A work exchange with free accommodation is an agreement between a traveler and a host. The host offers a place to sleep and often meals, and the traveler helps with daily tasks for a few hours per day. It is not a paid job, it is a cultural and learning experience that can make slow travel more affordable and meaningful.

Typical tasks in a work exchange include gardening, helping in a guesthouse, language practice, eco-building, or supporting a small NGO. Volunteers usually help around 20 to 30 hours per week, with at least one or two free days to explore the local area. Projects can be found in hostels, community projects, schools andorganic farms.

On Voluntouring.org we try to list work exchange projects that are transparent and ethical. Most offers are free to join, which means that food and accommodation are included in return for your help. In some cases, especially in small organizations or in developing countries, hosts may ask for a contribution to cover part of the living costs. You should always read each listing carefully and ask questions before you travel.

To learn more about responsible volunteering you can also read general resources on volunteering abroad or check how other platforms describe work exchange, for example Workaway and HelpX. Use these sources to compare conditions and to understand what a fair work exchange with free accommodation should look like.