I’ve couchsurfed all over the West Coast of the U.S. and in India. I’ve slept on sofas in the middle of living rooms and in home offices. I’ve slumbered in spare bedrooms. I’ve been treated to amazing dinners and great coffee. I’ve dined with families, couples and a transgender person with breasts and a beard. I’ve fended off large dogs and been kept awake until the wee hours by loud music. Most importantly, I’ve made great friends with my hosts (and, sometimes, their friends) whom have shown me some amazing hospitality.
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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Daryl says
Hi,
Nice site, good advice for all such travelers!
Some minor corrections about Servas (means service in
Esperanto):
Servas has hosts in over 130 countries.
The US, for example, has over 1700 hosts.
Personal interview of hosts and travelers is required.
We strongly encourage transmitting feedback
about hosts and travelers, but it’s not required.
We have a national office in Arcata, California, which
keeps vital info (passport #, addresses, etc.).
The Servas Traveler carries a document with this info.
Host lists are borrowed, not bought.
Thanks.
Daryl Chinn, US Servas Boardmember
Meg Noble Peterson says
Great information and very succinct. I always wonder if using these services means you are in any way obligated to return the favor. I simply don’t have much space for such endeavors, but would enjoy meeting other people in my travels this way. Thanks, Beth
Meg
Nora - The Professional Hobo says
I too have had great experiences, with Hospitality Club in particular. It’s a fabulous way to travel, and if you host travelers – to live vicariously through them!
And Meg – you don’t always have to host travelers for the night if you don’t have the facilities. Sometimes meeting for coffee or showing travelers around town can be helpful. Some sites require you to be able to host within 6 months of signing up, while others don’t.
Daryl says
Servas travelers and hosts do not have to reciprocate.
A host may say, I can’t host you, but I’ll meet you for coffee or show you around. Great friendships can and do develop and continue.
You can become either a Servas host or Servas traveler or both.
The purpose of the required Servas host or traveler interview is,
among other things, to orient people to the ins and outs
of Servas and its peacebuilding goals (and any purposeful or “free” housing).
Lauren at Northwest Cheapsleeps says
I think hospitality exchange is a wonderful way to travel, both near and far. Travel is about more than just a destination, it’s connecting with other people, learning about the world and growing together.
My Mom co-manages a hospitality exchange club called the Affordable Travel Club (ATC) that’s been a growing community of travelers over the age of 40 since 1994. (www.affordabletravelclub.net) What sets ATC apart is the level of personal service the members have access to – my Mom is available over the phone and email to help assist members in the hospitality-exchange process, which can be intimidating to new folks. Also, it’s a B&B club, so the expectations of a homestay are a bit higher. We are soon adding another hospitality-exchange club just like ATC, but for younger travelers, age 25 and older. http://www.casacasa.org will launch in May.
Victoria says
Have you ever couchsurfed with your children? It sounds like a great way to meet people and get to know a country, but would someone really want us to land on their doorstep with two adults and three children? I’d love to hear stories of this.
jessiev says
GREAT tips. thanks for sharing!
Daryl says
I have known one family who took their young children on Servas trip abroad. They did not report any problems.