/r/couchsurfing

Photograph via snooOG

According to Dictionary.com, couchsurfing (v) means to stay overnight in someone else's home while traveling. This sub is a place for redditors to gather, share stories and exchange tips about hospitality exchanges and couchsurfing in general. This subreddit is not endorsed or supported by any hospitality exchange or couchsurfing website or community.

Help create a better reddit, one couch at a time.


The Rules.
  1. No Jerks.
  2. No Couch Requests
  3. No Offers to Host
  4. No Requesting References or Friends.
  5. No Misogyny, Racism, or Bigotry.

See here to learn how to get banned without warning and other useful tips about conduct.

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/r/couchsurfing

42,158 Subscribers

1

Meeting travelers in Galway?

Hey I am a big fan of Couchsurfing and have been using it since I was backpacking in South America. I have recently moved to Galway. I just couldn’t find any travelers visiting Galway? It’s so dead!! I really enjoy meeting new people and listen to their travel stories especially when I am not able to do much for now due to my studies

Any advice?

1 Comment
2024/10/31
20:08 UTC

6

As a host looking to try surfing soon, what do hosts broadly want in a potential surfer?

I wanted to ask this question so as to say what i look for, and see what others think/adjust based on that.

For me, as a host (Hosted about 10 times, anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks, and one guy 3 months), i want someone who seems interesting. I'm a very relaxed host and give them a key to the place though i'm often home most of the day anyway. All I want from hosts is to hangout a bit. Maybe get some drinks, do a one on one dinner. Once a day for an hour or so is all i really want as i enjoy spending time with this person i probably wont ever see again in my life (especially if they live in a really distant place from me)

That said, im unsure what to offer as a surfer. I'm a more introverted as well as shy, unexperienced guy. I'm trying to work on branching out and doing more things/traveling but im unsure on say if the host expects me to cook them a meal or to share my culture.

So, what do you all think? Any thoughts are appreciated.

17 Comments
2024/10/28
13:27 UTC

0

Advice on traveling 5rough Europe

Hello, I am planning on backpacking through Europe next summer. In which countries would I be more likely to find couches to stay on. How do you find couches?

5 Comments
2024/10/27
23:45 UTC

1

Seeking for a safety advise

Hey everyone, I have recently started using CS and i have found one host he is ready to host me for 7 nights in Jibhi, Himanchal Pradesh, India but he does not have any references on CS, so i m just little afraid that is it safe ?

Note:- 22M here

25 Comments
2024/10/25
20:44 UTC

0

Welcome to India, Free Help

Anyone wanna visit India, wanna help in every possible way.

Just want to associate with good people, please 🙏🏻❤️

0 Comments
2024/10/25
19:18 UTC

0

Malaysia : 2 day stay, wanna couchsurf

Want to experience local life in my 2 day stay jn Malaysia, any couchsurfing leads please.❤️

1 Comment
2024/10/25
19:13 UTC

0

Is it extremely hard to find hosts in DK and SE or am I doing something wrong?

Usually I find hosts after 5 or 10 requests, but in Copenhagen and Skane my success rate is about 1 in 40, or not even. I think tonight I will sleep in the 24/7 McDonalds because after requesting 50+ hosts (all with 70-100% reply rates, with personalized and imo very nice requests, etc.) apparently everyone is "out of town for their friend's birthday" or "extremely busy this weekend". Am I just unlucky or is there some special etiquette for these places? I have my profile at 100% completion, with only positive reviews, many pics, etc. I'm a man in my 20s. Maybe people just hate Spaniards? IDK
Typical example of my requests:

"Hey -, my name is -, I was working in a farm in Sweden and am now on my way back to Spain. Cool that you pick up accents that fast, we will see if you pick up mine (maybe its not cool enough). During covid i was really trying to achieve a flawless british accent watching a lot of british movies and learning the lines, but it has faded quite a bit. In general you sound like the true ideal couchsurfing host, doing this out of solidarity, and I think that's awesome. Maybe we can cook a nice spanish omelette together, its a pretty good recipe.
Best regards,

--"

23 Comments
2024/10/25
15:15 UTC

0

Couch-surfing in Vietnam

Hi all, I am looking for amazing hosts during my travel to Vietnam next week … Pls share suggestions…. Looking forward to connect…

12 Comments
2024/10/25
02:52 UTC

4

Looking for Car Hopping app

I've heard of this app before on travels where you can share a car ride with somebody whos traveling the same direction as you, i cant remember for the life of me what its called... anyone have a clue?

