A Big Deal on Couchsurfing Introduction

What is Couchsurfing?

What is Couchsurfing? As the name suggests, it started with the idea of ‘letting out a couch’ to the travellers by staying with the locals while you explore a city to learn about the culture or do a language exchange. Couchsurfing founders sent an email to a group of students in Iceland revolutionised the way in which travellers could now stay at someone’s place for free and see the world for a lower cost.

It creates an optimistic radical approach that people are willing to share their homes with strangers in any part of the world for free. Full-time travellers who can afford to travel for a long time and not work undoubtedly use Couchsurfing as one way for free accommodation. Otherwise, how could many of them afford such a lifestyle at their early 20s?

Most hosts and couchsurfers reported satisfactory and meaningful experiences for meeting friends you haven’t met yet all over the world. You stay with locals and learn a thing or two about their cities and meeting new people. Despite numerous positive feedbacks, one has to take precaution with regards to the safety and security of both the hosts and the couchsurfers, particularly women who are at a higher risk to encounter outrage of modesty.

I started using Couchsurfing in 2014 when I lived in France for a year. As a result, I took the opportunities and travelled to many cities in France. Thanks to the Couchsurfing website and the way it works, I did not have to pay a few hundred bucks staying in hotels. I was lucky to be accepted for all my couch requests with the first few hits so far.

An absolute yes! You have not heard it wrong. Couchsurfing is indeed free. You do not have to pay anything to register at the Couchsurfing website nor do you have to pay to stay with the host. The hosts would welcome the guests to stay with them on average 2 to 3 days or over the weekend.

If the Couchsurfing hosts are working on weekdays, they would prefer to host someone over the weekend. Also, not too many consecutive days as it may break their routine. Another reason quoted by the hosts is that the magical occurrence between two people fade when you stay with each other for too long. Ever heard of the proverb “familiarity breeds contempt”? Therefore, you have to arrange for another host after the agreed length of stay.

For many, Couchsurfing is free. If you ask me, I’ll say Couchsurfing is not ‘free’. It is true that you do not have to pay any money nor should the hosts ask you to pay. Once, a host asked me to pay $10 over the email after I had submitted a Couchsurfing request. I did not agree to such unethical practice, of course. If I wanted to pay, I would choose to stay in Airbnb or a hotel in the first place. But then, would you really want to go to someone’s place empty-handed?

Some hosts may extend the stay to couch surfers who are nice, easy-going and are willing to contribute something during their stay such as offering to cook a meal, wash dishes, buy some food, beer, wines, share their technical know-how etc. Some couch surfers are known to be freeloaders. So, experienced hosts will choose their guests carefully by reading the reviews left by other Couchsurfing hosts on the requester’s profile.

If a couch surfer is known to give little gifts or contribute something to the hosts, the hosts would then likely state the kind gestures as a positive Couchsurfing review. This little feedback will let your potential hosts think that you are a generous person and most importantly, not a freeloader. A freeloader defined in Oxford is “a person who takes advantage of others’ generosity without giving anything in return.” Consequently, the person is someone which all hosts detest to come across, period.

» What Can I Give Back to My Couchsurfing Host?

What did I give them in the past? So far, I have only done Couchsurfing in Europe. If I stayed for a few days in their house, I would cook them a simple Chinese dish that they had never eaten before. Additionally, I would also give them 2 bottles of Chinese sauces and showed them how to cook simple food with it. Most of them lived alone. Hence, they appreciated what I have done for them. It also helped them to discover new recipes which they can cook easily for themselves.

I would buy them a bottle of wine or a few bottles of beer not originating from their country if I did not cook for them. My action usually secured me positive reviews afterwards as I demonstrated my gratitude to the free lodging that I had. Generally, the little things that I give are inexpensive. There are so many other goodies you can give to your host without spending a bomb.

If a person likes to read, you can give them books or buy from a second-hand shop. If you are good with your hands, make something and give it to them as a souvenir. No matter what your present is, as long as it comes from your heart, the hosts will appreciate it. It gives the Couchsurfing community a more heartwarming reason to go on. On the other hand, you are not obliged to give anything back if you do not want to do it.

» Payback Time

Another thing which you have to pay in Couchsurfing is your time. The reason why so many travellers especially solo travellers use Couchsurfing is going out with someone who can show them around the city and do meaningful things together instead of wandering alone. Time passes more quickly and fruitfully when you hang out with someone fun.

If you merely want a free bed and do not want to interact or get involved with the hosts, then Couchsurfing is probably not for you. I have heard complaints from the hosts that the couchsurfers are more interested in using their phone or immerse in their activities rather than engaging in a conversation with them. This group of people is another typical group of freeloaders who label their house as ‘Couchsurfing free accommodation’.

Also, if you come as a couple to a house, take the initiative to arrange some activities together. Get the hosts involved unless they are not free or do not want to get involved. Spend some time with them. If you want absolute privacy just spending time with your partner or friend, then Couchsurfing is also not for you. It would be better off staying in Airbnb where you do not have to entertain the host.

Mostly yes and sometimes no. If I have to say it is 100% safe, I would then be lying. I had heard about Couchsurfing from an online friend 10 years ago. However, I did not believe that someone would have you in their house without paying a single cent. That seemed sleazy and impossible, at least not in our Asian culture. It also sounded very risky to live with a stranger, especially for women.

There were cases where women recounted being raped on Couchsurfing travel. There are some malicious people out there who use Couchsurfing as a hookup platform – their bed in exchange for your body. It is never the intention of Couchsurfing to meet people this way. On the other hand, Couchsurfing hookup is also a two-way street for some which both parties are indeed looking for something more than just a couch. Whatever lurks behind the real intention should be reciprocal and not by force.

I did receive an invitation from a host to visit his city and stay with him. The strange thing was that I did not send him any Couchsurfing request. My planned travel trip to another city destination was already over quite some time ago. From his Couchsurfing profile, some reviews from female couchsurfers remarked that he was sexually suggestive and threatened to throw them out of his house. Thus, reading reviews about your host does help.

» 9 Tips to a Safe Couchsurfing Travel Experience

The following are some tips to look out for a safe Couchsurfing experience if you are new in the Couchsurfing community.

• |1| BLANK PROFILE » Does the Couchsurfing host make an effort to say something about himself? I would not trust a host with a blank Couchsurfing profile. Those who are interested in hosting someone will write something interesting about themselves to get more couch requests subsequently.

