May 24th, 2020 | Posted by: Grace Kim
Couchsurfing is a budget travelers most used and loved site. It’s used as a way to get to know locals, free stay, culture, hidden gems, and so much more. It’s also used for those who look for local tour guides, and to make friends in new cities.
Personally, I’ve been using Couchsurfing for the last few months and it’s become my preferred way of seeking hospitality. For long as I’ve been traveling full-time, I’ve used the Couchsurfing app in almost every city traveled to. Thanks to founder, Casey Fenton, over 14 million people has built a community with people from all around the world.
As impactful as Couchsurfing has been for the travel industry, why are you on Couchsurfing? As amazing and almost unbelievable as cruising at someone’s house for free sounds, is Couchsurfing the right fit for you?
What is Couchsurfing?
To many, the concept of the site might still come off as confusing. But let’s break it down even further, as it’s impacted the travel community as a whole.
Couchsurfing is a worldwide homestay and cultural networking service that is accessible directly on its website, or on the Couchsurfing app.
How does Couchsurfing work?
Anyone can sign up and use the platform. But if your main objective is to use it for free stay, hosts will most likely see your intentions. Couchsurfing is used for both parties, the host and the surfer, to provide value for each other. Whether it’s to meet people from around the globe, or to get to know the history of a new city, there should be some type of mutual exchange.
Is Couchsurfing free? How much does it cost?
Yes, Couchsurfing is absolutely free. And as this concept may sound foreign, that’s the beauty of the shared community.
From my surfing experiences, all my hosts hopped on Couchsurfing because of the hospitality they’ve received while traveling. And because of all the care they’ve received, opening up their place is their way of giving back.
The moment you arrive and depart from your hosts home, know that you don’t owe any monetary value. Hosts register their homes to be listed on Couchsurfing knowing and agreeing that they’re not expecting any forms of payment from both the company and surfers.
>> Read More: The Ultimate Solo Travel Survival Guide
How to Join Couchsurfing?
Now that you’re aware of the potential value from this site, let’s get you to be a part of the community. Just like with any other membership, all you need to do is fill in your information and sign up on the site.
Once you create your account, take the time to fill out your bio thoroughly. Answer all the questions in detail because hosts can see if you rush through the answers.
It’s that simple. As long as your intentions are there and you want to embrace the entire experience, Couchsurfing will give you just that.
Setting Up Your Profile
If it looks like you filled in your “About Me” section in seconds, how will hosts know anything about you? Remember that people are opening up their place for you, so it only makes sense that they gauge the type of person you are.
Virtually, hosts want to make sure you’re a person who they can get along with. Would you want to invite someone over to your house that you can’t converse with? Probably not.
As best as you can, make sure that you show some of your personality in your description. Whether you choose to link any of your social channels or blog in your description, provide some type of credibility.
Update Your Photos Regularly
Ensure that you’re updating your photos regularly. If your profile shows that your latest photo was updated 10 years ago, that comes off as a red flag. You don’t need to update your photos weekly, but it ensures that your age matches with who you are.
In my profile, I mention how I’m into photography, so a lot of my photos reflect that. There isn’t a set rule of how many photos you should have in your profile, but more the better. Just like any other social channel, it shows a reflection of who you are.
Have Reviews and Recommendations
As full as you create your bio, ensure that you have enough reviews and recommendations. As a surfer, I only scout for hosts who have an ample amount of reviews. Not only does this assure that hosts are legit, but it also clarifies the type of experience that you might be receiving.
Reading multiple reviews also brings an ease of mind, especially as a female traveler. Because yes, as amazing as this site is, there will be times that you’ll come across weirdos and creeps. At least for me, I did.
What can you offer?
What’s the catch to a site that checks off some of the most crucial boxes? Not only are you eliminating the most expensive part of traveling, but you are being taken care of during your visit.
With anything, there will always be a cost. This type of cost doesn’t refer to monetary value, but an exchange that you can offer to your host. Again, you are not paying your host for their space and utilities, so the least you can do is offer something of value.
For me, there have been a few ways that I’ve given back to my hosts. I surfed with someone the week he was opening up his restaurant. First of all, I was in shock that he agreed to host me during such a busy week. But to give back, I helped him move furniture and appliances he needed to the kitchen. And although he was super busy, he still had the time to take me around his neighborhood in downtown Los Angeles.
There was another time I surfed with someone who took me Tijunna, Mexico. And to give back, I did the dishes for him. When I got there, you couldn’t even see the bottom of the sink, so I knew there was value giving back by cleaning up his sink.
