We have put together a guide to the best gap year companies which will help you organise and book your big adventure overseas. 

If you are keen to travel, work, volunteer or study abroad on your gap year the companies featured on our list will be able to help. Our list includes recommendations for:

  • Specialist gap year travel organisations
  • Tour operators
  • Volunteer organisations
  • Recruiters & companies offering jobs abroad
  • Teaching English abroad
  • Language schools

Most companies are based in the UK and USA, although some companies are located all around the world or have global offices. Click on the company name or logo for more information or browse our website for hundreds more trips and opportunities.

 

Top Rated Gap Year Operators

Not sure what you really want to do on your gap year? Keen to do a mix of lots of things? Or search lots of ideas? The following companies are highly rated and offer combo travel, work, volunteer and study trips worldwide:

 

Gap Year World

Gap Year World logo

Gap Year World is one of the easiest to use websites for finding trips and programs around the world. If you are looking to take a gap year to travel, work, volunteer, study - this website connects you to the best opportunities. Get tips for things to do, where to go and also how to book a dream gap year.

 

Global Work and Travel

Global Work and Travel logo

Global Work and Travel offer 60+ trips to 30+ countries including Australia, Canada, Americas, UK, New Zealand, Europe, Asia and Africa. Choose between Working Holidays, Volunteering, Au Pairing, Teaching English and Internships. Global Work and Travel also offer help with. Flights, Tours and have a 24/7 Support Team.

 

 

Oyster Worldwide

Oyster Worldwide logo

Oyster Worldwide are gap year specialists offering amazing trips to 20+ destinations worldwide. From working abroad, volunteering or booking a trek you can find something to match your interests. 

 

Instituto Hemingway

Instituto Hemmingway logo

Would you like to work, intern or study in Spain? Instituto Hemingway offer Spanish language courses, work experience placements and jobs in Bilbao and other locations in Spain.

 

 

Working Abroad

Interested in earning money on your gap year? Looking for a short term summer job abroad, winter ski season position or a long term position? You can find gap year jobs all around the world, here are some of the best recruiters:

 

InterExchange

InterExchange

InterExchange offer the chance for internationals to live and work in the USA, and also US citizens to work abroad. Choose from a range of exciting work, volunteer and intern programs including career training placements in the USA - you could work in New York City!

 

Interested in working at a summer camp in the USA? Interexchange can help you arrange a placement! They offer you the chance to spend your summer living and working at a summer camp in the USA.

This is one of the best summer jobs abroad in the world where you will get to have an amazing experience and make friends from all over the world. You can work as a camp counselor or activity instructor at one of hundreds of camps throughout North America.

This is one of the most fun ways to spend your summer and after your job finishes you will get up to 30 days to travel. 

 

Seasonal Jobs Abroad

 

Seasonal Jobs Abroad

Are you looking for short term or temporary positions overseas? Check out Seasonal Jobs Abroad. They help connect you to jobs and top rated emploters hiring international staff around the world.  


 

Tour Operators

Booking a tour is one of the best ways to see the world. You will get an experienced guide, travel in a group making new friends from around the world and get taken to the best places in the destination without having to worry about anything. View our recommended companies below:
 

G Adventures

G Adventures

G Adventures offer small group tours to destinations all around the world. You can choose from over 600 trips in 130+ countries including popular trips for 18-35 year olds, African safaris, island hopping tours and overland adventures. The hard part is deciding which trip to choose andwhere to go. Most group sizes are small with around 12 people depending on the trip and you get an experienced guide to take you to the best places. 

 

Contiki

Contiki logo

Interested in seeing the world and enjoying one of the best experiences of your life? Contiki are one of the most well known travel brands in the world and offer over 300 trips of a lifetime which are aimed at anyone aged 18-35's. UK and European tours are very popular but you can also explore Latin America, Asia and other worldwide destinations. 

 

TruTravels

TruTravels

TruTravels offer life changing group trips for 18 - Whatever year olds! Whether you’re a millennial, Gen Z-er or are just straight up young at heart, join TruTravels for unreal adventures across Asia, Europe & Latin America.