• |2| FEMALE COUCHSURFERS’ REVIEWS » If your host is a man and has tons of positive reviews from the women, he is likely to be a gentleman and trustworthy. Not to worry about staying with such a host.

• |3| NO REVIEW » The person may be new in the Couchsurfing community. I still have faith in new hosts with zero or little reviews. They are likely to say yes to my request, more easygoing and willing to please so that they can get positive reviews from the couch surfers. In return, they can get more Couchsurfing requests in future. If you are still feeling insecure to stay with a new Couchsurfing host, then go with your feeling. 

• |4| DESPERATE HOSTS » I have received several invitations from Couchsurfing hosts in Paris who seemed overly kind. Or rather, some sounded very desperate to host me over my public request. I was feeling more scared than flattered to accept their invitation. These people usually do not have any reviews on their profile which deterred me even more. Rejection is the keyword.

• |5| CERTAIN GROUPS OF PEOPLE » It may sound prejudiced. Unfortunately, those people I mentioned in point 4 happen to come from a similar group. I had a very nasty experience with one of them during my study in Nantes, France. Ladies, trust your instinct when you read a profile. It is better to reject someone than to be sorry later. Remember, the prerogative is yours if you receive an invitation from a host.

• |6| CHOOSE A VERIFIED HOST » Some hosts who are serious in Couchsurfing pay for verified membership to get their ID, address and phone number checked. They want to convince you of your safety as much as possible. However, I am never concerned with their verification. Reading their profile and reviews are good enough to assure my safety.

• |7| EXCHANGE SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS BEFORE STAYING » Once you get hold of each other’s social media accounts especially Facebook, it does tell you more about a person once you peek into his personal life. I usually do this with some of my hosts when they have a Facebook account. Find out his interest and what he likes to do over the weekend. Also, ask for a recommendation for fun places to visit and places to eat in the city. I’m sure they will also want to know what kind of person I am to be safe.

• |8| MAINTAIN COMMUNICATION » If your host does not have any social media, communicate with him via emails or through the Couchsurfing email platform with the suggested topics above before staying. The interaction will enhance your relationship with him even before you meet. On the other hand, the hidden agenda is to detect any content or question which seem suspicious, desperate or mentally unsound. You still have a chance to cancel your couch request with him if you feel uneasy with the discussion. I use this method on all my hosts to detect the abnormal one which is rare. Most importantly, to bring our relationship closer when we meet.

• |9| KEEP VALUABLES WITH YOU » Stealing is something I would not be too concerned when using Couchsurfing as I trust my hosts in general. However, valuable belongings should always stay by our side. It is our responsibility to look after them and to prevent possible misunderstanding and disputes from arising due to personal negligence.

So, now you know what is Couchsurfing, and it is free. It is the most beautiful experience that I have during my travel because of real connection with strangers who seem as if you have known them for years. Saying goodbye is always a sad affair for me as I have developed a strong relationship with them in just a couple of days!

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How does Couchsurfing work? This article is created for the first-time Couchsurfer newbie on the technical know-how in navigating the Couchsurfing website to:

1. Fill in Couchsurfing Profile
2. Search for Couchsurfing Hosts
3. Send Couch Requests
4. Explore Other Activities
5. Use Couchsurfing App

» If you have entered into this page by mistake, exit with one of the articles below   Couchsurfing.

[1] Register a Couchsurfing Profile on the Couchsurfing website with an email address or a Facebook account. After login, it will take you to www.couchsurfing.com/dashboard.

[2] On the top left-hand side of your profile pic dropdown, select See Image [2]

• ACCOUNT & SETTINGS » You can start by answering a few basic details about yourself. Next, go to
• MY PROFILE » Edit My Profile » 
  • About » Make an effort to fill up all the questions below on your profile. Say something about yourself. Let the host know you better through your description. An empty Couchsurfing profile is a no-no and will stand a low chance for acceptance.
    • About Me
    • Why I’m on Couchsurfing
    • One Amazing I’ve Done
    • Teach, Learn, Share
    • What I Can Share with Hosts
    • Countries I Have Visited
    • Countries I Have Lived In 
  • My Home » Fill up this tab (beside About) only if you are planning to host people. Otherwise, leave it alone.

[3] Go to PHOTO » Upload a few pictures of yourself or with friends. One photo is not a problem as I also have only one on my Couchsurfing profile. The photos must show your face clearly. If you do not upload a photo, you cannot send a couch message to the host later. This error message will appear instead:

Once you have completed all your Couchsurfing profile in Step [2] and [3] above, you are good to go. You can start looking for a host now.

[4] There are two methods to look for Couchsurfing Hosts on the website. To maximise your chance, you can do both at the same time.

• METHOD A: Post a Public Trip
  • Scroll down the dashboard. Look for MY TRAVEL PLANS » Create a Public Trip. Anyone can see your travel date in Upcoming Visitors and may offer to host you. See Image [4A]

• METHOD B: Find a Host
  • On the Couchsurfing website header under EXPLORE » Enter the city name where you want to go. Click Find a Host on the left row. Go through their Couchsurfing Profiles and send them a couch request.
  • On the top left-hand side of your profile pic dropdown, select See Image [4B]

[5] Send a couch request message to the hosts. Not a 2 – 3 liner message but a reasonably long one mentioning the following as a guideline:

• Greet the hosts by their names » Instead of a generic “hi, hello”, address the person by their name, so it sounds more personalised such as “Hi Jeroen, …”
• Introduce yourself » Where do you come from, your age, language spoken if there is a language exchange.
• Any other travel partner? » Introduce this person as well. Some hosts may expect a separate Couchsurfing profile for them.
• Your Couchsurfing request date » 2 to 4 days with the same host is ideal.
• How do you arrive and your estimated time of arrival? » Some types of transportation will not be that punctual so the host will be less rigid over your arrival time.
• What do you plan to do in their city? » Provide them with an outline of your planned itinerary, if any.
• Any other requests? » Do you also wish that they can …
  • Go for a city tour with you?
  • Eat or drink with you?
  • Exchange Language with you?
  • Do something else together?

[6] If you have confirmed a host’s invitation to stay at his place, make it a responsibility to cancel the rest of them. Alternatively, reply to those that you do not want to stay there anymore when they accepted your request instead of not giving them a reasonable response. If anything goes wrong with the first host such as a last-minute cancellation, you can always get back to those which you have politely declined in the first place.

