While many people may be on the ground right now due to the pandemic, one day Covid will be gone and we will be able to travel the world again. But are you worried that you won’t be able to afford a vacation after all we’ve been through? Here’s some good news: there are a number of companies out there that will help you travel the world for free – and some that will actually pay you to travel.
Mind you, there are very few things in life that are really free. But if you’re willing to do a little work during your vacation, a number of companies can give you a grant or salary, which adds a new twist to the term “business trip”.
Would you like to travel to Covid but have concerns about how to pay for it? A number of companies will help you … [+]
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A note: if you are planning to visit any of the locations in this story, be aware that some of these locations can be restricted or difficult to travel during the pandemic. You should always check the regulations for your travel destination and take precautions to protect yourself and others.
Read on for 21 companies that will help you travel for free and some that will even pay for your trips.
You will find seasonal gigs like as a ski instructor.
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Get a seasonal gig
Have you always wanted to be a ski freak or a beach bunny? The website CoolWorks.com will be your bible. It lists cool jobs in great locations, be it a Colorado ski resort, a Florida beach hotel, or a national park – to name a few. Some jobs are short-term jobs for vacationers looking for free travel; others are full-time jobs. Many of the gigs include your room, food, activities, and even a scholarship. Other companies with similar resources for seasonal workers are ResortJobs.com, Seasonal workers and Adventure work.
Workaway offers volunteering opportunities around the world, including teaching and more.
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Volunteers (and maybe get paid for it)
With WorkawayNot only can you travel for free and sometimes get paid for it, you can really immerse yourself in a culture while giving back to the communities and places you visit. How it works: A variety of companies in need of help, from hotels to NGOs (even private families), post on the site. You could find charity work, build, teach a language, extra hands for gardening, creative projects with the kids, housekeeping – the list goes on. In general, you will be expected to help around five hours a day in exchange for food and accommodation. Some hosts may give you a paid allowance to ensure they are offering at least the minimum wage in their country.
Dotrotter AB was inspired by an experience as a volunteer in a castle.
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Travel with your talent
In 2016, Nicolás Jurado Allende and a group of friends spent a few weeks volunteering in a derelict castle in the French Dordogne. He quickly realized that this was not a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as many other companies around the world have similar needs. So he founded Dotrotter AB, a marketplace where users can post projects they need help with and travelers can apply to volunteer. In return, the traveler receives free room and board, access to local experiences, and tons of opportunities to improve their career simply by paying with their talent.
With WWOOF you will find opportunities to volunteer and get free rooms on organic farms around the world … [+]
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Work on an organic farm
Do you want to get your hands dirty? You will like the sound of WWOOF, an acronym for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. The idea is simple: farm owners around the world post help seekers looking for volunteers to do everything from making cheese to collecting herbs. You work a few hours a day and then have time to do your own thing. In return, the courtyards subsidize your room and your food. WWOOF offers agricultural opportunities anywhere from Costa Rica to New Zealand.
With Grassroots Volunteering, you can help make a difference around the world.
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Help the planet and its people
In 2008, Shannon O’Donnell decided to leave it all behind and volunteer around the world for a year. During this time she came up with the idea for the site Volunteering on the grassroots, which offers service-minded travelers easy ways to support the places they have traveled by participating in ethical and sustainable projects that give back. The result: meaningful connections between travelers and local concerns and communities. Also, many of the companies offer travelers free board and lodging in exchange for their work.
TEFL has job vacancies worldwide for people teaching English or in one … [+]
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Teach English Abroad (and More)
When you’re ready to teach English as a Foreign Language to non-English speakers, the world is at your feet. TEFL.com is one of the most popular job platforms for English teachers and gives people access to a unique selection of international teaching positions around the globe. Positions typically range from nine months to two years, so it’s a great way to have an extended paid vacation. In addition to English teaching jobs, the site also lists positions in marketing, teaching, and more. Another great resource for job seekers looking to teach English around the world is Dave’s ESL Café, which was founded by Dave Sperling. After teaching around the world and completing his MA in Linguistics in 1995, he started the company as a place for ESL and EFL teachers and students to connect. The ESL Cafe has job offers everywhere as well as special job boards for Korea and China.
If you want to chat in English there are options to travel to Spain, Germany and … [+]
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Speak English abroad
Here is another opportunity for English speakers: English villagewho offers free vacations to English speakers willing to travel to small villages in Spain and Germany and help foreigners practice their language skills. They spend most of the day chatting and get “paid” with free accommodations, group meals, parties, theatrical performances, and more. Another company with a similar concept is Anglovillewho conducts trips for English speakers to various locations in Poland.
With a company like Auto Driveaway, you might be able to get paid for a road trip.
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Take a road trip
Do you fancy a big road trip? Think about joining a company like that Automatic drive awaywho will pay you to transport a car – and possibly stuff – to a destination. It’s simple: the car is filled up and you have a certain amount of time to get to your destination. Constantly looking for skilled drivers to move its customers’ vehicles across the country, Auto Driveaway has over 40 locations in the United States and tens of thousands of journeys per year.
Plan a trip for a group of your friends and it could be free. Pictured here: Zakynthos Island, … [+]
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Organize a group trip
Here’s a great way to get a free vacation: plan a trip for a group of your friends. Many tour operators will cover your costs when you act as a tour guide and Contiki Is one of them. For example, the company recently launched a new trip called Senior Year Gets a Second Chance (in Greece) after the lockdown dampened many graduation trips. For a college graduate bringing a group of 10 friends, the tour guide was able to travel for free. Other companies that offer group leaders free rides are YMT vacation and Grand Circle cruise line.
Teachers can get free rides for running a group tour.
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Plan an educational trip
Call to all teachers. After teaching your students the world, you can show them the world – and get a free trip at the same time. There are several educational travel companies that offer free trips to teachers who organize trips for students. (Some even offer a free training tour in advance.) The best outfitters with benefits for teachers include EF, CHA educational tours and Explorica.
A great way to get a free stay: take care of someone else’s home.
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Become a house sitter
How to Get Free Housing During Your Vacation: Take care of someone else’s house or their pet in the place you are traveling to. Companies like Trustworthy house sitter and Home care workers connect travelers and people in need of sitters around the world.
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