Before I set out on my last trip to Turkey and Bulgaria, my fabulous aunty Deb sent me the link for www.worldpackers.com. I’ve only just got back home to check it out, and it’s amazing!
What is Worldpackers?
Worldpackers was founded by two friends, Riq Lima and Eric Faria, who left their jobs as bankers and accountants to travel the world. Eric’s first two years were spent helping out at USA Hostels in San Diego, as a receptionist, a housekeeper, and a tour guide, exchanging his skills for accommodation.
He then helped to found International Travellers House – a hostel chain in California run by an entire volunteer workforce. This was the inspiration behind Worldpackers – connecting travelers and hosts for mutual benefits, allowing more people to travel the world for cheap.
Worldpackers is a website that holds a database of travelers who want to work for their accommodation and hostels offering free accommodation in return for volunteering. There are hostels worldwide looking for people to clean, bartend, party plan and promote through social media. It’s a great way to hostel your way around the world with minimal costs.
Worldpackers – Mission and Values
Do you believe that travel is for everyone? Worldpackers believe that travel is a universal right, and I do too!
Worldpackers value sharing, experiences, learning and being an ‘earth local’. In other words, it’s all about the world is our home and the people on it treated as equals. Everyone can travel if they really want to.
Searching for your perfect Accommodation-Skills Swap!
Worldpackers use a Match system focused on finding the best travel options for you. This means that places carefully selected according to your travel dates, the location you’d like to go, skills you want to share and the languages you speak.
My Worldpacker search results for social media opportunities.
I searched for places to do social media promotion, and a great selection of hostels came up including Moreto & Caffeto in Bulgaria and Eco Hostel Republic in Serbia. Right up my street!
Completing your Worldpackers Profile
If you are a traveler, Worldpackers allows you to complete your profile and then apply to work in the hostels that are registered. On your profile, be sure to add your languages and skills, as well as a few pictures of you working around the world, if you can!
How Worldpackers Works
Once you have set up your profile, you can then search through hostel positions, create a wish list and apply. Take note that some hostels have a minimum and maximum stay requirement. Also, have a look at how many days off you get. For me, I want at least 2 days off so that I can travel.
The Worldpackers website is easy to use, and you can contact hosts before finalizing your trip.
When you apply, there is a $50 enrolment fee per placement. You only pay the fee once your trip is confirmed. However, there are ways to keep this down, or even get it for free, which I am about to reveal!
How to Save Money on your World Packers fee!
You can strengthen your profile by endorsements from your friends or hosts. This will make your profile more appealing to other potential hosts.
Also, by building up to 20 endorsements, you can get a free $50 fee paid. I have 5 so far, so I’m currently a Champion. I’d like to become a Travel God and get my first trip for free!
You can read about my first Worldpackers trip to Belgrade (Trip and Sleep Hostel).