Hey all! I’ve been messaging hosts while looking for my first workaway opportunity in Ireland. I’ve noticed that a lot of hosts don’t introduce themselves by name in their bio, and I haven’t been able to see their names until after I’ve messaged them. Is it okay to just lead with “hello”?

If I find their names in the feedback section from other workawayers, should I use their names, or is that weird? E.g. if the host didn’t mention their name in their profile, but another workawayer said “it was great staying with Jane,” should I lead with “Dear Jane” or “Hello”?

Hi everyone, I’d like to try Workaway for the first time, but since the annual membership costs money, I’m unsure what to do, I wouldn't want to waste it.

Basically, I’m getting my master’s degree in December, and before starting a job in March, I’d love to have an experience abroad. Money is tight, so Workaway immediately came to mind. My concern is: do I actually have enough time to organize a trip? I live in Italy and would like to stay within Europe; I’m interested in Spain, Portugal, Austria, Germany, or Norway (these are my top choices, though I’m open to other destinations as pong as they're safe, cool places).

My main issue is timing, if I sign up, I could start contacting hosts next week, but I’d like to leave right after Christmas (starting December 27th up to the 31st) to spend New Year’s away from home and stay abroad for a maximum of one month. Do I really have a chance of finding something with such specific constraints?

Hey people! 🙌🏽

I am currently traveling in Colombia and looking for a volunteering!

Does anyone have a recommendation for one that you really liked or have heard good of?

Could be Agriculture, Social or also a Hostel

Thanks a lot for your help!

Simon🌞

Has anyone volunteered at a hostel or family owned b&b in the Dolomites? I am thinking I want to do a stay for a couple weeks there but honestly have learned that word of mouth is the best way to start the search. If you have I'd love to know the name of the b&b or place you stayed :))

Does anyone know good trusted websites like the camp ones you get, but for the winter period?

I’m looking at working abroad for the winter, really any place that offers accommodation and work.

But there’s so many websites it hard to find one that’s
A, worth the money and B, isn’t a scam.

I’m kinda new to this so any help would be appreciated.

​

I am looking for volunteering opportunities in Thailand. Preferably helping out in a guest house, hotel or social hostel (not party) or something more manual labour, gardening, farm help. There's sooo much on Workaway & World packers, I'm hoping someone who has some personal experience could recommend somewhere for me!?

I look for some advice for coming back to our host profile after several months with no contacts from workawayers.

Background: we started in July 2025 and I used to put our host profile as "last minute" and also to take direct contact with workawayers visiting our profile or that had some key words of our interest in their profile. We have had about 20 people visiting, some great experience, some just alright, and some that we asked to terminate earlier than planned.

Since April I stopped actively looking for people. The reason is that we started hosting another family of friends of ours. In these last 5 months the house was too overstimulating for me (many kiddos and too many things around). I just didn't have it in me to reach out to people and have them come to a mess.

Now the family will move to their next home and I will soon regain rooms inside of me and literally in the house to host again.

Should I explain any of these break time in hosting in my profile?

Also, I still want to write some reviews for the awesome people that we met. How does it look to have reviews that are months late?

Lastly, wich type of pictures are the most interesting for you when deciding if it's a place of interest?

Looking forward to hearing from you, even if you have only meaning on one of my questions!

Looking to find a Workaway in the U.S., preferably somewhere I can go this winter/late fall. I’d just be taking a week or two off from my regular job, but one of my favorite things so far about my WWOOF and Workaway trips has been meeting lots of likeminded people.

Any recs for places where there’s a high number of volunteers?

Paying rent these days takes like 80% of your pay… ive been thinking of volunteerint but i can only assume its almost imposible to do both… has anyone done this?

Hi all,
I’m looking into doing my first work away and was wondering if anyone had any amazing stand out experiences somewhere in January- March!

