COUCHSURFING as an idea really appealed to me and I wanted to try it out for some time. For those who don’t know, Couchsurfing is a Mobile Application/Website which connects travelers from around the world as a Host or as a Surfer. A Host accepts a Surfer’s request to stay at his/her home without any monetary gain and vice versa. But it transcends beyond the sustainable traveling option as one get to meet and connect with like-minded travel enthusiasts from across the globe.
Before my trip to Central Asia, I tried to use it on my past solo travels with strange and unsuccessful results beginning with Netherlands. I just blindly sent multiple requests and got accepted by a guy, upon scrutinising his profile I realised he runs some sort of a nudist homestay! I tried again on my next trip to France but most people came up with excuses. In USA, I received a similar response but at least one guy accepted my request but he lives quite far from the city centre and is an Uber driver. Well, you can do the maths! I almost had my first Couchsurfing experience in Turkey when a guy accepted my request but declined at the last moment due to genuine reasons.
My First Couchsurfing Experience
Finally, I had my first Couchsurfing experience in Uzbekistan. It was a bit scary initially but ultimately truly rewarding. I reached my host’s city at night via train. He guided the taxi driver to reach a neutral place. The driver got confused and took me to some remote location and I called my host again to sort out the issue. I was perplexed since nor did the driver or the host can understand English which led to my imaginations run wild! After a couple more phone calls, we finally reached the designated place as guided by my host. He graciously received me and seems quite happy with the fact that I will be his first guest from India. We met at a square and walked on to his place. We were communicating via actions and expressions. On the way, we were joined by his friends who were in high spirits. One person from the group knew little English who served as a translator between us. A drunk translator! The path to my host’s place was poorly lit and even pitch-dark at some places. After walking for a few minutes, we reached a big door. It was dark outside. My host shushed everyone and slowly we entered the place thanks to our mobiles’ flashlight. In my head, I was having all sorts of thoughts. Whose place is this? If this is his place, why are we entering like a thief? What I got myself into? What excuse should I give to leave? Is there a hostel nearby? Upon entering, I scanned the place and it felt like I come to my relative’s home with big verandah in Punjab. I saw some foreigners sitting at a corner. A couple from Germany and Two Cyclists from England. After conversing with them, I came to know that this is, in fact, an art gallery run by our host. There are some empty small rooms in the gallery which work as a couch for Couchsurfers around the world. Since it is not allowed to spend a night at the gallery, hence we need to be discreet while entering at night. My doubts were still not fully erased. We all sat at a rectangular table joined by our host’s friends and fellow couchsurfers, In my mind, I keep on thinking “Police gonna barged through the main gate anytime now”. But soon all my doubts/fears were diminished as we start talking. We had some fun/interesting conversations till late in the night while drinking Vodka/Tea and munching on Indians snacks (Courtesy by me). They all loved Indian snacks 🙂 Particularly, The German couple who are sorely missing Indian snacks from their trip to India. The 20-something couple has been traveling around the world for more than a year via Hitchhiking and English bikers have cycled all the way from England to Uzbekistan and their last stop will be China. Their travel stories filled my heart with great optimism. In the morning, we get ready before tourists flocked in. My host let me glimpse into his unique diary noting details of every couchsurfer he hosted like name, country of origin and their journey to Uzbekistan. Even though we don’t understand each other’s language. Surprisingly, we somehow able to understand each other’s nuances. He came across as an earnest and hospitable person. His heart is in the right place. At night, we all had dinner together at a Local restaurant before I bid them adieu. It was only one night stay but the experience gave me great confidence and hope. What started as a scary experience ended with a transformative experience. Thereon, I wanted to use only Couchsurfing for accommodation! On the same trip, I got a chance to use it again, when I stayed with a Local Family in a Kyrgyz Village. Followed by my stay with Gabit in Kazakhstan. All my Couchsurfing experiences till now have been unique and truly fulfilling.
Lack of enough references on my profile is one of the reasons behind my initial Couchsurfing struggle. It is a bit difficult to find your first host. I compiled below some of the points to help first-time Couchsurfers:
DOs & DON’Ts of Couchsurfing
Don’t add a random picture as your profile picture. How can you expect someone to let you stay at his/her home if they don’t even know your face? Just use your basic common sense.
Complete your profile. Try to be as expressive as possible while writing your profile. I see lots of half-filled or almost empty profiles. It just won’t work.
If you are new to Couchsurfing, I would strongly recommend adding your social media links. This will surely give your host extra comfort and could be a deciding factor.
Get verified. Currently, they are offering Lifetime verification at $60. It will add authenticity to your profile. Also, with a verified account you can send unlimited messages.
Check references of a host before sending a request and more importantly, read them (positive and negative). It will give you an idea about what sort of person he/she is. References are like reviews which can be given by Surfers(people you hosted), Hosts(people who hosted you) and personal(given by friends).
There will be new hosts too with no or fewer references. So that doesn’t mean they’re not genuine. Check out their social media profiles which will give you a fair idea about a person.
Don’t blindly sent out requests. Read the profile of a host first and see if your interests are similar. No point staying at a person’s home if you have nothing in common to talk about.
Send personalised messages for Request To Stay. Don’t send copy paste messages. Write about your travel plans and your mutual interests. Be polite and grateful.