6 Comments
2024/10/24
20:03 UTC

2

What are the best apps to meet new friends/travel partners while/before traveling?

I am looking for some apps to meet new travel partners before I travel or during traveling.

I tried posting on the travelpartners subreddit in the past but never got a response.

I know many people mention staying in hostels to meet other travelers/make new friends but I cannot sleep in a room with other strangers. It triggers my anxiety. I need a private place to fall asleep.

I did some research and it seems like bumble bff is one and couchsurfing app is one. But the couchsurfing app is paid and I am not really sure yet how that works. Do I also need to make my place available for other travelers all the time ? For example sometimes I can have a friend over.

Any reccomendation is appreicated :)

9 Comments
2024/10/24
05:40 UTC

3

Verification scam

I was reading about other users experience. I don't saw any price listed when I just randomly clicked "verify payment by credit card". If someone can provide me printscreen by chance?

https://preview.redd.it/3ovihcw4w5wd1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=1c4894f14e29d6b97cca364191386bfa1edadf93

7 Comments
2024/10/21
19:32 UTC

0

London couch needed

Need a place to crash tonight around Mayfair/London central.

30M Working professional

Will possibly come in quite late - 12-12:30am depending on distance. Happy to meet up today. DM me if you would like to help

Many thanks A

4 Comments
2024/10/21
09:57 UTC

3

How do you protect your valuables from being stolen?

I would love to host but I have about $30,000 to $50,000 worth of valuables that can’t be hidden. Any tips? What precautions can I take? Can I ask for ID?

8 Comments
2024/10/20
12:48 UTC

1

Going from country to country to work for a few months at each destination?

Is this the right sub? Is there anyone else doing it? I'm a musician and I would need a laptop, a midi controller, headphones, some clothes and I'd be set. I'm in the EU. Do you have any recommendations or advices? Thanks!

11 Comments
2024/10/18
20:30 UTC

1

Hawaiians don't answer?

I am a single man from Europe in my 50s. Plan to visit Hawaii soon. I sent a request to be hosted to 10 different hosts on 3 main Hawaiian islands but had no answer after a week. Are they all inactive or what?

12 Comments
2024/10/18
01:43 UTC

6

Do some host really pay for things?

I've seen some posts related to freeloader guests and some of them mention that there are some guests that expect things to be paid for. Is this really happening? I find that shocking, as it almost doesn't make sense to me to do more for your guests since you are already doing something for them by hosting.

For reference, I don't pay for anything for guests, except sharing my snacks and drinks and a ride to the airport if they are running late. I have also treated them to a meal when I've seen young travelers eating struggle meals (e.g., Ravioli out of a can or Mac and Cheese).

31 Comments
2024/10/17
10:30 UTC

0

Help me please

I had 86 positive references on Couchsurfing, my account was deactivated, and I was told I’m no longer welcome, without any clear reason. If anyone has advice on how to get my account back, I’d really appreciate it. Couchsurfing has meant a lot to me, my email address linked to my account

mohamedmo501999@gmail.com

25 Comments
2024/10/16
22:37 UTC

3

Why an account gets deleted?

Guys, my host in another city got their account removed, I have contacted them via another platform to ask, they said it just happened out of nowhere, when I first checked the account although not verified but it had solid good amount of all positive references… they said they have contacted technical support and haven’t heard back ..

So what are the list of known reasons to get an acc deleted, i am curious and want to know should i go for it or just find another way to stay in that city for couple days ..

Just a side note: the host seems reasonable enough and it has been nice chatting and trying to plan my schedule there

19 Comments
2024/10/15
01:22 UTC

1

I got scammed

Can anyone help me with the verification scam issue? I emailed them back and forth, and now they responded with this; even though I mentioned the EU regulation law.
It’s soo annoying, but I saw some people succeed with getting a refund. Can anyone help?

