In the summer of 2010, I arrived at a hostel in La Paz, Bolivia, with a backpack, a dwindling bank account and a plan.
I had it on good authority (that is, I heard from a fellow backpacker who heard it from another backpacker who reportedly knew the owner) that this particular hostel offered a free dorm room bunk to travelers who bartended a few nights a week.
I was told I could find the hostel’s manager — let’s call him Jack — at the bar. Jack was exactly the kind of ex-pat you find running hostel bars: wizened, Yorkshire-accented and eternally sipping whiskey. When I introduced myself and told him I was hoping to trade bartending for board, he barely looked up from his snifter.
“I’m sure we can find you a bunk somewhere,” Jack growled, “Welcome aboard.”
Happily, you don’t have to follow my show-up-and-hope-for-the-best method to find free accommodation while traveling. These days, there are plenty of reliable, legitimate ways to score room and board on the road. Ahead, I’ve included a list of 4 practical ways to land free accommodation when you travel:
1. Work Exchange Gigs
You can find volunteer exchange opportunities all over the world — from pet-sitting sled dogs in Alaska to painting murals in Sri Lanka to assisting with marketing for yoga studios in Bali. Work exchange arrangements vary depending on the host or organization, but typically involve volunteering a few hours a week for a free place to sleep and (sometimes) food.
The internet is packed with platforms connecting volunteers with work exchange programs, but — for legitimacy and safety reasons — it’s best to stick to the tried-and-true options. These sites tend to require a membership fee, which helps hold hosts and volunteers to a standard of verified responsibility.
WWOOF
The granddaddy of work exchange programs, WWOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) has been around since 1971. The platform offers a huge online directory of organic farms seeking volunteers. To access different destination lists, you typically have to pay an annual fee. Fees vary by country, ranging from 0 to $72 per year.
WorkAway
The self-proclaimed “largest and safest community for cultural exchange, working holidays and house sitting,” WorkAway offers unique opportunities in over 170 countries. Unlimited access to the directory is $49 per year for an individual and $59 per year for a couple.
HelpX
Similar to WorkAway, HelpX offers diverse opportunities all over the world. Hosts range from organic farms to ranches to hostels. HelpX has a Free and Premier membership; Free members can be contacted by Premier hosts but cannot contact hosts directly. Premier membership costs around $21 for two years for a single or couple.
2. Pet/House Sitting
You know what house sitting is: You get to stay in your host’s home for free in exchange for taking care of their home, plants, pets, etc.
The gold standard for house-sitting platforms is TrustedHousesitters. The site — which, despite its name, is really more of a pet-sitting platform — has been around for over a decade, and offers thousands of unique homestays in over 130 countries. Membership lets you browse unlimited opportunities to stay for free at homes around the world in exchange for pet care. Costs range from $10.75 to $21.60 per month, depending on your membership plan.
3. Couchsurfing
Formed in 2003, Couchsurfing.com is one of the first sharing economy travel websites. As the name suggests, CouchSurfing.com connects travelers with community hosts, offering a free place to sleep — whether a spare bed, floor or (of course) a couch. The platform is populated by travelers who want to help other travelers and meet people from around the globe.
As with all travel, you should take precautions to remain safe on the platform. Stick to verified hosts with stellar reviews and multiple profile pictures, and who communicate clearly through the site’s messaging system. Always have a backup plan in case things don’t work out.
A Couchsurfing membership is $2.99 per month or $14.99 per year. A lifetime verification — which helps confirm your identity — costs $60.
4. Become an Au Pair
Au pairing involves living with a host family in exchange for providing childcare and — in some instances — tutoring, cooking and light housework. In addition to room and board, au pairs may also get perks like car access, a monthly allowance and a phone. Requirements vary by agency and host family, but typically au pairs must be between the ages of 18 and 35, have a college degree and a passion for caring for kids.
To become an au pair and find a host, you can work with an agency, many of which offer visa application and in-country support. The downside of partnering with these organizations is they often charge hundreds of dollars in fees.
Another option is to find a host family independently on one of the many reputable au pair listing platforms. Trustworthy examples include:
AuPair.com
This online platform boats over 13,000 active host families around the world. A Premium membership, required to send personalized messages, costs $59.70 per month, $80.70 for three months, or $139.70 for six months.
AuPairWorld
Founded in 1999, AuPairWorld has a database of over 14,000 active host families. Au pairs can access the platform and features for free.
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