[7] What else can you make use of the Couchsurfing website? Other than searching for free accommodation on the Couchsurfing website, there are more engaging activities which may interest you to participate. You can find all the activities below on the same page after entering the name of the city.  See Image [7]

PLAY HOST » You can play host and select someone from Upcoming Visitors in your city since travellers can submit their travel trips publicly. Anyone who wants to host these people can hit the button Offer to Host and communicate with them.

EVENTS » Find events and activities to do in a city. You can also organise one to meet new people. There are often Couchsurfing Meetup sessions in several cities. I have been to a blind dinner at someone’s house in Paris where people did not know each other. Each guest had to bring some food. The other one was a brunch in Lille outside a cafe for a food sharing activity.

GROUPS » Here, you can also join a group based on a common interest in the long run. When someone posts a message in the thread, you will receive it by email which you can set the frequency of the mail received or leave the group anytime. Many subjects are principally revolving around travel, accommodation, languages, meeting up, city-based activities and events.

DISCUSSION » Different from GROUPS above. On the Couchsurfing website, people can start a conversation on a short-term interest to get some help on a topic, invite people to a travel trip, find a teacher to learn a new language, find a rental etc. The possibilities are endless. You can ask anything you want.

HANGOUTS » Find someone to hang out in a city. You have to download the Couchsurfing App on your mobile to perform this activity.

[8] Download the Couchsurfing Travel App from Google Play Store or iTunes. The highlight of this Couchsurfing App of what the desktop version cannot do is the HANGOUTS activity. It displays a list of people around you in the city who also want to hang out and do something. If you are interested in meeting them, send a message. You must first enable your GPS location for this service to work.

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15 Tips for Screening and Selecting a Suitable Couchsurfing Host

Couchsurfing Host Profile

Couchsurfing has a restriction of only sending 10 couch requests per 7 days now. You may want to be more selective of a Couchsurfing host especially in cities like Paris where finding a host is so easy. Instead of me looking for a host, my inbox was flooded with both kind and creepy requests to stay with them when I made it public.

I was surprised that many hosts want to host someone in their house especially when they are new to the Couchsurfing community. However, in some cities, you will not see many active hosts around. Then, you would send requests to many of them hoping for a response. BUT, do you read the profiles of the Couchsurfing hosts whom you are interested?

One complaint that I heard regularly from Couchsurfing hosts was that the couch surfers did not bother to read their profiles before submitting a request. Make an effort to read through them carefully so that the Couchsurfing hosts do not think that you are one of them who does not bother to know more about them. Their profile will give you an insight into some of the pointers below.

15 Tips to Look Out when Selecting a Couchsurfing Host

Here are some tips and questions to ponder when you consider a Couchsurfing host. The title box indicates the location where you can find these pieces of information on the Couchsurfing website.

[ 1 ] Accepting, Maybe or Not Accepting Guest

This section on the centre top will be the first for anyone to look out. Not every Couchsurfing profile is a host. Many are just couchsurfers looking for a place to crash. Skip those who declare “Not Accepting Guest”. The group who states “Maybe Accepting Guests” is more selective of their guests and will be screening more meticulously into your profile before saying yes. They are less enthusiastic to host than the group who announce “Accepting Guests”.

[ 2 ] Last Login Time & Response Rate + Recent Review Date

With a limit of only 10 free Couchsurfing introduction message per 7 days, you do not want to waste it on someone who has stopped accepting them, has a low response rate, or long been dead from the Couchsurfing world. There is also a 14-day time frame to write Couchsurfing references for both parties. The system does not allow one to amend the review after submission. Therefore, their last login time and recent reference dates give a clue on their availability.

[ 3 ] Gender Preference

Next, I will screen this section in MY HOME menu first before reading their profile in ABOUT to assess our compatibility. The Couchsurfing hosts can state their gender preference – Male, Female or Any. Many gay men welcome only male couchsurfers whereas some female hosts prefer to host only women for safety reasons. Know their gender preference before sending over your request blindly.

[ 4 ] Maximum People to Host

If you have more than one person, can the house of the Couchsurfing host accommodate more people? Some hosts only want to handle solo traveller whereas some have ample space more to squeeze in altogether. On a side note, some hosts welcome family and children whereas some houses are not safe enough for young children.

[ 5 ] Furry Friends

Most people would not have a problem with domestic pets. However, people who are allergic to animals’ fur may have a concern if Couchsurfing host has pets at home. They will mostly mention this outright in their profile if they have a cat, a dog or some strange creatures in their house that may freak you out.

[ 6 ] Sleeping Arrangements

As I am usually a solo traveller when using Couchsurfing, this part is what I like paying attention. Couchsurfing host can offer you the following as a selection – Shared Bed, Shared Room, Public Room (eg. Living Room) or Private Room. I would typically look for someone who offers a private room instead of a couch in the living room. As a woman, I feel more comfortable and have a better sense of security in a bedroom by myself. But I am not always lucky in what I secretly desire. Still, I counted myself lucky when someone gave me a shelter over my head. In short, there are lesser Couchsurfing hosts who offer a private room.

[ 7 ] Age and Occupation

Their age and occupation will give you an idea what type of Couchsurfing host whom you will be staying. Is his job something that interests you, or do you have a common interest with the Couchsurfing host? If he is a 20-year old punk whereas you are a 40-year old professional, can you find each other intriguing enough to strike up a conversation?

[ 8 ] Interest

Is he a party animal like you do and able to bring you to some happening clubs over the weekend? Or, does he say that he wants private time and could not find much time to entertain you except to give you a couch? A common interest will raise the conversation level and make it more meaningful for discussion. If he likes to cook and so do you, exchanging recipe is another fun way to learn from each other.

[ 9 ] Hanging Out Together

Some Couchsurfing hosts expect the couch surfers to give them time so they can do things together such as a city tour over the weekend, a dinner or a drink. The hosts may state that clearly in their profile what activities they can offer you. If you do not want to spend time with a Couchsurfing host, then it is better to look for someone else or use Airbnb to have more private moments.

[ 10 ] Precise City Location

For example, if you want to travel to Paris and the host lives in the suburb of Paris, does it matter to you? It means longer travelling time and higher cost of transportation to enter the city centre. Unfortunately, many Couchsurfing hosts may not always divulge upfront of the actual area where they live. It states “Paris”, but in fact, they reside outside Paris where you have to change train. You can ask first before confirming their acceptance.

