Though I’ve written about this several times over the last couple of years, I continue to receive emails about couchsurfing so I thought it would be a good idea to revisit it as a topic. This post is meant for the traveler but hosts might find useful info here, too.

Some of you may be asking, “What the heck IS couchsurfing?”

Simply put, it’s staying at someone’s home whom you haven’t previously met in person. You may stay on their couch, on their floor, pitch a tent in their backyard or stay in a comfy bed in a spare bedroom.

You may be traveling solo, with a friend/sig’ o or with kids. And you might stay with a single person, several people, a couple or a family.

In other words, there’s no “one” way to couchsurf and it may change for you over time and depending on your destination(s) or life situation.

Start your search for a host on one of the following websites or organizations:

Couchsurfing – Though this wasn’t the first, this site certainly claimed the phrase for this type of travel. It probably has the most members and highest chance that you’ll find a host. it has a built-in security feature in that all communications (at least initially) go through the site. If something were to happen to either the host or traveler, the emails could be followed through the site.

GlobalFreeloaders – This is similar to the Couchsurfing site. It’s been my experience that it’s a bit harder to find hosts through this site although it’s a great alternative as there are some folks who are GlobalFreeloader hosts but not Couchsurfing hosts.

Hospitalityclub – I haven’t used this site but have heard that there are many people on this site that are on the other sites.

Servas – The oldest (and least technology-savvy) of the options. Formed more than 30 years ago, the purpose of Servas is to promote world peace. Travelers are asked to stay at least 2 nights with the host who in turn are asked to spend time with their guests. The idea is to create a connection and understanding between cultures. There is a membership fee of about $80 and a small fee to acquire the list of hosts in each country.

I met this lovely group of folks while couchsurfing in Walla Walla. I’ve become good friends with my host and her daughter.

Every site but Servas encourages hosts and travelers to write recommendations/referrals about those they meet through the program. This gives you the opportunity to learn about your host prior to arrival. Hospitality Club requires that the travelers provide their passport information and recommends that hosts check the passport upon their guest’s arrival.

In all of these cases, there is no cost for the actual stay. However, it’s recommended that you pay for any costs incurred by the host (food, telephone, etc.). Also, keep in mind:

• As a woman, only stay with a single woman or where the woman is the primary contact. Not that women don’t sometimes make bad hosts, but you’ll drastically reduce your hassles if you stay with a woman.
• Always call in advance and have a conversation with your host before arriving. This will give you a chance to build up some rapport, decide if it’s a good fit and politely back out if you don’t feel like the situation feels right.
• Bring a small gift or offer to cook or take your host out for a meal. After all, you’re crashing for free. Any one of these simple gestures will go a long way.

One thing to consider, too, while your choosing a host, is her proximity to areas of interest and/or public transport. More often than not, a host will be located in a residential neighborhood. Unless you have your own mode of transportation, it might be difficult for you to get around. After you have initial contact with someone about their couch’s availability, find out exactly where they live and then search Google maps for the location to determine if it’s convenient for your needs.

While it’s great to think that you can save a bundle of money by not paying for a hotel room or hostel bed, if your host has the time and interest, get to know them. It’s a great opportunity to learn about the local culture and area.

Travel Well,

Beth

Related links:
Couchsurfing: Better Than Hosteling
Couchsurfing Tips

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(By the way, I’m always interested in hearing from you if YOU ARE interested in interning with me.)

A couple of weeks ago she told me about a project she was working on – a video application for the Student Travel Association’s (STA) 2009 summer internship. I was totally intrigued and couldn’t wait to see her video. Here it is….

Though I thought hers was pretty funny, unfortunately, Kjirsten didn’t make it into the top 20. Of the top 20 picked by STA, here are a few of the more innovative ones that I liked:

Zach Swee

Chris Danner

Lindsay Clark

Jordan Hawes

Travel Well and best of luck to all the applicants!

Beth

Read my travel blog on at the Seattle Post Intelligencer.

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Wanderlust and Lipstick was nominated for a Love This Site award over at Divine Caroline. I humbly ask for YOUR vote as we slip into the last week of voting. It’s super simple and you don’t even have to sign up to be on anyone’s mailing list

Just follow this link and you’ll be taken directly to the Divine Caroline site where you can make your vote count for Wanderlust and Lipstick!

Travel Well! (And vote often. Only kidding of course.)

Beth

Read my travel blog on at the Seattle Post Intelligencer.

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If you enjoy reading the witty, entertaining blog posts from me and my 10 lovely WanderBloggers as well as the well-written articles in the WanderTales section, then give us vote, won’t you?

Thanks from the Wanderluster team!

Travel Well!

Read my travel blog on at the Seattle Post Intelligencer.

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View of downtown P-burgh

I was invited to speak on a panel last week at a conference for the Public Relations Association of America and the Society of American Travel Writers. The topic was How to Make Money Online.

The event far exceeded my expectations as I had an opportunity to meet a number of other adventures, travel bloggers and website publishers. I would have liked to see more women involved in the programs but appreciated what each of these guys brought to the event.

Richard Bangs – The father of modern day adventure travel, Richard spoke about eco-friendly travel and showed a couple of short videos. One was a preview of a PBS series (now showing) called New Zealand: Quest for Kaitiakitanga and one about Switzerland. Richard has a long history in the adventure travel world, including being a co-founder of Mountain Travel Sobek and a founding executive at Expedia. He will also be speaking (as will I) at the Adventures in Travel Expo in Seattle on September 13th and 14th.

Craig Kennedy – I met Craig and his wife, Andrea, only briefly in a short elevator ride on the day I was leaving the conference. Craig is wheelchair-bound but, as his website and book promote, he can Access Anything! Craig travels around the world, maneuvers stairs and he even skis – yes skis! Craig spreads his message in order to encourage the millions of disabled people around the world that they, too, can do anything their heart desires. I’ve only started learning about how much he is capable of but I look forward to learning more as this is a guy to watch.

Max Hartshorne – Max is the editor of GoNomad, an information-filled travel website that launched in 2000. Max is one of the most energetic people I’ve met in the online travel business and he is always open to sharing information and helping others. I met Max earlier this year at the New York Times Travel Show but we had more of a chance to chat at the PRSA conference. Max and I joined Roger Cox for the panel on making money online.

Roger Cox – Roger publishes Tennis Resorts Online. Packed with information and ratings on tennis resorts, this is the site to check out if you’re thinking about a tennis vacation. Roger was an early adopter of technology and he’s figured out to create a business out of his niche interest.

Johnny Jet – Johnny popped up on my radar a few months ago when I discovered his site and started receiving his newsletters. Johnny IS a jet-setter indeed. He blogs about his travels and includes tons of tips and recommendations in his newsletters.

Charles Velay – Charles is the Most Traveled Person in the world. He’s been to 94% of the world’s countries, territories, autonomous regions, enclaves, island groups, provinces and major states. He only has 43 places remaining. He gave a keynote address at breakfast and showed photos of some extremely remote areas in the world. Go Charles!

I feel fortunate to have been included in such an esteemed group of folks in the travel industry!

Travel Well!

Read my travel blog on at the Seattle Post Intelligencer.

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