Instead of staying in a hotel when you travel, you can opt for free accommodation and breakfast. The principle: You are welcomed from people for one or more nights. And in exchange, you host your turn to other travelers.
Couch Surfing: A simple way to travel cheap
Various hospitality exchange networks have emerged in recent years on the Internet. The concept, as its name suggests, is to provide temporary shelter for passengers during their travel and / or host you during your travels.
Belong to one of these networks is free. This does not commit you to anything officially. However, the principle is based on the exchange. You must be able to welcome people to your turn.
Couch surfing : in practice
Besides the economic aspect of this method, the concept of sharing bonus. The couch surfing can meet people and live with the locals. Nothing requires the host to offer you a room “comfortable.” Besides the “sofa” (literally “couch”), this may be a floor mat in the middle of the show.
An unwritten rule is to transmit to the host in exchange for their hospitality, expertise, knowledge. This may be one of your travel stories, a piece of music, preparing a typical meal etc.. It is also recommended that a small gift of thanks.
Create a profile
To become “couch surfing”, you must create a profile on one specialty sites (see below). Required fields are:
- Full name;
- Address;
- Email.
All other information is optional. However, they allow users to choose a hosting potential for their next trip. And select the host travelers or not it wishes to receive. Feel free to add:
- Age;
- Sex;
- Languages spoken;
- Recreation;
- Coating type proposed or desired;
- Special conditions (no pets, no smoking, etc.)..
You can also write a blurb: This is a highly recommended option.
Couch surfing: take shelter during a trip
You travel or plan to do and you want to host. Log in and then search by country / city to find people having a free place. Then check:
- The exact location of housing (downtown, suburbs, etc.).
- The coating type proposed;
- Rules of life to be respected (no noise after 22 pm for example);
- Special conditions;
- Notation or opinions left by users.
Then contact the host to introduce yourself and indicate the dates of accommodation you want.
Couch surfing: get someone
You receive a message from a user desiring to be hosting you. First check:
- Preferred dates;
- References the profile;
- The ratings of users.
Feel free to send him a message, or even to call to have a first contact before accepting. To avoid any misunderstanding, now fix the rules of accommodation (including meals, participation in shopping, cleaning the room you want, etc..).
If you want to host, share your contact information respectively. To show him the way and to notify in case of unforeseen events, etc..
Important: You are perfectly free to refuse someone (however politely of course).