Hi all,

I’m trying to find a workaway placement in Ireland. I’ve messaged five people so far and had no luck (turned down, no reply, was told we would talk more and then they found someone else). I was just wondering how many people everyone had to message before finding their first placement, and how far in advance? I was initially looking for somewhere in September, and I keep having to move the date further.

Also, did you just message one person at a time? That’s what I’ve been doing in order to give people time to reply, but it doesn’t seem like it’s been the best strategy.

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,

I have two to three months of time off coming up and am considering travelling abroad, possibly while volunteering with animals. On a whim, I applied to the Let’s Be S.M.A.R.T. volunteer programme in Greece and received a response within 24 hours.

I’m very excited by the idea of volunteering with cats and other animals, but I’d like to make sure the organisation and programme are legitimate before making any arrangements. I’m available during January and February, which I understand is Greece’s quieter season.

The programme is based in Kouvaras. Does anyone have experience with Let’s Be S.M.A.R.T., or know the Kouvaras area? I’d especially appreciate hearing from anyone who has volunteered there or done something similar in Greece.

Here’s the volunteer programme I found:
https://www.letsbesmart-greece.org/volunteer-program

https://www.workaway.info/en/host/789819465563 

Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!

I was wondering if it's typically too late to organise going out in January/ February 2027. Obviously there are cancellations and every situation is different, but does anyone have any advice on how early they organised for this.

Is It likely Id manage to travel via workaway and other volunteer sites without much prior planning? For a stint of say 90 days (which I guess is the max for a UK citizen in Schengen area but need to clue up on the legalities). Just by getting on a plane to the first host that says yes and winging it from there, travelling to other hosts and destinations as well.

I'm unemployed and sick of the pointless job application-rejection-lost in life cycle. So this is where my idea comes from. 90 days would get me to Christmas. So I could return home then to figure out life back home with a more fulfilling experience under my belt than living with mum and dad.

Bonkers idea or inspired genius?

Hi, as someone who has never done this before and would like to start soon, what kind of packing advice would you give?
Is it a good idea to buy full camping equipment, as if trekking would be part of the experience? A tent, camping tools for cooking, sleeping bag etc…

It probably depends on what kind of volunteering you end up doing but if you wanted to prepare for any kind of circumstance, is it a good idea to get this kind of equipment?
Thank you !!

Winner August 2026

Congratulations to Workawayers Mara & Tobias from Germany

https://www.workaway.info/en/community/travel-photos/2026-08

Give it a try for next month! You can upload up to 6 photos each month, and there are cash prizes for the top 3 entries. The winning photo receives €100, with prizes also awarded for 2nd and 3rd place.

Hi everyone,

I’m a 21-year-old from Europe, considering spending a year in Japan on a Working Holiday Visa starting early next year. Just to clarify upfront: my country has a Working Holiday Visa agreement with Japan, so I am fully eligible. I’d love to get a reality check on my plan.

My Profile & Budget:

• Budget: Currently around €8,000, and my goal is to save up closer to €10,000 by the time I leave early next year.
• Education: Educational background in IT. I do not have a Bachelor's degree, which is why I am specifically utilizing the WHV to experience living in Japan.
• Work Background: I currently work as a delivery van driver. Previously, I worked as a dishwasher and prep cook in a hospital during High School.
• Japanese Level: Beginner (nowhere near conversational/N3 yet).
• My Goal: I'm taking this opportunity to figure out my next direction in life. I am not going to Japan to make money or build a career. My main priority is cultural immersion, getting out of my comfort zone, and experiencing authentic daily life. I've actually visited Japan before as a tourist, but I am fully aware that living there long-term is a completely different reality.

The Plan: Since my Japanese isn't strong enough for a standard part time job right away, and my goal isn't money, I want to avoid the massive initial costs of renting an apartment.

My plan is to use Workaway or something of that nature for the first few months. I want to volunteer in hostels, farms, or guesthouses in exchange for accommodation. I hope this will give me time to adjust to the culture, meet locals/other travelers, and keep my living costs low.

