers for small contributions, and they usually go for a good cause. But if you’re being asked to pay almost $400/week to teach kids and plan your own lessons… that’s doesn’t sound too legit.

Luckily, you can also filter by hosts that offer free exchanges, so this shouldn’t be a problem.

• Pros: Lots of opportunities
• Cons: Less known than other work exchange sites, offers a lot of jobs with a separate fee.
• Price: $35.5 for one volunteer and $47 for a couple per year.

6. Hippohelp – Map-Based Work Exchange Site

Hippohelp has something that sets it apart from other work exchange platforms and pleases my visually learning brain: a map with pins that shows you exactly where the volunteering opportunities are located. Instead of browsing through endless lists, you can surf around the world map and find hosts that are closest to you super duper easily.

Unlike most of the others, you do have to register before you can see what’s available. This is quick and free, though. I signed up with Facebook in just about 10 seconds.

Previously famed as one of the only free work exchange platforms, Hippohelp has now started to ask for subscription payments from working travellers. (The above-mentioned nifty map feature turned out to be their Achilles heel as the surge in map prices caused the new yearly fee.) 

This is where my beef with Hippohelp comes out. Most of the website still states that the platform is completely free to use, and the payment notification only comes up when you try to send a message to a host. You can’t really advertise your site as a free platform if doing the most essential thing on it isn’t free. I have no problem with paying the fee – it’s still very cheap compared to many other sites! But I wish the info on the website was more truthful.

• Pros: The map feature, cheap
• Cons: Misleading information on the site
• Price: $ 14 per year

7. Volunteersbase – A FREE Work Exchange Site

Volunteersbase is the only real free-of-charge alternative that I’ve found for Workaway. (They do request donations, though, which is fair enough.)

The website is pretty basic. You can search for hosts by country but there aren’t any other filters. Volunteersbase also doesn’t seem to have much support available in case anything goes awry with the work exchange. This leaves a lot of responsibility to you as the voluntourist but a savvy voyager shouldn’t have much trouble with this.

All in all, Volunteerbase seems to offer the least of all the other Workaway alternatives, but if you’re really trying to travel for free , having a free platform for volunteer travel is definitely a good thing.

• Pros: Free!
• Cons: Basic website, level of support is what you pay for

No Websites Needed – Just Talk to People

While all these sites offer fantastic opportunities to travellers, especially pre-trip, don’t get too hung up on the world of technology. Let travellers be travellers – talk to people.

You always have a good chance of becoming a hostel volunteer . Have a chat with the hostel gods, uh, I mean management, and see if you could score a small job that can cover the costs of your stay. This might include working the bar, cleaning rooms, or even leading the bar crawl.

Hostel staff is not your only hope, either. Talk to other travellers about the cool places they’ve been and don’t be afraid to jump at a chance to deviate from your plans to do something epic.

One of the absolute highlights of my South American trip was spending a couple of days on a one-man operated coffee farm in the mountains of Bolivia, where in exchange for picking coffee beans every other day I stayed and ate for free and could explore the national park around me. This is a national park that usually runs one-day tours for a hundred bucks… And none of this would have happened if I hadn’t got the lead from a German backpacker at the hostel.

So there you have it, the best work exchange websites like Workaway. If you do decide to go with Workaway in the end, make sure to check out our Workaway review and find a special discount! But one question still remains…

You’re probably travelling to get away from the everyday, which, I’m guessing, involves real-life work. So why would you want to work while on your holiday?

Obviously, work in exchange for housing is a fantastic way to save money while travelling. Smaller costs also translate into being able to keep travelling for longer. Backpacking on the cheapo also makes travelling more accessible if you’re a lil’ strapped for cash.

Work exchanges translate into extremely unique travel stories. It’s cool that you’ve seen the sunrise at Angkor Wat or climbed to the top of the Eiffel Tower, but the stuff that’s going to earn you a real Cool Cat badge is a volunteering experience. Did you muster cattle on horseback or learn how to shear sheep? Now that’s a story.

(Not that you should be doing anything for external validation but still – you’ll be cool.)

The best part is not money, but the people you meet. Whether you’re a hostel volunteer meeting tons of people from all over the world or weeding gardens at a faraway rural farmhouse, the connections you make while volunteering are golden.

By volunteering your time, you become more ingrained in the local ecosystem and get to experience what life there is really like. Volunteers are, in the best case, treated like family members and friends. You’re not only exchanging time and work – you’re also exchanging cultures, ideas and friendships.

Not to mention that in many work exchange spots you have a REAL chance to help local communities and influence them in a positive way. (But do consider some of the ethics of voluntourism , too.)

Still sitting there reading? Make it real and start planning your epic work exchange adventure!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Elina Mattila

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Awesome! Loved this post. I have, just now, at my almost 40 been introduced to the idea of exchanging work for lodge. I am amazed at the opportunities. Even though I am a long term traveler I can’t figure out why I didn’t bump into this before. Anyways, I was looking up for what the best website would be to start with, because I still need to pay a fee. Even though I dig your article, I still can’t seem to distinguish which the best alternative would be. What do you think? Which is you favorite? Disregarding price, honestly $50 is not much for what I am going to get. Thanks, Raz

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So how do you even get a job abroad ? Well, you’ll want to start by finding the destinations where you can legally work abroad and then start your job search. Or, you can find a job that allows you to work abroad, and they will often sponsor your work visa.

You can also get a job overseas with no experience ! In fact, teaching English abroad is the perfect job in that particular scenario. However, if teaching isn’t your true calling, you can either apply for international positions while still at home, or apply for a work visa abroad and figure things out once you arrive.

Here’s how to get a job abroad:

• Choose a destination. Places like Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland grant Working Holiday Visas to citizens of certain countries and who meet an age requirement. If you want to work abroad for a year or permanently, then you’ll want to secure a job offer prior to applying for work visas abroad.
• Choose your field. Sometimes, it’s easier to figure out what kind of job you want prior to choosing the destination. The demand for certain positions is higher in some countries than others, which will make your job search a lot easier (or more challenging).
• Apply to open job opportunities. Once you know where you want to go and what kind of job you want overseas, then it’s time to start applying to work abroad programs! The length of this process will vary depending on your qualifications and prior experience, and perhaps even your proficiency in the local language. 
• Apply for a work visa. Once you find your job, then you can apply for a work visa. Most likely, you’ll need to show proof of a job offer in order to qualify. There should be someone at your new workplace who is in charge of assisting you with planning your trip abroad.

