Accommodation can eat into any travel budget. Many backpackers would sleep in a barn if it was the cheapest accommodation around. Others might want slightly more comfort. One thing we all want though is to not spend a fortune on where we stay.

One of the best ways to get cheap (free) accommodation while you travel is by staying with someone who has their own place. This is where Couchsurfing comes in. Couchsurfing connects travelers with people around the globe who offer them a free place to stay. Couchsurfing is hugely popular among backpackers and budget travelers. Sometimes you get a bed, sometimes a couch, sometimes literally just space. Whatever they give you, it will save you money and is a great way to meet locals.

I couchsurfed quite a few times and have loved each experience. You get to make a new friend, get a local perspective on the sites and activities, and get provided a good respite from the hostel/hotel scene. It gives you a chance to cook a meal, sit down in front of a television, or do some laundry. Depending on the person’s schedule, you may even have your own local guide!

Not everyone you contact will respond back, but they usually do and are very accommodating. The people who would open their homes to strangers tend to be very open minded people and are usually former travelers too. They know what you are going through. They want to help.

There are a lot of other sites that provide a similar service. Sites such as Global Freeloaders, Hospitality Club, Stay4Free, and the original, Servas. However, Couchsurfing is geared towards more younger, single travelers.

Is it Safe?
A lot of times people are scared to couchsurf because they wonder if it’s safe. I was nervous about it too. There you are, in a new city with all your stuff (and you) in a stranger’s home. What if they try to murder or rob you in your sleep? However, all these websites are aware of this and take as many steps as they can to provide security. They all offer various levels of verification and allow users to rate and leave comments on traveler’s profiles.

When I use couchsurf, I tend to use the following criteria:

• There has to be a picture. This just shows me that it’s a real person.
• The profile has to be filled out. It shows they are interested and involved. Most people aren’t going to spend the time to fill this out if they aren’t comfortable with strangers in their home. If they take the time, they are looking to do this and are more likely to be a respectable person.
• They have to be verified. Couchsurfing offers different levels of verification. They can be verified by other travelers, with a mailing address, or credit card. Knowing that a person has been verified reduces the likelihood that they are gonna be a crazy psycho killer.
• They should have comments from other travelers. If other people have stayed or at least traveled with them and were OK, chances are you will be OK, too.

In the end, you need to use your judgment. A person can fake all of the above but the likelihood of that happening is slim. I haven’t heard of any bad couchsurfing experiences besides the host was a jerk. Usually, you end up talking with people over e-mail and get a feel of what to expect. If it doesn’t seem right, don’t do it!

Couchsurfing and the other networks are all built on trust. The people who host you trust you aren’t nuts, and you trust they aren’t. They are like-minded people who want to meet other travelers. It’s always good to be on alert, but overall, these sites offer a wonderful way to meet locals, stay in local neighborhoods, and do local things. And isn’t that what traveling is all about? Having the local experience wherever you go.