Couch Surfing, A New Way to Travel

I know that when I travel, I always want to have an indepth experience with the area and culture. A great way to do this is through staying in people’s homes. Now, I generally stay with people I have already met in the area, but there is another way…  If you are not afraid of putting yourself out there, then “couch surfing” might be right for you.

The CouchSurfing Project is a relatively new, free, internet based project that started in 2004. This project is currently the largest hospitality exchange in the world, with over 232 countries and territories of people offering their couch to ‘surfers’ who are travelling.

The project was idealised by a young American, Casey Fenton in 2000. According to Fenton the idea arose after finding an inexpensive flight from Boston to Iceland. Rather than stay at a hostel, Fenton randomly contacted (via email) 1500 uni students in Iceland asking if he could stay with them. Fenton received more than fifty offers. On the return flight to Boston he began to develop the idea of an exchange that would eventually turn into the project.

It  works like this: everyone registers their ‘profile’ and says a bit about themselves and their home, if they are offering accommodation. Not everyone has to offer their couch and can simply just travel using this service (but it might be a great experience to offer your couch if you are willing.) The profile is then viewable by other travellers. This allows surfers to search for a place; the search is performed by location and availability of the couch. Once a traveler finds where they want to stay, they then make private contact with the host and the host can accept or decline their request. The stay is free of charge and it is a way to connect people with other people.

Couch surfing is relatively safe. There are systems set up by the project to ensure people are credible. The project verifies the user’s location and identity.  It will be clearly marked on someone’s profile if they are vouched for and their identity is secure. There is a section where other travellers and surfers can post on profiles letting the community know how their experience was with the host. It is better to stay with ‘vouched for’ hosts as these people come highly recommended by other travellers.

Couch Surfing might be right for you if you don’t mind being in someone else’s home, and are adaptable to their house rules. Most hosts will show you around the town but plan to be on your own for things such as food and sight seeing.  On most profiles, information such as what type of accommodation is available (some offer guest rooms, guest houses, beds or just a couch), what is acceptable in the home, and other information about the destination or host is available so read before inquiring.

To date, the Couch Surfing project has had millions of positive experiences between travelers and hosts. It is a unique way to travel on a budget and really explore your destination. Most Couch Surfers say they have made great friends through this experience.

If you have been couch surfing, please tell about your experiences.