[ 11 ] Length of Stay

Some Couchsurfing hosts may also state upfront on the number of days they can host you. Many of them work during the week, so they prefer to receive guests over the weekend. 2 to 4 days is the most ideal. If you arrive in their city on a weekday during office hours, you may have to wander a few hours outside with your luggage, backpacks and come back with an aching body. On top of that, a miscommunicated meeting time arrangement and missing each other is often a top contributing factor of frustration leading to a bad review.

[ 12 ] Experienced Couchsurfing Host

One great feature of Couchsurfing is the ability to post reviews to encourage or cautious others about a host or couch surfer. When you couch surf with a host who has tons of reviews, sometimes as many as over a hundred, you are writing to someone experienced who can even sniff a freeloader miles away. In order not to be classified wrongly, make more effort to write a reasonably long, smashing Couchsurfing introduction. References may suggest if a host is safe to live with, or just looking for a Couchsurfing hook-up.

[ 13 ] New Couchsurfing Host

I like to choose new Couchsurfing hosts with zero or little reviews as this group of people are the most eager to host and respond yes to my request quickly. Furthermore, they are also more ‘easy going’ due to their lack of experience in the Couchsurfing community. Many have expressed to me that they wish to receive more Couch requests. Sometimes, they feel a little bit lonely. Meeting more people can spice up their life momentarily. Dun trust totally when you read blogs that copy and paste the same advice not to stay with a new host for safety reason. There are more ways to a safe Couchsurfing experience. Everybody has their first time. I am a perfect buddy example of many hosts’ first couchsurfer.

[ 14 ] Spare Keys

Many Couchsurfing hosts do not give spare keys to their couch surfers for security issue. They would expect their guests to leave the house when they go to work and come back when they are around. That means you may have to leave the house as early as 7 or 8 am and return after 5 or 6 pm. Check with the Couchsurfing host about issuing keys if this arrangement bothers you.

[ 15 ] WiFi Access

Nowadays most people have WiFi at home. But there are always a minority of people out there who do not have their own as I have come across one before. He used shared public WiFi or discreetly tapped the network from their neighbours. The public WiFi signal usually has a weak connection or down frequently. If you depend heavily on your Couchsurfing host’s WiFi to do travel research or check email, check with them on their internet access.

Backup Plan

Guests have to abide by the rules and regulations set by the Couchsurfing hosts since Couchsurfing is free. They can ask you to leave anytime due to whatsoever reason and urgency. As Couchsurfing is not a commitment, as long as a Couchsurfing host is uncomfortable with a couch surfer or has a last-minute emergency, he can ask the person to leave especially when the couch surfer has stayed there for quite some time.

Have a backup plan. If you have selected a host and rejected the rest of them who agree to host you, maintain contact with them by a polite “thank you but I have already found a host” email. If anything goes wrong with the chosen host, you can still contact them to seek for the last-minute refuge instead of depending on one source. Other backup plans include booking Airbnb which is likely to be cheaper than staying in a hotel.

The Negative Conclusion

Couchsurfing is so damn addictive if you have beautiful experiences with the hosts that it saddens you to say goodbye each time. Deep in your heart, you know you are likely not going to see each other again after you leave a city. Not because it is free as money is worthless in this sense. Couchsurfing makes us appreciate the host graciousness to receive a stranger into their house. Someone who helps you when you need one. Most importantly, learning to treasure valuable friendship within a short time frame, turning it into everlasting sweet memories.

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Couchsurfing vs Airbnb: Checklist to Find Your Ideal Accommodation

Couchsurfing vs Airbnb: A fight between the two or a tie between the two? Airbnb is paid whereas Couchsurfing is free. If Couchsurfing works all the time, then Airbnb would have to close down in no time. Both accommodation platforms have their edge over one another. Let’s analyse which is a better option for you. I have used both types of accommodation equally much. Therefore, I will provide a balanced insight into them.

Difference Between Couchsurfing vs Airbnb

① Accommodation: Free vs Paid

Couchsurfing provides free accommodation to host people in the community. One can be the host, the couch surfer or both at the same time. It creates an avenue to meet more others without profit getting into the way. The couchsurfers live in all sorts of environment provided by a host with not much expectation. Most times, a couch in the living room is given, and the traveller is happy to sleep there as long as they have a free shelter over their head. Since it is free, people cannot complain much even if the place is dirty or does not meet the expectation.

Airbnb is a paid accommodation service online where the owners monetise their homes by providing a conducive environment for people to stay at a lower cost than staying in a hotel. The better and centralised a location is in a city, the higher the price it can fetch. The size of the offered lodging – the entire apartment or just a room, the number of people staying and the amount of beautiful interior done will influence the rental price. Some Airbnb houses are so chic and palace-like, you feel the adrenaline rush to book it. Imagine being pampered by paying lesser than that of a hotel and some hotels are not even as impressive as an Airbnb unit.

② House Maintenance

Couchsurfing is free but you may run into houses and toilets that are dirty and lack of hygiene standard. You are staying in their home and not a hotel nor an Airbnb. The Couchsurfing hosts decide on the cleanliness of their house and how much they want to maintain it. I once stayed in a Paris Couchsurfing apartment where there were drops of urine on the floor, and it reeked of smell for days. The Couchsurfing host was oblivious to it. Moreover, I did not want to make any comment too, for fear of agitating him. It was his apartment after all.

Airbnb is like a cheaper version of a hotel where people pay to have a reasonably clean place. You can choose either a private room or an entire apartment based on the pictures of the house. You book it when you are satisfied with what you see. Therefore, the Airbnb hosts are expected to maintain the condition of the house the way you anticipate it to be since many make a living out of the rental. If you leave bad reviews afterwards, it will affect their booking with potential guests and result in a loss of income.

③ Clean Bed

Couchsurfing hosts are likely to provide you with a couch rather than a room. In tourist-infested cities such as Paris, a host can have couch surfers every day. Imagine the number of heads that have laid there before with people who have not showered for days. Now, you are going to sleep on the same couch stained with their body sweat and odour. Gross, right? If you are given a room, the host will not change the bed linen every time someone leaves the place. Since it is free accommodation, why would they bother to do that frequently?

Airbnb hosts mostly charge a one-time cleaning service fee on top of the advertised room rate per booking. What I came across was around €40 at that time which was I found the service charge to be excessively high just for changing the bedsheet or clean the room especially when you are only staying for one night. You can justify the cleaning fee if you book many nights in a row. On the contrary to Couchsurfing, the advantage is that you can expect Airbnb host to change the bed linen whenever someone leaves. Airbnb makes a better accommodation choice if you are particular about sleeping on a clean bed.

