Why We Choose Couchsurfing…

How did we get into this community?

While working on the budget spreadsheet for our travels, we realised that what we were spending on accommodation nightly was really high. Even the cheapest Airbnb or hostels were taking a massive chunk out of the daily allowance. North America, I’m looking at you! At this rate, our plan to travel for an entire year was starting to look pretty jeopardized.

Couchsurfing popped into my mind. A few friends of mine had raved about it and so I went over to the website to have a gander, and after a few minutes, was sold. I signed us up, wrote a detailed profile, popped some pictures on, payed the 59 GBP verification fee, and started sending out requests to hosts. Within a few minutes, we were accepted to stay in downtown Ottawa with a friendly host named Laura.

Below are a few facts about Couchsurfing:

1. It’s completely FREE

That’s right. The one rule is that you are not allowed to exchange any cash monies for your stay. The hosts expect no transaction, and it’s up to you to whether you would like to give them something as a thank you, such as a box of chocolates or a cooked meal from your own country. (Shame for them as I can hardly fry an egg)

2. We meet people from all over the world

Fancy staying with Felipe from France’s in a forest fort? Tracy’s tree top tent in Tokyo? Yup, you can! We may be travelling Canada and the USA, but we have met people from all walks of life, all over the globe, doing all sorts of cool and interesting things. Not only is Couchsurfing a place to rest your weary head, but there’s also weekly gigs organised by the global community in all the major cities, where you can meet like minded folk who believe that travel should be accessible and cheap. It’s crazy not to choose couchsurfing!

3. We get to explore the city from the local’s perspective 

Hotels can be pretty impersonal. You may have a concierge or an info desk hand you a map with X marks the spot, but it’s up to you to navigate and explore. With couchsurfing, you get that truly authentic experience from your host, who knows their city backwards and is so eager to show you around. Often these hosts will go out of their way which is something you really don’t get elsewhere. So the things we experienced and saw were completely off the beaten track and something we never would have done had we checked into the Holiday Inn. 

4. We can rate your hosts, and they rate us

Couchsurfing is very similar to Airbnb but without the financial requirement. Every host has a lengthy biography about them – from their hometown, studies, music tastes, likes and dislikes. Each time they host a “surfer”, they get a review from that surfer, which is either positive or negative, and which is made public on their profile, for all to see. The very same goes for “surfers”, so hosts know whether you will be a respectful guest and they should open their homes to you. It’s also important to stay with verified hosts – it gives a better sense of accountability. 

5. We have the opportunity to pay it forward 

As a nomad, you really appreciate the friendliness shown towards you, a comfy space to rest your head, and oftentimes, the deliciously cooked home made meal. The best part about the experience is that you know you will be showing the exact same kindness to other weary travellers in the future and know just how those worn out shoes feel. 

An overview of our accommodation, so far:

Our accommodation has ranged from a couch in the living room of a sky rise apartment in San Francisco, to a private bedroom and bathroom in a spacious and upmarket Orange County home.  We’ve had polyester hand me down bedding to high thread count Egyptian cotton. Catch my drift? No two experiences are the same, just like no two hosts are the same. We’ve had hosts hailing from every corner of the globe and creed, from an interracial same sex couple living within the strict confines of mormon country, to a grieving man and his dog who wanted the company, to an exchange student looking to make friends in a new city, to a travelling family eager to help others out. See what I’m saying? 

So far, we’ve had over a month and a half of free lodging all over Canada and the US. That’s a really big saving, especially when you’re travelling long term. The awesome and like minded people we’ve met along the way will always be closely connected to us and we so appreciate the gracious hospitality of others. We’re gloating from ear to ear because not only have we managed to abstain from draining our budget – we’ve bagged us a whole lot of friends along the way.

As always, there are horror stories about those using the platform as a dating service / sleazy squeezy business. I don’t think I would couchsurf as a female solo traveller, although I have met a few women along the way who have had no issues at all. I think you just have to do your research and figure out who has great reviews – and only stay with trusted hosts.

So there you have it, a few reasons why we choose couchsurfing when we travel. Would you choose couchsurfing too?