The best types of jobs abroad depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for. Do you want to only work for room and board? WWOOFING is for you. Are you okay with working odd jobs here and there in order to fund your travels around the world? You can find short term and seasonal work on orchards, vineyards, and farms in countries like Australia and New Zealand. Or, if you want to start a permanent career abroad, nurses, program developers, software engineers, marketers, and teachers are needed all over the world.

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There are lots of reasons for working overseas ! Perhaps the earning potential is much higher in a country abroad than at home. Or maybe there are better job opportunities overseas in your chosen field. Or maybe, like so many of us, you just really want to be able to live abroad sustainably! Being able to work abroad means being able to travel and immerse in new cultures indefinitely—and that sounds like a dream come true to us.

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Business Travel 101: Tips For Your First Time Traveling For Work

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Traveling for work seems glamorous on the surface.

You’ve got free flights, time out of the office, and your company is paying for (almost) everything.

Who wouldn’t want that?

But anyone who’s actually taken a business trip knows there’s another side to this coin. Between the red-eye flights, working remotely , and juggling back-to-back meetings and events – it’s exhausting.

Well, it can be.

The savviest business travelers know the importance of time management, efficient packing, and trip planning that allows you to squeeze in some exploration without missing a single meeting (all while still getting enough sleep).

If you’re a first-time business traveler, here’s how you can still bring your A-game and see more of the world at the same time!

RELATED: How to Prevent Burnout When Traveling for Work: 5 Tips

Tips for Your First Time Traveling For Work

Know Your Company’s Travel Policy Like The Back of Your Hand

The secret weapon in your business travel toolkit? Memorizing your company’s travel policy.

Why? Well, for two important reasons:

• If you’re clueless about what is allowed, you could be leaving some serious business travel perks on the table.
• If you’re clueless about what isn’t allowed, you might have an unexpected deduction on your paycheck next month.

Before your first work trip, take the time to review your company’s travel policy word for word and note anything crucial that you’ll need to remember as you begin to pack your bags. 

By the time you’re done familiarizing yourself with your policy, you should know things like:

• Your per diem for travel days (i.e., do you get a flat amount for expenses, or a unique budget per item, like breakfasts, lunches, dinners by yourself or with clients, and transportation?).
• Whether or not you need receipts (physical or a scanned copy) for purchases.
• What expenses are up for reimbursement (e.g., will your company cover your visa application fee? Your rental car? Your checked bag?) 
• The deadlines for submitting expense reports.
• How much can you spend per night on a hotel room? Does it need to be a specific hotel or hotel chain? Can you use an alternative accommodation like Airbnb or VRBO?
• Can you use your frequent flyer number to collect flight miles? Does it need to be a specific airline?
• Can you use your own credit card or is there a company card?

What happens if your company’s travel policy isn’t super clear on the above? Set up some time with HR and/or your boss to go over these details and address any lingering questions you might have.

Doing so will help prevent any surprise expenses before, during, and after a work trip.

Tip: Use an app like Mint.com to track all your expenses and take pictures of every single receipt you get as soon as you’re handed it, just in case you lose any!

RELATED: How to Ask Your Boss for More Vacation Time (The Right Way)

Book The Right Hotel

Booking a hotel room seems pretty basic, right?

Hop onto a site like Booking.com , put in your budget range, select the “I’m traveling for work” box (which allows you to filter for key amenities like free wifi or included breakfast), and you’re done.

Well… it’s not that easy .

When traveling for work to a new city, other factors that you can’t always control come into play.

First of all, you might be limited to a specific hotel or hotel chain your company has a negotiated agreement and special rate with, which means you won’t have a choice as to where you stay. However, if your company doesn’t have a specific hotel requirement, you have to make sure to familiarize yourself with the city and the surroundings using Google Maps. The worst thing you could do is accidentally choose a hotel far away or in an unsafe neighborhood. 

To avoid this, figure out where your meetings or work obligations will be, and try your best to book a hotel room as close as possible to it.

You might have to pay more for a hotel with a convenient location, which will no doubt save you travel time and the stress of navigating a new city. But keep in mind that more expensive accommodations should be discussed with your company in case they fall outside of the suggested hotel budget listed in their travel policy.

What if you’re not the one booking your hotel room? Speak to the person in charge of corporate travel at your company and give them a list of your preferences, such as:

• Walking/driving distance to the location(s) you need to visit for work
• Amenities like reliable wifi, secure parking, a business center, etc.
• Desired neighborhood preferences
• Hotel policy and procedure for booking with a card that is not in your name

Related: Where Traveling for Work Meets Actually Enjoying Yourself – How Cambria Hotels Cater to Business Travelers

Give Yourself Enough Time for the Unexpected

Whether you’re traveling for work or pleasure, you need to expect the unexpected.

• Flights can get canceled or delayed.
• Traffic delays can prevent you from getting to a meeting on time.
• The airline could lose your bags in transit.

While these scenarios may be out of your control, you can give yourself a bit more breathing room to react and recover by doing these things:

• Instead of flying into the city the same day as your meeting, fly in the night before.
• If you’ve booked a red-eye flight, try to give yourself enough time to catch up on sleep before your first meeting.
• Driving to your meeting? Give yourself a bit more time in case traffic is bad or parking is difficult.
• Book a direct flight whenever possible. It will help you avoid missing connections and get you to your destination more quickly.

By following these tips, you’ll arrive on time, feel fully rested, and be stress-free so you can perform at your best!

Plan Your Sightseeing AFTER Important Meetings

If you’re a long-time reader, you’ll know I’m all about maximizing my work trips by using them to help me explore more of the world.

While work travel isn’t a vacation, if you’re smart with your time and plan ahead, you can squeeze in a weekend trip or quick adventure by simply extending your business trip by an extra day or two.

The trick here is to always plan your sightseeing after your meetings or when the conference you’re attending has ended. Give yourself the time to solely focus on your work so you can show up and be 100% focused on the tasks at hand.

Then, when work is over, reward yourself!

Book that NYC food tour of your dreams. Go on a short hike up Ensign Peak in Salt Lake City , or spend an afternoon wandering around the Desert Botanical Garden in Tempe, Arizona.

Just don’t go too crazy with your itinerary. Give yourself ample time to explore without rushing, and keep your sight-seeing goals reasonable, because exploring after work trips usually doesn’t leave you with as much time as if you were just going on vacation.

I promise if you dial back a bit, you’ll enjoy the whole experience more, and you’ll have some time to reset before you’re back at work.

And who knows? You could stumble onto a gem you didn’t know about and would have missed if you stuck to a super rigid itinerary.

RELATED: 9 Tips for Working While Traveling and Staying Productive

Don’t Ditch Your Healthy Eating & Workout Habits

When you travel, it’s easy to accidentally skip a meal here or there with all the running around, or order a super decadent meal because it’s quick and easy (and you’re likely not paying for it).