④ Check-in Time and Key Access

Couchsurfing check-in time largely depend on the availability of the host. If he is working during the day, you can only go to his house after he has finished work. If you arrive in the city early in the morning before 9 am, the host can take you in if you have made prior arrangement with him. Some Couchsurfing hosts give you spare keys to their house, and some do not. A handful of them will also expect you to be out of the house when they go to work. Without having their keys, they may give you a curfew to return home before they sleep. You have no control over this unless you find out before staying with them.

Airbnb check-in time is usually between 1 to 3 pm and the check-out time at 11 or 12 pm so the Airbnb hosts can prepare the bed and receive the next guest. If they have no booking before or after your reservation, they are more flexible with the time. Airbnb hosts will always give you a bunch of keys so you can access in and out the house anytime you want. You have more freedom and do not have to get out of the house when they go to work, unlike Couchsurfing. You should have no curfew since you are paying a service. However, they still reserve the right to specify their house rules.

⑤ Privacy

Couchsurfing has less privacy than Airbnb. Most hosts offer a sleeping place in the living room whereas some give you a private room for the sleeping arrangement. Some people may feel awkward and vulnerable to expose themselves to the host or some other people in the house particularly women if one has to sleep in the living hall. If a host has a private room to offer, then you have more privacy.

Airbnb host will leave you alone after passing you the house keys and explaining some detail if you rent an entire apartment. The Couchsurfing host or other tenants may also be in the house if you book a room instead. Thus, privacy reduces with more people around. The third option that Airbnb offers is a shared room with the owner. You pay lesser than a standard room and has not much privacy here. There are not many such offers in Airbnb anyway.

⑥ Obligation

Couchsurfing binds you emotionally more with the host as the whole concept is to stay with a local. That includes your desire to know about them, do things together, discover the culture and to expand your network and knowledge as a result. Hence, the notion of merely wanting a free bed as widely publicised by some couch surfers and not making an effort to communicate with them is not correct. The obligation for guests to make time for the host is part of the package.

Airbnb is rather straightforward because money is the middleman which is their motivation behind it. For people who want more personal freedom and do not want to share their time with the Couchsurfing hosts, opt for Airbnb instead. Airbnb hosts will typically leave you alone to do your things. There is no string attached, no emotional connection expected. Neither will they offer their time to accompany you or cook you dinner, unlike Couchsurfing. In Airbnb, you have more time to spend it with your loved ones on holiday.

⑦ Safety and Security

Couchsurfing hosts’ and guests’ safety and security depend solely on trusting each other. If a dispute arises when things are lost or stolen, both parties have to settle it among themselves or call the police in the worst scenario. Couchsurfing has more reputable credibilities than ill ones, benefitting millions of people who use the service and trust the community. In spite of the avail, it does not imply that there is no black sheep among them when dealing with a complete stranger. I’ll give you 9 tips to have a safe Couchsurfing experience.

Airbnb hosts can state upfront for a security deposit. This amount is guaranteed with your credit card, but it will not be deducted unless something happens. If an Airbnb host wants to claim any property damage against you, he would first file a complaint to Airbnb for investigation. Airbnb has responsive customer service to manage disputes pertaining to the stay and to take appropriate actions. So, both the host and the guests are assured of some form of protection through a middleman without resolving it by themselves.

⑧ Food

Couchsurfing hosts love to share their food by cooking for their guests or to have a meal or drink together outside or in their house. The idea is to create opportunities to talk and do things together. Dining is a great way for people to relax and spend a wonderful time indulging in engaging conversation.

Airbnb hosts can provide you food, only if you pay them. Some hosts will offer you a home-made breakfast or dinner tagged with a price on the website as an optional service. Trying out their culinary skill may surprise you as it is another interesting approach to discover what the locals eat.

⑨ City Guide

Couchsurfing hosts like to do something together with their guest. One of my favourite activities is to have them show me around the city, bring me to hidden spots or take part in an event together. All of them are so fascinating that I think I have a professional, personalised tour guide which is better than carrying a map.

Airbnb hosts are considered to provide a reasonably good service when they pass a city map to their guests. The better ones will ask you to call or SMS them if you need any help in their cities. Choosing Airbnb allows you to explore the city on your own or with your friends in a more adventurous way while getting minimal help from the host.

⑩ Lack of Hosts in One Accommodation Platform

Couchsurfing option may be lacking in some cities. There are many registered Couchsurfing profiles there, but not many active ones around. They either do not reply to couch messages or respond too late. They could also be on holiday. Checking their last login time will give you a clue. As one can only send 10 couch requests per 7 days to the Couchsurfing host if you use up the free quota, you have to wait one week later to submit the next one.

If you did not get any reply from these hosts and your time is running out, you can only go for Airbnb. Though the same thing can also happen to Airbnb, I have never come across it so far. I hope the analysis above help you to plan your accommodation better if you have neither used Couchsurfing nor Airbnb before.

Real Reasons for Using Airbnb vs Couchsurfing

I have given you many reasons why people consider one over the other from both my experiences. Now, these are my inferences when and why do I use Couchsurfing vs Airbnb over the other one.

I use COUCHSURFING when ….

• Travelling solo » I want someone to talk to me and go out together because it is more fun to have companionship. Cost of accommodation for solo travel is more expensive when no one split the bill with you. Because Couchsurfing is free will never be the sole reason.
• I travel to Europe » The hotels are expensive for a sub-standard quality, not well-maintained and disappointing. They look nothing like what is in the picture. I find it not worth to pay for such hotels after I stayed there. Many Airbnb apartments are almost as costly as the average hotels situated in well-known city centres, over €100/night in Europe.
• Couchsurfing gives me a chance to stay in the city centre without spending a bomb » After saving the money on staying in a hotel, I can use part of the saved expense to buy my host a good meal. Isn’t it a fantastic idea this way?

I use AIRBNB when ….

