Couchsurfing is a phenomenon that has grown considerably since the early 2000s. But what actually is couchsurfing, how does it work, is it free and is it safe? This article explains all.
What is couchsurfing?
Couchsurfing comes from the idea of friends sleeping on friends’ sofas when they need a place to stay. The term was originally linked to people who were semi-homeless. However, it has now expanded to be somewhat of a global movement, where travellers will stay on strangers’ sofas in order to make travelling cheaper and to meet local people.
Couchsurfing definitions
The Collins English Dictionary defines sofa surfing as (of a homeless person) the practice of staying temporarily with various friends and relatives while attempting to find permanent accommodation. As mentioned above, this is where the term originates from. It has now been adapted to relate to travel.
The term ‘couchsurfing’ is most commonly linked with the app and social networking site CouchSurfing, which was founded in 2004 by Casey Fenton. The company has trademarked the word ‘Couchsurfing’.
The company does not offer a strict definition of couchsurfing, but it says: “We envision a world made better by travel and travel made richer by connection. Couchsurfers share their lives with the people they encounter, fostering cultural exchange and mutual respect”.
How does couchsurfing work?
Couchsurfing works by people offering up their sofas, floors, spare rooms, hammocks and so on for travellers to sleep on. For example, someone who lives in New York might advertise their couch and someone from Italy could see it and get in touch to arrange free accommodation for their trip to New York.
The Couchsurfing app and website make this process easier and add a layer of protection, as explained below. However, it is not essential to use the company in order to couchsurf – staying on a friend-of-a-friend’s sofa arranged through social media is, technically, also couchsurfing.
Couchsurfing app
The Couchsurfing app (and website) makes the process easier and arguably safer. The app is described as a social networking service and hospitality exchange service.
Nonprofit platform HiSoUR describe hospitality services as… also known as “accommodation sharing”, “hospitality exchange” (short “hospex”), “home stay network”, or “home hospitality network” (“hoho”), is a centrally organized social networking service of travelers who offer or seek homestays (lodging in a home) either gratis or for money. Hospitality services generally connect users via the internet and are examples of collaborative consumption and sharing. In cases where lodging is offered gratis, they are examples of a barter economy or gift economy. A hospitality service may collect commissions on each homestay, charge a membership fee, or be completely free.
On the CouchSurfing app and site, users create a profile with their location and other details. Many cities host regular CouchSurfing events in order for users to meet up and get a feel for how it all works/ask any advice, which is recommended before hosting or staying with someone.
Travellers looking for a stay can search by city to find available hosts and send requests with their dates. Guests and hosts can chat beforehand, which helps to make things more comfortable for both parties. Hosts list their couch and set their ‘couch status’ to one of three settings:
- “Not Right Now (but I can hang out)” if you want to be available as a city resource for travelers but are unable to host
- “No” if you’re not available or don’t have any extra space
- “Maybe/Yes” to show up in search results for travelers who are planning a trip to your area
Is couchsurfing free?
Hosts on Couchsurfing cannot charge guests for accommodation. The app was originally free to use, but in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company introduced a small subscription fee for users, explaining that it needed the income to cover its running costs. The decision was controversial with long-standing members, and some moved to free, non-profit alternatives such as BeWelcome and Trustroots. At the time, Couchsurfing said:
All we are asking for is some marginal financial support to help cover our costs. In the United States we are asking for $2.39/month or $14.29/year. This amount is adjusted in a number of currencies and is often considerably lower in various countries.
In terms of more casual couchsurfing, this also tends to be completely free. Guests may offer to contribute towards food or bills, or bring a small gift, but this is a matter between the guest and host.
Is couchsurfing safe?
As with all types of travel and homestays in particular, people may have concerns about safety. There is no guarantee that any form of travel is completely safe. Couchsurfing provides safety guidance for both hosts and guests on its safety page.
The app also offers a paid verification option, through which users can have their identity and phone number verified, adding an extra layer of reassurance for other members.
Generally, common-sense safety rules apply when couchsurfing. Travellers should read hosts’ profiles and references carefully, let someone they trust know where they will be staying, keep in touch with them, know their limits when it comes to alcohol, and have a backup plan (such as funds for a hotel) in case they need to leave. Using the app’s messaging system rather than sharing personal contact details before meeting is also recommended. After a stay, hosts and guests can leave references for each other, which helps future travellers and hosts.
Couchsurfing horror stories
Couchsurfing is, for the most part, a safe way to save money and meet new people while travelling, but there are some well-known horror stories. Websites such as Ranker have collected users’ stories of awkward and uncomfortable experiences – from hosts who failed to mention that they were nudists, to guests who behaved strangely – which highlight the importance of reading profiles and references carefully.
Couchsurfing destinations
Couchsurfing has members in almost every country in the world, and informal couchsurfing can happen anywhere there is a willing host.
Couchsurfing in New York
New York has one of the largest Couchsurfing communities in the world, with regular meet-ups and events. Accommodation in New York is expensive, so couchsurfing can make a trip much cheaper, and it is also an opportunity to see a more local side of the city away from the big tourist sights.
Couchsurfing in India
India has a very large Couchsurfing community, with meet-ups in cities such as Delhi. Couchsurfing is a way to meet locals and experience a side of India that travellers might not otherwise see.
Couchsurfing in Cambodia
Cambodia also has an active Couchsurfing community. Staying with or meeting locals can help travellers to find the best places to go and to understand local culture and customs.
Couchsurfing: Conclusion
Couchsurfing is a budget-friendly way to travel that helps travellers see a more local side of a destination and make new connections. As with any form of travel, research and sensible precautions are important.
Couchsurfing: FAQs
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about couchsurfing.
What is couchsurfing?
Couchsurfing is when travellers stay for free in a local person’s home – on a sofa, floor or spare bed – usually arranged through the Couchsurfing app or website, to save money and experience local life.
Is couchsurfing free?
Hosts on Couchsurfing cannot charge guests for accommodation, but since 2020 the Couchsurfing platform has charged users a small subscription fee. Non-profit alternatives such as BeWelcome and Trustroots are free.
Is couchsurfing safe?
Most couchsurfing experiences are positive, but there are risks. Travellers should check profiles and references, use verified accounts, tell someone where they are staying and have a backup plan.
When was Couchsurfing founded?
Couchsurfing was founded in 2004 by Casey Fenton, and it has since grown into a global community with members in almost every country.
What are alternatives to Couchsurfing?
Alternatives include BeWelcome, Trustroots and Servas, as well as homestays and hosted rooms on platforms such as Airbnb.
Couchsurfing: Further reading
If you found this article on couchsurfing useful, these articles may also be of interest:
- What is a homestay?
- Airbnb explained: What is it, how does it work and is it safe?
- 10 alternatives to Airbnb
- The sharing economy and the tourism industry