While indulging in fast food and networking cocktails is all fine and well (and often comes with the territory of entertaining clients and attending events), moderation is key – especially if you’re on the go often!

As a business traveler, you need to fuel your body with things that will make you feel good and maintain your energy levels whenever possible. If you don’t, you might feel sluggish in meetings, and your motivation will plummet before the end of the day, making it hard to concentrate and do your job.

Here are my tips for staying healthy while on the road:

• Don’t skip breakfast. You need to give your body enough energy to last throughout the day, and breakfast is especially important if you’re normally a breakfast eater when you’re home. When ordering your meal, choose something like granola and yogurt, or eggs and turkey bacon, instead of a pastry. Sugary treats don’t give you long-term energy, and you’ll crash from your high before it’s time for lunch.
• Stay hydrated. I always travel with a reusable water bottle, and I bring it wherever I go throughout the day. Lots of conference setups will typically have water refill stations anyway, and you can feel good about skipping the unnecessary plastic if you’ve already brought your own.
• Keep snacks in your bag. Not all airline food is great, and some meetings mentally drain you before lunchtime. Keep a few snacks like protein bars in your bag to munch on throughout your business trip. It will keep you satiated and stop you from spending money on overpriced airport food.
• Research nearby cafes and restaurants. You’re less likely to opt for some Taco Bell if you have a list of healthy eating options at your fingertips. Before your work trip, spend some time researching nearby eateries with healthier menu options for lunches and dinners on the days you don’t have work commitments.
• Try not to skip workouts. Before you start the day, a solid workout can clear your mind, help you sleep better, and keep your fitness goals on track. If your hotel comes with a gym, use it. If it doesn’t, log onto YouTube or turn to pretty much any online bodyweight-only workout program.

Related: 5 Workout Ideas That Can Be Done At Home or On the Road

Pace Yourself at Work Events

When you’re having after-work drinks in a new city, it’s tempting to have more than one.

That’s totally cool, but remember – alcohol and a good night’s rest don’t mix.

It’s long been said that the effects of alcohol significantly reduce the quality of sleep and the amount of time spent in REM.

REM is a mentally restorative type of sleep, and when you’re traveling for work, you want to maximize your time there as much as possible.

I know when I’m away on a business trip, my days are usually packed with back-to-back meetings. The only way I can get through those days is by having a good 7-hour sleep and keeping my night outs short and to a minimum.

If your meetings are out of the way though, by all means, treat yourself on the last night in a new city!

Packing for Business Travel Tips

To end things off, here are some quick packing tips to always keep in mind as a corporate traveler:

• Try to stick to carry on only when possible
• Invest in a sharp-looking purse or tote that can be used both for travel and for meetings
• Pack any items you need to help you fall asleep faster (eye masks, melatonin, earplugs, etc.)
• Pack clothes that don’t wrinkle easily
• Use garment bags to help keep items wrinkle-free, and shoe bags to avoid accidentally dirtying your clothes
• Bring back-ups of important meeting resources (have copies of your presentation on a USB or Google Drive, pack extra business cards, etc)

Business Travel FAQ

• Can I deduct my business travel expenses? Yes, you can. However, you need to check with your employer or whoever helps you with your taxes to confirm what is and isn’t covered.
• What business jobs allow you to travel? In most industries, sales reps and client-facing contributors usually travel the most to attend client meetings and build up relationships. But, all kinds of career paths can have travel perks. Marketers often attend conferences and set up events, specialists in various fields have their annual trade shows, and consultants often hop on planes to visit their customers in person. Looking for something more remote with added travel flexibility? Consider one of these 18 careers that you can do 100% remotely from anywhere in the world. 
• What is good business travel etiquette? Good business travel etiquette is observing and practicing cultural and social norms and representing your personal brand and your company’s with poise wherever you go. It also includes the same principles you’d follow when in the office – showing up on time, preparing your notes, dressing appropriately, and treating your colleagues with respect. 
• What is business travel accident insurance? Business travel insurance is a plan that protects employees who travel for work domestically or internationally. It usually covers occupational and non-occupational accidents and health cover while traveling on company business. Consult your travel policy or ask your employer if this will be available to you when you travel.

If you’ve traveled for work, what are your top tips for first-time business travelers? If you haven’t, tell me below where you’re headed!

Read This Next:

• How to Find a Coworking Space You’ll Love
• 9 Tips for Working While Traveling and Staying Productive
• Where Traveling for Work Meets Actually Enjoying Yourself: How Cambria Hotels Cater to Business Travelers
• How to Prevent Burnout When Traveling for Work: 5 Tips
• 6 Tips For Embracing the Work From Home Lifestyle
• How to Stay in the Zone When You Work From Home

Pin For Later:

Hey there! I’m Rachel, a travel writer and a full-time advertising / marketing expert. In 2019, I traveled more than 25 times while working 9 to 5, and since then I’ve committed myself to living a more adventurous life, even if it means bringing my laptop along for the ride. Are you hungry to travel more, but overwhelmed with how to juggle work and play? You’ve come to the right place!

Recent Adventures:

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• Updated on: July 22, 2021

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Remote Work’s Last Hurrah: 6 Spots to Make Your Summer Office

As workers prepare to return to the office in coming months, here are six towns and cities to consider squeezing in a working vacation or two.

By Concepción de León

Those who’ve been able to work from home over the last year have had to get creative about their workstations, setting up makeshift offices on balconies, couches or even kitchen counters. Some temporarily relocated to new cities and towns from early in the pandemic.

But a new convergence of factors in the United States — easier access to vaccinations, loosening domestic restrictions, falling coronavirus cases and good weather — has led to a golden opportunity for those tempted to take their work on the road after a year of staying put.

Remote workers who are vaccinated but are not yet required back in an office are enjoying what may be a once-in-a-lifetime window, if they’re in a privileged position to take advantage of it — to hit the road with laptops in tow, and explore the country while getting paid.

Bookings on Airbnb of 28 days or more have nearly doubled in 2021 compared to 2019, with more than half of surveyed guests saying they used the time to work or study, according to a recent Airbnb report . And 71 percent of guests booking long-term stays said they planned to book a similar stay next year.

But as many employees prepare to return to the office in coming months, this summer will probably be the last hurrah of remote work.

Whether you hope to try out a new city for a permanent move or just want to take advantage of the last few months outside the office, here are six cities or towns to consider for remote work this summer.

If you like the beach …

Honolulu, hawaii.