• Travelling with my partner or friends » Time does not permit me to make new friends. I will usually look for an entire apartment between the rate of €50 to €120 for two or more people. Some Airbnb units are so beautiful in a perfect location and inexpensive for the perceived value. I once stayed in an Airbnb in Ostend, Belgium with a sea view for €70/night/room for two people. The money is what I considered well-spent.
• Making sure of the precise area of where I want to stay » With Airbnb, the location is not a guessing game. Before booking, you can already know the vicinity of the apartment. With Couchsurfing, you have to guess most time where the host is staying as many are not telling it in their profile before they accept your couch request. The Couchsurfing website states that they live in the city, but that does not mean it is inside the city centre.
• The Couchsurfing hosts do not reply to my couch request » My quota is up. I have already utilised 10 Couchsurfing introduction message. Furthermore, my time is running out and getting closer to the departure date.
• There are not enough active Couchsurfing hosts in that area after a thorough search » My plan has to change as I do not want to continue the search anymore.
• You have children and want some precious family time together » You can then opt to stay in an entire apartment like me with more rooms or beds.

Couchsurfing vs Airbnb: What would be your priority when it comes to decision-making?

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Couchsurfing Review: Spilling the Beans of 10 Memorable Experiences in France

Why is Couchsurfing Review Important?

All my Couchsurfing review from the hosts are positive. Similarly, I also gave rich, favourable Couchsurfing reference back to the host. Constructive Couchsurfing reviews build trust between the host and the couch surfer. I will bet my last dollar that the majority of the people read Couchsurfing reviews especially the hosts since the house is their property. They do not want to invite the bad ones to their home.

More so for the cautious females as they want to make sure that the person they are staying with or hosting is decent and trustworthy. Having a safe Couchsurfing experience is a top priority for them. Couchsurfers who have many positive Couchsurfing references will get acceptances from hosts more readily. First-timers that have no Couchsurfing review yet may have to work harder to create a smashing profile.

Two crucial aspects to note after submitting your Couchsurfing review:

1. You cannot amend or delete it away from the system. Think through what you have to write before posting the Couchsurfing review.
2. All your references will be left on your public profile as well. That includes your negative Couchsurfing review for the host. If you write a nasty Couchsurfing reference, it may affect your image to how your potential hosts look at you. Will you do the same to them if things go wrong? Writing an honest negative Couchsurfing review does not equate to being “nasty”.

Bad Couchsurfing Review of a Host: Will You Still Give Him a Chance?

Yes, of course. I will still give him a chance and send a couch request, depending on the type of negative Couchsurfing review a host has and the percentage of it. If it is due to miscommunication between two parties, I will proceed with my request. If the negative Couchsurfing review comes from a woman who said that the host is sexually suggestive, I will never consider.

Many travel bloggers would warn you to not to send requests to hosts with negative Couchsurfing reviews. I do not really agree with them. If a host has tons of positive reviews, I will not let a small percentage of people deter me from staying with him. Imagine this. One bad Couchsurfing reference out of 100 good reviews does not say much about the host. Right?

Couchsurfing hosts join the Couchsurfing community to share what they have – their house and their time which is an entirely different concept from Airbnb. They too want a positive experience and connection with others to feel good. Are we going to let one bad apple destroy the effort they have put in the past? There might be times where the hosts are not the one being nasty. Or rather, the couch surfers are no angels either.

Reducing Negative Couchsurfing Reference on Your Profile

Past Couchsurfing reviews formed an integral part in the selection process for a Couchsurfing host and the acceptance of a couch surfer. In the shoes of a couch surfer, I will always make the first move to write a super Couchsurfing review for my kind hosts, explaining in detail what they did for me during the stay. The more effort I took to write positive things about my hosts, the likelihood of getting a similar length Couchsurfing review which will look good for my profile. Many hosts would possibly mirror your ‘style of writing’ after going through the references that you left for others.

If you give them a generic 3-liner text, they will do the same for you. In my opinion, such a short Couchsurfing review is ‘not good enough’ to say much about you. I could not reiterate enough the beautiful experiences that Couchsurfing has imprinted on me and how kind many of the hosts are. Are all my Couchsurfing experiences that perfect? Almost. I’m going to spill the beans of my Couchsurfing experiences here. Even if nobody reads them, the Couchsurfing hosts I came cross melted my heart. I want to keep them as memories and as my dear friends forever.

Unveiling 10 Couchsurfing Experiences

1.Couchsurfing Review @ Toulouse, France – Ivan ✓

I sent my first Couchsurfing request to Ivan when I was planning to go to Toulouse. He didn’t reply in time, so I booked an Airbnb room instead. When he responded eventually, my Swedish partner and I decided to visit him in the evening at his house with some food and wine. We chatted happily and had good opinions of each other. We maintained our contact through Facebook.

Six months later, I decided to visit Toulouse but with the intention of travelling to Barcelona with Blablacar on the third day. This time, I stayed with Ivan for 2 nights by contacting him directly. I had a big room in his house by myself. On the second day, he brought me for a one-day trip to beautiful snowy Andorra.

Staying in contact with a Couchsurfing host surprised me with another unplanned travel opportunity to a new country which I did not expect. We are still keeping contact till now. I know I will go to Toulouse again because I wanted to travel with a kind friend like Ivan.

2.Couchsurfing Review @ Barcelona, Spain – Cristian ✓

I was honoured to be the first couchs urfer of Cristian’s new apartment in Barcelona for an overnight stay. He provided me with a small clean room with a comfy bed. He likes cleanliness. Thus, his house was well-kept. One rule was that whenever he left for work in the morning at 8 am, I had to get out of the house as well. The arrangement was perfectly fine since I came to Barcelona as a tourist, I can explore more places too.

Cristian was always smiling and had boyish charm. When I was outside, he would send me SMS to check if I needed help and even sent maps to advise me how to go to some places of interest despite his busy schedule. On the second evening, we agreed to meet in Arenas after his work. I appreciated that he showed me around and told me stories about the city and his personal life.

One year later, he told me on Facebook that he was going to Malaysia for a vacation. He had no plans to come to Singapore as the accommodation was costly. To his surprise, I invited him to stay at my house. He changed his mind and visited Singapore. We had a great time in Singapore as I showed him around in my little country. I was glad I could repay his Couchsurfing kindness in return!

3.Couchsurfing Review @ Lyon, France – Nicolas ✓

After the Barcelona trip, I went to Lyon and did my Couchsurfing with Nicolas for a week! Having to stay a week with a stranger for 7 days can be challenging but not with Nicolas. He is an absolute gentleman, easy to live with and very respectful. I slept in a huge attic with 2 beds for the first time. I was overjoyed just by the sight of it.

First, he offered to pick me up at the métro station even though his house was only two train stops away. I chose to walk there as I arrived early in the morning around 7.30 am. I did not want to cause him inconvenience. Not only did he show me around in Lyon for a few days, we even went to Annecy for a day sightseeing. Annecy was one of the most beautiful cities in France.