28 Comments
2024/10/14
16:44 UTC

10

Is Couchsurfing popular in Japan?

Hi! I’m 29 (F), currently living near Tokyo, and I like traveling. I was wondering if having a Couchsurfing verified account worth it! Also, how safe is it now? I searched for answers but those I found are 4/5 years old ones, seems like nobody talks about it anymore. That’s why I’m asking for getting recent updates. Thanks for taking time to read this!

24 Comments
2024/10/14
09:24 UTC

1

Illinois activity

I wanna get into this app, but I wanna know how the traffic is for it in the U.S. specially illinois, if anyone's stayed within, is it active?

1 Comment
2024/10/12
21:50 UTC

2

Location changed from India to Spain and instantly asking for subscription.

Am I scrwed with all the data and contacts I had ? I movesd to Spain and location was still set as my home town in india. Now today I thought of updating it. I updated it. Saved it. The app refreshed and instantly it asks for subscription. Is there any way to bypass it ? Is there any option to update the location again to India ? As it looks like in india CS is still free.

22 Comments
2024/10/11
15:53 UTC

3

Has anyone had anything happen to the app like this?

Also when I log into the website I'm unable to go to the dashboard.

14 Comments
2024/10/09
22:33 UTC

3

Beginner CSer - How to start

I have just signed up for couch surfing and I have a hard time understanding how to find hosts. I’m just sending people a friendly hello from the prompt. I haven’t decided any place yet but I’m planning mostly a domestic trip in India. It’s asking me for references and couch surfing “friends ” How does one begin couch surfing?

11 Comments
2024/10/09
12:12 UTC

9

Nasty experiences you had with other surfers

I don't have to feel ashamed about this though I don't know how to feel about it, well just bad and used, I had this 30yo CSer girl from russia (well the country doesn't matter really, just to add details I'm not russophobe nor russophile) she went to the bathroom and left, I go in right after to use it and she had pissed and I don't know what else all around the cup, she probably didn't even seat! So I just clean and shut up about it, damn I should have told her and made her clean all up, I felt so used, I stopped hosting after that! Have you had similar nasty experiences?

37 Comments
2024/10/08
16:52 UTC

1

What is all status mean?

In couchsurfing status -Accepting Guests -Maybe Accpting Guests -Not Accpeting Guest

3 options thete make sense for me.

But the last one said -Want to Meet Up

This onr make me think that about same as not accpet guests but want to meet people.

I choose the last one but someone send message for stay But i think there is other tab for requst to stay. That make me confused what is that status mean..

4 Comments
2024/10/08
15:36 UTC

5

CouchSurfing while WFH?

Any opinions on CouchSurfing while working a remote job? I'll be starting a new position soon and wanted to potentially get assimilated to a new city in the beginning stage before committing to a new apartment.

I would of course be up front about this in my requests and can stay in hotels or airbnbs in between finding new hosts. Was moreso just curious about the morality of this and whether it would be considered scummy or not?

15 Comments
2024/10/04
02:47 UTC

3

Couchsurfing picked up in the last few weeks

Did anyone else notice this? I got a few requests which made a change from the previous 6 months.

11 Comments
2024/10/03
07:16 UTC

8

How far away from your travel date do you message hosts to see if they can host you?

Hello everyone!

I will be traveling to Paris for the first time from November 15th-22nd. I was wondering how ahead of my travels should I start messaging hosts asking if they can accommodate me? Should I start now? Wait until it’s a month before? Any suggestions would be appreciated!

8 Comments
2024/10/02
15:31 UTC

5

It is okay to use CS when I also work remotely?

So, I got a new job that it's a full-time job (9 to 5) BUT in the hours of my country. That means that in Europe I will have to start working at 3pm, and I don't have to stay all the way till the end of every day, but when I have to, I would stop working at like 10pm. I would 100% avoid working in their house because I know that it would be very weird.

I would have the mornings until like 3pm to do things together. Would any guest accept me? I know that every person is different, but I don't have any experience on the platform yet, so I want to know what other people who have had experiences in it have to say to me about it.

22 Comments
2024/10/02
13:22 UTC

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