Sarah Sheu, 29, who is a product lead for the travel app Hopper, has been working from Honolulu since mid-May. Ms. Sheu works from her parents’ home, which they bought after they retired a couple of months ago. At first, she thought the time difference between Hawaii and the East Coast, where many of her colleagues are based (the company is headquartered in both Montreal and Boston), would make it difficult to communicate with them. But it has worked out, she said, and her early start — she logs on at around 5:30 a.m. — leaves her afternoons free to explore Honolulu.

Remote workers might consider staying in one of the many condos overlooking Waikiki Beach , one of Oahu’s most well-known beaches. On your off time, Ms. Sheu recommends bicycling to and around Diamond Head , a state park with a large crater at its center that has well-marked bike lanes and stellar coastal views. You might also go surfing at Waikiki Beach or stand-up paddle boarding at Ala Moana , which Ms. Sheu said usually has small or no waves.

Hawaii currently has the most stringent Covid-19 restrictions in the country, requiring a negative test to travel and a 10-day quarantine for some inter-island travel. Check the latest rules and advice before you go.

If you want to be in wine country …

Petaluma, calif..

When Joanna Faltys, 31, moved to Petaluma from Boston in 2015, it felt like the perfect compromise between her desire to be in Sonoma County, where she’d grown up, and her now-husband Brian’s need to be close to the San Francisco Bay for his work in the boating industry.

“It was only once we moved here that we realized what a perfect fit it was for our lifestyle as well,” said Ms. Faltys, who managed group travel programs for more than five years before transitioning to higher education this year. “Petaluma really offers everything we love, beautiful scenery, proximity to outdoor activities, great restaurants and coffee shops and good entertainment options.”

The city also lends itself to remote work, she said, with two centrally located co-working spaces and several coffee shops with Wi-Fi, while offering access to San Francisco, some of the region’s most popular vineyards and its beautiful coast.

“One of the best things about Petaluma is that it has the amenities of a larger city, yet still feels like a small, tight-knit community,” said Ms. Faltys.

Ms. Faltys recommends Acre Coffee , located in the city’s downtown, which she said attracts a good mix of students, remote workers and families. The city is known for its craft breweries, including both Lagunitas and Hen House Brewing Company . There are several beer gardens, including The Block , which features a rotating selection of food trucks. And it also boasts its own mini wine region, the Petaluma Gap .

If you want a manageable city …

Topeka, kansas.

For a city with a spirit of social justice and an array of cultural offerings, try Topeka. The city opened Evergy Plaza in 2020, a central hub with free Wi-Fi where people can work or enjoy a monthly concert series, complete with food trucks and pop-up beer gardens.

This summer, Topeka Music Week will be held at venues across the city, culminating in Country Stampede , which is estimated to bring up to 100,000 country music fans to the city. (Proof of vaccination or a negative test is not required to attend, so consider your personal risk first.)

As home of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, Brown vs. Board of Education, Topeka has a strong undercurrent of social justice, said Bob Ross, a spokesman for Choose Topeka, which lures remote workers to the city with financial incentives . One of his recommendations for long-term stays is Liberty House , an Airbnb rental which puts profits toward supporting L.G.B.T.Q. youth in the Midwest.

During their off time, people can explore the North Topeka Arts District , known as NOTO, which was restored in 2008 to include murals, galleries and restaurants housed in historic buildings.

Kelly Edkin, a fifth generation Topekan who owns a coffee shop and bistro called Juli’s Coffee and Bistro , said she regularly sees remote workers there. She recommends people visit the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center , or take advantage of the Kansas River , which flows through the city, or nearby Lake Shawnee for swimming, fishing or kayaking.

But what makes Topeka special, she said, are the people who live there.

“I really think the best part of any place you go, whether you’re working remotely or not, are the people and the attitude,” she said, adding that Topekans are “very friendly and helpful.”

If you’re a foodie…

Tucson, ariz..

Named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2015 for its heritage foods and dishes that draw from its Mexican and Indigenous history and location in the Sonoran Desert, Tucson is ideal for culinary enthusiasts.

Visitors can explore the city’s Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food , a trail of restaurants and food trucks featuring Mexican cuisine, or local favorites like Barrio Bread , known for its bread made of Sonoran wheat.

Gina Catalano, who co-founded La Suprema Works and Events , a co-working site based in an old tortilla factory, said that about 20 percent of guests over the last year have been remote workers, with an uptick in the beginning of this year. When they signed up, people reported coming from bigger cities like New York, Pittsburgh and Chicago.

“I’ve lived in this area on and off for the last 20 years and never have I seen such a diversity of people coming from all over the place,” Ms. Catalano said.

Malvika Agarwal, 34, and Niraj Sheth, 36, who both work for Silicon Valley start-ups, moved to Tucson in December, after an earlier trip left Ms. Agarwal struck by the area’s desert landscape and its monsoon season, which is from June to September. She said it reminded her of her home country, India.

“We were amazed that there’s life here, because it’s so dry,” Ms. Agarwal said, “but it’s green, surprisingly, and there’s these giant 60-feet tall cactus that are blooming right now.”

Tucson is also the headquarters of the International Dark-Sky Association , and has large observatories where people can go look at stars and constellations. “We love the stargazing here,” Ms. Agarwal said.

If you want a twofer …

Bath and brunswick, maine.

Bath and Brunswick, two neighboring towns along the coast of Maine , are distinct, but their proximity to one another — about 8 miles — by car or a river trail, makes it easy to explore both during an extended stay.

Brunswick, the home of Bowdoin College, has a thriving downtown and, before 2020, had a steady stream of international visitors drawn to the college and the town’s rich arts scene. Bath is on the Kennebec River , has lots of green space and is a more community-driven town, according to Nate Wildes, the executive director of Live + Work in Maine , which recruits remote workers to the state through networking events and direct marketing.

“The culture and the feel together is really well balanced,” he said, though the towns are “very distinct and different.”

He added that most people who come to the state through the remote worker program don’t end up settling in its cities, like nearby Portland, he said, but rather in surrounding towns that offer a better quality of life.

Marie Thompson, 29, a Bath native who moved back after graduating from design school in Boston, agrees. She works as a design lead for Pakt Bags, a travel gear company with remote staff, and said she chose Bath because “there’s so much more space, opportunities for great places to live and work,” while still offering proximity to Portland’s food scene.

Both Bath and Brunswick are near beaches, lakes and rivers, like Popham Beach or the Androscoggin River , as well as “hundreds of miles of recreation trail,” Mr. Wildes said.

If you like nature …

Ithaca, n.y..

For New Yorkers looking to escape their tiny apartments, the travel blogger Gerry Isabelle, who asked to be identified by her first and middle name to protect her privacy, recommends this city in the lush region in upstate New York. She has traveled to the Finger Lakes region for several short stints of remote work throughout the pandemic. “There’s a little bit of everything,” she said.