One good thing leads to another. I recommended two of my Singaporean friends to visit Lyon as one of their France travel destinations. Nicolas agreed to host the two ladies. They were so delighted to know one another and had a wonderful time together as well. My friends and I bought him dinner in Chinese restaurants on these two separate occasions.

Nicolas also prepared and taught me the way how to eat raclette. He said it was common to eat this cheesy food during winter. Overall, it was a very heartwarming experience in Lyon as I stayed with him the longest among all Couchsurfing hosts! I can’t think of anything negative during my stay with Nicolas. Now, he is also one of my most trustworthy friends in France.

4.Couchsurfing Review @ Rennes, France – Pierre ✓

Pierre was definitely a charming, lovable and handsome chap whom one loves to meet. He was so cheerful, polite & easy going. Moreover, he speaks perfect English which you cannot find a French accent in it. His beautiful state-of-art house was tastefully designed by him and his father. There was also a metro station just opposite his house which was very convenient.

My friend and I stayed with him for only night. We were going to Mont-Saint-Michel the next day. Pierre showed us around in Rennes on the day we arrived. In the evening, he asked us whether we would go to a live band music party with him which would last till 2 – 3 am. We were first hesitant to stay up that late as we had to wake up at 7 am for our Mont-Saint-Michel trip with Blablacar.

He promised that he would come back with us anytime if we wanted to go home. We had told him earlier that we wanted to stay up to 11 or 12 am, but not 3 am. I was even more surprised that he brought us to the party which was also his best friend’s birthday. He really wanted to stay there throughout the night, but he didn’t want to tell us so as not to affect our decision.

This incident reflected what an accommodative and sweet person Pierre was. His party was so crazy and fun that we stayed till 4 am anyway on our own accord, and walked home with his bunch of funny friends. No regret for saying yes to Pierre to an unforgettable French party that I will always keep in my heart. When he went to Bali in 2018, he wrote to me and said he thought of me suddenly and just wanted to say hi.

5.Couchsurfing Review @ Nantes, France – Claude ✓

I was studying in Nantes. Hence, not a typical tourist in Nantes. I wrote to Claude who was also staying in another part of Nantes. I requested for a place to stay for a night as his house was nearer to my departure point to Paris. It was very kind of him as he offered to come over to my apartment in Nantes to help me pick up my two heavy luggage of 45 kg to his house. I was moving to Paris then. He also drove me to my destination where I took a bus to go to Paris. Furthermore, he also stayed with me for some time until I got my bus ticket, making sure that everything went smoothly.

Claude is a very kind and helpful man which I sensed from the first email. It made me very comfortable to affirm his acceptance immediately without hesitation. A few others also accepted my couch requests on the same day, but Claude was still my first choice. He was very flexible to my date change to his house as I could not confirm at that time when would be my exact departure date.

I had an individual cosy room in his clean apartment. He also offered me some dinner. We went to the neighbourhood park for a walk with his son and had a great conversation together. I was damn lucky and thankful to meet a kind soul like Claude who went out his way to help a stranger. And even more grateful to him for helping with my two suitcases which were way too heavy for me to handle by myself if not for him!!!

6.Couchsurfing Review @ Paris, France – Maxio ✗

Among all the positive Couchsurfing reviews of those who hosted me, this will be the most negative Couchsurfing experience. I moved to Paris from Nantes and had to find an interim stay for a few days while searching for my long-term accommodation in Paris. Maxio responded to my couch request immediately when I told him honestly I would stay for a few days without giving him an exact duration while I would search actively for a long-term rental. He seemed friendly and chatty over emails.

When I arrived at his place, he had a rather cold disposition. He did not speak much with me, unlike other hosts. The good thing was that he passed me a bunch of keys to access his house even when he was not around. I found it strange that he accepted my couch request yet did not want to have many conversations with me right from the start. I could not understand why and was feeling uncomfortable with the silent treatment.

Despite my uncomfortable feeling, he helped me check with his classmates whether they had a long-term place for me to stay and sent me some useful links to search for my accommodation. I also cooked some simple dishes for him as a token of appreciation, hoping to break the ice while brushing off my negative feeling.

About 3 to 4 days later, he told me he could not host me anymore as his sister was coming over to stay with him. They were going to attend the festival. I was not sure whether it was a lie to drive me away, but I know I had to leave. Immediately, I began looking for another Couchsurfing host. Eddy accepted my request readily, but he had another couch surfer in his house. Thus, I could only move to his place two days later. On that day, I went to look for Eddy to establish a connection with him before moving over to his apartment.

✓ What I Learned from Here

I thought I would get a negative Couchsurfing review from Maxio because of something wrong that I have done without my knowledge. I was worried sick as I did not want any bad Couchsurfing reference from anyone. But I was wrong. I had a positive Couchsurfing review from him saying that I was kind, easy to host and could be trusted immediately when he saw me. I also gave him a positive review beforehand. No matter what, he let me stay in his house for free. I must be grateful to him.

This strange and uneasy Couchsurfing experience made me realise what we feel sometimes may not be true. He might have his problems or feeling down at that time which deterred him from wanting to converse with me. Or maybe, he is just a quiet guy by nature and does not like to talk much. There was nothing concrete to say that it was a negative review except for that dreadful silence. On the contrary, he even helped me. It was all in my head, I supposed.

7.Couchsurfing Review @ Paris, France – Eddy ✓

Moving on from the previous host, I did my Couchsurfing with Eddy for the next few days. Back then, he was a full-time Couchsurfing host. Now, he has accumulated over 250 Couchsurfing reviews to date. He was so experienced and had many enthralling stories to share, stereotyping certain nationalities with a particular behavioural style. He was the kind of Couchsurfing host that I fear to meet, yet the most thought-provoking kind because you can sit there and listen to his advice on how to be a good couch surfer.

Firstly, he said he was very selective over his guests as he received plenty of Couchsurfing requests every day. Secondly, he was so seasoned to host strangers every day that he no longer found it exciting to go the extra mile for them. Instead, he had more expectation of them and would tell them off about things he did not like. He had no reason to please anyone anymore because he had seen a fair bit of the ugly side of Couchsurfing where people were behaving like freeloaders.