Choose between 4 distinct travel styles - Classic, FitVentures, Flashpacker & SailVentures to ensure the bucket list trip you’re looking for. Expect maximum adventure, minimum hassle & nothing average... ever.

TruTravels have thousands of 5 star reviews because badass Travel Ninjas (like tour guides, but much better) are highly trained to make your experience a life changing, mind blowing, ground breaking, earth shatteringly awesome one. Every time.

Book your dream trip with TruTravels now and look forward to making memories that will last a life time.

 

Topdeck Travel

Topdeck offer hundreds of exciting trips in Europe, Australia & New Zealand, Egypt & the Middle East, North America and Africa. Thousands of travellers book trips with Topdeck every year with trips ranging from 4 day festivals in Europe to 58 day overland safaris in Africa. There's a lot to choose from! You will usually travel in a large bus and are guaranteed to meet other travellers from all over the world.

 

Stoke Travel

If you would like to experience some of the best festivals and events in Europe, Stoke Travel are your number one choice. Enjoy some of the best and craziest festivals including La Tomatina, Oktoberfest, surf camps, music festivals, city breaks and more! If you enter code ONEWORLD365 when booking on the Stoke Travel website you will get free unlimited beer and sangria and a discount of €10 per day!


 

Volunteering Abroad

Spending part of your gap year volunteering abroad is a fantastic idea. You will get to do something rewarding and unique, meet nice likeminded people, learn about new cultures and countries and get a cultural experience like no other. Check our recommendations for the best volunteer abroad companies below:

 

GVI

 

GVI logo

Founded in 1998, GVI runs programs in 21 locations, in 13 countries around the world, each manned by our own staff and aligned to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or UN SDGs as well as the objectives of local partners. Being responsible in our contribution to sustainable development is at the core of everything we do and we are guided by our ethical commitments and human empowerment principles. Make an impact & apply today!

 

 

TEFL & Teaching English Abroad

Interested in working as an English teacher overseas? These are the best companies to take a TEFL course with:

 

Book My TEFL Course

Book My TEFL Course is the ultimate website to get TEFL certified and start a career teaching English around the world. Search courses, jobs and get advice about companies and popular teaching destinations.

 

International TEFL & TESOL Training

ittt logo

International TEFL & TESOL Training (ITTT) offer internationally accredited TEFL courses including online, in-class and combined TEFL courses which are internationally accredited. You can choose from over 30 worldwide locations.

 

 

Premier TEFL

Premier TEFL logo

Premier TEFL offer a wide range of fully accredited online courses and paid teaching internships. Premier TEFL provide you with all the training you need to confidently teach English abroad and ensure your lifelong certification makes you stand out in the global job market.


 

Studying Abroad

Improve your knowledge and development on a study abroad program around the world. Spending time in your gap year to learn a new language abroad is highly recommended. These companies are recommended:

 

Accent Francais Language School

Accent Francais Language School, Montpellier

Learn French in France with Accent Francais, French school in Montpellier, South of France. French courses for adults, students, professional & senior.

 

 

Richmond Vale Academy

Richmond Vale Academy

Richmond Vale Academy is a non-profit school located in St. Vincent in the Caribbean. They offer courses to train international participants from all over the world to become development instructors and climate activists. If you have a passion to fight global warming and help reduce poverty Richmond Vale Academy will appeal to you. Since the start of the school in 2007, about 500 people have participated on projects in Latin America & the Caribbean.

 

Browse Gap Year Trips & Programs By Destination

 

How to Choose the Right Gap Year Company

One World 365 is the ultimate website to book your gap year featuring thousands of amazing trips, jobs, programs and courses worldwide. We work with a number of worldwide operators and the companies in our list can be trusted for authenticity.

If you are thinking about booking a gap year with a company not listed above please check reviews and really research as there are a lot of bad companies in the market. If you need any advice about planning a gap year please contact us.

You might also like to view our gap year guide for trips, ideas and information 

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