The Finger Lakes, named for its 11 long, narrow lakes, is home to a number of colleges and universities, state parks and wine trails. And Ithaca’s central location at the foot of Cayuga Lake offers easy access to urban amenities as well as many of the region’s towns and attractions.

“You won’t just be working from home,” Ms. Isabelle said. “You’d literally be working with views of the lake from your window.”

Watkins Glen State Park and the Finger Lakes National Forest are within 30 minutes of Ithaca, and Buttermilk Falls State Park ’s stunning water falls and trails are only a 10-minute drive away.

There are also a number of museums to explore within an hour of Ithaca, like Harriet Tubman’s house in Auburn, or the Rockwell Museum in Corning.

In Ithaca and its surrounding areas, it’s common to encounter people selling homemade goods and food, whether at a farmer’s market or on the side of the road. Ms. Isabelle mentioned an ice cream shop called The Spotted Duck whose owners source ingredients from their own farm, or F.L.X. Table , a communal dining experience where one meets people from “all walks of life.” (During the pandemic, the restaurant traded in its signature communal table for smaller, socially distanced tables.) “The energy there is so safe and cozy,” she said about the Finger Lakes.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places list for 2021 .

Concepción de León is a travel reporter based in New York. More about Concepción de León

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How to Work and Travel at the Same Time

• Pam Kosanke

There’s a right and wrong way to do “bleisure” (business + leisure).

If you’re finding it tough to work remotely while on the road, your best bet is to put some practices into place to keep yourself organized and your performance level on track.

• Define what you want to get out of your travels — and out of your job. What would be my ideal day-to-day work life? How does it feel, and what does it look like? The more well-thought-out your own goals are, the less friction you’re likely to encounter when structuring your days.
• Create a structure that supports the lifestyle you want. The simplest way to avoid burdening yourself or your colleagues is to construct a detailed plan. Know where you’ll be and what you’ll be doing the whole time you’re traveling. How much time do you need between transitioning workspaces? How far apart are these locations? Will there be a place to charge your laptop and headphones?
• Overcommunicate with your manager and colleagues. Be respectful and honest. Communicate your availability and average response times well in advance and in multiple media channels (via Slack, one-on-one texts, live meetings, etc.)
• Hold yourself accountable for meeting expectations. Keep yourself focused by traveling with all the accountability tools you need. These can include business operating system tools and project management solutions, as well as reliable devices. Make sure you’re able to update everything regularly and track your progress.
• Travel with people who understand remote working. Explain your commitments to your traveling pals. For instance, you may want to establish times of the day when you need to hop onto Zoom calls or be available for business.

Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here .

By 2025,  more than 40 million Americans  are estimated to be working remotely. As such, they’ll be introduced to one of the most highly attractive benefits of telecommuting: the freedom to travel without taking vacation days.

• PK Pam Kosanke is the chief revenue officer for EOS Worldwide , a former professional athlete and multisport member of Team USA, and a Professional EOS Implementer®. She has broad experience working with organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to nonprofits and small businesses, and across a variety of industries including franchising, packaged goods, QSR, professional services, sports marketing, and retail.

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Fora Advisor Christina P.

Christina was extremely thorough throughout the process. She handled everything every step of the way. Honestly, it felt like she was right by my side throughout the entire trip. I could not have experienced this trip without her.

Booked travel to Illinois with Christina P.

Fora Advisor Katrina F.

Katrina was incredible every step of the way. She helped us tighten up our itinerary and made great recommendations for hotels and restaurants that worked really well for our family. I would highly recommend anyone thinking about how to make their trip perfect go straight to Katrina.

Booked travel to California with Katrina F.

Fora Advisor Melissa F.

I was impressed by the high level of professionalism in planning and organizing my trip to NYC. Attention to detail and genuine care for my particular interests - great restaurants and seeing the best of the city - were evident in every step of the planning. I highly recommend Melissa!

Booked travel to New York City with Melissa F.

Fora Advisor Thomas S.

Thomas was amazing. He got us a free room upgrade, free breakfasts for 5 days (an ~$270 value), a $50 room credit, early checkin, late checkout and more. I am referring him to all of my friends who like to travel in style.

Booked travel to Washington DC with Thomas S.

Fora Advisor Sequoia A.

Managed expectations and helped deliver the experience I was looking for. Kind and professional. Facilitated everything so I could fully enjoy myself without worry or any kind of stress arranging my stay.

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Fora Advisor Jill M.

Jill is amazing - so professional and goes above and beyond to accommodate her clients and their particular requests and booking preferences. She always find exactly what we need and want! Highly recommend.

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Still have questions? We got you.

What is a fora advisor.

A Fora Advisor is someone who makes travel happen. Fora travel advisors earn by selling, planning and booking trips. They work with clients to understand their vacation needs and handle all the travel arrangements, from booking a hotel for a long weekend to planning a honeymoon. A Fora Advisor has access to all our training resources, including best-in-class technology and in-house destination expertise. They also benefit from Fora handling all the commission payments, so they can focus on the fun stuff.

What does a travel agent do?

A travel agent is someone who sells, curates and books travel. They consult with clients on where to go, what to do and where to stay, and earn commission from booking hotels. (In fact, most travel agents earn the majority of their revenue from hotel bookings.) In addition to planning and booking, agents communicate with hotels to ensure each trip goes smoothly. Travel agents work under a host agency, such as Fora, that handles commissions and other logistics.

What is the difference between a travel advisor and a travel agent?

We're glad you asked! There's no difference; these terms are used interchangeably. But we prefer the term 'advisor,' since our stellar community of travel planners go far beyond the typical services of an 'agent.' They act as consultants and advocates for their clients, planning travels large and small.

Where do travel agents work?

Some travel agents work in an office, but Fora Advisors can work from anywhere. All you need is a passion for travel, a WiFi connection and a can-do attitude — and a few potential clients in your network don't hurt either. Whether you’re after a rewarding side hustle or are looking for a totally fun new career (or something else entirely), Fora has your back. We meet you where you’re at.

How do travel agents get paid?

Travel agents earn commissions from their clients' trips — usually from hotel bookings. Travel suppliers commonly pay the agent 10% of the total cost, but sometimes more (depending on the brand and type of partner). Unfortunately, many travel agents are familiar with having to chase down commission payments they're owed, but not at Fora. We handle all of that, ensuring that you get paid and can focus on what you do best: planning incredible trips.

What are the benefits of being a travel agent?

Being a travel agent provides tons of flexibility. Because you can work from anywhere and on your own schedule, planning travel is a great way to earn extra money as a side hustle — or develop your business into a full-time career. Another plus: it's a lot of fun.

