Rick Steves' Son Recommends This Engaging Service To Score Free Lodging While Traveling

If you're looking for free places to stay while traveling, Rick Steves' son Andy has the perfect suggestion. Steves is one of the most iconic European travel experts, and his bestselling guide books have helped inspire countless people to plan their dream vacation. Anyone can benefit from referencing Steves' fantastic advice, but some feel that his content is mostly geared towards older travelers from the US. Young adults who plan on traveling with a tight budget and are looking for cheap places to stay might gravitate towards his son instead. 

The apple certainly didn't fall far from the tree in the case of Andy Steves. After a childhood spent traveling around Europe with his dad, he decided to follow in his father's footsteps, and has cemented himself as a travel expert for a new generation of tourists. Andy hosts a podcast, writes guidebooks, and hosts weekend trips for students traveling abroad in Europe.  

He shares his father's penchant for budget-friendly travel, and offers excellent advice on how to see the world without breaking the bank. While it's no longer possible to backpack through Europe on a shoestring budget of $3 per day like Rick Steves did as a young adult, you can still score cheap (and even free) places to stay. Andy suggests budget-conscious travelers consider Workaway opportunities to save money and connect with locals.

Financial concerns are one of the main reasons people choose not to travel. According to Going's annual State of Travel report, lack of money was the second-biggest travel barrier in 2025. 26% of the 3,000 people polled claimed that finances were the biggest factor deterring them from planning a trip. While there are certain unavoidable travel costs, it's still possible to see the world without breaking the bank. Accommodations usually account for a big chunk of most travelers' budgets. The average cost of hotel rooms in the US and Europe is over $200 per night, so finding a free place to stay through Workaway can save serious money. 

Workaway is a cultural exchange program that matches travelers willing to work with host families in countries around the globe. According to Andy Steves' website, opting for a Workaway allows travelers to, "trade their labor for free accommodation (and sometimes food)." You will be expected to work around five hours each day. Some hosts will also pay you a small stipend or minimum wage if they are operating a business, but generally you will just receive room and board.

Andy recommends Workaway opportunities for travelers looking to stay somewhere long-term, noting that "most positions will want you to stay in one place for at least a couple of weeks." If you're wondering how to meet people as a solo traveler, then you should definitely consider Workaway. "You'll get a great connection with a local, but still have plenty of free time to explore," Andy writes.

If you're counting on Workaway for accommodations, you'll want to make your plans before you're ready to depart. "You definitely need advance planning for this one," Andy Steves wrote. While it may be possible to find opportunities to exchange labor for room and board while abroad, your best bet is going to be to apply ahead of time through the official Workaway website. You'll need to pay a membership fee in order to apply for opportunities. A couple's account costs $69 per year, and an account for a solo traveler costs $59 per year.

Workaway is great for travelers who are interested in learning new skills and anyone who wants to give back to the community that they are visiting. It's an ideal experience to try during your gap year. There are more than 50,000 different opportunities in 170 different countries, according to the Workaway website. You can browse through the different options before signing up, and there's something for every type of traveler.

"You can do things like manage a hostel, teach English to children, or help out with home improvement projects in exchange," wrote Andy Steves. If you've been curious about a farmstay, Workaway allows you to learn permaculture at eco-farms or work on thriving vineyards. Childcare, reforestation, and natural building were a few of the many options available at the time of writing. From Sweden to South Africa, there's no limit on how far you can travel as a Workawayer.