19 In Guides + How-Tos/ Travel/ Travel Talk

For the Love of Wanderlust’s Guide to Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is a tool that many travelers use. I have to admit that the first time I read about CSing I thought it had to be too good to be true, that there’s no way it could be safe, or that it even worked. Let me tell you, I stand corrected. CSing has enhanced my travels on many occasions, friendships have been forged from stays and being completely real, thousands of dollars have been saved. If you’re wondering how this whole Couchsurfing thing works, I’ve put together a guide starting with the basics and offering tips to make CSing a well-utilized tool for you.

Create Your Profile by Introducing Yourself as Best as You Can:

  • Fill Out As Much of Your Profile as Possible. Those prompts are in-depth for a reason. It’s nice to know if potential hosts or surfers have anything in common with you.
  • Upload Photos From Your Travels. Pictures are worth a thousand words. While you shouldn’t judge a book by their cover (sorry for all the cliché sayings) but when you see someone has been a place you’ve always wanted to visit, you know you can pick their brain. Did they do the Inca Trail the same year as you? Another thing to bond over. It’s just an extra level of getting to know a person via Couchsurfing Porfiles.
  • Connect With Your Friends on Couchsurfing. If you know a friend is on CS, let them know that you’ve joined. Write them a review and ask them write you one too, but be real about your experiences with them.
  • Most Importantly, Be Genuine. I think when people try to be something they’re not, it comes across as phony. Plus, if people don’t pick up on it while viewing your profile, they’ll figure it out very quickly in person. Don’t say you love something you hate, know something you don’t or have been somewhere you haven’t. Just be you and know that’s good enough!

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Caywood and Felix were my hosts when I went to Memphis. You better believe we took the chance to meet up when they were passing through Asheville. Couchsurfing can lead to real friendships!

How to Look For the Right Host:

  • Take the Time to Read Through Their Profile. You definitely want to see if you have a common interest with the person you’re staying with. Would you want to stay with someone who has the complete opposite views on everything from you? I know that I wouldn’t. (Not that differences don’t make for interesting conversations, but you know the type of people I’m talking about…)
  • Look at Their Reviews. I mean, that’s what they’re there for. I found a host one time that his profile didn’t seem odd at all, but when I got to his reviews I read from at least 5 people that he had asked them to buy him groceries in exchange for a place to stay. (Coming out ahead is not the point of Couchsurfing.) However, I have stayed with a person who had about a dozen great reviews and one bad one. I stayed with her anyway, and she was amazing, so don’t let one negative experience (unless it’s really bad) turn you off to sending a request.
  • Plan Ahead. I would recommend looking for your host no later than 5 days before you’re planning on being in that city if at all possible. Also, send multiple requests. If you’re staying in a bigger, more popular city send more than if you’re staying in a mid-sized or small city.

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General Tips Whether You’re Hosting & Surfing:

  • Trust Your Gut. I’ve never had any bad experiences that made me want to not stay with or host someone, nor have I met anyone who has. I’m not saying that scary or creepy situations haven’t happened while CSing, but I don’t think it’s nearly as common as people may initially think. It comes down to taking care of yourself. If you get a bad vibe from a surfer or a host don’t stay there, or don’t invite them stay with you.
  • Communication is Key. If something comes up, it’s okay, but be honest. Also, be available. Just in case someone driving to stay with you gets lost, if plans change, or you get held up somewhere.
  • Get to Know Each Other. Have conversations, exchange travel tales & tips and build friendships.

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Me with my bike I rode into Boston on – it was generously lent to me by my host

How to Be a Good Hostess / Host:

  • Know Your City. Educate yourself on places to eat, museums to see, the best local brewery, natural sites or whatever it is that makes your city unique.
  • Be Accommodating, Not Smothering. I’ve had the pleasure of surfing with really great hosts, but sometimes a surfer just needs some sleep. Pick up on cues. If your surfer is talking about what a long journey it has been and looks exhausted, don’t make them stay up all night, but show them the bathroom, where they’re staying, what they’re welcome to and tell them to get some rest. You can talk over coffee the next morning.
  • Clean Your Place Up. I’ve only had one experience staying somewhere that wasn’t clean, but let me tell you, it’s a story I still tell. It. Was. Disgusting. All of it. Every room. Even the bed we slept in. No one wants to sleep like that. If you’re not in a place that you can offer a clean place to stay it’s totally acceptable to just surf.
  • Think Back to Amazing Surfing Experiences You’ve Had. I love to try to do something extra for my surfers because those are the moments that have really stood out to me and enhanced my travel experience. Anything from offering someone coffee, picking them up from the bus station, buying a beer for your surfer, fixing them a meal (big or small) or even just having a little sheet made up of your favorite things in town to take with them. It’s the little things that make travel easier, or help your budget – even if it’s just by a few bucks, most travelers have been in the situation where every penny counts.

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This antique shop in Savannah was like a museum & I never would’ve found it without my host’s suggestion

How to Be a Good Surfer:

  • Be Respectful. Follow the house rules (taking off shoes at the door, etc.), respect their property (don’t make messes or break things) and respect the people themselves (Are there kids in the house? Do they have to be up early for work?) Basically be courteous.
  • Don’t Mooch. This is a community to meet like-minded people, support a passion for travel and to make travel more affordable. Hosts don’t always have the time or money to make you meals, provide transportation all over town.
  • Be Grateful. This is the other side of that. When a host does go above and beyond, be grateful and perhaps return the favor. My hosts that have gone above and beyond I’ve bought a beer for, or sometimes if I’ve bought something in the town before, I’ll pass a treat along. (For instance, I gave a host in Alabama a Chocolate Frog from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.)
  • Be Open. Part of CSing is meeting the people and getting a local’s perspective. Be open to going to a BBQ, going to a bar and having a Bushwhacker, or learning a new craft. I love these opportunities to learn, grow and have fun!

