In Couchsurfing is a brilliant way to travel for free, whether you’re looking for free vacations, or looking for long-term free travel opportunities. Couchsurfing is a global community of Couchsurfers who offer free accommodation to travelers. It is not only about finding free places to stay, but also about connecting with locals and getting insider tips on the best things to see and do in town. Couchsurfing is a great way to meet new people, learn about different cultures, and make new friends all over the world.

The Couchsurfing app is free to download and easy to use. With the Couchsurfing app, you can search for Couchsurfers in your destination city, send messages to Couchsurfers, and request to stay with them. You can also find Couchsurfing events happening in your city, and Couchsurfing meetups where you can meet other Couchsurfers.

If you’re looking for an authentic travel experience, Couchsurfing is the way to go. Staying with a local Couchsurfer gives you a unique opportunity to learn about their culture and way of life. You’ll get to experience the city like a local, and you’ll save money on accommodation costs. Couchsurfing is the perfect way to travel free.

Now that we understand what Couchsurfing is, let’s dive into the details.

Is Couchsurfing Safe?

Couchsurfing is a safe way to travel, as long as you take the necessary precautions. When Couchsurfing, always communicate through the Couchsurfing app or website. Do not give out your personal contact information to Couchsurfers you have not met in person. When meeting a Couchsurfer for the first time, meet in a public place and let a friend or family member know where you’re going. Trust your gut; if a Couchsurfer makes you feel uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to end the meeting. Couchsurfing is safe as long as you use common sense and follow the Couchsurfing safety guidelines.

As a solo female traveler, I rely heavily on reviews. Staying with someone who has an established positive presence on the Couchsurfing platform is one of the mainstays of safety for me. Additionally, I would only consider booking stays with someone who is verified through the Couchsurfing platform.

Is Couchsurfing Free?

Yes and no. Yes, because when you stay with Couchsurfing hosts, your stay is completely free. No, because the Couchsurfing platform does have an annual fee of $14.29. That comes to just $2.39 per month. Paying this fee is well worth it, even if you don’t use it to stay with a host. The Couchsurfing app has a lot of other benefits like events and meetups.

If I stay with a Couchsurfing Host does that mean I will sleep on a couch?

The name Couchsurfing might make you think that all Couchsurfers stay on their host’s couch, but this is not always the case. In fact, many Couchsurfing hosts have private rooms that they offer to Couchsurfers. And some Couchsurfing hosts don’t have a couch at all! If you’re interested in Couchsurfing but not sure about sleeping on a stranger’s couch, don’t worry. You can review each host’s profile which will generally give a description of the sleeping arrangements.

Is Couchsurfing only for Solo Travelers?

Couchsurfing is a great way for solo travelers to meet new people, learn about different cultures, and experience the city like a local. However, Couchsurfing is not only for solo travelers. Couples and families can also use Couchsurfing to find free accommodation while traveling. If you’re traveling with children, Couchsurfing options might be more limited, but there are certainly hosts out there willing to welcome small families.

Is Couchsurfing only for Short Stays?

Couchsurfing is a great option for short stays, but it can also be used for long-term stays. For example, if you’re traveling for work and need a place to stay for an extended period of time, Couchsurfing might be a good option for you. Just keep in mind that Couchsurfing is not a hotel. Hosts are not obligated to provide you with a place to stay, and they can refuse your request for any reason.

When I went to Greece the first time, I listed my travel dates on the Couchsurfing app. This visit was for an entire month. I specifically stated that I wasn’t looking for a place to stay because I had already booked an Airbnb. That didn’t stop hosts from offering me a place to stay. I had over 30 offers to stay with hosts for an entire month. I couldn’t believe how many people were willing to offer me free accommodation.

Should I bring a gift for my Couchsurfing hosts?

It is not necessary to bring a gift for your Couchsurfing hosts, but it is certainly appreciated. If you’re staying with a Couchsurfing host for more than a few days, a small gift is a nice gesture. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive, just something to show your appreciation. A bottle of wine, some local snacks, or a souvenir from your home country is always appreciated.

How do Events work on the Couchsurfing app?

Couchsurfing events are a great way to meet other Couchsurfers in your city. Whether you’re looking for a party or a more low-key meetup, there’s probably an event for you. Events are organized by Couchsurfing hosts and are generally free to attend. You can see a list of upcoming events in the city you’re visiting, or even try an event in your local city.

The first event I attended was in my own city of Orlando, Florida. I decided to give it a try before I started traveling the world. The event was amazing! It was a potluck where each person brought food that represented their culture. I believe the event had over sixty people attend in total and had representation from every age group. There were 19-year-old girls from Germany, an Indian man in his 50’s, and I became friends with a gentleman from Iran in his 30’s. It was a great way to meet people from all over the world.