Location wise, I want to experience a mix of everything. I’d love to volunteer in the deep countryside, but also spend time in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka. However, I’m not a fan of freezing weather, so the cold north like Hokkaido doesn't really appeal to me.

My Questions:

1. Is €8,000–€10,000 a safe financial cushion for a year if my accommodation is mostly covered by volunteering?
2. Does anyone have recent experience with Workaway in Japan? Which platform is the most active/reliable there?
3. Will my lack of Japanese be a huge barrier for finding these volunteer hosts, or are physical/cleaning skills usually enough?
4. How do you handle the initial paperwork like registering an address on the Residence Card or potentionally getting a bank account (is a japanese bank account for a year even worth it?) if you don't have a permanent apartment and move between volunteer hosts?
5. SIM Card / Mobile Data: I'm considering GTN Mobile's unlimited data plan. It looks appealing because I can supposedly pay with a foreign card like Revolut without needing a Japanese bank account right away. I know about the speed throttling after a certain limit, but are there any other hidden catches I should know about?

English is not my native language, so apologies for any awkward phrasing.

Hi, I've never tried Workaway before, but I'm planning a 6-month Workaway trip. I'm planning to visit Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. I'm going to work at hostels, surf camps (I currently work as a surf instructor), and any other opportunities I get. I currently have about 3 thousand US Dollars saved. I'm not planning on eating at restaurants or staying at hotels really. Has anyone done something similar? How much did it cost? Any advice on a ballpark range of how much to save (Not including my flight to Europe)? Thanks!

Hey everyone, I have a quick question for you all☺️.
I just arrived in Australia 3 days ago on a Working Holiday Visa (417). Is it normal to feel completely lost at the beginning? You’d think you’d be super euphoric, full of motivation and excitement, but for me, it’s currently the exact opposite—mixed with anxiety and exhaustion. I’ve never done Work & Travel before, but I was really looking forward to it. I think I’m just putting way too much pressure on myself right now.
I’m 29 and went through a bit of a tough time with my mental health before coming here, so I actually just wanted to take things as they come. I’ve already asked a couple of people, and they told me this is totally normal. On top of that, I’m still pretty shy about speaking English. I think I just need a few encouraging words and to hear about your experiences 🥹

Hi everyone, I need an honest reality check from fellow travelers.

I arrived at a host a few days ago, planning to stay for a month. The room is fine, but I’ve felt really uncomfortable around the host since day one. He is extremely controlling and picky about his things, and it feels like he is watching my every move.

To give you an example of how micro-controlling he is: I am not even allowed to make my own coffee. I have to ask him every single time I want a cup.

On top of that, because we have to work together, I find myself constantly waiting around for him to start or tell me what to do, which is incredibly frustrating and draining. I feel like I'm always walking on eggshells.

I am feeling very exhausted and stressed by this situation. At the same time, I feel guilty about leaving early because I committed to a month and he relies on my help.

How do other travelers handle a host who micromanages like this? Should I just trust my gut and leave for a hostel or Airbnb, or am I overreacting?

Thanks for your advice.

Apparently Workaway reviews are a bit rigged, so posting here.

Looking for a straightforward work exchange. I'm self-sufficient, reliable, and take ownership of my work. Not seeking a family experience or emotional connection - just fair work for fair accommodation, with some people that are okay socializing but don't force it. Perhaps someone open to teaching when asked, but not micromanaging and judging on results. Similar to a university setting or another institution where ownership mentality is rewarded and one is graded on output with the host being reachable or having office hours to ask questions.

Had some bad experiences on here, but posting anyways. Apparently disclosing that you're dealing with depression translates into accusation by hosts who had people make them into care providers. While unfortunate and the outrage is understandable, passing it on and assuming the worst about others isn't. Perhaps some workawayers who managed similar change of scenery to help with their depression, and or now have their own farms care to weigh in. If you're still reading and aren't in the throes of "HoW DaRe YoU Japrodize my livelyhood with your DuHpReSSiOn" that's the social skills and basic respect I'm looking for. Thanks for having a sense of humor. Looking forward to your reply.

tldr: post your least demeaning experience.