Try Couchsurfing on your next adventure and it just might open up a whole new element to your travels.  I’d love to hear from you! Have you ever Couchsurfed? Do you have any tips that I’ve left out? Have you had a negative experience?

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19 Comments

  • Reply
    Jamporter (@portjamblog)
    April 20, 2016 at 7:53 pm

    I’ve always been intrigued but slightly hesitant about couchsurfing, but reading this made me rethink my stance. It sounds like anything else actually, you need to use your judgement and do your research! Thanks for putting this out there, it’s a post that I suspect a lot will benefit from!

    • Reply
      PaigeBrown
      May 12, 2016 at 10:00 pm

      Thank you! It has truly enhanced many of my experiences while traveling in loads of little ways. Thanks for commenting.

  • Reply
    Vyjay Rao
    April 20, 2016 at 11:03 pm

    It is a very informative and useful post with great tips for couchsurfing. Frankly I have never tried this and your post would be a guide to me when I do try couchsurfing.

    • Reply
      PaigeBrown
      May 12, 2016 at 10:02 pm

      I would really encourage it! It has enhanced my experience in lots of different cities!

  • Reply
    marie
    April 21, 2016 at 1:54 am

    This is certainly a good guide for someone interested in couch surfing. It would be good to read about when things go wrong and what to do in that situation.

    • Reply
      PaigeBrown
      May 12, 2016 at 10:04 pm

      You’re right. That would be interesting. I just personally haven’t had any truly bad experiences nor have I heard any from people I personally know or people I’ve hosted / hosted me – not that they haven’t happened, I’m sure. I’ll have to ask around the traveling community and write about that too! Great idea!

  • Reply
    nycgingeronthego
    April 21, 2016 at 8:19 am

    I refused to couch surf for a variety of reasons, but when in Australia for New Year’s Eve Hotels were $500 a night. 2 of us decided to suck it up and pay for a few nights of luxury (all other nights we did hostels). One friend decided to couch surf. Well, short story, her host ditched us. And well, I wasn’t going to leave my friend to sleep on the street, but she couldn’t afford to pay for any part of our hotel or find any accommodations on her own last minute on NYE. SO our luxurious hotel experience turned into a cramped unfair stain on our trip. I also have roommates, so just don’t think hosting is fair to them. I think I might do it if I had my own place and connected with people who really seemed to share interests with me.

    • Reply
      PaigeBrown
      May 12, 2016 at 10:07 pm

      I hate to hear that and I would encourage you to try again if you ever get to the point that you’re interested. I did have a communication breakdown with a host once, and I had to book a room, but none of my stuff was there or anything, we just somehow missed each other in communication I guess. You should try hosting if and when you’re ready. Thanks for reading and sharing your experience.

  • Reply
    Amandas_Wanderlust
    April 21, 2016 at 9:09 am

    This is a really helpful post. I have never tried couch-surfing, but will feel more confident trying it out now that I have read this.

    • Reply
      PaigeBrown
      May 12, 2016 at 10:08 pm

      I hope you give it shot! Be sure to comment if you do and let me know how it goes!

  • Reply
    Patricia Steffy (@PLSteffy)
    April 21, 2016 at 11:17 am

    It sounds like you’ve had some really good experiences and mostly good hosts. The idea intrigues me and saving money certainly does, but I’m still wary about the staying with strangers part. I haven’t even made the plunge with AirBnB yet because staying someone else’s house weirds me out. Clearly, I need to get over it because there are good experiences to be had!

  • Reply
    Marteen Lane
    April 21, 2016 at 12:11 pm

    I’ve often wondered how safe it is but I’m glad to read such a positive post on the subject. I’m moving to Vancouver in August so I might look into it and surf for the first few days of my arrival ☺

  • Reply
    Restless Heart
    April 21, 2016 at 1:09 pm

    Great tips, I have never used Couchsurfing yet, but I have signed up and would like to as it seems like a great way to meet people while traveling. I also would like to host but since I live in the middle of nowhere, no one wants to stay with me so far, lol.

  • Reply
    Julie Cao
    April 21, 2016 at 1:19 pm

    I have couchsurfed during my travel and it is one of the best ways to experience a place through local’s perspective. Most of my hosts are nice and down to earth, but I have surfed with this one host that he smokes weeds very night for few minutes, and because of this I started getting very sensitive to the smell of it. It was really really a weird experience.

  • Reply
    Cynthia
    April 21, 2016 at 10:45 pm

    Great tips! I’ve heard a lot of good things about Couchsurfing but have yet to try it myself… maybe sometime in the near future!

  • Reply
    myfitflylife
    December 8, 2016 at 8:04 pm

    I completely agree with many of these comments. I have always wanted to try and/or host couch surfing, but have been hesitant with how to go about it. I really appreciate the time you took to write this post.

    • Reply
      Paige Wunder
      December 8, 2016 at 8:18 pm

      Wow! Thank you for checking it out! I hope you get it all worked out and please let me know if there’s anything I can help you with during your setup! Cheers!

  • Reply
    Clazz - An Orcadian Abroad
    July 15, 2017 at 3:20 am

    Great advice! We’ve been hosting a lot of people this year and it’s been really interesting and fulfilling. I’ve couchsurfed a handful of times but would like to do it more.

    • Reply
      Paige Wunder
      July 17, 2017 at 4:02 pm

      It is fulfilling, isn’t it? I love knowing I’m helping someone else make their dreams of travel come true!

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