My second Couchsurfing event experience was in Paris, France. I attended an open mic night with about twenty other Couchsurfers. Most of them were actually from Paris but had a love for travel and meeting other travelers. A lot of my time there was spent talking to one specific gentleman. When we left the event around midnight, we decided to rent bicycles. This turned into one of the most magical experiences in my life. We rode around on bikes through a mostly empty Paris until two in morning in the 30-degree Fahrenheit weather.

When my friend and I were in Bali, we attended a Couchsurfing event together. It was a rooftop gathering with small bites and drinks. It was a very laid-back vibe where we visited with other Couchsurfers for several hours on a rooftop. I’m still in touch with people from that event!

Can I host an event on the Couchsurfing app?

Yes, you can host Couchsurfing events! You don’t have to be a Couchsurfing host to host an event. However, it is generally expected that Couchsurfing hosts will open their homes to other Couchsurfers. If you’re not a Couchsurfing host, you can still host an event. You’ll just need to find a venue that is willing to host Couchsurfers. It could be as simple as meeting up at a bar or restaurant, a picnic in a park, or going for a group walk through the city.

What is a Couchsurfing Hangout?

A Couchsurfing Hangout is a great way to meet other Couchsurfers in your city. If you go to the Hangouts section of the Couchsurfing app, you can toggle the button at the top to make yourself available to hangout. This prompts the app to show you Open Hangouts. This will list anyone else who is in your area who has made themselves available to hangout. When someone makes themselves available to hangout, you can fill in what it is you want to do. The app reads, “I want to …” and you fill in the rest of the sentence. You can write, “I want to have coffee,” “I want to walk through the city,” “I want to hang out at the beach,” or whatever creative idea you might have. If another person (or multiple people) are interested in joining you, they can message you. You are not required to meet up with anyone who messages you. Who you hang out with is entirely up to you.

I have met many new friends through the Hangouts feature during my time in Athens and Rome. I went on walks through the city, and had a few different times where I met up with fascinating individuals for dinner. The nice thing about this feature is that it doesn’t have to be planned in advance.

What should I include on my Couchsurfing profile?

For your personal travel profile, you should include a photo that represents you and shows your personality. Couchsurfers want to know they are opening their home to someone they can trust. For your Couchsurfing profile, you’ll also want to include a little bit about yourself, your travel interests, and what kind of Couchsurfer you are (i.e., if you’re looking for a place to stay, if you’re looking for someone to hang out with, etc).

If you are planning on becoming a Couchsurfing host, your profile should include a photo of your couch or accommodations, as well as a description of your home and what kind of Couchsurfer you are looking for. You’ll also want to include your house rules, such as if you have any pets, if smoking is allowed, etc.

Including these key pieces of information on your Couchsurfing profile will help ensure that you find the right people for your travels or to host in your home. Just as important as being kind, it is also important to be honest and straightforward about your expectations. This can help to prevent any unwanted or uncomfortable situations.

What should I expect on my first Couchsurfing experience?

If you’re Couchsurfing for the first time, it’s normal to feel a little bit nervous. After all, you’ll be staying in someone’s home and they will be strangers to you. However, Couchsurfing is a great way to meet new people and learn about different cultures. Connecting with other people is one of the focal points of Couchsurfing in my experience. You should plan to spend time with your Couchsurfing host. This could be having a meal together, or they may even be wanting to show you around their city. This isn’t just about having a free place to stay, so be sure you are making yourself available to spend time with your host.

Another thing to remember is that this is not a hotel and you haven’t paid a cleaning fee. When you stay with a Couchsurfing host, you should plan to leave their home in the same condition that you found it in, or better!

Is Couchsurfing for me?

If you’re looking for a cheap or free place to stay while you travel, Couchsurfing may be a good option for you. Couchsurfing can also be a great way to meet new people and learn about different cultures. If you are the type of person who enjoys meeting new people and spending time with them, Couchsurfing is likely right up your alley.

Remember that even if you don’t plan to use Couchsurfing for a place to stay, it is also a great way to meet up with locals using the Hangouts or Event features.

Closing thoughts on Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing was a gamechanger for me. When I spent several months in Europe as a solo traveler, it provided friendships for me during a time that would have otherwise been very lonely. I have met people at events from all over the world. The rich cultural experiences have provided a depth to my travel that I never would have imagined.

Personally, I am a huge fan of Couchsurfing and find the fee to use the platform, well worth what it provides for me.

If you want to learn more about Couchsurfing and other ways to travel the world for free, visit my YouTube channel, Travel to Money. You can also check out this story about WWOOFING, which is another great way to see the world on a budget.