Couchsurfing – the best way to travel!

‘The website provides a platform for members to stay as a guest at someone’s home (homestay), host travellers, meet other members, or join an event. Unlike many hospitality services, Couchsurfing is an example of the gift economy; there is no monetary exchange between members and there is no expectation by hosts for future rewards’ – Wikipedia

Couchsurfing is a great way to travel, to some the only way.

I’ve spent years travelling since I left my hometown in 1999 and have been to 25 countries and lived in 4. I have stayed in 5 star hotels, motels, hostels, B&Bs, camping grounds, AirB&Bs and Walmart parking lots but I think Couchsurfing is the best. My 20th birthday at Dougies Backpackers in Port Douglas in 2000. Who are these people? 

Yes, you get to see the city/town you came to visit and in hostels you normally meet some fun people but it takes a local to show you their hometown for it to be an extra special experience. A treasured memory. Folks jamming at out host Chris’s mother’s birthday BBQ in Port Alberti. 2016

The local ‘hole on the wall’ eateries you would probably otherwise walk straight past but if you are in the know you will go in and experience the city’s most amazing cuisine. The secret local’s lookouts most tourists never view the city from, getting into attractions cheap or free because your host knows someone who works there, a tour driver, a dinner companion, a kareoke partner, a friend. Couchsurfing photos on my profile

We have couchsurfed in the following places so far, Victoria, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Calgary, Medicine Hat, Sudbury, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City and all of them have been great experiences. Some lived alone, some had other couchsurfes and family staying at the same time, many had cats, some had dogs, some had children, some partied with us, some took us for dinner, some were hardly there and some were always there. Each and every experience has been different. A friendly cat in Montreal

You really have to go in with an open mind though, you never know what the host’s expectations may be despite what it says on their profile. If you just feel like chilling and being alone, don’t book a place on Couchsurfing as the host may well have plans to take you to dinner or show you around their town.

So go to https://www.couchsurfing.com/ today and sign up. It’s £13 per year to join but it’s so worth it, you save money after the very first time you stay with someone.

If you go in with an open mind anything is possible, that’s why we travel right?