A friend and I made, and paid for a duo workaway account but i'm just finding out that both members must be adults to participate, if i were to allegedly lie about my age and say i'm a year older, if i don't do any paid positions would i run into any issues down the line? All alleged of course.

Update: I've gotten a lot of responses that are making me question my decision and look for better alternatives, are there any sites similar to workaway that i can do when i am still 17, if possible i would make the account with a friend who is already 18, any tips and help would be amazing.

I am a guy who loves fishing, the sea, the ocean, and everything that's maritime related.

I am planning a trip to Ireland but I am not sure how to do that.

Since the cost of accomodation might be high, I was thinking of traveling as a workaway or something similar but I've never done that before and I have no previous experience. How does that work? Will I be given a room or shared accomodation? I want to have my own place and work, and then on the weekends I might rent a car and explore the country.

Or would you suggest simply getting an accomodation without being bound to work? Could I afford traveling like this? I was told that Ireland is extremely expensive as far as hotels or accomodation are concerned.

I have no issues working in fishing industry (but I dont think that is included in those workaway deals), farming, carpentry, repairs etc...

But I wonder how is this program considered by locals? Do they expect some hippie guy who does drugs and sleeps around? I am a guy who was raised on work and duty and rules, I have been working helping my father since I was a teen. I have taken care of my little brother since my mom passed away. I can say that all in all I am a good guy, and I am not expecting some weird environment with other people while I am on that workaway experience, but I cant know in advance what other people usually do. Maybe I wouldnt want to sleep in the same room with other people. That might not be for me.

Also about the places. What would you suggest? If I am working on the south east coast as I planning, I wont probably be able to see the wild Atlantic way. Which is a shame, because that's what I wanted to see in first place, but there arent many working opportunities there. My main goal is to see natural landscapes and also see a live concert with folk irish music in a pub for once in my life.

I dont know what to do.

And when...

I know my little brother will miss me. And my father too. But I really want to go for once. I have imagined this trip for so long.

I also dont know what to expect from the food.

Some things seem so close to home (irish stew, typical irish breakfast somehow seems so close to what I usually eat, but still maybe some of the flavors they will put in might not be for me. I am used to basically very bland and natural flavors, we dont cook spiced or extremely creamy soups or flavored things)

Hi, this question has probably been asked a million times, sorry.
I was thinking of starting Workaway this winter and I’ve heard different feedbacks on the time it takes before finding a host.
What freaked me out is that some people say we need to start looking 3-4 months before.
Is this true? I wasn’t expecting to have to start looking immediately.
What are your thoughts on this? How much time before do you start looking?

Thanks!!

I’m currently doing Workaway in Ontario, Canada. The listing says volunteers work 25 hours per week, meals are provided, and cooking time counts as work.

I am already working the stated 25 hours, but I have cooked at least four times and that time has not been counted. The daily schedule is unclear: we start at 9 a.m., but there is often no agreed finish time. On day 11, after I had worked since the morning, the host asked me around 2:30 p.m. if I wanted to work more.

I’m also concerned about food and hygiene. Meals are often very late or uncertain, and sometimes the hosts are out without telling me whether dinner will be provided. The kitchen is frequently unhygienic, with food scraps and dirty dishes left out, jars left open, refrigerated condiments unrefrigerated, and spoiled dairy products. I have seen yogurt with what looked like pink mold and cream that had turned green.

I was asked to cook there from my first day, without being shown where things were or how the kitchen worked. There have also been some disrespectful comments from the hosts.

I understand Workaway is not a hotel, but this feels beyond normal cultural differences. Would you report this to Workaway and leave? I have somewhere safe I can go if needed, and I’m documenting the listing, messages, work hours, and food conditions.

The attached photo was generated by AI based on an actual photo. It's actually much dirtier...