When I looked for him one day in advance before crashing in his small apartment, there was already a woman staying with him. He prepared dinner for both of us. I offered to help wash his dishes. Later, he remarked to me discreetly that there was a difference between the girl and me. I offered to help, but the other girl didn’t offer to do anything. He quoted that as couchsurfers taking things for granted.

As Eddy’s apartment lived in a small studio, both of us slept on the couch. He told me that my mobile screen light disturbed his sleep in the dark through the illuminated reflection. He requested me to shut it down. I covered the blanket over my head to solve the light problem. Whenever he had to change his clothes, I had to get out of the house for a while as his toilet was indeed too small for him.

He did not keep his toilet clean as I could see urine droplets and hair on the floor and toilet bowl. Honestly, I can’t help but feel disgusted by the sight of it. I did not have the guts to tell him about his hygiene problem because it was his house. I did not want to shower either because his toilet was indeed the smallest I have seen. There was no place for me to hang my clothes except to place them on top of the toilet bowl, which was like having another wild nauseous imagination.

Finally, I found my long-term accommodation at La Courneurve. Eddy took a train with me and helped me move my two heavy luggage to my new place. I was really thankful to him! I still keep in contact with him after moving as I found him to be a straightforward and loyal friend. He was fussy, yet sincere. I found a genuine friendship in him because he said he would host me anytime if I were in trouble with the current landlord. I was touched. He was kind and made food for me, encouraged and helped me with my French language.

He had a couple of bad Couchsurfing reviews, but it didn’t matter to me. Those stemmed from a communication breakdown between two parties which lead to future issues later. Eddy talked openly about it. He said out of the 100 over positive reviews that he had, there were bound to be some grumpy people who would be unhappy with the Couchsurfing experience with him. That’s normal in my view. You can’t please everybody.

At this moment, he has stopped his Couchsurfing activities after finding a full-time job. Furthermore, he mentioned once that he felt tired at times after a prolonged period of accepting couch requests non-stop. He wanted to have more time for himself. Yes, Couchsurfing experiences do bring beautiful memories, but they also have burnout effects for hosts like him who accepted couch requests aggressively, draining away his energy day by day.

8.Couchsurfing Review @ Paris, France – Laurent ✓

I decided to cancel my long-term rental at La Courneuve in Paris to live with my boyfriend in Belgium. I requested a couch from Laurent for a night stay as he lived near to the train station. Laurent is an extremely nice guy, an endearing pianist whom people love to meet in real life. Over the email, he suggested us to have dinner and some drinks together on the evening of my arrival. He also offered to pick me up from the tram stop.

Due to personal issues in La Courneuve, I delayed the time to go to his house and could not have dinner with him. He was so sweet and waited for me until very late, at about 10.30 pm without cancelling my stay or showing me any sign of frustration. When I arrived, he offered me orange juice and chit-chat with me. I was pleasantly surprised when he told me I would be sleeping on his bed while he slept on an inflatable mattress which I should be the one sleeping on it instead. He vehemently insisted that I should take over his bed. I was very touched by his words.

The next morning, he prepared some breakfast for us. We then left the house together. I deeply regretted to date for not being able to spend more time with Laurent as I think he was such a great guy to discover more about him. I still feel guilty about the short time spent with him. He was also a great pianist and played some soothing music to entertain me that night. Alas, I didn’t have any more time to appreciate it as I like classical music. I was once again grateful for meeting another gentleman in Paris and respect the way he treated a woman patiently and by giving up his bed, his comfort.

9.Couchsurfing Review @ Paris, France – Rémi ✓

I came back to Paris to take a flight back to Singapore after moving to Belgium for a month. Rémi was another impressive character. He had a trusting personality. He left me his spare key and his apartment to me when he went for work. I stayed for only 2 nights in his place, but I felt that I had known him for ages! He made me feel so comfortable that I could even put on makeup in front of him, something that I do not usually have the guts to do it in the face of others. Strangely, he had the aura to make me break my rule.

He was working on the night when I arrived. I went to his workplace, a restaurant to look for him which was below his apartment. Then, I had a very sumptuous dinner in his restaurant at my own expense. At midnight, I went down to his restaurant to look for him again after the operating hours. We had an incredible time talking with a customer and his colleague for hours.

Rémi was a creative and enterprising person who was undertaking a project hoping to be an entrepreneur. He loved sharing his innovative idea and seek ways to improve on it. I proposed some marketing ideas to sell his hand-made products. He gave me a souvenir which he made himself as a keepsake. Our discussion was indeed inspiring moments. He was nonetheless easy going, charismatic and respectful! I loved the pouring rain shower experience in his bathroom the most.

10.Couchsurfing Review @ Lille, France – Vincent ✓

My boyfriend and I went to “Braderies de Lille”, a yearly flea market and the biggest in Europe over the weekend. We drove from Antwerp, Belgium to Lille. We were initially worried about parking too far away from the flea market due to many roads closing for the notable event in Lille. Although we did consider to book Airbnb in the centre, the cost was almost as high as a hotel. So, we gave up the thought.

I looked specifically for a Couchsurfing host living in the heart of Lille centre where the flea market took place. We found Vincent but did not stay with him since we parked near to the event. Eventually, we slept in our van instead as we had a bed there. We continued to visit Vincent and also bought him a few cans of Belgian beer. He showed us around the city like a professional travel guide, told us fascinating stories about Lille and where to get the best food and drinks around.

He walked with us at “Braderies de Lille” for the whole day. Additionally, he introduced his group of friends to us where we lunched together in a restaurant. It is a tradition to eat mussels and fries during the “Braderie and Fries” period. At night, we went to a nightclub with Vincent and his friends. The next day, he brought us to the weekend market. After which, we followed him to a “Couchsurfing Brunch” where participants would bring something there to eat and share with the rest. He also brought us to his recommended shop to buy cheese.

We stayed a weekend in Lille, but Vincent made our trip so enriching by connecting us with his close friends. He was super friendly, patient and always smiling. Even though we didn’t stay with him, he illustrated the outstanding hospitality of a local Couchsurfing host. We liked him so much that we hope to see him again by inviting him to stay with us in Antwerp if he ever comes by.

Heartfelt Opinion

Lastly, my Couchsurfing review and experiences are not going to stop here. Whenever I travel alone to a city, I always hope someone will share remarkable stories and have a fabulous interaction so I could bring back heartfelt memories with me back home. Too many entrancing souls are there eager to meet someone nice. Are you someone who can bring beautiful experiences to others? If so, sign up and try Couchsurfing now.

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