CouchSurfing: 10 Tips to make the best out of your experience

We’ve all heard Couchsurfing horror stories, and from the host who treated the soap with acid and the one who drugged the food, we’re becoming wary with our accommodation choices. For those new to the hospitality exchange scheme, CouchSurfing.com is the biggest network for travel hosting with millions of members in 230 countries, and you can simply sign up to crash on someone’s couch or host a traveller in your own home.

There are other hosting sites like GlobalFreeloaders and Hospitality Club, but neither have as wide a user base as CouchSurfers. While you don’t have to pay your host for this service, it is considered polite to offer food, gifts, or other favours as reimbursement. Plus, your host is likely to offer you their time to bring you around town as well, so it’s wise to be polite and considerate at all times.

Granted, there are lots of wonderful and generous people around, but as the site works by trust and referrals, it can attract some pretty dodgy people as well. So whether you are a first timer or a seasoned CouchSurfer, heeding our 10 tips below while engaging the service will lower the risk and help you have fun while staying safe.

Pick and choose

CouchSurfers has a verification system where you have to pay approx. SGD36 to verify your name and address, and we suggest that you limit your pool to these participants. Additionally, pick someone who you can relate to and shares similar interests with. If you’re a woman travelling solo or in pairs, do try your best to find a female host to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Consult the ratings

Two things here. One is that the website allows you to vouch for another CouchSurfer once you have three vouchers yourself (and is hence deemed reliable), so pick someone with lots of people vouching for them. The next thing is that after you meet another CouchSurfer, you can leave a review on the site and give them a rating, so check that as well!

Prove yourself

While it is important to find yourself a good host, it takes two hands to clap and you need to prove that you’re a safe and fun person to be around to attract the right hosts. Our advice is to keep as detailed a profile as possible so that you can find someone who matches your interest, and invite friends to the site to vouch for your credibility.

Hear that yes

We suggest that you start sending out recommendations two weeks before you’re scheduled to arrive. Any earlier and they won’t know if they’ve got anything on, and any later will be impolite or they may have plans. Be prepared to send about 10-15 requests per destination, and make it personal and tailored to the host’s interests to get their attention.

Know their habits

Besides the reviews and recommendations, look for people who already have real names, clear photos, and detailed descriptions of themselves and their homes. Don’t be shy to reach out to someone and ask them about their situation so you can check if it fits your needs. It’ll also be helpful to ask for their lifestyle habits so you don’t disturb them!

Black and white

All communication begins on the site’s messaging system, meaning that it is recorded until you decide to take it offline. But even then, do remember to keep a record of all exchanges, including phone calls, text messages, and emails. This is so that if anything goes wrong, you have proof to back up your case.

Be there or be square

Get the exact address of your host and ask how to get to their house so that you won’t get lost before you even meet them. They may even offer to pick you up if you give advance notice, so do check with them. It’ll also be a great idea to purchase a local SIM card to make it easier to call your host if you’re lost, and you can meet up with the other backpackers in the area as well.

Party all night

This is probably the most important point, because what is CouchSurfing about if not good ol’ fun! If your host invites you down to a party or get together, why not? Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and you’ll find yourself indulging in some great laughs and collecting stories of a lifetime.

Consideration is key

If you’re a traveller, remember that your host is likely to adjust his activities to accommodate you so plan in advance and give the host your schedule. Also, it’s nice to bring them a small gift from home or just offer to pay for a meal. Check your hosts’ profile to see what he or she likes, and choose a gift you know they’ll enjoy.

Leave on a high note

If you consumed some food and drinks from the host’s home, it’ll be nice to offer to reimburse them for the expenses. Do remember to clean up after yourself too and not leave a messy room behind. In addition, leaving a good review and vouching for them on the site would be a lovely gesture too.

While we’ve heard plenty about lurking predators and people who are simply creepy, the truth is that the majority of people on the site are just friendly and warm individuals looking for a hearty dose of fun and adventure. So don’t be afraid to reach out, and you’ll soon be whizzed off to the adventure of a lifetime.

Yijie Zhang