Do travel agents make good money?

As with any commission structure, the more you sell, the more you earn. Travel agent paychecks depend on how much travel you're booking. For instance, if you book a family safari in the tens of thousands of dollars, your commission will be substantial. You could also get the same commission by handling one-off hotel bookings at a lower price-point, but at a higher amount. TL;DR? It's not uncommon for hard-working travel agents to earn six-figure incomes.

What qualifications do you need to be a travel agent?

Got passion? Then you're ready to go! Lucky for you, there are no exams, accreditations or other hoops to jump through to become a travel agent . Anyone with solid people skills and a little spare time can succeed in their job as a travel agent. If you're new to the travel advising space, we'll hook you up with all of the training & mentorship you need to set yourself up for success.

How many hours a week does a travel agent work?

It depends! Many travel agents work full time, planning dozens of trips at once. Others spend a few hours a week planning travel for their friends as a side hustle. Whether you're full time or 'whenever-I-have-time,' you can still pull in $$$ planning travel.

Am I able to use my own name and branding?

Absolutely.

Do I get perks & benefits to share with my clients?

Yes — big time. Our advisors have access to upgrades & perks at over 4,500 hotels, including Virtuoso, Four Seasons, Rosewood and more. Learn more about our partners .

I'm looking at another training/mentorship program to become an advisor. Why should I choose Fora?

We love this question! Unlike other training programs that require a full-time commitment and demand high booking minimums, Fora is flexible. But that doesn't mean we're hands-off (far from it). We support you every step of the way — from your first booking to your 1,000th — and provide you with top-notch training for everything you need. We'll help you ramp up your business (whether it's a side hustle or a new career) with resources and tools, including our community of travel experts at your fingertips. In other words: Fora lets you do what you do best, better.

Does it cost money to become a Fora Advisor?

We charge advisors a monthly or annual subscription fee, which includes the cost of Fora’s technology platforms, training, admin and our community app. This fee is a fraction of our own technology costs and what other agencies charge as signup fees (up to $5,000 for training alone). 

I’m already a professional travel advisor. Can I join Fora?

Absolutely! We are ready to welcome experienced travel agents to our community.

How do I get started?

Sign up! Enter your email on this page and you’ll be prompted to complete a detailed survey on your travel style and experience. If you meet our criteria, we'll get you onboarded and show you the ropes, so you can start booking travel in no time.

How do I get off the Fora waitlist?

To increase chances of getting off the Fora waitlist, these tips will help your application stand out: 

Your uniqueness matters; avoid generic phrases. 

Be specific about hotels and resorts you prefer. 

Social handles & a comprehensive bio are important. 

We value your enthusiasm! You’ll receive a response within one week, and meeting these guidelines doesn't guarantee immediate acceptance. 

If you've read this far, use the secret code 'FAQ' to skip to the front of the waitlist!

I wanted to make quick money and travel the world — so I moved to Australia and became a FIFO worker

• Cal Mcilwaine gets flown in to Pilbara, Australia to work 12-hour days for three weeks straight.
• So far he's made around $80K before taxes, has no living expenses on-site, and travels on his week off. 
• After a year of working, Mcilwaine plans to use the money he made to go on a 10-month trip.  

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with  Cal Mcilwaine , a 29-year-old FIFO worker in Australia. This essay has been edited for length and clarity. Insider verified his identity, employment, and salary.

I'm the lone wolf of my friend group.

Back in Ireland , all of my friends were getting married, buying houses, and having kids. I wanted to set off on an adventure and travel the world.

I started to research different career opportunities that would allow me to make good money that I could spend on travel . I always had an interest in visiting Australia and I had heard about mining jobs years ago.

I figured if I did that for a couple of months, I would have a piggy bank for traveling. So in June 2023, I left Ireland and moved to Perth, Australia to become a FIFO worker, which stands for "fly in, fly out."

Landing a FIFO job in a new country wasn't easy

FIFO is an industry that largely exists only in mining fields in Australia, Canada, and Alaska. Mining companies in Australia extract iron ore along with other minerals and send it to crushers and refineries. Then, it goes to Port Hedland , which is the main port in Australia, and cargo ships send it to China.

Australia is one of the most mineral-rich countries in the world, so there are a ton of mining projects and FIFO jobs available here.

But that doesn't mean it was easy to land one.

I found some YouTube videos about FIFO work, but there was no how-to guide on what to do if you want to enter the industry from a foreign country.

I had to come up with my own game plan, which included applying for a working Visa. I had no experience in mining and I had never driven a truck or bulldozer — I also didn't have a license in Australia. It wasn't going to be easy moving to another country and landing one of these jobs, but I was determined.

After arriving in Australia, I spent about three days exploring tourist sites before I turned to the job hunt process. In Australia, you need to get tickets, which are like qualifications. I spent two and a half weeks at a training center getting certified in CPR and working on an elevated platform, along with a heavy rigid license to drive big trucks.

Once I did that, I paid a company called W1n W1n to do my résumé and absolutely hammered job pages and applied to as many FIFO jobs as I could for about 10 days. Within a month of arriving in Australia, I secured a FIFO job.

Now, I help others get into the industry with videos on social media and a guide I made for foreign workers interested in FIFO.

I work 12-hour days for three weeks straight

I get flown in from Perth to work in Pilbara, a northwest region of Australia that's rich in iron ore.

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I wake up around 4 a.m. to get ready for work, which starts at 5:30 a.m., and I spend the next 12 hours in the mining field.

The conditions are physically strenuous and the average temperature during the day is 95 degrees Fahrenheit. In peak summer time, it hits about 113 degrees.

As a serviceman, I maintain a fleet of 45 or 50 machines, including dump trucks, diggers, dozers, scrapers, and other mining equipment. Throughout the day, I fill them up with fuel, grease them up, top up fluids, and blow out their air filters.

Then I pack everything back into my truck and drive to the next machine. I usually end work at 5:30 p.m., and the ride back to the site takes about 40 minutes so I usually get home at 6:10 p.m.

Normally, when I get back I try to shark down food and organize lunch for the next day. I aim to go to bed at 9:30 p.m. so that I can get as much sleep as possible for the next day.

During my week off, I get flown back out to Perth. The flight takes about two hours. Some people go on weekend trips to Bali. I like to go on road trips around Australia.

I also have the flexibility to go on breaks during the year. I took seven weeks off around Christmas and went to Esperance, which is on the southwest coast of Australia.

I've made around $80,000 so far this year pre-tax, and my expenses on-site are paid for

As a FIFO worker, companies pay for employee flights to and from the mining field. They also pay for housing accommodations and offer amenities like a food court and gym at the housing site.

