How to afford Long-Term volunteer travel

Volunteering abroad for an extended period can be a life-changing experience – but let’s be honest, long-term travel isn’t free.

Many aspiring volunteers are held back by one big question:

how do I fund it all?

With the right approach, it’s absolutely possible to travel long-term without draining your savings. Whether you’re planning to

• stay on organic farms,
• teach English,
• help out with eco-projects,

there are creative, sustainable ways to cover your basic needs while on the road.

Below, you’ll find practical advice and useful links to help you navigate the financial side of long-term volunteering. These tips are meant to inspire, inform, and empower you to say yes to that journey you’ve been dreaming of.

Let’s dive in.

1) Paid opportunities

Some organizations can afford to pay a stipend for your volunteer work.

Some others are even able to pay for flights/transport as well.

It’s rare, but these opportunities exist.

Here are some of these organizations:

• Un Volunteers.
• EVS projects
• Teaching English paid opportunities

2) Stay longer on a farm

If you stay longer on one farm, for example, one month, you don’t have to pay anything else than the superfluous costs.

Read what this long-term volunteer wrote in our Facebook group.

You will realize that you can spend from zero to 100 euro per month!

Try to spend your money mostly on transportation. Of course, you can also spend them on other sweet things that the hosts can’t provide for you (tour activities, pubs, medicines, etc.).

Have a less materialistic approach to life and try to get all the necessities of life for free.

Barter, recycle, share and exchange whatever you can:

clothes, food, vehicles, fun activities and other human services.

3) Rely on savings

Rely on savings to cover transport costs. There are a lot of opportunities in which the hosts provide free accommodation and meals. So you don’t have to pay for it.

4) Health insurance is not always obligatory

If you can, avoid paying for health insurance. You can be your own insurance by being responsible when you travel/volunteer/hitchhike from one place to another!

[If you still prefer to have an insurance we recommend this one].

5) Work hard as a volunteer

If you work hard as a volunteer, you may become indispensable for the organization or farm. At that point, they might even consider paying you or employ you.

6) Avoid buying superfluous stuff

If you are addicted to cigarettes, makeup, fashion and other luxuries, it will be difficult for you to save money while travelling! 

Have a less materialistic approach to life. Try to get all the necessities of life for free: barter, recycle, share and exchange whatever you can: clothes, food, vehicles, fun activities and other human services.

Enjoy a simple life in nature and with friends at the volunteering place.

Got more tips or personal experiences to share?

Drop them in the comments below – we’d love to hear from you and might even feature your advice in the article!

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