Okay, so your request has been accepted. Great! Coordinate with your host about your time of arrival. Don’t leave your host hanging.
Respect your host’s space and be flexible. Try to help out your host in daily chores. You can also bring some souvenir from your country. I’m sure your host would appreciate that.
Lastly, Do not hesitate to leave the place if you see a red flag and do leave a reference(positive or negative) to help future surfers.
My first time to learn about Couchsurfing even though I have been avid travelers. This looks like a thrilling experience, especially for women. Not sure I dare to explore especially to places like central Asia. The housing in Central Asia looks super unique and are the one I would love to explore though.
With kids in the house, I would probably never even consider this idea. I couldn’t imagine allowing a complete stranger to stay in my home.
Thank you for this informative post, I really like the topic. You have opened a new world to me, so good 🙂 – Amalia
Oh man, I don’t think I could do it! It would be way too awkward for me. I don’t even like staying at friend’s houses when I visit places. Nope. Hotel for me. I like my own space.
Thank you so much for sharing this! I’ve been so on the fence about Couchsurfing (mostly because the idea makes me nervous), but I feel so much more confident in it after reading your review.
How interesting; I always thought couchsurfing was sort of like searching the internet from your couch! What an exciting experience!
Couchsurfing sounds like a great way to experience certain places – staying in an art gallery sounds super cool! I’ve never used the app or the website but if I do, I will certainly consider your useful tips.
From your post, i could see a responsible and gentle person. i admire you for showing respect to the host’s space and being flexible. youve mentioned about helping out in the daily chores. and yes, also leave the place when you see a not so beautiful reason to stay long. Such responsible action.
This is my first time hearing this and it sounds like an interesting app for me. Never knew that there was such a thing. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Such a fun and great experience you had. Itw as great to know that there are apps like this. Sounds really interesting
wow! very interesting read. I didn’t even know there was such a thing as couch surfing. Very interesting way to travel to new places and meet new people. who else would know the area better than locals. I’m very intrigued but also a little nervous about safety.
I had heard of couchsurfing before, but I wasn’t quite sure how it worked. You seem to have had a positive experience, even though it started out a little scary. I would have been far too nervous! Great tips on how to get started with it for people who want to give it a try.
Great tips! I would also be afraid at first but it can be an incredible experience to meet new people and create lasting relationships!
Really interesting! I didn’t know there was an app for this- a good idea! I’d be nervous though- but you have some good tips for checking out safety issues.
I’ve done some couch surfing in the past and also hosted a few people, and totally agree with your tips! Also, some people sometimes hide cues in their profile of something you should write in your request, that will show them whether or not you’ve read their profile, to screen from copy paste requests. Also one tip I can suggest is if you’re new, go to osme couch surfing events in your city or wherever you travel! You might get to know new people, meet up and spend some time together, and get your first reference that way. And in general, these events are often fun! Thanks for sharing your story ?
Wow! What a crazy experience! The best traveling memories are always the unexpected ones, and the times that you connect with new people unexpectedly. Very cool!
It was interesting to read the highs and the lows of your couch surfing experience. Thanks for the helpful tips at the end.
This is an amazing idea. I will try this soon!! Thanks for sharing!!
I’ve not been couch surfing but I’d like to try it. I love Central Asia so I was curious about your experiences. Some fabulous tips for anyone that wants to give couch surfing a shot!
I have never heard of couch surfing before. It seems scary especially reading about you were almost about to experience it for the first time. Thanks for the tips. Will share it with friends too.
You’r Do’s and Don’ts will definitely help other coachsurfing in finding their host and I am glad that you’ve had a great time and fun experience visiting your host place.
I used to love being a Couchsurfing host before a couple of years. I still do, however, I am using it more as a guest and less as host now. The people sending requests are just looking for a free stay to stay. I am not very excited about that.
I have been on Couchsurfing for over 10 years. I have hosted and been hosted so many times that I lost count. These days though it’s harder even for me, with so many references, to get a host. This is why I mostly prefer to host rather than be hosted. I do like to meet up with Couchsurfers though for a drink or to show me around their city.
I’m visiting Central Asia this summer, so the post that you linked (A Practical Guide) is going in my bookmarks 🙂
Although I never stayed with a Couchsurfer before, I have met some really great friends when I asked them to hang out and show me their city. As a little token of appreciation, I also give them a small gift from my country (like a postcard or chocolate)
Interesting read – totally different perspective of travelling. I already don’t like to stay with friends but prefer a ‘neutral’ accommodation when travelling, so coach surfing would definitely not be for me, but, like I said, I enjoy reading about different travel experiences.
Wow, I’m glad that you had a great experience in Couchsurfing. I once had a couch surfer request from Russia and was able to accpet them . They stayed with me for about 2 days, and it was truly an amazing experience. I’m looking forward to experience having a host in a foreign land soon If I get the chance. But for now, I enjoy accepting guests from anywhere in the world who loves to visit my home town in Cebu City, Philippines.
For someone who has never done Couchsurfing this post is indeed a revelation. Your first experience was indeed something you are sure not going to forget in a hurry. An art gallery used for Couchsurfing, that is really something unique. Couchsurfing is also a great way to get an immersive experience of the local culture too..