@calmcilwaine What is my FIFO Room like? 👀 This will give everyone an idea of what the typical FIFO room is like. #fifo #FIFO #fifolife #fifoworker #fifoworkers #fifoaustralia #fifojob #fifojobs #fifojobsaustralia #fiforoom #fifocamp #fifocamplife #roomtour #fifomining #fifominingaustralia #flyinflyout #flyinflyoutlife #flyinflyoutjobs #australia #westernaustralia #miningwa #miningaustralia #pilbara #pilbaraliving #pilbaralife #pilbaramining #australiajobs #miningindustry #fifogirls #fifoedition #fifouze #whv #work #worklife #workingholidayvisa #workingholidayvisaaustralia #workingvisa #workvisa #417 #417visa #88days #regionalwork #regionalworkaustralia #miningtok #irishtiktok #irishinoz #irishinoz🇮🇪🇦🇺 #irishinaustralia #irishinaus #irishinperth #irishinsydney #irishinmelbourne #backpacker #backpackers #backpackerjobs #highpayingjobs #highwages #wealth #flyin #movetoaus #movetoaustralia #movetoaustraliawithme #movingtoaus #movingtoaustralia #newtofifo #fifotiktok #fifotips ♬ original sound - Cal McIlwaine

My room is dorm-like and it's nothing special but it has everything I need and I use it for sleep.

There's a big workout culture among FIFO workers and the gym is well-equipped to satisfy those needs. The gym has a strength room, a cardio room, an outdoor gym, a CrossFit room with classes offered, and a female-only gym. I usually walk about 25,000 steps a day on the job but still try to work out about two or three times a week.

As someone completely new to the industry, I make $5,329 Australian Dollars per week before taxes, which is around $3,477 USD — but I also don't work every single week of the month. So far, I've made around $80,000 before taxes working the last nine months, including a seven-week break I took to travel around Australia.

During my week off, I fly back to Perth and either go away for a week or pay a friend to stay with him for the week. My expenses during my week off usually come out to around $1,300 USD.

I'm getting the adventure I was searching for

I originally planned to work this job for three or fourth months at most.

But now I've been here for nine months and I plan to stick it out for the rest of the year. Once I learned about the machines, became a part of the crew, and started making good money, I didn't see a point in leaving.

I'm enjoying learning new skills and my bank account just keeps growing. Once I wrap up the year, I'm going on a 10-month trip to Vietnam, Thailand, New Zealand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

I won't have to worry about working and I'll get to experience the adventure I've been craving.

Once I'm done, I plan to get right back into FIFO work for my second year and do it all over again.

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The Best MagSafe Wireless Chargers

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more . Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

Best MagSafe Charger Anker MagGo Wireless Charger Pad (Qi2) Read more

Best MagSafe Stand Nomad Stand (Qi2) Read more

Best MagSafe Pad Nomad Base Read more

Best 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Read more

Keeping your iPhone topped up can be a challenge, but the clever magnetic MagSafe system means you don’t need to fumble with cables or worry about a wireless charging sweet spot. Apple’s MagSafe is an accessory system integrated into the iPhone 12 , iPhone 13 , iPhone 14 , and iPhone 15 range . A ring of magnets on the back of the phone (and in MagSafe-enabled cases) allows you to attach MagSafe chargers that can recharge your iPhone wirelessly.

Snag a MagSafe charger for your nightstand, work desk, and car, and you can easily top up throughout the day. These are the best MagSafe chargers we've tested. (And yes, if you have an Android phone with a MagSafe case , some of these chargers may be compatible and do the job.)

Check out our related iPhone guides, such as the Best iPhones , Best iPhone 15 Cases , Best iPhone 14 Cases , Best iPhone 13 Cases , Best MagSafe Accessories , Best MagSafe Power Banks , and Best Wireless Chargers .

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Best MagSafe Charger

The new Qi2 wireless charging standard , developed with Apple’s input, brings MagSafe-style magnetic charging and a 15-watt charging rate. Sadly, most third-party MagSafe chargers with a puck-shaped design charge your iPhone at a slower rate (7.5 watts), but you won't have to worry about that with this 15-watt Anker charger. Few phones beyond Apple’s MagSafe lineup (iPhone 12 and later) work with the magnets today, but Qi2 is backward compatible. This pad from Anker stays put, has a durable aluminum casing that stays relatively cool, and has a 5-foot USB-C cable permanently attached, giving it the edge over Apple’s official MagSafe puck , which only has a 3-foot cable. It can also charge AirPods that have a magnetic charging case.

15-watt charging, 5-foot cable, wall charger not included, two-year warranty.

Best MagSafe Stand

Striking the perfect balance between heft and magnetism is tricky, but Nomad nails it with its new stand. It's heavy enough that you won’t knock it over when you fumble for your iPhone, and you can peel it away from the charger one-handed. The stand comes in black or white and feels sturdy, featuring an aluminum and glass body with rubber padding. It is officially Qi2 certified , so it can charge any Qi2 phone (including all the MagSafe iPhones) at the maximum 15-watt rate. It can get a little warm when charging, but not unusually so. You get a high-quality braided cable in the box, but you will need a 20-watt wall charger. We like Nomad’s 20-watt charger ($20) , but I can’t help feeling it should have been included at this price.

15-watt charging, 6.6-foot cable, wall charger not included, two-year warranty.

Best MagSafe Pad

Folks who prefer a pad should consider Nomad’s Base One. Like the stand, it's sculpted from metal and glass with rubber padding and has enough weight that you can pick your MagSafe iPhone off of it with one hand. The Base One is also officially MagSafe certified to charge at the maximum 15-watt rate, and you get a lovely braided cable in the box, though you need to supply your own 20-watt charger. If you don’t care about the 15-watt charging rate, perhaps because you charge overnight, you can opt for the regular Nomad Base and save some cash. It has a similar design and is MagSafe compatible, but tops out at 7.5 watts for iPhones. Stock seems to be fluctuating for the Base One, but you can get a notification when it's available again.

Best 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger

Our favorite 2-in-1 MagSafe charger is perfect for charging your iPhone and AirPods (or any other wireless earbuds with wireless charging support). It has a wide, circular base with a shiny metallic post connecting the MagSafe charging pad. Ours is white, but there’s a black option too. Stick your iPhone on in landscape view, and you can enjoy StandBy mode , effectively turning your iPhone into an alarm clock. This charger can provide the top 15-watt rate and includes a power adapter with a 5-foot cable permanently attached.

15-watt charging, 5-foot cable, wall charger included, two-year warranty.

