My girlfriend and I – Koh Phangan
My favorite cheap travel tip thus far is WorkAway.info. This is a fabulous way to travel if you land the right gig. Depending on how much time you want to spend in the same place, this could be a great option to cut back on costs and lengthen your trip.
For example, while staying for a few days on Kao San Road I realized I wanted to spend some serious time in Thailand, so I got on WorkAway and hooked up with a Canadian lady that had just purchased an old restaurant on Koh Lanta and wanted to turn it into a bar.
Wild Monkeys!
I was on it! Two days, three buses and one ferry ride later my tuk-tuk driver lurched to a halt in front of the old restaurant.
Within a week we had opened the bar, I ended up extending my visa another month and was able to get a local deal on a trip to Koh Phangan for the Full Moon party (on Christmas). I also went with my “boss” and a few other work-awayers on an open sea kayaking trip full of fresh fruit and wild monkeys! Swam at midnight in bio-luminescent plankton, and celebrated New Years on the beach surrounded by fireworks and lanterns.
The way it works
WorkAway.info is a way for anyone who needs help to “hire” someone to work a set amount of days and hours in exchange for accommodation and meals. This can range from fruit picking to child care, bar tending to guest house promoting. Usually you work 4 hours a day for 5 days a week, with weekends off, free accommodation, one free daily meal, and most of the time free transportation. Some gigs vary slightly, but this is the main gist. It’s an incredible experience to be had!
WorkAwayers in Laos – Promoting our guesthouse
Want to find out how I start saving for a trip? Read my, “How to save money for travel – A backpackers perspective” here!
This is an awesome idea. I always thought something like this should exist. My son is a free spirit who believes we all should work for just enough and share our gifts and resources willingly, and I can’t wait to tell him about workaway. Great site and thanks for sharing.
Aww it sounds like your son and I would be great friends!! So happy you’re passing on this information, it’s life-changing!
I had never heard of Work Away, but it seems it can be beneficial to a lot of people. I don’t know much about traveling because I have never really traveled, but this could definitely help many travelers out. There is so much I can learn about traveling and looking more into Work Away might help me as well. Great post!
Yes Cesar, knowing about networks and communities such as WorkAway can not only save you money but also enhance your experiences!
Hi Courtney, thanks for sharing this very interesting article. I was not at all aware of the possibility of work away opportunities that are so easily obtainable through such a structured service. It opens so many doors of traveling and exploring some new interesting places. I recently read about a retired couple who is house sitting for people on leave. They travel all over the world and actually get free accommodation in return for looking after people’s houses and pets. These two different ways of subsidizing your own travel and holiday is actually an excellent way to get around. Thanks… Read more »
Oh, yes I have heard of this house/pet sitting deal. I actually almost did it in Bangkok for a woman who had over 23 cats!! It’s amazing how cheaply one can travel, there’s never been a better time for travel than now!
My heart pangs with longing to be in that picture with all those happy faces. I am hooked on your site from first glance. I had to beat back the jealousy when I saw you looking at the mountains on the front page. What a wonderful way to experience life. I will be back making comments all over the place. Thanks for being here. I may have to find meaning while I live vicariously through your experiences.
It is a wonderful way to experience life! I always encourage others to go and see and do, and my favorite? Taste! I LOVE foreign foods! We weren’t meant to work and pay bills and sleep just so we can get up and do it all over again. Once someone initially breaks through that routine… there’s generally no going back 🙂
Hi Courtney,
Me again! 🙂 I absolutely love your site. It provides such great information on traveling. I have done so much research on trying to get money while traveling to stay afloat and this takes the cake.
I am definitely going to look into this.
That’s fantastic! WorkAways are incredible experiences! When you participate in your first one I hope you think of me and come back and share 🙂