Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hosts have lives.
Remember that the hosts have lives, too, and they're not doing this to
cater to you. Sometimes things come up and they have to cancel. This is a risk you take as a
couchsurfer so always have a plan B.
Bring a small gift.
Don't give your host money, but it is nice if you give them a small
gift. Wine and beer are always welcome. Small souvenirs from your hometown are popular
choices. Don't spend a lot of money but get something that shows your appreciation.
Communication.
Make sure you ask about the house rules. If you're looking to party, make
it known when you're searching for a host. If you're upfront about it, you're more likely to get
a compatible host. Many hosts are young university students, so they live in small apartments.
You want to let them know right away how many people are in your group. If they're expect-
ing one person and four show up, it could make the host angry.
Also, find out when is the best time to arrive and stick to that schedule. Try not to be super
early or really late. Always contact them if plans change so they know what is going on.
Don't overstay your welcome.
A lot of couchsurfers abuse their stays by staying too long.
Many hosts are too nice to tell them to leave. Try to limit your stay to one or two nights.
Interact with your host.
Make an effort to talk to your host. They bring people into their
home because they like the social aspect of couchsurfing. If you never interact with them,
they'll feel like they're being used for a free room.
Clean.
Always clean up after yourself. Take out the trash. Fold up your bedding and make
sure you keep your bags out of the way.
Cook.
Cook your own food. Many hosts are totally fine with you using their kitchen but
don't take their food. Offer the host whatever you're making. They may decline but it is a nice
gesture.
Vouch for your host.
If everything went well, be sure to leave positive feedback on the web-
site.
ADDITIONAL CONCERNS TO CONSIDER
CouchSurfing isn't always 100% reliable. Hosts can cancel last minute and it can often be
hard to get people to respond to your requests. It takes a lot of time to find a host, especially
in large cities where there are tons of other travelers.
Sometimes staying with someone you don't know might limit your freedom. They might
require you to be back at a certain time or ask you to leave while they're not home. You also
might not “click” with your host and it can be awkward.
Many hosts don't live right in the center of town because it is so expensive. Therefore, the
location might be less convenient for sightseeing. Although, this allows you to see part of the
city that you probably wouldn't have ever experienced otherwise, so it isn't always a negative.
Even though it's called “couchsurfing” it doesn't mean you'll always be sleeping on a couch.
You could get lucky by getting a comfy bed or you might have to sleep on the ground.