Aarian Marshall

Eric Ravenscraft

Adrienne So

Brenda Stolyar

Best 3-in-1 MagSafe Charger

Folks with the holy trinity of Apple products will love Belkin’s 3-in-1 charging tree. It has a similar design to the 2-in-1 above, but the metal post is T-shaped, with a pad for your iPhone on one side and an Apple Watch spot on the other, plus a Qi-certified base for AirPods . It is fully certified to deliver 15 watts and can fast-charge capable Apple Watches . You can also pop your iPhone in landscape orientation if you want StandBy mode . There is a power adapter with an attached cable provided. Read our Best 3-in-1 Apple Chargers guide for more recommendations.

Best for Travel

Space is at a premium when you travel, but Anker’s MagGo 3-in-1 folds away to an impressively compact form. It doesn’t scrimp on power, charging your iPhone or Qi2-certified phone at up to 15 watts on a magnetic pad that can adjust to your preferred angle. A second pad behind the main pad charges AirPods or other wireless earbuds, and there is a fold-out Apple Watch charger. You get a USB-C cable (around 5-foot) and a wall adapter in the box.

★ Alternative: Mophie's 3-in-1 Travel Charger With MagSafe ($150) is a nice option though it takes up a bit more space when it's unfolded. It folds neatly into a fabric case with a cable and charging adapter. It will fast-charge iPhones at 15 watts, and this updated model includes fast-charging support for the Apple Watch.

Best MagSafe Car Mount

This simple MagSafe mount slots into any vent in your car and has a powerful magnet array that keeps your iPhone securely in place, even on bumpy roads. There’s a ball joint so you can angle your iPhone slightly for a better view, and it’s easy to place it on the mount and remove it one-handed. You get a 12-volt car adapter and a USB-C cable in the box. Vent mounts are unobtrusive and may help your phone keep cool. If you prefer something different, read our Best Car Phone Mounts and Chargers guide for more recommendations.

15-watt charging, 3.9-foot cable, car charger included, two-year warranty.

Best MagSafe Power Bank

Sling a MagSafe power bank in your bag, and you can attach it when you need to top up your iPhone battery. This power bank boosted my iPhone 14 Pro’s battery by 78 percent and took around three hours to charge (since wireless charging is not the most efficient method, you will never get the stated capacity of a MagSafe power bank). You can continue using your iPhone while it’s charged because it doesn’t add much bulk, and there’s a small fold-out kickstand for propping your iPhone in portrait or landscape orientation. Just ensure you get the newer (A1614) version, as it has the USB-C port on the side and can turn off if you just want to use it as a stand. Read our Best MagSafe Power Banks guide for more recommendations.

7.5-watt charging, 3.9-foot cable, car charger included, two-year warranty.

A Headphone Stand and Wireless Charger

Combining functionality is a great way to save desk space, and this headphone stand cleverly doubles as a MagSafe charger. There’s a stainless steel arm with a rubber section to lay your cans on and a MagSafe charging spot on the base. There’s also a USB-C port that you can use to top up your headphones or other devices. While you get a USB-C cable in the box, you'll need to use your own 20-watt wall charger.

7.5-watt charging, 3.3-foot cable, wall charger not included, one-year warranty.

Having a place to dump your keys, jewelry, and watch, and charge your phone and earbuds, can help you get out faster in the morning. This classy and roomy tray from Courant has a MagSafe spot for your iPhone, a secondary charging spot for your earbuds, and space for all your other daily essentials. I tried the black linen version, but you can opt for lighter shades or a leather finish (though it’s more expensive). The wireless charging is slow, but there is a spare USB-C port. There's also a bright, unnecessary LED on the back of this charger that I had to cover when using this on my nightstand.

It looks classy and neat, but the linen version picks up dust easily. WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu has the Leather-Saddle model—he says it doesn't show dust easily and looks great after months of use.

7.5- and 5-watt charging, 5-foot cable, wall charger included, one-year warranty.

Julian Chokkattu

Scott Gilbertson

Louryn Strampe

David Nield

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How to travel around the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore: A look at the traffic impact and alternate routes

By Rohan Mattu

Updated on: March 29, 2024 / 5:01 AM EDT / CBS Baltimore

BALTIMORE -- The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday  led to a major traffic impact for the region and cut off a major artery into and out of the port city. 

A bridge column was hit by a large container ship around 1:30 a.m., sending bridge workers and vehicles into the Patapsco River. A water search for six missing workers turned to a recovery effort Tuesday night.

Drivers are told to prepare for extra commuting time until further notice.

Alternate routes after Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse

Maryland transit authorities quickly put detours in place for those traveling through Dundalk or the Curtis Bay/Hawkins Point side of the bridge. The estimated 31,000 who travel the bridge every day will need to find a new route for the foreseeable future. 

The outer loop I-695 closure shifted to exit 1/Quarantine Road (past the Curtis Creek Drawbridge) to allow for enhanced local traffic access. 

The inner loop of I-695 remains closed at MD 157 (Peninsula Expressway). Additionally, the ramp from MD 157 to the inner loop of I-695 will be closed. 

Alternate routes are I-95 (Fort McHenry Tunnel) or I-895 (Baltimore Harbor Tunnel) for north/south routes. 

Commercial vehicles carrying materials that are prohibited in the tunnel crossings, including recreation vehicles carrying propane, should plan on using I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) between Essex and Glen Burnie. This will add significant driving time.    

Where is the Francis Scott Key Bridge? 

The Key Bridge crosses the Patapsco River, a key waterway that along with the Port of Baltimore serves as a hub for East Coast shipping. 

The bridge is the outermost of three toll crossings of Baltimore's Harbor and the final link in Interstate 695, known in the region as the Baltimore Beltway, which links Baltimore and Washington, D.C. 

The bridge was built after the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel reached capacity and experienced heavy congestion almost daily, according to the MDTA. 

Tractor-trailer inspections

Tractor-trailers that now have clearance to use the tunnels will need to be checked for hazardous materials, which are not permitted in tunnels, and that could further hold up traffic. 

The MDTA says vehicles carrying bottled propane gas over 10 pounds per container (maximum of 10 containers), bulk gasoline, explosives, significant amounts of radioactive materials, and other hazardous materials are prohibited from using the Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95) or the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895).  

Any vehicles transporting hazardous materials should use the western section of I-695 around the tunnels, officials said. 

• Francis Scott Key Bridge
• Bridge Collapse
• Patapsco River

Rohan Mattu is a digital producer at CBS News Baltimore. Rohan graduated from Towson University in 2020 with a degree in journalism and previously wrote for WDVM-TV in Hagerstown. He maintains WJZ's website and social media, which includes breaking news in everything from politics to sports.

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