When signing up for the site, there wasn’t any fine print stating that there was a singular way of giving back. So gauge what you might think your host will appreciate and value during your stay.
Is Couchsurfing Safe?
Objectively speaking, yes, Couchsurfing is safe. The people and community on this site are avid travelers who care about the industry just as much as you.
Because you only know an extent to what someone shares in their profile, gauge and choose who you want to reach out to. Before surfing on anyone’s couch, I make sure that I thoroughly read through their bio and reviews before reaching out to ensure my safety.
Every experience differs depending on the person and how much time both hosts and surfers choose to spend with each other. Many people have found close knit friendships, travel buddies, and significant others from this site. Personally, I’ve met amazing people through this site and always look forward to the next couch I surf at.
Of course, take your judgement call prior to surfing or hosting someone. And as safe as many of my experiences has been, you have to take precaution in more instances than others.
Couchsurfing Horror Stories
Whether you’re surfing by yourself or with a friend, always take caution of your surroundings. Remember that yes, although you’ve verified that your host is legit, you’re meeting someone on the web for the first time.
Objectively speaking, the site is an amazing resource when exploring new cities and dabbling into culture. But, you do need to take caution in more situations than others, especially as a female traveler.
Is Couchsurfing safe for female travelers?
Especially as a female traveler, you want to take extra precaution of yourself and the boundaries between you and your host. Use your female senses and gauge how your interactions are with your host.
If you sense creepy vibes from your host, even though there are only positive ratings, keep your guard up. Usually, your host will make “a move” on you the last night because if he gets rejected during the first nights, it’ll be awkward for both parties.
>> Read More: How to Make Friends While Solo Traveling
I don’t recommend Couchsurfing for vulnerable female travelers
It’s amazing traveling to any city and country and have someone host you for free. You’re open to meeting and staying with locals all over the world. So what can possibly go wrong?
I’m telling you from first hand experience that if you’re not comfortable saying no, spending a few dollars at a hostel might be your better option. It will bring an ease of mind and comfortability in the end, especially at night.
There was an instance where I planned on staying with a host for about a week. However, I had to end the stay early. First of all, I felt bad that my arrival time was later than anticipated, and told him that he didn’t have to wait for my arrival. However, he said it was okay and that he would wait for me until I arrived at his place.
It was very difficult for me to find the entrance to his place, as he expressed frustration. I get it, it was dark and late, but I couldn’t see anything. And although he apologized, he used this against me.
Unsafe Couchsurfing Experience
One night, my host asked if I wanted to drink some wine. Mind you that when I got to his place, there was no couch and instead, had a king size bed. And although I was uncomfortable at first, I didn’t complain because it was really late at night, and slept.
I agreed to drink wine with him but the moment it started kicking in, he asked if I wanted to do Acroyoga. I had no idea what Acroyoga was until he aggressively expressed that I try it out.
Acroyoga is a physical practice that combines yoga and acrobatics. It requires the physical touch with a partner, as it draws on circus arts, cheer-leading, and dance acro.
After Acroyoga, we decided to go to sleep to get up early the next day. But the moment I got into bed, he put his hand on my shoulder and told me he wanted to cuddle. I was shook and told him I didn’t want to cuddle with him. But he insisted over and over again until I rose my voice and told him I did not want to cuddle. He then got the point and we both ended up sleeping.
The next day, I woke up and left his place as early as I could, and refused to come back till around 1AM. I did this for two days and left earlier than my anticipated stay. I just had to leave. I felt unsafe and uncomfortable with my host, even though he only had positive ratings.
Ladies, I am telling you that if it wasn’t for my aggressiveness, my host could’ve taken advantage of me. I don’t want this to entirely ruin your decision on if this site is for you or not, but I want to provide perspective on what could potentially happen.
So, should you join Couchsurfing?
Either as a host or surfer, it’s your call if you want to use this site or not. If privacy is an issue for you, you might want to consider an Airbnb or hotel instead. Not comfortable sharing a bathroom or a kitchen with someone else? Couchsurfing may not be the direction you’re looking for.
However, if you’re looking to tour cities with a local, or if you’re looking for shared experiences, Couchsurfing is a great option. Meet and stay with locals from all around the world. And remember that as long as your intentions are right when reaching out to hosts, you’ll create some of the best memories.
Don’t forget to give back in one form of the other and before leaving your hosts’ home, make sure that their place is cleaner than how you found it.
YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY…
- The Ultimate Solo Travel Survival Guide
- Why I Solo Travel
- The Struggles of a Solo Female Asian Traveler
- How to Make Friends While Solo Traveling
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