Compare Cross Exchange to traditional work exchanges and mission trips.
Trip length
Mission trip cost: $1,700 for a month
Live and work with locals
Safeguards vary
Go when you want
You plan your own trip
Thousands of hosts worldwide
Live and serve with your host
Every host is verified
Go when you want
Our team is happy to help
Small but growing
Often shorter and strictly guided
Organized with a team
Fixed dates and itinerary
Organized end to end
Set by the organization
All three provide unique opportunities, and there is a time and place for each. We built Cross Exchange because we believe there's a need.
This table compares what each option charges. To budget a whole trip — flights, food, lodging, and insurance — use the trip cost calculator.
Trip Cost CalculatorThe mission trip figure is the program fee at the length selected above — only that figure changes. The 2-week, 1-month, and 6-month fees do not cover all airfare; the 11-month fee already covers international flights and insurance. A work exchange membership is yearly, so it costs the same however long you travel. The trip cost calculator cites the published price behind each mission trip figure.
*Individual agreements may vary. See host's listing for details.
Varies
Large global traveler base
Volunteers arrive at agreed upon time
Live-in and faith-centered
Small but growing
Volunteers arrive at agreed upon time
A working relationship
Depends on your local market
Additional fees for unique hours
All three provide unique opportunities, and there is a time and place for each. We built Cross Exchange because we believe there's a need.