I read an article in the London Evening Standard yesterday about the latest trend in travel - couch surfing. I never knew such a thing existed.

Couch surfers contact each other through couchsurfing.com, where people all over the world offer their sofas for visitors to use or you can ask to sleep on someone's sofa in your preferred location. It's a great way of meeting new people in their own homes. Most couch surfers are young, 20-30 and just want to explore the world for free.

So would you do it?

http://www.couchsurfing.com

There was a time when I might have thought this a good idea. But too many wierdos in the world today and the internet is their playground.

"Hmmm, I can't decide if I should stay with Mr. Dahmer or Mr. Gacy. They both sound so nice."...

I personally have not couch surfed, but am a member of another travel forum where a number of people do. None of them have been eaten yet, and you often get a more "local" experience, as you are usually in a more residential area and you have a local host.

I'd consider it for a longer trip. After, of course, all my Marriott points ran out.

You have to remember too that with somewhere like couchsurfing.com, there is accountability. You have a rating, where people that have stayed with you give feedback about the experience. So you could choose to stay only with people who have had alot of positive feedback to minimize your chances of getting eaten.

I made mention of Couch Surfing in this forum late last year:

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=487092

Since then I have *surfed* with some people in Hawaii and saw places and went to events that I would have NEVER found as a traveler, such as a winter solstice dance on the BIG Island out in the middle of nowhere and a raging all night party. I have also had folks come through my town that I gave good local recommendations to. I have established meaningful on-line relationships with people from Australia to Finland to Italy to Wisconsin. Conversely I have been contacted by some nutcases whom I just ignored, such as the guy from Ghana who wanted me to send him money to help fund his education. However there are probably a few of those lurking around here too. Even if you don't plan on using it for accomodations Couch Surfing is a great networking tool. It's kind of like Flyer Talk except for people on more of a budget. Recommended!

None of them have been eaten yet, and you often get a more "local" experience, as you are usually in a more residential area and you have a local host.


How would you know if they'd been eaten? Presumably, the ones who were eaten didn't have the opportunity to post a review of their experience.

"Had a nice time at GregWTravels place. Seems like such a nice guy. Had me for dinner."

You have to remember too that with somewhere like couchsurfing.com, there is accountability. You have a rating, where people that have stayed with you give feedback about the experience. So you could choose to stay only with people who have had alot of positive feedback to minimize your chances of getting eaten.

That helps somewhat, but you needn't be a genius to devise schemes to give yourself high marks while making it look like a plethora of guests have recommended you.

I've used http://www.hospitalityclub.org (similair to Couchsurfing) several times and have had nothing but good experiences. Staying with someone has made some of my MRs cheaper... I've never used Couchsurfing though.

I registered at both sites some time ago although I have not travelled yet, or had a guest. I have networked with some very interesting people and have a standing offer in Scotland with a family if I ever decide to go research my family tree.

I have learned a lot about other places as well- one woman had a link to her Aussie grand tour with amazing photos!

Just had a fantastic experience with couchsurfing.com. Visited a couple of towns in Germany, and their hospitality was awesome. Easy to check up on who you're hanging out with, crashing with, etc. and they can do likewise on you. Met up with people who were really excited to show off their town, one hosted a group of couchsurfing.com locals at his house for a dinner party (awesome food!), no shortage of offers for places to stay, several great 'insider' takes on local resto's, bars, clubs, etc. And, having saved on hotel $$, the bank account sure isn't the worse for it. Was able to get each host & 'tour guide" a small gift from the states--which seemed to go over pretty well, and the firm offer of returning the favor to them if they're ever this way.

I would definitely do it again. I would say that a majority of the CSers seem to fall in the 20's/early 30's crowd. At first I thought that, like others, older ones in there closer to my age might be harder to find or scary if found. But, with a little searching, was able to find some really cool "older" ones that aren't freaks, geeks, or otherwise creep-outs that--as others have rightly posted--some can be. Any other FTers experiences with CS??

I signed up for a year, long since expired. No one "surfed" my couch, no doubt because most of the users were young people without rental cars and my location is not get-to-able without your own car. Conversely, when I looked to "surf," I didn't find any users in my group (middle-aged women) that were conveniently located. Maybe when they get more users of all ages, it will work better.

There was a time when I might have thought this a good idea. But too many wierdos in the world today and the internet is their playground.

"Hmmm, I can't decide if I should stay with Mr. Dahmer or Mr. Gacy. They both sound so nice."...

I agree! Lots of kooks out there in the wide world. This may work in a university/college setting but not when you are 35. Then you'd just get the freeloaders who are "trying to find themselves".

I've been a member of Couchsurfing.com for some time...
I've hosted twice and surfed twice, and have had all relatively positive experiences. I definitely intend to use it more!

For some reason, I think there are a lot more college age freeloaders than 35 year old freeloaders. Surely even the hardest-working 35 year old gets a week of vacation once or twice a year! Put a limit on the time allowed for the person to stay, such as 1 or 2 nights, and I don't see the problem. You don't have to open your home to somebody for an entire summer. If you research the person, and they are not employed and don't offer a reasonable place to "surf" themselves, no reason to let them stay.


I agree! Lots of kooks out there in the wide world. This may work in a university/college setting but not when you are 35. Then you'd just get the freeloaders who are "trying to find themselves".

I think I might be too old for this, and I doubt they accomodate families of 4! I see it as a more high tech method of what we did when I was in my 20's. I handed out my address to lots of folks I met while travelling around. The funny part was they would usually end up visiting my mother, because I was living elsewhere. She was a really good sport about it, although one particular visit was a bit too long: one of my Swedish relatives came to stay at the same time as this Australian guy I met in Greece. They really hit it off, and she could not get rid of either of them, despite frequent offers to drive them to the freeway so they could hitchhike off to the next destination. I've gotta give her credit for her tolerance!

This sounds like a really interesting concept. I live in New Orelans and think this may be a great way to get more people here to revive the economy. Plus being a 27 year old medical student, I have a limited social network since I work so much, so it'l expand my horizons beyond a book :)

One thing I noticed was there is a referral code/referral person blank to fill in. Is there someone who uses this service that can get me a referral cose/name. I don't know how critical this is but any information is really appreciated.

Maybe I'll see an FTer on my couch one day...

Bb

This sounds like a really interesting concept. I live in New Orelans and think this may be a great way to get more people here to revive the economy. Plus being a 27 year old medical student, I have a limited social network since I work so much, so it'l expand my horizons beyond a book :)

One thing I noticed was there is a referral code/referral person blank to fill in. Is there someone who uses this service that can get me a referral cose/name. I don't know how critical this is but any information is really appreciated.

Maybe I'll see an FTer on my couch one day...

Bb

I think you're fine w/ leaving the referral code blank.
I think what may be more of the kind of "critical" you're thinking is the friends, references, etc. you add to your profile as you go along.
You can do this easily by, say, meeting up with other CSers in New Orleans. Or, maybe your first overseas CS request can simply be the "coffee/drink" thing...or, if you ask for a couch--do so with the offer to meet up first w/ no pressure/assumptions, etc.